RNSW_Oct 21_Col_W

expression, (t) agents modifying myostatin function, including but not limited to myostatin inhibitors, (u) thymosin beta, (v) venoms of any species or derivatives thereof, (w) zoledronic acid and any other bisphosphonate drugs not registered for veterinary use in Australia (x) substances listed in Schedule 8 and Schedule 9 of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons contained in the Australian Poisons Standard, (y) metabolites, artifacts and isomers of any of the substances speci- fied in paragraphs (a) to (x). (3) The Australian Racing Board may determine at any time any addition to this list of substances in subrule (2) and publish such additions in the Racing Calendar. (4) The substances bufotenine, butorphanol, 3-(2-dimethylami- noethyl)-4-hydroxyindole, N,N-dimethyltryptamine, ketamine, metha- done, morphine, pethidine and quinalbarbitone, and their metabolites, artifacts and isomers, are excepted from the provisions of this Rule, but would be specified as prohibited substances for the purposes of AR.175(h), AR.177, AR.177A, AR178 and AR.178A. (5) If any substance or preparation that could give rise to an offence under this rule if administered to a horse at any time is found at any time at any premises used in relation to the training or racing of horses then any owner, trainer or person who owns, trains or races or is in charge of horses at those premises is deemed to have the substance or preparation in their possession and such person shall be guilty of an offence and liable to penalty.” It is important to note that the use of legitimate therapeutic treatments is not affected by the implementation of this rule. When undertaking out of competition testing, Stewards will limit interference with training and stable routine wherever possible. Further, whilst horses that are spelling do not come within the ambit of the policy, a horse that is in training is subject to testing under this rule wherever it is located. Should any trainer have any queries concerning his or her responsibilities under this rule they should contact the Racing NSW Stewards or the Veterinary Department. MORPHINE FROM WILD POPPIES The wild poppy contains morphine and other opiates which are prohibited substances according to the Australian Rules of Racing. Wild poppy plants have been known to contaminate fodder and cereal crops as weeds, and as a result have also appeared in commercial feeds. The ingestion of these poppies in horse feed can result in detectable amounts morphine being excreted in urine samples. The wild poppy, whose botanical name is Papaver somniferum subspe- cies setigerum, is widely distributed in southeastern Australia, from southern Queensland to South Australia. The growing plant has a pale purple flower, while the dried flower pods or seed capsules (husks) may appear in fodder and cereal crops. The dry poppy capsules can contain many small black seeds (poppy seeds) whose presence in the bottoms of feed bins may be an indication of contamination of the particular batch of feed with poppy capsules. The poppy capsules are smooth in appearance and can vary from 1.5 to 3 cm in length. They may be still attached to a stalk. Trainers should take care to ensure that their feeds are not contaminated with wild poppies. Should trainers require assistance in identifying poppy capsules, they should contact their regional Stewards or the Racing NSW Veterinary Department. HYDROXYPROGESTEREONE CAPROATE Hydroxyprogesterone caproate is a female sex hormone used in a range of veterinary preparations to provide behaviour modification, pregnancy maintenance in mares and to provide a weight maintenance effect. The Australian Racing Board has confirmed that hydroxyprogesterone caproate is a prohibited substance under the provisions of AR.178B. Hydroxyprogesterone caproate is a long acting, oily-based, depot prepa- ration and as such can have prolonged and extremely variable excretion times. This is especially so following multiple administrations. The only reliable advice that can be provided to industry participants is to avoid the use of products containing hydroxyprogesterone caproate in racing hors- es. Screening of samples for hydroxyprogesterone caproate will involve all racing horses regardless of their gender, i.e. screening will occur in samples collected from females, entire males and geldings. For further information please contact Racing NSW Stewards or the Racing NSW Official Veterinarian. WARNING ON THE USE OF HYDROCORTISONE SODIUM SUCCINATE (SOLU-CORTEF) WITHIN 48 HOURS OF RACING As from 1st November 2009, a new testing method will be introduced by the Australian racing laboratories which will allow the direct detection of hydrocortisone hemisuccinate (arising from the use of hydrocortisone sodium succinate) in blood and urine. This method does not require quantitative measurement of the hydrocortisone concentration and the application of the urinary threshold specified in AR.178C(1)(f). The method detects recent use of the human prescription medicine Solu- Cortef whose active ingredient is hydrocortisone sodium succinate and which therefore should not be used within 48 hours of racing. This method can be extended to cover other injectable forms of hydrocortisone although none of these are currently registered for use in Australia. Industry participants are therefore advised to avoid the use of hydrocortisone sodium succinate within the 48 hours prior to racing, and are also advised that the detection of hydrocortisone hemisuccinate in a blood or urine sample at any concentration constitutes a breach of the Australian Rules of Racing. Further, the urinary threshold for hydrocortisone in AR 178C(1)(f) does not apply to hydrocortisone hemisuccinate. OESTRADIOL Oestradiol, particularly in the form of oestradiol benzoate as found in the Prescription Animal Remedy Cidirol, would be considered as a prohibited substance under the provisions of AR.178B. The legitimate indication for the use of the product Cidirol is in synchroni- sation programs for breeding cows and for the treatment of anoestrus in cows. However, there have been anecdotal reports of the off label use of this product as an anabolic agent in racehorses. Trainers are reminded that the administration of oestradiol benzoate to a racehorse would constitute the administration of a prohibited substance to that horse. There is no information available on the detection period of oestradiol and/or oestradiol benzoate following the administration of Cidirol to horses. SYNEPHRINE Trainers are warned about the prohibited substance synephrine which has been detected in race day samples taken from racehorses in competing in NSW, Queensland and Victoria. Synephrine is an “adrenergic stimulant” known to affect the metabolism of body fat, and has been demonstrated to cause an increase in blood pressure in human subjects consuming synephrine orally. Synephrine is traditionally found in the peel extract of bitter orange (also called Seville orange). Bitter orange is an ingredient in a number of herbal preparations/”nutritional supplements” which are promoted to aid in weight loss and to suppress appetite in humans. These products are available over-the-counter in pharmacies and in health food and dietary supplement stores, as well as from internet-based suppliers. Synephrine has also been detected in a performance supplement for horses known as “A.F. Factor” and it is possible that synephrine may also be found in other similar products. Trainers are strongly advised to avoid using supplements whose active ingredients and constituents are not noted on their containers. Synephrine has also been detected in certain plants, including the plant known as the common rush (Juncus usitatus - also known as the pin rush or mat rush), Mullumbimby couch (Cyperus brevifolius), as well as in the leaves of citrus trees (mandarin, orange and lemon). Trainers are advised to ensure their horses do not have access to the common rush, Mullumbimby couch or the leaves of citrus trees if they are allowed access to open yards or are grazing on pasture. The ingestion of these materials may lead to the detection of the prohibited substance synephrine in a race day sample. 132 www.racingnsw.com.au PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES