Harness Racing Australia (HRA) Members have approved a number of amendments to the Australian Harness Racing Rules (AHRR) which will be adopted by all States.
The AHRR amendments relate to Part 2 - Stewards Powers, Part 12 - Prohibited Substances and Part 16 - Disqualified Persons.
While attention is drawn to all of the amendments, the introduction of a new rule at Part 12, relating to administering substances by injection is particularly highlighted given its obvious impact on trainers, owners and veterinarians.
The new rule, AHRR 196B states:
196B. (1) A person shall not within one (1) clear day of the commencement of a race administer or cause to be administered an injection to a horse nominated for that race.
(2) For the purposes of this Rule, one (1) clear day means the twenty four (24) hour period from 12.01 a.m. to 12 midnight.
(3) A person who fails to comply with sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.
For the sake of clarity, one clear day means if a horse is racing on Friday, the last time it can have an injection is Wednesday. Giving a horse an injection anytime of the morning, day or night on Thursday (if racing Friday) is an offence.
Click here to view the full amendments to the Australian Harness Racing Rules.
