RNSW_Oct 21_Col_W

who would dispense or prescribe the products according to the provi- sions of the NSW Poisons and Therapeutic Goods Act 1996. The dis- pensed products should also carry the veterinarian's or pharmacy label which would detail relevant instructions for use in horses. TESTING FOR DIMETHYLSULPHOXIDE (DMSO) Trainers should be aware that race day samples containing elevated lev- els of the prohibited substance dimethylsulphoxide (DMSO) will be report- ed to the Stewards. Trainers and veterinarians should avoid the applica- tion and/or the administration of preparations containing DMSO close to race time. TESTING FOR 3-METHOXYTYRAMINE Trainers and others in the racing industry are reminded of the provisions of AR.178C(1)(h) which states: "The following prohibited substances when present at or below the con- centrations respectively set out are excepted from the provisions of AR178B:- (h) 3-methoxytyramine (including both free 3-methoxytyramine and 3-methoxytyramine liberated from its conjugates) at a mass concentra- tion of 4.0 milligrams per litre in urine." The establishment of an international threshold for 3-methoxytyramine was a recommendation arising from the 13th International Conference of RacingAnalysts andVeterinarians held inAugust 2000. The implementation of the threshold has implications for certain stable management and feeding practices, and to reduce the likelihood of inadvertent contravention of AR178C(h), the following advice is provided. The administration (including supplementation through feeding) of certain substances to horses has been shown under certain circumstances to elevate urinary levels of 3-methoxytyramine. In order to comply with the provisions of AR178C(1)(h), the administration of the following substances by any route, including in feed, should be avoided as it may lead to a breach of the Rules. The relevant substances include:- * tyrosine * phenylalanine * feeds or feed supplements containing broadbeans (Vicia faba) and/or Jackbeans and horsebeans (Mucuna species beans). Trainers and others are further advised that the concurrent administration of vitamin B6 (pyroxidine) and/or magnesium with the aforementioned substances may also result in an elevation of urinary levels of 3-methoxytyramine. TESTING FOR TESTOSTERONE Amendment to Rule 178C(1)(g) The following prohibited substances when present at or below the con- centrations respectively set out are excepted from the provisions of AR.178B and AR.178H:- (g) Testosterone: (i) in geldings: free testosterone and testosterone liberated from its conjugates at a mass concentration of 20 micrograms per litre in urine; (ii) in fillies and mares: free testosterone and testosterone liberated from its conjugates at a mass concentration of 55 micrograms per litre in urine; (iii) in fillies and mares that have been notified as pregnant pursuant to the requirements of AR.64E(2): free testosterone and testosterone liberated from its conjugates at any concentration in urine; (iv) in geldings: free testosterone at a mass concentration of 100 pico- grams per millilitre in plasma. RULES DEALING WITH ENDOGENOUS TESTOSTERONE IN GELDINGS AND FEMALES Since mid 2011, an issue has been identified whereby a number of thor- oughbred geldings have been presented to race in NSW with elevated urinary concentrations of testosterone (T). These elevations have been both in excess of the threshold level in urine for T in geldings of 20 micro- grams per litre and at levels just below the threshold. In many cases, the concentrations of urinary T in these geldings are consistently elevated above and/or at around the threshold, usually after transport. The issue has now been recognised to occur in certain individual geldings and females, and is a repeatable phenomenon in these animals. Investigations by Racing NSW into this phenomenon have identified a possible natural cause of elevated concentrations of testosterone in these specified individuals, multifactorial in nature, and supported by interna- tional peer review of the results of the investigations to date. These inves- tigations included the sampling of 200 horses presented to race at NSW race meetings for pre- and post-race testosterone urinary concentrations, as well as a review of the steroid profiles in repeated samples from a number of animals that have shown T irregularities. The inclusion of additional steroid markers that are precursors to T into the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) anabolic screen has enabled the metabolic state of geldings and females to be evaluated more thoroughly to assist in distinguishing the possibility of endogenous (natu- rally produced) T from that arising from an administration of a veterinary product containing testosterone. In response to this phenomenon, the Racing Australia (RA) Board intro- duced rules of racing AR.177C, AR.178G and AR. 200A. In essence, the amendments allow for a breach of the current urinary testosterone thresh- old in geldings and females to be viewed as a cause for an investigation rather than a prima facie breach