Notice to Industry - Raceday Treatments & Topical Applications

RACEDAY TREATMENTS & TOPICAL APPLICATIONS

Trainers are reminded that treatments should not be administered to any horse on race day, prior to a horse running in a race or to any horse on a racecourse after a horse has run in a race.

HRNSW Stewards, however, approve of the application of ice only to a horse on a racecourse after it has run in a race.

Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 193 provides the following:

AHRR 193.  (1)  A person shall not attempt to stomach tube or stomach tube a horse nominated for a race or event within one clear day of the commencement of the race or event.

(2)  A person shall not attempt to use or use an atomiser, face mask or other device for the administration of a prohibited substance to a horse nominated for a race or event within one clear day of the commencement of the race or event.

(3)  A person shall not administer or allow or cause to be administered any medication to a horse on race day prior to such horse running in a race.

(4)  Notwithstanding the provisions of sub-rule (3), a person, with the permission of the Stewards may administer or allow or cause to be administered any medication to a horse on race day prior to such horse running in a race.

(5)  The Stewards shall order the withdrawal or disqualification of a horse that has been either treated or attempted to have been treated in breach of sub-rules (1), (2) and (3).

(6)  A person shall not without the prior approval of the Stewards administer or allow or cause to be administered any medication to a horse on a racecourse after such horse has run in a race.

(7)  For the purposes of this Rule, medication means any treatment with drugs or other substances.

(8)  A person shall not allow or permit another person to attempt to perform or perform any of the actions prohibited by sub-rules (1), (2), (3) or (6).

(9)  A person who fails to comply with sub-rules (1), (2), (3), (6) or (8) is guilty of an offence.

While topical applications are considered to be medications, circumstances may arise when a horse may suffer a minor injury that does not affect its suitability to race but would benefit from the prophylactic application of a topical antibiotic or antiseptic.

In such circumstances, a trainer may apply to the Stewards for permission to administer the medication.

Any form of application prior to the day of the race, must be removed by no later than 8:00am on the day of the race unless approval is granted by Stewards.

The use of Poultices such as Clay and Animalintex are considered as a treatment which should not be administered on the day of racing. This includes post-race at the race course.

Trainers are further reminded that any form of physical therapy, including but not limited to magnetic pads or vibratory massage, is not permitted on a racecourse.