A Horse is a Horse, Unless it's a Racing Horse with Equine Flu

It's the end of the world as New South Wales knows it. Thousands of horses have come down with the sniffles at the dawn of one of the most lucrative gambling events of the year - spring carnival. New South Wales' carnival has been called off, tossing people out of work, and forcing tens of thousands of horse enthusiasts and chronic gamblers to find other forms of entertainment (to the dog tracks!). Some have called it a natural disaster, demanding compensation and government relief (think of the poor bookies!).

Victoria has thus far been spared, leaving Melbourne's carnival (and the Melbourne Cup) to continue on schedule, but with the horses of NSW and QLD barred from traveling, it's likely to be a subdued affair.