From the Melb. Age Sunday:

A veterinarian confirmed 200 horses at Sydney's Centennial Park stables had flu symptoms. There were also reports last night that horses in Tamworth had contracted the non-fatal virus. It is understood a handful of them have travelled to country meetings in recent days.

The first case of equine influenza was detected in a prize stallion at the Eastern Creek quarantine station west of Sydney on Thursday last week. It is understood the virus has spread to four other stallions at the quarantine site, with another 47 stallions and racehorses at Eastern Creek under extreme risk of contracting the virus.

Twenty-seven horses at Victoria's Spotswood quarantine site are being tested after several came into contact with horses that ended up at Eastern Creek.

Lasseters Sports bet managing director Gerard Daffy said he had "information from an industry insider" that on Monday the Federal Government would announce a 28-day shutdown across the country.

"So how can you get a cups horse fit in that time? I'm told the spring carnival will be pushed a month (back) to December," Mr Daffy said.

Leading Victorian trainer David Hayes said a rethink for the spring racing carnival would have to be considered if the ban were to be extended.

"I'd imagine one of the options with a national truce made between the states and no racing for a month, you would have to put the race dates back six weeks," Mr Hayes said.