of the prohibited substance rules. Stewards are therefore provided with the discretion to consider all rele- vant scientific and analytical evidence available to them in reaching satis- faction to the relevant standard of proof, as to whether or not the detect- ed elevated level of testosterone above the threshold in the sample was naturally produced by the horse. The amendment however does not allow for the raising of evidence that a prohibited substance was not adminis- tered as being grounds to enact Stewards discretion under these new rules. The examination of a range of additional steroid markers by RNSW experts as well as an examination of medication records and husbandry practices will provide the necessary advice to Stewards following a report of an elevated level of testosterone in a sample. Stewards however remain mindful that pharmaceutical testosterone is a potent anabolic agent with the potential to boost performance, and whose administration to thoroughbreds is banned at all times. AR.177C: “In the case of the presence of testosterone (including both free testosterone and testosterone liberated from its conjugates) above a mass concentration of 20 micrograms per litre being detected in a urine sample taken from a gelding, or above a mass concentration of 55 micrograms per litre being detected in a urine sample from a filly or mare, prior to or following its running in any race, it is open to the Stewards to find that the provisions of AR.177 do not apply if on the basis of the scientific and analytical evidence available to them they are satisfied that the detected level in the sample was of endogenous origin or as a result of endogenous activity.” AR.178G: “In the case of the presence of testosterone (including both free testos- terone and testosterone liberated from its conjugates) above a mass concentration of 20 micrograms per litre being detected in a urine sample taken from a gelding, or above a mass concentration of 55 micrograms per litre being detected in a urine sample from a filly or mare, prior to or following its running in any race, it is open to the Stewards to find that the provisions of AR.178 do not apply if on the basis of the scientific and analytical evidence available to them they are satisfied that the detected level in the sample was of endogenous origin or as a result of endogenous activity.” AR.200A: “As at the date on which AR.177C and AR.178G take effect, all urine sam- ples taken from horses prior to that date which have not been adjudicated upon by the Stewards shall be dealt with subject to those new Rules. TESTING OF NON-RACE DAY SAMPLES The Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) offers on request anal- yses of non race day urine samples for certain long-acting therapeutic drugs. This service has been provided to enable trainers to determine the suitability for racing in NSW of horses under their care that have been treated with these long-acting medications. The non race day drug screens are confined to testing for the long acting legitimate therapeutic drugs in the following classes: corticosteroids, anabolic steroids and procaine (arising from the administration of procaine penicillin). Arrangements for the collection and submission of a non race day sample can only be made through the Stewards in the relevant region where the horse is trained. These arrangements must be made prior to sample collection. The Stewards will then organise a suitable person to identify the animal and to supervise the collection of the sample, and then facilitate the delivery of the sample to the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory. The trainer must also specify the details of the treatment given to the horse which necessitates the non race day test. The horse must be entered for a race in NSW and not in any other State. Note that the Laboratory will not receive non race day samples directly from trainers, veterinarians or connections of the animal. Non race day samples must be collected using sampling kits supplied by the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory and available through metropolitan and regional Stewards. Samples received in any other containers or packs will not be analysed by the Laboratory. A non race day sample submission form should also be obtained from the Stewards when picking up the sampling kit. Samples must be witnessed being collected by a Steward or an official person designated by the Stewards at a time and place mutually acceptable to the parties concerned. Sample collection should follow the "non race day urine collection guide- lines" accompanying the sample submission form. This form must be completed by the trainer and/or his veterinarian, and include details such the time and date of treatment, product name, dose and route of admin- istration. The bottom portion of the sample submission form must be enclosed with the sample for transport to the Laboratory. Sample delivery to the Laboratory must be arranged (if by courier) or 130 www.racingnsw.com.au PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES