This Saturday, 14 Febuary 2004, another five trainers are having their first runners since the Equine Flu enforced break in the Western Cape.  Here is what they had to say:

Basil Marcus - trains at Kenilworth NO HORSES INFECTED BY EQUINE FLU.

Currently stabled at Kenilworth, the yard avoided the virus altogether. The break in racing did very little to affect the stable as it consists mainly of juveniles whose programme has been designed to bring them on slowly and introduce them to racing later in the season.

Koos Neuland - trains at Phillipi.

Out of twelve horses only two presented with an increased temperature but at no time did they begin coughing or go off their feed. Despite this, all horses were taken out of work for a month as a precaution but they have been back in training for close to a month.

Vaughan Marshall - trains at Milnerton.

The stable was fortunate to have very few severe cases, although the two and three year old horses were hit harder than the older horses. The yard has been back in work for a month or so and although some may still be capable of performing well, the majority are expected to need the run.

Piet Steyn - trains at Milnerton.

The yard has been back in training for four weeks and, although none have had the opportunity for a grass gallop, the trainer is happy with how they have come back, as some horses seem to have enjoyed the break. Most, however, are expected to need the run.

Harold Crawford - trains at Milnerton.

Most of the yard was affected by the outbreak and have been back in training for about three weeks. Although the horses who were not severely hit will begin racing over the next couple of meetings, the worse cases will be given longer before returning to racing. The trainer is happy with the work at home but expects many to need the run, as they have not had a grass gallop.

The balance of the trainers with runners today also had runners on February 8th, their comments were circulated last week.

Patrons' attention is drawn to the Western Cape’s three defined groups of trainers. Those who train at Milnerton were the first to be affected by the virus on Tuesday 9 December 2003. Philippi and the Justin Snaith yard had their first confirmed cases on Tuesday 16 December, whilst John McDonald, Basil Marcus, Mike Stewart, Brett Crawford and Glen Kotzen all train from premises UNAFFECTED by the Equine Flu.

Gill Simpkins
Communications Officer