The Members of Harness Racing Australia recently considered and approved a number of amendments to the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR’s). These amendments specifically deal with:
- Eligibility For Registration (Genetic Engineering)
- Prohibited Substances (Bisphosphonates)
- Additional wording AHRR 188A(1)(b)
- Additional wording AHRR 190A(2)
- Re-numbering within AHRR 190A(2)
- Insert new AHRR 190AB – Bisphosphonates
- General Offences (Blood Doping)
- Inserted new AHRR 254(A) in Part 14 – General Offences under the heading Blood Doping
The actual amendments are set out below, with the date of effect to be determined by each State Controlling Body.
- AHRR 93 – ELIGIBILITY FOR REGISTRATION
The following amendment to Sub-rule (2) of Rule 93 was APPROVED:-
Save and except for embryo transfer or some other procedure approved by the Controlling Body a horse shall not be eligible for naming and/or registration and entry in the Australian Stud Book if it is the produce of genetic engineering procedures including but not limited to cloning, embryo freezing or oocyte collection.
- PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES (BISPHOSPHONATES)
The addition of the following wording to be added to AHRR 188A was APPROVED:
AHRR 188A
Add to Sub-rule 1(b) after “antitussive agents” the word “bisphosphonates”.
The addition of the following wording and renumbering applied to AHRR 190A(2) was APPROVED:
AHRR 190A
Add to Sub-rule (2) sub-paragraph (s) to read “unregistered bisphosphonates”.
- The existing sub-paragraph (s) will become sub-paragraph (t).
The addition of the following wording to be inserted after Rule 190AA as new Rule 190AB was APPROVED:
Bisphosphonates
190AB
(1) A horse must not at any time be administered an unregistered bisphosphonate.
(2) Any person who:-
(a) Administers an unregistered bisphosphonate
(b) Attempts to administer an unregistered bisphosphonate
(c) Causes an unregistered bisphosphonate to be administered and/or
(d) Is a party to the administration of or an attempt to administer any unregistered bisphosphonate
to a horse is guilty of an offence.
(3) Where the Stewards are satisfied that a horse has, or is likely to have been, administered an unregistered bisphosphonate contrary to this rule, the Stewards may prevent the horse from starting in any relevant race.
(4) When a sample taken from a horse aged less than four years has detected in it a bisphosphonate the horse is not permitted to start in any race for a minimum period of twelve months from the date of the collection of the sample in which the bisphosphonate was detected.
(5) When a sample taken from a horse aged four years or older has detected in it
(a) A registered bisphosphonate the horse is not permitted to start in any race for a minimum period of thirty days from the date of the collection of the sample in which the bisphosphonate was detected.
(b) An unregistered bisphosphonate the horse is not permitted to start in any race for a minimum period of twelve months from the date of the collection of the sample in which the bisphosphonate was detected.
(6) When a sample taken from a horse has detected in it a bisphosphonate in breach of sub-rules (1), (4) or (5) the trainer and any other person who is in charge of such horse at the relevant time shall be guilty of an offence.
GENERAL OFFENCES (BLOOD DOPING)
The insertion of a new AHRR 254(A) in Part 14 – General Offences under the heading Blood Doping was APPROVED:
254A (1) Subject to sub-rule (2) a person shall not either directly or indirectly withdraw from a horse, manipulate and reinfuse into a horse homologous, heterologous or autologous blood products or blood cells.
(2) A registered veterinary surgeon may for lifesaving purposes or through use of veterinary regenerative therapies for the treatment of musculoskeletal injury withdraw from a horse, manipulate and reinfuse into a horse homologous, heterologous or autologous blood products or blood cells.
(3) A horse that is treated in accordance with sub-rule (2) shall not be permitted to start in any race for a period of eight clear days from the date of the treatment.
(4) A person who fails to comply with sub-rules (1), (2) or (3) is guilty of an offence.
