Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) draws the attention of participants of the Victorian harness racing industry to national rule amendments that are to be adopted by all states and have subsequently been approved for implementation by the HRV Board. The rules will take effect in Victoria as from 1 November 2016. The relevant rule amendments can be viewed by accessing the link below and all participants are required to familiarise themselves with the amendments:
Access here: National Rule Amendments – November 2016
In relation to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 188A(2)(k):
REVISED URINE and NEW PLASMA THRESHOLDS FOR COBALT
Attention Trainers, please be aware that:
1. The urine threshold for cobalt will be lowered from 200 micrograms per litre (μg/L) to 100μg/L with effect from 1 November 2016.
2. A plasma threshold of 25 μg/L will also be implemented from 1 November 2016.
The lowered urine cobalt threshold and the introduction of a plasma cobalt threshold provide a significantly more sensitive means of detecting the abuse of cobalt in racing.
Trainers are therefore advised:
- That a normal racing diet is more than sufficient to meet a horse’s nutritional requirements for cobalt and vitamin B12;
- That registered injectable cobalt supplements offer no nutritional advantage because incorporation of cobalt into the vitamin B12 molecule occurs within the horse’s gut;
- To consult with their veterinarians to ensure that their oral supplementation regimen provides only the amount of cobalt necessary to meet the scientifically established nutritional requirements of the horse for cobalt;
- To administer only nutritional supplements that are manufactured or marketed by reputable companies and to administer such supplements only at the manufacturer’s recommended dose and frequency of administration;
- To avoid the simultaneous use of multiple supplements containing cobalt and vitamin B12;
- That administering products that are inadequately labelled, that make claims to enhance racing performance or to be ‘undetectable’, or which are marketed over the internet is extremely unwise;
- To comply with the one clear day restriction on the injection of any substance prior to racing.
In relation to AHRR 170(1):
GEAR ACTIVATION BY FOOT
A recent amendment to Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 170(1) will become effective from 1 November 2016. The amendment to AHRR 170(1) states:
A driver shall, throughout the course of a race, drive with both feet in the rests of the sulky, unless he is activating approved gear.
The amendment to Rule 170(1) is 'unless he is activating approved gear'.
Therefore, as of 1 November 2016, drivers participating in Victorian races will have the option to use their feet to activate removable gear in accordance with AHRR 170(1). Alternatively, drivers are able to continue to activate removable gear by hand.
An acceptable method of activating gear by foot will be considered by HRV Stewards to occur when the movement of the foot is directed in a sideways or upwards direction from the sulky footrest.
Whereas, an unacceptable method of activating gear by foot, which will not be accepted by HRV Stewards and may result in penalties being imposed, will be if the drivers foot is positioned in a downwards direction from the sulky footrest.
Regardless of the amendment to this rule, significant penalties for improper driving may apply to any driver that places their foot in close proximity to the hind leg of a horse, to make contact or attempt to make contact with a horse's hind leg.
In an attempt to assist drivers in complying with the acceptable method of gear activation by foot, HRV Stewards will allow drivers to activate removable gear by foot in TRIALS ONLY for the remainder of October 2016.
Further clarification and examples of an acceptable method of gear activation by foot will be provided to drivers prior to 1 November 2016.
Any queries regarding this notice please contact the HRV Stewards Department on 8378 0222.
