THE Australian Jumping Racing Association announced on Thursday they are hosting a ‘study and buying tour’ of Ireland in September for eight trainers and two jockeys from the jumps racing industry.

“Ireland has limitless potential for Australian owners and trainers in what it can offer for affordable, well-bred jumping horses,” said AJRA chairman Sandy McGregor.

“The AJRA will back partial costs of the tour plus provide a buyer’s incentive equivalent of up to 33% of the cost of shipping horses back to Australia.”

Promotion for the tour began this week during the Warrnambool carnival.

‘Aquanita Eight’ case under way

MELBOURNE’s County Court has overseen the opening days of the Aquanita raceday treatment case that began on Monday where 271 charges will be heard. Graphic video footage was presented on day one from hidden camera footage obtained from one of Flemington’s on-course horse boxes of then Aquanita employee Greg Nelligan administering a paste from a syringe to Lovani on Turnbull Stakes day.

The paste was revealed as a mix of sodium bicarbonate and tripart paste, both illegal if administered on race day.

Counsel for Racing Victoria Jeff Gleeson said that to prove their cases, stewards would rely on the video of the actions of Nelligan, admissions in evidence given by his wife Denise, hundreds of text messages from some of the eight accused as well as exhibits such as the modified syringe used to deliver the substance and the yellow bag labelled “Greg” used to carry the syringe.