As announced by Harness Racing Australia (HRA) on 14 October 2014, a national threshold for the substance cobalt has been defined after being unanimously approved by HRA Member States. Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) advises that it adopts (subject to requirements of the Subordinate Legislation Act 1994) the threshold with immediate effect through the implementation of Australian Rule of Harness Racing (ARHR) 188A(2)(k).
ARHR 188A(1) defines prohibited substances and 188A(2) sets out the substances excepted from the provisions of 188A(1). The adopted rule amendment by way of the insertion of sub-section (k) defines when cobalt is not considered a prohibited substance.
188A(2) The following substances when present at or below the levels set out are excepted from the provisions of subrule(1) and Rule 190AA
(k) Cobalt at a concentration at or below 200 micrograms per litre in urine.
The scientifically, robustly developed threshold is able to be introduced as a result of a project conducted jointly by the racing laboratories of Australia and New Zealand (including Racing Analytical Services Limited, Racing Chemistry Laboratory, Racing Science Centre, Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory and Racing Laboratory Services Ltd (RLSL – NZ)). This project involved research into cobalt and a number of other inorganic trace elements.
Cobalt is a naturally occurring and essential trace element required for normal physiological functions. It is present in the horse’s normal diet and is present in small quantities in a number of oral and injectable vitamin/mineral substances administered to racing horses. Whilst this is so, cobalt can be misused and at high levels within the body it acts as a Hypoxia Inducible Factor (HIF-1) stabiliser, a class of substance prohibited at all times, both in and out of competition as per the provisions of ARHR 190A(2)(l).
Trainers are cautioned to seek veterinary advice and guidance, so as to ensure compliance with the rules, prior to the use of products containing cobalt and to ensure that such products are used in accordance with such advice.
The following is confirmed to industry participants:
- Cobalt is defined as a prohibited substance under the ARHR.
- HRV have been and will continue to arrange for collected swab samples to be analysed by Australian and international racing laboratories for the presence of elevated cobalt levels. Samples have been analysed dating back to 2013.
- Action may be taken against trainers (or other persons) where evidence suggests the misuse of the prohibited substance cobalt. HRV routinely arrange for swab samples to be held in permanent storage for retrospective testing. With respect to retrospective testing, the fact that this threshold is established now does not prevent action from being taken under the existing rules of the time whereby evidence of the misuse of cobalt is present.
- The legitimate therapeutic use of routine substances containing small quantities of cobalt will not result in action being taken against trainers (or other persons) under the ARHR. The scientifically robust threshold ensures this.
- Participants are also reminded of the provisions of ARHR190A(4) which creates an offence if any substance or preparation that may give rise to an offence under the out of competition rules, (such as an excessive quantity of cobalt), is found on a premises used in relation to the training or racing of horses.
