Alexander returns to racing at Caulfield
Ballarat trainer Archie Alexander has been given the green light to start his two runners at Caulfield.
Alexander received confirmation on Friday that the 34 horses remaining in his stable had tested clear after a bout of strangles forced his premises into quarantine almost three weeks ago.
With clear blood tests Alexander can start Wheal Leisure in Saturday’s Fight Cancer Foundation Handicap and Spanner Head in the Living Legends Handicap.
“I’m very relieved,” Alexander said.
“It’s business as usual with our runners on Saturday and then we can carry on.
“It’s brilliant news.”
While the stable was in lockdown, Alexander was unable to work his horses at Ballarat until last week when Racing Victoria stewards allowed him to transport horses to nearby Burrumbeet racecourse for gallops.
He said despite missing a number of gallops his team had been able to maintain a good level of fitness with the use of a treadmill.
“Thank God we’ve got a treadmill,” he said.
“It will be three weeks on Saturday but it feels like four months but the owners have been so patient and the staff have been great.
“It’s not going to be easy after missing three weeks but I think the horses are well enough.
“I think three was the cut-off point, four was too much, so three is brilliant.
“It could have been much worse.”