Racing: Quarantine red tape hits Cup visitors

Photo / Richard Robinson

Bureaucratic red tape threatens the entry of international horses in this year's Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Racing Victoria has been forced to stop horses from England and Macau, due to arrive this weekend.

RVL boss Rob Hines told the Herald Sun that Australian Quarantine Inspection Service had refused to approve a manual for the new quarantine facility at Werribee.

Hines said he could not get a satisfactory answer from AQIS officials when they will approve the manual.

He said the political state of flux in Canberra was affecting the issue.

Hines said he had been given no guarantees when AQIS would approve the manual and therefore he was unable to tell international trainers when they could bring their horses.

"They have been to our facility at Werribee and approved it in principle, but they have not approved the manual that documents everything," Hines said.

"Connections of the horses due to arrive this weekend have been told they can't come.

" It's very, very frustrating. Really, it's unbelievable."

- AAP