Equine flu has also played havoc with racing in Australia with many racetracks being shut down. The situation down under has improved recently and several states are now clear of the virus.

But there were fears the Japanese horses, which are among the best in the world, would not be able to come.

However, after a month of talks between the Jockey Club, the Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department, the Japan Racing Association and the Japanese Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, an agreement has been reached to set up a quarantine station in an area clear of equine flu.

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The Japanese contenders for the Hong Kong races on December 9 will be subject to a 14-day period of pre-export quarantine, with testing to be completed in Japan.

The quarantine facility will be set up at the Hanshin Racecourse near Osaka, with no reported equine flu case within a radius of 10 kilometers around the track to be certified by the Japanese ministry.

Shipment of the Japanese runners will be canceled if any case of equine flu is reported within the radius during the quarantine period.

The Jockey Club will inspect the Hanshin facility while the horses are in quarantine.

The agreement, however, will not permit runners competing in the Japan Cup on November 25 to participate in the international races as there will be insufficient time to complete the quarantine.

This could rob Hong Kong racegoers of seeing some of the world's top horses such as Melbourne Cup winner Delta Blues and runner-up Pop Rock, who have been entered in the Japan Cup.

The Turf World Championships comprise four events, ranging in distance from 1,200 to 2,400 meters and carrying HK$62 million in stake money.

Since the Jockey Club first hosted international racing on January 24, 1988, Hong Kong has won 16 of the 57 races run. England has won 10, France eight, Australia and Japan six each and New Zealand four.

The United States, the United Arab Emirates and Ireland won two each and Singapore one. Macau has managed one third placing.