RNSW_Oct 21_Col_W

The presence of prohibited substances in racehorses is viewed very seri- ously and punishments in this area are generally severe. Therefore Racing NSW would like to draw the attention of trainers to Australian Rule of Racing 178, which states in part: "When any horse which has been brought to a racecourse for the pur- pose of engaging in a race is found by the Committee of the Club or the Stewards to have administered to it any prohibited substance as defined in A.R.1, the trainer and any other person who was in charge of such horse at any relevant time may be punished." All trainers are reminded of the strict provisions of the portion of A.R.178 that has been quoted, and of their responsibility for not only the condition, but also the care of their horses, especially in the period leading up to a race. Therefore, trainers are urged, in their own interests and in the interests of racing, to take proper precautions in regard to the feeding and safeguard- ing of horses that are to race, and to ensure that any person having con- tact with these horses is fully aware of the serious consequences that could flow from positive samples being returned. OFFICIAL RACING LABORATORIES For the purpose of the definition of "Official Racing Laboratory" contained in AR1, it is hereby notified that the following analytical laboratories have been approved by the Australian Racing Board: • Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory, Sydney • Queensland Government Racing Science Centre, Brisbane • Racing Analytical Services Limited, Melbourne • Racing Chemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Centre (W.A.) , Perth • The Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Laboratory, Sha Tin, Hong Kong • New Zealand Racing Laboratory Services Limited, Avondale, Auckland, New Zealand • Sport and Specialised Analytical Services, LGC, Fordham, Ely, Cambridgeshire, United Kingdom • Australian Sports Drug Testing Laboratory, Sydney • ChemCentre, Western Australia • National Measurement Institute (NMI), Sydney (trace element analy- sis) • Institute of Biochemistry, German Sport University, Cologne, Germany WARNING TO TRAINERS AND VETERINARIANS - USE OF TABLETS CONTAINING ACEPROMAZINE [3/3/2021] Racing NSW recognises the requirement of a veterinarian to carry a range of medications to service both racing and non-racing clients. The Rules of Racing, however, require that the possession and supply of such med- ications should conform to the requirements of relevant Commonwealth and NSW State legislation. Racing NSW requires the proper supply of restricted (S4) therapeutics, including the proper labelling of any S4 that is dispensed to a client and that the quantity of supply and purpose of any prescription is appropriate. A number of stable inspections have recently been conducted by Stewards, whereby acepromazine containing tablets not manufactured or registered for use in horses (such as A.C.P 10 Travel Sickness Tablets for Dogs and Cats) have been identified. The administration of these tablets has previously resulted in the finding of a prohibited substance on race day. The use of such products, not manufactured or registered specifically for use in horses, are prohibited from being used in racing stables when there are specific products manufactured and registered for use in horses. Several registered products are available for prescription by a permitted veterinarian in both paste and injectable forms. Veterinarians are reminded that current standards of veterinary practice require that when a suitable registered veterinary product is available, this must be prescribed rather than a compounded product, one registered for use in other species or registered with the Therapeutic Goods Administration. Should clarification be required, Racing NSW Veterinary Department can be contacted at (02) 8344 5050 or by emailing tkoenig@racingnsw.com.au USE OF ALTRENOGEST PRODUCTS IN FILLIES AND MARES On 22 June 2018, Racing NSW provided notice to the industry in respect to the detection of trace levels of the anabolic steroid trendione and/or trenbolone in certain batches of veterinary prescription animal remedies containing the progestagen altrenogest, used to control the cyclic activity of fillies and mares. Racing NSW advised that until further notice, that trainers in NSW should not administer injectable products containing altrenogest and should avoid using oral altrenogest products within one clear day of racing. After carefully considering scientific and veterinary opinions, particularly in respect of the associated health, safety and welfare issues, effective 13 August 2018 the Board of Racing NSW approved the introduction of NSW Local Rule of Racing 44A which provides Racing NSW with a discretion in respect of low trace levels (below 1 microgram per litre) of trenbolone, trendione or epitrenbolone, when present with altrenogest. LR44A - When a blood or urine sample taken at any time from a filly or mare has detected in it trenbolone, trendione or epitrenbolone below a mass concentration of 1 microgram per litre, together with altrenogest, it is open to Racing NSW (or the Stewards exercising powers delegated to them) to find that the provisions of AR.175(h)(ii), AR.177, AR177A, AR177B, AR.178 and/or AR.178H do not apply if, on the basis of the evidence avail- able to them, they are satisfied that the detected level of trenbolone, trendione or epitrenbolone in the sample was caused by contamination of the active ingredient altrenogest administered in accordance with the Rules of Racing and advice published by Racing NSW. Trainers are advised that they should continue not to use injectable products containing altrenogest and not use oral altrenogest products within one clear day of racing until further notice. Further the use of such oral products mast be in accordance with the recommended dosage of the manufacturer, notwithstanding that oral altrenogest products must not be administered within one-clear day of racing. COBALT THRESHOLD IN THE AUSTRALIAN RULES OF RACING Trainers are advised of the revised threshold level for cobalt in urine and a threshold level for cobalt in blood plasma, effective 1 September 2016: “AR.178C(1) The following prohibited substances when present at or below the concentrations respectively set out are excepted from the provisions of AR.178B and AR.178H:- (l) Cobalt at a mass concentration of 100 micrograms per litre in urine or 25 micrograms per litre in plasma.” Cobalt is a naturally occurring trace element which is normally present in horses at very low levels as a result of the ingestion of feedstuffs that contain it in trace amounts. Cobalt is also present in the structure of vita- min B12 (cyanocobalamin). However, excessive amounts of cobalt have an effect on the blood system (AR.178B(1)), and it would be classified as a haematopoietic agent (AR.178B(2)), and is a hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)-1 stabiliser (AR.177B(2)(l)). Accordingly, cobalt is a prohibited sub- stance pursuant to AR.178B(1), AR.178B(2) and AR.177B(2)(l) when occur- ring at levels above those naturally occurring or above those as a result of routine nutritional sources. These threshold levels have been determined following an international survey of the racing horse population which measured cobalt levels in normal racehorses during training and racing. However, both the lowered urine cobalt threshold and the introduction of a plasma cobalt threshold provide a significantly more sensitive means of detecting the abuse of cobalt in racing. Trainers are therefore advised: • That a normal racing diet is more than sufficient to meet a horse’s nutritional requirements for cobalt and vitamin B12. • That registered injectable preparations containing cobalt salts such as V.A.M. Injection, Hemo-15 and Hemoplex offer no nutritional advan- tages because incorporation of cobalt into the vitamin B12 molecule occurs within the horse’s gut. • To consult with their veterinarians to ensure that their oral supplemen- tation regimen provides only the amount of cobalt necessary to meet the scientifically established nutritional requirements of the horse for cobalt. • To administer only nutritional supplements that are manufactured or marketed by reputable companies and to administer such supple- ments only at the manufacturer’s recommended dose and frequency of administration. • To avoid the simultaneous use of multiple supplements containing cobalt and vitamin B12 • That administering products that are inadequately labelled, that make claims to enhance racing performance or to be ‘undetectable’, or which are marketed over the internet is extremely unwise. • To comply with the one clear day restriction on the injection of any substance prior to racing, including injectable preparations containing cobalt salts and vitamin B12. Please direct any queries to the Stewards or Veterinary Department on 02 9551 7500. 122 www.racingnsw.com.au Prohibited Substances PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES