From the Stewards' Room

Inside Racing July 2023

Racing Australia Code of Practice


Trainers should be aware that Racing Australia has introduced nationally consistent policies to address the following issues:
1. Horses that have not started in a race for 12 months or longer – returning to training and racing;
2. Horses that have experienced a cardiac arrhythmia after a race – returning to training and racing;
3. Horses that have suffered a major fracture and/or undergone major orthopaedic surgery – mandatory reporting and returning to training and racing;
4. Horses aged 12 years – pre- and post-race veterinary inspections; and
5. Horses that have been retired from racing – reinstatement for training and racing.

Trainers need to be aware of all of these requirements, however special attention should be given to AR88B(1) which refers to horses which have not participated in a race for over 12 months. The Code of Practice requires a Veterinary Certificate for any horse in this situation prior to its required performance in an official trial or jump out. The horse must then perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official trial or jump out. Finally, a further Veterinary Certificate is required post the satisfactory trial.

All of these requirements must be met (in this order) prior to a horse being permitted to start in any race. Below is the amended rule AR88B which comes in effect on 1 June 2023 and the relevant excerpt from the Racing Australia Code of Practice.

The full version of both the rule amendments and the Racing Australian Code of Practice can be found on the RV website.
AR 88B Horses returning from extended layoffs, injuries etc.

(1) Where a horse has not participated in a race for 12 months or more, the trainer and any other person in charge of the horse must comply with the Racing Australia Code of Practice: Horses that have not started for 12+ months (as amended from time to time) in respect of any future running of the horse in a race, official trial or jump-out.

(2) Where a horse is detected with a cardiac arrhythmia, or where a cardiac arrhythmia has been identified, following a race, official trial, jump-out, or at any other time, including, but not limited to, following track work, the trainer and any other person in charge of the horse must;
(a) report the detection or identification of a cardiac arrhythmia to the Stewards without delay, and
(b) comply with the Racing Australia Code of Practice: Cardiac arrhythmias detected during post-race inspections (as amended from time to time) in respect of any future training of the horse and/or running of the horse in a race, official trial or jump-out.

(3) Where a horse has sustained a major fracture and/or undergone major orthopaedic surgery, the trainer and any other person in charge of the horse must comply with the Racing Australia Code of Practice: Compulsory reporting of major fractures, orthopaedic surgery and approval of affected horses to return to racing (as amended from time to time) in respect of reporting such events and any future training of the horse and/or running of the horse in a race, official trial or jump-out. For the purposes of this subrule, “major fracture” and “major orthopaedic surgery” have the meanings given to them in the Code of Practice.

Racing Australia Code of Practice

Where a horse has not raced for 12 months or longer, a satisfactory veterinary clearance must be obtained and the horse must trial satisfactorily before being granted permission to nominate for a race.

Veterinary clearance before trialing
The trainer of a horse that has not raced for 12 months or longer must produce to the Stewards a veterinary clearance as well as any other information, examination or report they require, from a qualified veterinary surgeon indicating that the horse is suitable to resume trialing and racing. Details of any injury or medical condition which might have caused the prolonged break from training or racing must be provided with the veterinary clearance.

Following receipt of a satisfactory veterinary clearance, the Stewards may grant written permission for the horse to be nominated for and participate in an official trial or jump out.

Satisfactory trial
If permission to trial is granted by the Stewards, the horse must:
(a) participate in an official trial or jump out to the satisfaction of the Stewards; and
(b) have a post-trial veterinary examination (conducted by a qualified veterinary surgeon) to ensure that the horse is suitable to continue its training regime.
Permission to race
Following a satisfactory trial and upon receiving the above satisfactory post-trial veterinary examination report, the Stewards may grant written permission for the horse to be nominated for and participate in a race.


Brands Clipped
During this period of the year the identification of horses can be very difficult due to winter coats. To assist, each year we ask trainers that they clip the brands on each side to aid in the efficient identification of each horse at race meetings.

Increase to penalties for failing to maintain treatment records in accordance with AR 104

Racing Victoria (RV) would like to reinforce to licensed trainers the need to familiarise themselves with their obligations under the Rules of Racing of Racing Victoria (the Rules) and specifically AR 104, being the requirement to maintain treatment records.

Relevantly, AR 104 states the following:

AR 104 Trainers must keep treatment records

(1) A trainer must record any medication or treatment administered to any horse in the trainer’s care by midnight on the day on which the administration was given.
(2) For the purpose of subrule (1), each record of administration must include the following information:
(a) the name of the horse;
(b) the date and time of administration of the treatment or medication;
(c) the name of the treatment or medication administered (brand name or active constituent);
(d) the route of administration including by injection, stomach tube, orally, topical application or inhalation;
(e) the amount of medication given (if applicable);
(f) the duration of treatment (if applicable);
(g) the name and signature of the person/s administering and/or authorising the administration of the treatment or medication;
(h) the reason for administering the treatment or medication.

This requirement is vital to protecting the integrity of the industry, ensuring transparency to assist the Stewards with investigations and accountability where there has been an administration of any medication or treatment in breach of the Rules.

On 29 August 2022, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) made the following comments:

“This Tribunal has emphasised, time and time again, the importance of proper record keeping. The Tribunal acknowledges that record keeping can be something of a pain or a nuisance for trainers. However, it is a most important requirement. The penalty for a breach is frequently in the vicinity of $500. That does not seem to be getting the message through. Of course, each case will be considered on its merits, but participants are put on notice that a higher range or level of penalties may be imposed for future breaches. We repeat that this is a message to the industry generally, and not specifically directed at you, [the participant].”

Whilst each case will continue to be assessed on its own merits, RV wish to put participants on notice that, from 1 March 2023, RV Stewards will be seeking higher penalties for breaches of AR 104 where appropriate.

Inside Racing June 2023

 

Racing Australia Code of Practice

Trainers should be aware that Racing Australia has introduced nationally consistent policies to address the following issues:

1. Horses that have not started in a race for 12 months or longer – returning to training and racing;

2. Horses that have experienced a cardiac arrhythmia after a race – returning to training and racing;

3. Horses that have suffered a major fracture and/or undergone major orthopaedic surgery – mandatory reporting and returning to training and racing;

4. Horses aged 12 years – pre- and post-race veterinary inspections; and

5. Horses that have been retired from racing – reinstatement for training and racing.

Each of these policies seek to improve horse welfare outcomes by clearly defining the protocols that must be adhered to when a horse is returning to training/racing after an extended period or serious injury. These policies are given force under the Rules of Racing as Racing Australia Codes of Practice. While participants have general obligations to comply with such Codes and may be penalised for non-compliance (see AR 16 and AR 233), new rules have been introduced to impose specific obligations regarding participants’ compliance with these new Codes, as follows:

• New AR 88B in Part 5 – Eligibility of horses to race, Division 2 – Restrictions/ exclusions in relation to participation of horses in races etc for 1-3 above;

• Amendments to AR 78 for 4 above; and

• Amendments to AR 297 for 5 above.

Trainers need to be aware of all of these requirements, however special attention should be given to AR88B(1) which refers to horses which have not participated in a race for over 12 months. The Code of Practice requires a Veterinary Certificate for any horse in this situation prior to its required performance in an official trial or jump out. The horse must then perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in an official trial or jump out. Finally, a further Veterinary Certificate is required post the satisfactory trial.

All of these requirements must be met (in this order) prior to a horse being permitted to start in any race. Below is the amended rule AR88B which comes in effect on 1 June 2023 and the relevant excerpt from the Racing Australia Code of Practice.

The full version of both the rule amendments and the Racing Australian Code of Practice can be found on the RV website.

AR 88B Horses returning from extended layoffs, injuries etc.

 

(1) Where a horse has not participated in a race for 12 months or more, the trainer and any other person in charge of the horse must comply with the Racing Australia Code of Practice: Horses that have not started for 12+ months (as amended from time to time) in respect of any future running of the horse in a race, official trial or jump-out.

(2) Where a horse is detected with a cardiac arrhythmia, or where a cardiac arrhythmia has been identified, following a race, official trial, jump-out, or at any other time, including, but not limited to, following track work, the trainer and any other person in charge of the horse must;

(a) report the detection or identification of a cardiac arrhythmia to the Stewards without delay, and

(b) comply with the Racing Australia Code of Practice: Cardiac arrhythmias detected during post-race inspections (as amended from time to time) in respect of any future training of the horse and/or running of the horse in a race, official trial or jump-out.

(3) Where a horse has sustained a major fracture and/or undergone major orthopaedic surgery, the trainer and any other person in charge of the horse must comply with the Racing Australia Code of Practice: Compulsory reporting of major fractures, orthopaedic surgery and approval of affected horses to return to racing (as amended from time to time) in respect of reporting such events and any future training of the horse and/or running of the horse in a race, official trial or jump-out. For the purposes of this subrule, “major fracture” and “major orthopaedic surgery” have the meanings given to them in the Code of Practice.

 

Racing Australia Code of Practice

 

Where a horse has not raced for 12 months or longer, a satisfactory veterinary clearance must be obtained and the horse must trial satisfactorily before being granted permission to nominate for a race.

 

Veterinary clearance before trialing

The trainer of a horse that has not raced for 12 months or longer must produce to the Stewards a veterinary clearance as well as any other information, examination or report they require, from a qualified veterinary surgeon indicating that the horse is suitable to resume trialing and racing. Details of any injury or medical condition which might have caused the prolonged break from training or racing must be provided with the veterinary clearance.

Following receipt of a satisfactory veterinary clearance, the Stewards may grant written permission for the horse to be nominated for and participate in an official trial or jump out.

Satisfactory trial

If permission to trial is granted by the Stewards, the horse must:

(a) participate in an official trial or jump out to the satisfaction of the Stewards; and

(b) have a post-trial veterinary examination (conducted by a qualified veterinary surgeon) to ensure that the horse is suitable to continue its training regime.

Permission to race

Following a satisfactory trial and upon receiving the above satisfactory post-trial veterinary examination report, the Stewards may grant written permission for the horse to be nominated for and participate in a race.

 

 

 

Horse  Suspension At Barrier Policy

 

The Stewards, following consultation with ATA, have implemented a policy regarding the time interval between a horse receiving a suspension for poor barrier behaviour, and the time that same horse trials for re-instatement. The Stewards submit that there should be a minimum period of 2 clear days from raceday when the suspension was applied to the day the horse can trial for re-instatement. This will help ensure the horse has had time to receive some re-training by the licenced trainer to improve the horses behaviour.

For example, a horse which receives a suspension on Saturday, cannot trial for re-instatement until Tuesday.

 

Brands Clipped

During this period of the year the identification of horses can be very difficult due to winter coats. To assist, each year we ask trainers that they clip the brands on each side to aid in the efficient identification of each horse at race meetings.

 

HORSES ON COURSE 2 HOURS PRIOR TO RACING AT THE SWAN HILL CARNIVAL

Please note all horses are required to be on course 2 hours before the starting time of their respective race for the three days of the Swan Hill Carnival. 

 

Inside Racing March 2023

 

Reporting of offensive emails

Racing Victoria Integrity Department are aware of licensed persons receiving abusive emails from punters which have been aggressive and occasionally even threatening. Recipients of these emails are encouraged in the first instance to contact the Racing Victoria Intelligence Unit at intelligenceunit@racingvictoria.net.au. Racing Victoria Intelligence Unit are keeping a log of the emails and also where possible try to identify the author (which can be very difficult due to fake names and email addresses being used), some however have been identified and as a result action has been taken against them.

In addition to the above, should an email contain threatening material or an intention to harm or damage, the recipient is strongly encouraged to contact Victoria Police directly to report the matter. Racing Victoria are unable to submit a complaint on the recipients behalf as it must be directly reported by them to Victoria Police.

 

Increase to penalties for failing to maintain treatment records in accordance with AR 104

 

Racing Victoria (RV) would like to reinforce to licensed trainers the need to familiarise themselves with their obligations under the Rules of Racing of Racing Victoria (the Rules) and specifically AR 104, being the requirement to maintain treatment records.

 

Relevantly, AR 104 states the following:

 

AR 104 Trainers must keep treatment records

 

(1) A trainer must record any medication or treatment administered to any horse in the trainer’s care by midnight on the day on which the administration was given.

(2) For the purpose of subrule (1), each record of administration must include the following information:

(a) the name of the horse;

(b) the date and time of administration of the treatment or medication;

(c) the name of the treatment or medication administered (brand name or active constituent);

(d) the route of administration including by injection, stomach tube, orally, topical application or inhalation;

(e) the amount of medication given (if applicable);

(f) the duration of treatment (if applicable);

(g) the name and signature of the person/s administering and/or authorising the administration of the treatment or medication;

(h) the reason for administering the treatment or medication.

 

This requirement is vital to protecting the integrity of the industry, ensuring transparency to assist the Stewards with investigations and accountability where there has been an administration of any medication or treatment in breach of the Rules.

 

On 29 August 2022, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) made the following comments:

 

“This Tribunal has emphasised, time and time again, the importance of proper record keeping. The Tribunal acknowledges that record keeping can be something of a pain or a nuisance for trainers. However, it is a most important requirement. The penalty for a breach is frequently in the vicinity of $500. That does not seem to be getting the message through. Of course, each case will be considered on its merits, but participants are put on notice that a higher range or level of penalties may be imposed for future breaches. We repeat that this is a message to the industry generally, and not specifically directed at you, [the participant].”

Whilst each case will continue to be assessed on its own merits, RV wish to put participants on notice that, from 1 March 2023, RV Stewards will be seeking higher penalties for breaches of AR 104 where appropriate.

 

Traceability Rules

The purpose of the traceability rules which came into effect on 1 May 2021 is to enhance and broaden the traceability of horses throughout the period of their life during which the racing industry has jurisdiction over them and relevant industry participants.  It is envisaged that greater transparency with respect to the status and movement of horses will enable racing authorities to better track horses and, consequently, help ensure more positive equine welfare outcomes.

All participants should ensure they are aware of these rules, particularly their obligations surrounding the notifications of the death of any racehorse (named or unnamed) which are below:

AR 299 Death of named horse

1. Within 24 hours of the death of a named horse which has not been retired from racing in accordance with AR 297, the manager or his or her authorised agent must notify Racing Australia of that fact by lodging the relevant form (including a Stable Return where applicable) prescribed by Racing Australia.
2. A person must not dispose of the deceased horse without the written approval of the relevant PRA unless a veterinary certificate as to cause of death is provided to the relevant PRA.
3. Any person who fails to comply with subrule (1) is not guilty of a breach of that subrule if he or she proves to the satisfaction of the Stewards that he or she was not aware, and could not reasonably have been aware, of the death of the horse.

 

3 hours on course- Autumn Carnival Meetings

Horses engaged to race at the below race meetings during the Autumn Carnival may be required to be on course three (3) hours prior to their advertised starting time of their respective race. The races selected by Integrity Services for horses to be on course three hours will be clearly notified prior to each meeting.

Australian Guineas Race Meeting Saturday 4 March 2023

Newmarket Race Meeting Saturday 11 March 2023

All Star Mile Race Meeting Saturday 18 March 2023

Australian Cup Race Meeting Saturday 25 March 2023

Selected races 2 hours on course - Bendigo Golden Mile 1 April 2022 and Mornington Cup 22 April 2023

Horses engaged to race at the Bendigo Golden Mile meeting on Saturday 1 April 2023 and the Mornington Cup meeting on Saturday 22 April 2023, may be required to be on course Two (2) hours prior to the advertised starting time of their respective race.

 

 

 

 

ROUTES OF ADMINISTRATION OF MEDICATION NOT PERMITTED ON RACE DAY

 

any substance administered to a horse on raceday prior to racing by injection, stomach tube, paste, dose syringe, topical application or by inhalation, amongst any other routes of administration, will be considered a medication. only normal feeding and supplementation, according to manufacture’s recommendations for normal daily use, that can be achieved by the horse voluntarily eating or drinking the feedstuff can be considered acceptable on the day of racing. 

 

a fundamental principle of australian racing is that horses must race free of the pharmacological (or toxicological) effect of drugs or other substances. to assist in maintaining this principle, it is not permitted to administer any medication to a horse on race day prior to it running in a race [ar 249(1)].

AR 249 Administration of medication on race day

1. Notwithstanding the provisions set out in Schedule 1, Part 2, Division 2, a person must not, without the permission of the Stewards:
   1. administer; or
   2. cause to be administered,

   any medication to a horse at any time on race day prior to the commencement of a race in which the horse is engaged to race.

2. If a person breaches subrule (1), a disqualification for a period of not less than 6 months must be imposed, unless there is a finding that a special circumstance exists, in which case that penalty may be reduced.
3. The Stewards may order that a horse which has received a medication in breach of subrule (1) be scratched from a race engagement.

 

 “Medication” means any treatment with drugs or other substances. As a general principle, any substance administered with the intent or hope of achieving a pharmacological effect / therapeutic effect will be considered as a medication under the Rules.

 

Physical Therapy as Treatment

 

RV considers that certain physical and complementary therapies to be treatments which should not be administered on the day of racing.

Treatments prohibited on race day include Acupuncture (including Laser treatment), Chiropractic manipulations, Magnetic Field Therapy, Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) and any other form of electrical stimulation.

 

Vibratory massage systems may be used in the stable on the morning of the raceday but are not permitted on the racecourse.

 

Products that claim to provide pharmacological effects and to be undetectable.

 

There are numerous products, often herbal or homeopathic preparations, that claim to provide significant pharmacological effects such as a diuretic action, analgesia, anti-inflammatory actions or bronchodilator actions and also claim to be undetectable by laboratory testing.

These types of products fall within the definition of a medication and are not allowed to be administered to a horse on race day prior to a race.

 

INTRACTABLE HORSES

 

It is essential that samples can be collected from all registered Thoroughbred horses so that they can be subjected to the full testing programme for prohibited substances. If samples are not able to be collected, those horses may be regarded as having an unfair advantage over other horses that are subject to the full testing programme.

Therefore, consideration has been given to suspending the nominations of intractable horses until they have undergone rehabilitation and behavioural modification to make them safe to handle and sample. Once a horse has been rehabilitated then consideration can be given for its acceptance back into the racing population. If the horse cannot be rehabilitated and continues to demonstrate behavioural tendencies which are dangerous to itself, other horses and people who handle it, then it should be considered for longer exclusion from racing.

As a result, together with the addition of LR 18D, the Intractable Horse Policy is to be implemented from 1 April 2023 and is listed below:

1. All registered Thoroughbred horses at any time in their life until permanently retired from racing in Victoria may have samples collected for analysis in- and out-of-competition (OOCT) at the discretion and direction of the Stewards.
2. Any horse which, by its behaviour prevents any sample from being collected will, on the first occasion, be issued with a warning by the Stewards. The horse must undergo retraining so that it accepts collection of samples safely at any time.
3. Any horse which, by its behaviour continues to prevent collection of a sample may, at the discretion and direction of the Stewards, have its nomination to participate in jump outs, official trials and races suspended until the horse has undergone retraining, and/or appropriate restraint methods are always immediately available to ensure samples can be collected safely.
4. For its nomination to race to be reinstated, the Stewards must be satisfied that the horse displays tractable behaviour. This may be through collection of OOCT samples or other means applicable to the individual horse.The Stewards may then consider removing the suspension and whether to accept the horse’s nominations.
5. Any horse which remains intractable, or is intermittently intractable, and which does not co-operate for the safe collection of samples will continue to have its nominations suspended until it can have samples collected safely.
6. Any horse which continues to display intractable behaviour preventing the collection of any sample might have its nominations permanently suspended at the discretion of the Stewards.

 

 

 

USE OF PHONE IN MOUNTING YARD PROHIBITED

Trainers and their representatives are reminded that they must restrict recording of riders’ post-race comments to areas outside horse confines of mounting yard when horses return after race.

 

 

HORSES ON COURSE 2 HOURS PRIOR TO RACING AT THE WARRNAMBOOL CARNIVAL

Please note all horses are required to be on course 2 hours before the starting time of their respective race for the three days of the Warrnambool Carnival. 

 

Inside Racing April

 

INTRACTABLE HORSES

 

It is essential that samples can be collected from all registered Thoroughbred horses so that they can be subjected to the full testing programme for prohibited substances. If samples are not able to be collected, those horses may be regarded as having an unfair advantage over other horses that are subject to the full testing programme.

Therefore, consideration has been given to suspending the nominations of intractable horses until they have undergone rehabilitation and behavioural modification to make them safe to handle and sample. Once a horse has been rehabilitated then consideration can be given for its acceptance back into the racing population. If the horse cannot be rehabilitated and continues to demonstrate behavioural tendencies which are dangerous to itself, other horses and people who handle it, then it should be considered for longer exclusion from racing.

As a result, together with the addition of LR 18D, the Intractable Horse Policy is to be implemented from 1 April 2023 and is listed below:

1. All registered Thoroughbred horses at any time in their life until permanently retired from racing in Victoria may have samples collected for analysis in- and out-of-competition (OOCT) at the discretion and direction of the Stewards.
2. Any horse which, by its behaviour prevents any sample from being collected will, on the first occasion, be issued with a warning by the Stewards. The horse must undergo retraining so that it accepts collection of samples safely at any time.
3. Any horse which, by its behaviour continues to prevent collection of a sample may, at the discretion and direction of the Stewards, have its nomination to participate in jump outs, official trials and races suspended until the horse has undergone retraining, and/or appropriate restraint methods are always immediately available to ensure samples can be collected safely.
4. For its nomination to race to be reinstated, the Stewards must be satisfied that the horse displays tractable behaviour. This may be through collection of OOCT samples or other means applicable to the individual horse.  The Stewards may then consider removing the suspension and whether to accept the horse’s nominations.
5. Any horse which remains intractable, or is intermittently intractable, and which does not co-operate for the safe collection of samples will continue to have its nominations suspended until it can have samples collected safely.
6. Any horse which continues to display intractable behaviour preventing the collection of any sample might have its nominations permanently suspended at the discretion of the Stewards.

 

 

USE OF PHONE IN MOUNTING YARD PROHIBITED

Trainers and their representatives are reminded that they must restrict recording of riders’ post-race comments to areas outside horse confines of mounting yard when horses return after race.

 

JUMP OUTS

 

For many years, official trials have been recorded with vision and results made available to the public via the Racing.com website. More recently, jump-outs have also been recorded due to increasing demand from owners, trainers, media, punters and form analysts alike. The jump-outs are now available to view on Club websites and via Racing.com. With the scheduling of more jump-outs, the integrity demands upon running jump-outs have increased in volume, including ensuring all runners are correctly identified and run in their allocated jump- out.

 

Clubs require assistance to bear the responsibility of managing jump-outs, and there are growing demands for the administration of the jump-out fields to be consistent across Victoria..

Accordingly, the Racing Victoria Board has approved introduction of

1. new and amended Local Rules to address the increased volume of integrity demands at jump-outs; and
2. Club Jump-out Guidelines to ensure consistency in how the jump-outs are being administered by Clubs across the State.

 

This approach, as set out below, will greatly assist the Stewards in undertaking their role at jump-outs in an orderly manner and with reference to the Rules of Racing.

 

CLUB JUMP-OUT GUIDELINES

1. Entries to close no later than 2.00 pm two (2) days prior to relevant jump-outs.
2. Final fields to be published by the relevant Club no later than 12:00 midday one (1) day prior to the relevant jump-outs.
3. Trainers seeking an ‘approval to race’ for a horse, or a reinstatement to race from the Stewards, must (i) notify the Club and/or the Stewards prior to the relevant jump-out, and (ii) have the Thoroughbred Identity Card present with the horse on the day of the jump-outs unless otherwise approved by the Stewards.
4. Trainers must declare with the Club the name of the rider and racing colours to be worn for each of their horses prior to the relevant jump out.
5. A horse that is already entered to participate in a jump-out may be placed in another jump-out upon request by a trainer/authorised representative following the close of entries. Requests to do so can be made directly to the nominated club representative, up to and no later than, one (1) hour prior to the starting time of the first jump-out. The Club, at their absolute discretion, may then allow the horse to be placed in another jump-out. For all other requests, the express approval of the Stewards is required for any amendments.
6. Any withdrawals must be notified to the Club as soon as reasonably practicable upon a decision not to run being made by the trainer /authorised representative.

 

LR 65A Jump Outs

1. A horse must be entered to participate in and/or scratched from a jump-out in accordance with the Club Jump-out Guidelines published by Racing Victoria concerning jump-outs conducted by Clubs in Victoria.
2. The trainer of a horse and/or the trainer’s authorised representative must ensure, including by reference to the horse’s Thoroughbred Identification Card, that if a horse is engaged to run in any jump out, the correct horse:
   1. is brought to the racecourse;
   2. is presented to start in the relevant jump out;
   3. starts in the relevant jump out.
      1. At time of entry, all horses must have a stable return lodged with Racing Australia.
      2. At time of entry, all horses must be branded and have an identification chip registered on the Racing Australia SNS/Stable Assist data base.
      3. All riders must be licensed or registered by Racing Victoria.
      4. A horse must not be entered or run in a jump-out unless it is trained by a person holding a current licence to train horses issued in accordance with LR 24A.
      5. All horses presented to start in a jump-out must be arriving directly from a licenced premises (including the premises of a licenced pre-trainer).

 

 

Horse Suspension At Barrier Policy

 

The Stewards, following consultation with ATA, have recently implemented a policy regarding the time interval between a horse receiving a suspension for poor barrier behaviour, and the time that same horse trials for re-instatement. The Stewards submit that there should be a minimum period of 2 clear days from raceday when the suspension was applied to the day the horse can trial for re-instatement. This will help ensure the horse has had time to receive some re-training by the licenced trainer to improve the horses behaviour.

For example, a horse which receives a suspension on Saturday, cannot trial for re-instatement until Tuesday.

 

HORSES ON COURSE 2 HOURS PRIOR TO RACING AT THE WARRNAMBOOL CARNIVAL

Please note all horses are required to be on course 2 hours before the starting time of their respective race for the three days of the Warrnambool Carnival.

Inside Racing March 2023

 

Reporting of offensive emails

Racing Victoria Integrity Department are aware of licensed persons receiving abusive emails from punters which have been aggressive and occasionally even threatening. Recipients of these emails are encouraged in the first instance to contact the Racing Victoria Intelligence Unit at intelligenceunit@racingvictoria.net.au. Racing Victoria Intelligence Unit are keeping a log of the emails and also where possible try to identify the author (which can be very difficult due to fake names and email addresses being used), some however have been identified and as a result action has been taken against them.

In addition to the above, should an email contain threatening material or an intention to harm or damage, the recipient is strongly encouraged to contact Victoria Police directly to report the matter. Racing Victoria are unable to submit a complaint on the recipients behalf as it must be directly reported by them to Victoria Police.

 

Increase to penalties for failing to maintain treatment records in accordance with AR 104

 

Racing Victoria (RV) would like to reinforce to licensed trainers the need to familiarise themselves with their obligations under the Rules of Racing of Racing Victoria (the Rules) and specifically AR 104, being the requirement to maintain treatment records.

 

Relevantly, AR 104 states the following:

 

AR 104 Trainers must keep treatment records

 

(1) A trainer must record any medication or treatment administered to any horse in the trainer’s care by midnight on the day on which the administration was given.

(2) For the purpose of subrule (1), each record of administration must include the following information:

(a) the name of the horse;

(b) the date and time of administration of the treatment or medication;

(c) the name of the treatment or medication administered (brand name or active constituent);

(d) the route of administration including by injection, stomach tube, orally, topical application or inhalation;

(e) the amount of medication given (if applicable);

(f) the duration of treatment (if applicable);

(g) the name and signature of the person/s administering and/or authorising the administration of the treatment or medication;

(h) the reason for administering the treatment or medication.

 

This requirement is vital to protecting the integrity of the industry, ensuring transparency to assist the Stewards with investigations and accountability where there has been an administration of any medication or treatment in breach of the Rules.

 

On 29 August 2022, the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) made the following comments:

 

“This Tribunal has emphasised, time and time again, the importance of proper record keeping. The Tribunal acknowledges that record keeping can be something of a pain or a nuisance for trainers. However, it is a most important requirement. The penalty for a breach is frequently in the vicinity of $500. That does not seem to be getting the message through. Of course, each case will be considered on its merits, but participants are put on notice that a higher range or level of penalties may be imposed for future breaches. We repeat that this is a message to the industry generally, and not specifically directed at you, [the participant].”

Whilst each case will continue to be assessed on its own merits, RV wish to put participants on notice that, from 1 March 2023, RV Stewards will be seeking higher penalties for breaches of AR 104 where appropriate.

 

Traceability Rules

The purpose of the traceability rules which came into effect on 1 May 2021 is to enhance and broaden the traceability of horses throughout the period of their life during which the racing industry has jurisdiction over them and relevant industry participants.  It is envisaged that greater transparency with respect to the status and movement of horses will enable racing authorities to better track horses and, consequently, help ensure more positive equine welfare outcomes.

All participants should ensure they are aware of these rules, particularly their obligations surrounding the notifications of the death of any racehorse (named or unnamed) which are below:

AR 299 Death of named horse

1. Within 24 hours of the death of a named horse which has not been retired from racing in accordance with AR 297, the manager or his or her authorised agent must notify Racing Australia of that fact by lodging the relevant form (including a Stable Return where applicable) prescribed by Racing Australia.
2. A person must not dispose of the deceased horse without the written approval of the relevant PRA unless a veterinary certificate as to cause of death is provided to the relevant PRA.
3. Any person who fails to comply with subrule (1) is not guilty of a breach of that subrule if he or she proves to the satisfaction of the Stewards that he or she was not aware, and could not reasonably have been aware, of the death of the horse.

 

3 hours on course- Autumn Carnival Meetings

Horses engaged to race at the below race meetings during the Autumn Carnival may be required to be on course three (3) hours prior to their advertised starting time of their respective race. The races selected by Integrity Services for horses to be on course three hours will be clearly notified prior to each meeting.

Australian Guineas Race Meeting Saturday 4 March 2023

Newmarket Race Meeting Saturday 11 March 2023

All Star Mile Race Meeting Saturday 18 March 2023

Australian Cup Race Meeting Saturday 25 March 2023

Selected races 2 hours on course - Bendigo Golden Mile 1 April 2022 and Mornington Cup 22 April 2023

Horses engaged to race at the Bendigo Golden Mile meeting on Saturday 1 April 2023 and the Mornington Cup meeting on Saturday 22 April 2023, may be required to be on course Two (2) hours prior to the advertised starting time of their respective race.

 

 

 

 

Notice regarding the detection of the bronchodilator drug clenbuterol

The International Screening Limit (ISL) for clenbuterol of 0.1ng/ml in urine has been adopted by Racing Australia and will be implemented by Australian racing laboratories with effect from 1 April 2023.

This will have important implications for the detection of clenbuterol following its administration to racehorses, and will lead to a prolongation of detection times for this substance.

The European Horserace Scientific Liaison Committee (EHSLC) has published detection time information for clenbuterol following both oral and nebulised administration. The published detection times of 13 days (oral) and 6 days (nebulised), for the stated dosage regimen and pharmaceutical preparations, are valid for the new ISL to be applied by Australian racing laboratories.

The EHSLC detection time document can be found here;

https://www.ehslc.com/images/uploads/documents/EHSLC_DETECTION_TIMES_(updated_1_February_2021).pdf

It should be noted that the revised detection times for clenbuterol are longer than the 3 - 4 days (oral) and 2 days (nebulised) previously reported, using the analytical methodology at that time, in the Australian Equine Veterinary Association (now Equine Veterinarians Australia - EVA) publication ‘Detection of Therapeutic Substances in Racing Horses’ (‘The White Book’).

Veterinarians are therefore advised that recommended withdrawal periods for treatment with clenbuterol (for example, in products including, but not limited to, Airway Gel, Claire Gel, Broncopulmin Powder, Ventipulmin Granules, Ventipulmin Injection and products in combination with trimethoprim and sulfadiazine) must be based on the published EHSLC detection times and not on the previous advice provided in the ‘The White Book’, and that trainers are warned accordingly.

The EHSLC detection times appear, alongside those previously published in ‘The White Book’, in the current Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA) publication ‘Equine Medication Detection and Withdrawal Times: A Survey of Veterinarians in Australia’.

It is important to note that a withdrawal (or withholding) period is not the same as a detection period.  Any withdrawal period should be calculated based on the published detection time, with the addition of a suitable safety margin based on the circumstances of the administration, including dose, route of administration and preparation administered. 

It should also be noted that none of the veterinary preparations containing clenbuterol registered for use in Australia are registered for administration by nebulisation.  Such administration therefore represents off-label use of these products.

The screening limit of 0.1ng/mL in urine for clenbuterol will come into effect on 1 April, 2023.

 

Changes to arrival times at Metropolitan Night Meetings
The Australian Trainers Association made a submission to Racing Victoria for consideration to be given to amending the times horses are required to be presented prior to their race, particularly at night meetings. They cited staffing issues as being critical to their submission and asked that consideration be given to utilising alternative control measures to address any integrity concerns that may be held.

Therefore, the arrival times for Metropolitan night meetings from 1 December 2022 will be not less than 90 minutes before the time appointed for the starting of the race.

LR 57 Bringing horses to the saddling paddock
(1) Time of entry: Further to the provisions of AR 165 and subject to LR 57(3), all horses intended to be run in any race must be brought into the saddling paddock:
(a) at a Metropolitan Race Meeting: not less than two hours before the time appointed for the starting of the race.
(b) at a Metropolitan Night Meeting: not less than 90 minutes before the time appointed for the starting of the race.
(c) at a Country Race Meeting: not less than one hour before for the time appointed for the starting of the race, except as provided for by LR 57(d).
(d) at a Country Race Meeting: for all horses intended to run in a jumps race, not less than 90 minutes before the time appointed for the starting of the race.
(2) No removal without approval: A horse which has been brought into the saddling paddock must not be removed from the saddling paddock without the permission of the Stewards.
(3) The Stewards may by notice from time to time:
(a) at Metropolitan Race Meetings designated by the Stewards, require all horses in Group races or other nominated races to be brought into the saddling paddock not less than 3 hours before the scheduled start time of their race; and
(b) at Country Race Meetings designated by the Stewards, require all horses in nominated races to be brought into the saddling paddock not less than 2 hours before the scheduled start time of their race.
(4) For the purposes of LR 57, “saddling paddock” includes the racecourse.


JUMP OUTS

For many years, official trials have been recorded with vision and results made available to the public via the Racing.com website. More recently, jump-outs have also been recorded due to increasing demand from owners, trainers, media, punters and form analysts alike. The jump-outs are now available to view on Club websites and via Racing.com. With the scheduling of more jump-outs, the integrity demands upon running jump-outs have increased in volume, including ensuring all runners are correctly identified and run in their allocated jump- out.

Clubs require assistance to bear the responsibility of managing jump-outs, and there are growing demands for the administration of the jump-out fields to be consistent across Victoria..
Accordingly, the Racing Victoria Board has approved introduction of
(i) new and amended Local Rules to address the increased volume of integrity demands at jump-outs; and
(ii) Club Jump-out Guidelines to ensure consistency in how the jump-outs are being administered by Clubs across the State.

This approach, as set out below, will greatly assist the Stewards in undertaking their role at jump-outs in an orderly manner and with reference to the Rules of Racing.


CLUB JUMP-OUT GUIDELINES
1. Entries to close no later than 2.00 pm two (2) days prior to relevant jump-outs.
2. Final fields to be published by the relevant Club no later than 12:00 midday one (1) day prior to the relevant jump-outs.
3. Trainers seeking an ‘approval to race’ for a horse, or a reinstatement to race from the Stewards, must (i) notify the Club and/or the Stewards prior to the relevant jump-out, and (ii) have the Thoroughbred Identity Card present with the horse on the day of the jump-outs unless otherwise approved by the Stewards.
4. Trainers must declare with the Club the name of the rider and racing colours to be worn for each of their horses prior to the relevant jump out.
5. A horse that is already entered to participate in a jump-out may be placed in another jump-out upon request by a trainer/authorised representative following the close of entries. Requests to do so can be made directly to the nominated club representative, up to and no later than, one (1) hour prior to the starting time of the first jump-out. The Club, at their absolute discretion, may then allow the horse to be placed in another jump-out. For all other requests, the express approval of the Stewards is required for any amendments.
6. Any withdrawals must be notified to the Club as soon as reasonably practicable upon a decision not to run being made by the trainer /authorised representative.


Accordingly, the Racing Victoria Board has also approved the following amendment (as well as amendments to LR25A, LR65 and the deletion of LR84) to the Local Rules of Racing effective from 1 December 2022.

LR 65A Jump Outs
(1) A horse must be entered to participate in and/or scratched from a jump-out in accordance with the Club Jump-out Guidelines published by Racing Victoria concerning jump-outs conducted by Clubs in Victoria.
(2) The trainer of a horse and/or the trainer’s authorised representative must ensure, including by reference to the horse’s Thoroughbred Identification Card, that if a horse is engaged to run in any jump out, the correct horse:
(a) is brought to the racecourse;
(b) is presented to start in the relevant jump out;
(c) starts in the relevant jump out.
(3) At time of entry, all horses must have a stable return lodged with Racing Australia.
(4) At time of entry, all horses must be branded and have an identification chip registered on the Racing Australia SNS/Stable Assist data base.
(5) All riders must be licensed or registered by Racing Victoria.
(6) A horse must not be entered or run in a jump-out unless it is trained by a person holding a current licence to train horses issued in accordance with LR 24A.
(7) All horses presented to start in a jump-out must be arriving directly from a licenced premises (including the premises of a licenced pre-trainer).

Changes to arrival times at Metropolitan Night Meetings
The Australian Trainers Association made a submission to Racing Victoria for consideration to be given to amending the times horses are required to be presented prior to their race, particularly at night meetings. They cited staffing issues as being critical to their submission and asked that consideration be given to utilising alternative control measures to address any integrity concerns that may be held.

Therefore, the arrival times for Metropolitan night meetings from 1 December 2022 will be not less than 90 minutes before the time appointed for the starting of the race.

LR 57 Bringing horses to the saddling paddock
(1) Time of entry: Further to the provisions of AR 165 and subject to LR 57(3), all horses intended to be run in any race must be brought into the saddling paddock:
(a) at a Metropolitan Race Meeting: not less than two hours before the time appointed for the starting of the race.
(b) at a Metropolitan Night Meeting: not less than 90 minutes before the time appointed for the starting of the race.
(c) at a Country Race Meeting: not less than one hour before for the time appointed for the starting of the race, except as provided for by LR 57(d).
(d) at a Country Race Meeting: for all horses intended to run in a jumps race, not less than 90 minutes before the time appointed for the starting of the race.
(2) No removal without approval: A horse which has been brought into the saddling paddock must not be removed from the saddling paddock without the permission of the Stewards.
(3) The Stewards may by notice from time to time:
(a) at Metropolitan Race Meetings designated by the Stewards, require all horses in Group races or other nominated races to be brought into the saddling paddock not less than 3 hours before the scheduled start time of their race; and
(b) at Country Race Meetings designated by the Stewards, require all horses in nominated races to be brought into the saddling paddock not less than 2 hours before the scheduled start time of their race.
(4) For the purposes of LR 57, “saddling paddock” includes the racecourse.


JUMP OUTS

For many years, official trials have been recorded with vision and results made available to the public via the Racing.com website. More recently, jump-outs have also been recorded due to increasing demand from owners, trainers, media, punters and form analysts alike. The jump-outs are now available to view on Club websites and via Racing.com. With the scheduling of more jump-outs, the integrity demands upon running jump-outs have increased in volume, including ensuring all runners are correctly identified and run in their allocated jump- out.

Clubs require assistance to bear the responsibility of managing jump-outs, and there are growing demands for the administration of the jump-out fields to be consistent across Victoria..
Accordingly, the Racing Victoria Board has approved introduction of
(i) new and amended Local Rules to address the increased volume of integrity demands at jump-outs; and
(ii) Club Jump-out Guidelines to ensure consistency in how the jump-outs are being administered by Clubs across the State.

This approach, as set out below, will greatly assist the Stewards in undertaking their role at jump-outs in an orderly manner and with reference to the Rules of Racing.


CLUB JUMP-OUT GUIDELINES
1. Entries to close no later than 2.00 pm two (2) days prior to relevant jump-outs.
2. Final fields to be published by the relevant Club no later than 12:00 midday one (1) day prior to the relevant jump-outs.
3. Trainers seeking an ‘approval to race’ for a horse, or a reinstatement to race from the Stewards, must (i) notify the Club and/or the Stewards prior to the relevant jump-out, and (ii) have the Thoroughbred Identity Card present with the horse on the day of the jump-outs unless otherwise approved by the Stewards.
4. Trainers must declare with the Club the name of the rider and racing colours to be worn for each of their horses prior to the relevant jump out.
5. A horse that is already entered to participate in a jump-out may be placed in another jump-out upon request by a trainer/authorised representative following the close of entries. Requests to do so can be made directly to the nominated club representative, up to and no later than, one (1) hour prior to the starting time of the first jump-out. The Club, at their absolute discretion, may then allow the horse to be placed in another jump-out. For all other requests, the express approval of the Stewards is required for any amendments.
6. Any withdrawals must be notified to the Club as soon as reasonably practicable upon a decision not to run being made by the trainer /authorised representative.


Accordingly, the Racing Victoria Board has also approved the following amendment (as well as amendments to LR25A, LR65 and the deletion of LR84) to the Local Rules of Racing effective from 1 December 2022.

LR 65A Jump Outs
(1) A horse must be entered to participate in and/or scratched from a jump-out in accordance with the Club Jump-out Guidelines published by Racing Victoria concerning jump-outs conducted by Clubs in Victoria.
(2) The trainer of a horse and/or the trainer’s authorised representative must ensure, including by reference to the horse’s Thoroughbred Identification Card, that if a horse is engaged to run in any jump out, the correct horse:
(a) is brought to the racecourse;
(b) is presented to start in the relevant jump out;
(c) starts in the relevant jump out.
(3) At time of entry, all horses must have a stable return lodged with Racing Australia.
(4) At time of entry, all horses must be branded and have an identification chip registered on the Racing Australia SNS/Stable Assist data base.
(5) All riders must be licensed or registered by Racing Victoria.
(6) A horse must not be entered or run in a jump-out unless it is trained by a person holding a current licence to train horses issued in accordance with LR 24A.
(7) All horses presented to start in a jump-out must be arriving directly from a licenced premises (including the premises of a licenced pre-trainer).

Inside Racing December 2022

 

Stable Returns Must be Accurate and Up to Date for All Horses

 

Trainers are reminded that stable returns MUST be lodged for both named and unnamed horses. Unnamed horses can be identified by their breeding details and MUST have a stable return lodged in accordance with AR 296.

Further trainers are reminded of the importance of keeping their stable returns accurate and up to date at all times. This is to be done AS SOON as a horse enters or leaves their stables.

Racing Australia (Stable Assist) has the capability for trainers to enter the precise location of a horse under their care when not stabled at the trainers approved training location.

For example: When a horse is “Spelling, “Retired” or “Active Non-Stable Training (water walker, pre training or beach work)”, the trainer must immediately lodge a new stable return, entering the horses status and the precise location in the corresponding fields, in accordance with Australian Rule of Racing 296;

Integrity Services will be conducting audits to ensure that the precise location of all horses trained by them are stabled as per the location in the stable return. Further be aware that Stewards will be taking a tougher stance regarding trainers not having up to date stable returns.

Trainers are further advised that under the provisions of AR296(3)(b) they are still required to submit a “Transfer of Horse after Nomination Time” form if they wish to relocate their horse from the time of nomination to the arrival on course prior to racing. This application must be approved by the stewards prior to the horse leaving the trainers approved training location.

 

The horse movement application form is located at https://www.racingvictoria.com.au/the-sport/trainers/licensing/victorian-licensed-trainers

 

AR 296 Named horse change of location

1. Except where stated otherwise, this rule applies to all named and unnamed horses, provided that in respect of an unnamed horse nothing in this rule shall limit the requirements set out in AR 289.
2. A trainer must:
   1. disclose the location of a horse under his or her care upon request by a PRA and/or the Stewards (for any purpose) and/or Racing Australia (for retirement purposes only);
   2. lodge a Stable Return immediately upon a horse joining the trainer’s stable;
   3. notify the Stewards immediately upon a horse which has been retired from racing joining the trainer’s stable;
   4. lodge an amendment to a Stable Return immediately if:
      1. any particulars on the Stable Return have changed; or
      2. a horse leaves or joins the trainer’s stable, or moves to another of the trainer’s premises (where the trainer’s stable is comprised of more than one premises), with the amendment to disclose the precise location of the horse.

      Note: By way of example, the notification obligation on a manager would arise under subrule (7)(a) if a named horse was transferred from one spelling property to another spelling property.

       

3. For the purposes of subrule (2):
   1. if a trainer’s stable is comprised of more than one premises, the trainer must disclose at which premises the horse is located;
   2. when a horse leaves a trainer’s stable to spell or otherwise the trainer must disclose the location of the property at which the horse will be located.
4. Where a horse has been entered for a race, from the time of entry to arrival on course prior to racing:
   1. except with the permission of the Stewards, the horse must be stabled only at the premises from which the horse’s trainer is licensed to train;
   2. if the horse is travelling to participate in the race, the horse’s trainer must inform the Stewards of the horse’s proposed travel plans prior to the horse’s departure from the trainer’s stable and/or lodge a Stable Return disclosing the location of the horse (as required by the relevant PRA).
5. Where a horse is entered for a race in which the entries close more than 60 days prior to the advertised date for the running of the race, subrule (4) shall not apply from the time of entry, but shall apply from the period commencing 6 days prior to the advertised date for the running of the race.
6. If a trainer fails to lodge, in whole or in part, a Stable Return or any amendment thereof, or fails to provide details of the location or movements of a horse, in accordance with the provisions of this rule, the entry of the horse for any race, official trial or jump-out may be rejected or cancelled.
7. The manager of a named horse or his or her authorised agent must, unless otherwise contained in a Stable Return lodged by a trainer in accordance with this rule, disclose:
   1. any change in the previously notified location of the named horse to the relevant PRA by midnight of the day on which that change is finalised, by lodging the relevant form prescribed by Racing Australia or the relevant PRA; and
   2. the location of that horse upon request by Racing Australia and/or a PRA, including as required under any registration, transfer of ownership, or other form.
8. The requirement referred to in subrule (7)(a) does not apply where the named horse is under the care of a trainer and the manager proves to the satisfaction of the Stewards the he or she was not aware, and could not reasonably have been aware, of:

1. the change in the previously notified location of the horse; or
2. the trainer’s non-compliance with his or her obligations under this rule.

 

 

Footwear for Licenced Persons when Leading or Attending Horses

 

AR 124(4) states “Every person leading or attending a horse must wear fully enclosed and substantial footwear of a standard approved by a PRA or the Stewards”

Racing Victoria seeks to influence all racing participants in Victoria to wear safe footwear when handling Thoroughbreds and as such provides the following guidance on the PRA’s interpretation of what is “substantial and fully enclosed”

Substantial and fully enclosed would include shoes which cover the entire foot to at least ankle height.  The footwear ideally should provide protection to the foot in the event that a horse was to stand on the foot.

Examples may include leather work boots or steel caps.  (refer to The WorkSafe guidance booklet “Track Riding and Horse Stables Safety” (edition 2, 2018))

Types of footwear which would not be considered substantial by the PRA would include footwear of a type similar to those below.

 

(Insert pictures)

 

 

Merry Christmas

 

Lastly, on behalf of the Integrity team we want to wish everyone a happy and safe festive season.

 

Stable Returns Must be Accurate and Up to Date for All Horses

Trainers are reminded that stable returns MUST be lodged for both named and unnamed horses. Unnamed horses can be identified by their breeding details and MUST have a stable return lodged in accordance with AR 296.

Further trainers are reminded of the importance of keeping their stable returns accurate and up to date at all times. This is to be done AS SOON as a horse enters or leaves their stables.

Racing Australia (Stable Assist) has the capability for trainers to enter the precise location of a horse under their care when not stabled at the trainers approved training location.

For example: When a horse is “Spelling, “Retired” or “Active Non-Stable Training (water walker, pre training or beach work)”, the trainer must immediately lodge a new stable return, entering the horses status and the precise location in the corresponding fields, in accordance with Australian Rule of Racing 296;

Integrity Services will be conducting audits to ensure that the precise location of all horses trained by them are stabled as per the location in the stable return. Further be aware that Stewards will be taking a tougher stance regarding trainers not having up to date stable returns.

Trainers are further advised that under the provisions of AR296(3)(b) they are still required to submit a “Transfer of Horse after Nomination Time” form if they wish to relocate their horse from the time of nomination to the arrival on course prior to racing. This application must be approved by the stewards prior to the horse leaving the trainers approved training location.

 

The horse movement application form is located at https://www.racingvictoria.com.au/the-sport/trainers/licensing/victorian-licensed-trainers

 

AR 296 Stable returns

1. A trainer must:
   1. disclose the location of a horse under his or her care upon request by a PRA and/or the Stewards (for any purpose) and/or Racing Australia (for retirement purposes only);
   2. lodge a Stable Return immediately upon a horse joining the trainer’s stable;
   3. notify the Stewards immediately upon a horse which has been retired from racing joining the trainer’s stable;
   4. lodge an amendment to a Stable Return immediately if:
      1. any particulars on the Stable Return have changed; or
      2. a horse leaves or joins the trainer’s stable, or moves to another of the trainer’s premises (where the trainer’s stable is comprised of more than one premises), with the amendment to disclose the precise location of the horse.
2. For the purposes of subrule (2):
   1. if a trainer’s stable is comprised of more than one premises, the trainer must disclose at which premises the horse is located;
   2. when a horse leaves a trainer’s stable to spell or otherwise the trainer must disclose the location of the property at which the horse will be located.
3. Where a horse has been entered for a race, from the time of entry to arrival on course prior to racing:
   1. except with the permission of the Stewards, the horse must be stabled only at the premises from which the horse’s trainer is licensed to train;
   2. if the horse is travelling to participate in the race, the horse’s trainer must inform the Stewards of the horse’s proposed travel plans prior to the horse’s departure from the trainer’s stable and/or lodge a Stable Return disclosing the location of the horse (as required by the relevant PRA).
4. Where a horse is entered for a race in which the entries close more than 60 days prior to the advertised date for the running of the race, subrule (4) shall not apply from the time of entry, but shall apply from the period commencing 6 days prior to the advertised date for the running of the race.
5. If a trainer fails to lodge, in whole or in part, a Stable Return or any amendment thereof, or fails to provide details of the location or movements of a horse, in accordance with the provisions of this rule, the entry of the horse for any race, official trial or jump-out may be rejected or cancelled.
6. The manager of a named horse or his or her authorised agent must, unless otherwise contained in a Stable Return lodged by a trainer in accordance with this rule, disclose:
   1. any change in the previously notified location of the named horse to the relevant PRA by midnight of the day on which that change is finalised, by lodging the relevant form prescribed by Racing Australia or the relevant PRA; and
   2. the location of that horse upon request by Racing Australia and/or a PRA, including as required under any registration, transfer of ownership, or other form.

   Note: By way of example, the notification obligation on a manager would arise under subrule (7)(a) if a named horse was transferred from one spelling property to another spelling property.

    

7. The requirement referred to in subrule (7)(a) does not apply where the named horse is under the care of a trainer and the manager proves to the satisfaction of the Stewards the he or she was not aware, and could not reasonably have been aware, of:

1. the change in the previously notified location of the horse; or
2. the trainer’s non-compliance with his or her obligations under this rule.

 

 

3 Hours On Course – Spring Carnival

Trainers are reminded that horses competing during the Spring Racing Carnival at the following meetings are required on course 3 hours prior to the advertised starting time of their respective race excluding race 1 and 2 which will remain at 2 hours;

 

VICTORIA DERBY DAY – 29 October 2022

 

MELBOURNE CUP DAY – 1 November 2022

 

VRC OAKS DAY – 3 November 2022

 

STAKES DAY – 5 November 2022

 

2 Hours On Course – Country Cups

 

Trainers are also reminded that horses competing at the following Country Cup meetings are required on course 2 hours prior to the advertised starting time of their respective race including race 1 and 2;

 

 

CRANBOURNE CUP – 12 November 2022

 

BALLARAT CUP – 19 November 2022

 

 

Staff News

 

Congratulations and farewell to Peter Ryan who has been appointed to the Deputy Chairman of Stewards role at Racing SA, and his last day of employment with Racing Victoria will be the 18^th November 2022.

 

Peter is one of our longest serving and most experienced stewards, who started as a deputy steward in February 1984, in the North Eastern district when not long out of school. He has made the Regional Manager – Northern role his own over the past 10 years and he has become a trusted, and valued member of the stewards panel, popular with his work colleagues and respected by racing participants. Peter always presented with a pleasant attitude and maintained a good sense of humour.  We wish him all the very best for his new role in South Australia.

 

Therefore, we also welcome Damien Carr to the Stewards panel as the new Regional Manager – Northern. Damien will commence his RV journey on 14^th November and will be based in Bendigo. Damien joins us from the Racing NSW Metropolitan panel where he was based as a Stipendiary Steward in the Newcastle region with over 10 years’ experience. I’m sure Damien will be made to feel welcome, and we wish him all the best in his new role here at Racing Victoria.

Footwear for Licenced Persons when Leading or Attending Horses

 

AR 124(4) states “Every person leading or attending a horse must wear fully enclosed and substantial footwear of a standard approved by a PRA or the Stewards”

Racing Victoria seeks to influence all racing participants in Victoria to wear safe footwear when handling Thoroughbreds and as such provides the following guidance on the PRA’s interpretation of what is “substantial and fully enclosed”

Substantial and fully enclosed would include shoes which cover the entire foot to at least ankle height.  The footwear ideally should provide protection to the foot in the event that a horse was to stand on the foot.

Examples may include leather work boots or steel caps.  (refer to The WorkSafe guidance booklet “Track Riding and Horse Stables Safety” (edition 2, 2018))

Types of footwear which would not be considered substantial by the PRA would include footwear of a type similar to those below.

 

Veterinary Permit Policy

 

Racing Victoria (RV), with the support of Equine Veterinarians Australia (EVA), has taken steps to help increase industry standards and improve licensee accountability by introducing a new veterinary permit.

The introduction of the new veterinary permit means that from 1 October 2021 licensed trainers must use a permitted veterinarian for any veterinary services provided to a horse under their care that is in training and/or competing in Victoria.

The two exceptions to this allow for a non-permitted veterinarian to provide veterinary services in circumstances where the health or welfare of a horse is at risk and a permitted veterinarian is not available, or where the RV Stewards have given prior approval but only after a trainer has not been able (after reasonable attempts) to obtain the services of a permitted veterinarian.

The veterinary permit was a key recommendation in the Fair Racing for All Report endorsed by the RV Board in October 2019 following consultation with industry participants and stakeholders.

In addition to the new veterinary permit, a new Victorian Local Rule of Racing (LR 16A) has been introduced from 1 October 2021, which established a process by which RV Stewards may determine to decline or reject any nominations from a licensed trainer in circumstances where that licensed trainer has outstanding fees in excess of $5,000 owed to a permitted veterinarian.

The new local rule seeks to mitigate the risk of licensed trainers owing large debts to permitted veterinarians, but also obliges that procedural fairness will be afforded to licensed trainers before any action is taken under the rule. This includes requiring that the permitted veterinarian provide sufficient documentary evidence (including a statutory declaration) when lodging their claim, and that the licensed trainer be given an appropriate opportunity to respond.

Before any action will be considered by RV Stewards, the licensed trainer must have been sent at least two notices more than a month apart by the permitted veterinarian that the payment of fees for their veterinary services is outstanding.

 

 

3 Hours On Course – Spring Carnival

Trainers are reminded that horses competing during the Spring Racing Carnival at the following meetings are required on course 3 hours prior to the advertised starting time of their respective race excluding race 1 and 2 which will remain at 2 hours;

 

TURNBULL STAKES DAY - 1 October 2022

 

CAULFIELD GUINEAS DAY – 8 October 2022

 

CAULFIELD CUP DAY – 15 October 2022

 

COX PLATE DAY – 22 October 2022

 

VICTORIA DERBY DAY – 29 October 2022

 

MELBOURNE CUP DAY – 1 November 2022

 

VRC OAKS DAY – 3 November 2022

 

STAKES DAY – 5 November 2022

 

2 Hours On Course – Country Cups

 

Trainers are also reminded that horses competing at the following Country Cup meetings are required on course 2 hours prior to the advertised starting time of their respective race including race 1 and 2;

 

 

GEELONG CUP – 19 October 2022

 

BENDIGO CUP – 26 October 2022

 

CRANBOURNE CUP – 12 November 2022

 

BALLARAT CUP – 19 November 2022

 

 

 

 

September Inside Racing 2022 Content

TRAINER LICENSING POLICY & STABLE EMPLOYEE REGISTRATION POLICY

 

Over the past two years Racing Victoria has conducted reviews of its trainer licensing framework and trackwork rider accreditation programs. As a result of these reviews, proposed amendments to the relevant licensing policies and consequential changes to the Local Rules of Racing have received approval from the Racing Victoria Board.

The review of the trainer licensing framework was conducted as a result of Fair Racing For All and included a series of internal workshops which generated updated Trainer Licensing categories and criteria. Further consultation was then conducted with the ATA and VJA. The resulting updated framework included the simplifying of the Trainer Licence categorisation, by reducing the number of categories from the current four (Pre-Trainer, Restricted Trainer, General Trainer, General A Trainer) down to two (Pre-Trainer and Trainer), which necessitated the amendment of Local Rule 24A (1A).

The review into trackwork accreditation identified the impacts COVID has presented to the industry including access to training venues, the challenges of conducting the workplace assessments and the desire to recognise experienced trackwork riders skills. Therefore, all new Stable Employee applicants will be required to complete the trackwork riding qualification that is equivalent to the level of trackwork they intend to ride and must either have evidence of competency or be enrolled in a trackwork rider course. As a result, the Stable Employee categories within LR45 (2A) required expansion.

 

Accordingly, the Racing Victoria Board approved amendments to LR 24A(1A) and LR 45B(2A) effective from 1 August 2022.

 

 

LR 24A Licences

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(1A) Categories: An application for the grant of a licence to train may be made for the following categories of trainer:

(a) Pre-Trainer;

(b) Trainer;

(c) Training Partnership (being up to 3 persons);

(d) Visiting Trainer;

(e) Visiting Pre-Trainer;

(f) Visiting International Trainer; and

(g) Any other category as Racing Victoria allows from time to time.

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LR 45B  Registration of Stable Employees

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(2A) Categories of Stable Employee: An application for the registration of a person to be employed by a trainer under LR 45B may be made in the following categories:

 

1. Stablehand;
2. Stablehand (Slow Track Rider);
3. Stablehand (Fast Track Rider);
4. Stablehand (Jump Outs);
5. Foreperson;
6. Foreperson (Slow Track Rider);
7. Foreperson (Fast Track Rider);
8. Foreperson (Jump Outs);
9. Assistant Trainer;
10. Assistant Trainer (Slow Track Rider);
11. Assistant Trainer (Fast Track Rider);
12. Assistant Trainer (Jump Outs);
13. Racing Manager;
14. Racing Manager (Slow Track Rider);
15. Racing Manager (Fast Track Rider);
16. Racing Manager (Jump Outs);
17. Visiting Stablehand;
18. Visiting Foreperson;
19. Visiting Assistant Trainer;
20. Visiting Racing Manager;
21. Visiting International Stablehand;
22. Visiting International Foreperson;
23. Visiting International Assistant Trainer;
24. Visiting International Racing Manager; or
25. Any other category as Racing Victoria allows from time to time.

 

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Possession of stockwhip

Trainers are reminded of AR133 which relates to the possession of stockwhips.

AR 133 Possession of stockwhip

A person must not have in his or her possession a stockwhip:

1. at a racecourse;
2. at a thoroughbred racing stable; or
3. at premises otherwise used for training or pre-training a horse, unless the person satisfies the Stewards that the stockwhip is in his or her possession at those premises for reasons unrelated to the training or pre-training of a horse.

 

Prohibition on persons laying horses

All owners are reminded it is an offence under the Australian Rules of Racing to lay any horse that they own.

Regardless of the ownership percentage or interest, owners are not permitted to lay a horse they own under any circumstances, have a horse laid on their behalf or be party to the laying of a horse which they own.

If an owner breaches this rule, they may be penalised by a Principal Racing Authority or the Stewards.

Owners may hold an account with betting exchange Betfair, but must not lay their own horse.

For your information, Australian Rule of Racing 237 states:

 

AR 237 Prohibition on persons laying horses

1. A trainer must not lay any horse that is either under the trainer’s care, control or supervision, or has been at any time in the preceding 21 days.
2. A person employed by a trainer in connection with the training or care of horses must not lay any horse under the care, control or supervision of the trainer for whom the person is or was employed while employed and for a period of 21 days after ceasing to be employed.
3. An owner or nominator must not lay any horse that is or may be entered by that owner or nominator or on that person’s behalf, provided that a bookmaker may lay a horse in accordance with the bookmaker’s licence.
4. A rider’s agent must not lay any horse to be ridden by a rider for whom that person is an agent.
5. A person who has provided a service/s connected with the keeping, training or racing of a horse must not lay that horse within 21 days of last providing that service.
6. A person must not offer an inducement to a participant in racing with the intention of profiting from a horse not participating in an event to the best of its ability.
7. In circumstances where it is a breach of this rule for a person to lay a horse, it is also a breach of this rule for that person to:

1. have a horse laid on his or her behalf; or
2. receive any money or other valuable consideration in any way connected with the laying of the horse by another person.

 

 

Inside Racing August

Stable Returns Must be Accurate and Up to Date for All Horses

Trainers are reminded that stable returns MUST be lodged for both named and unnamed horses. Unnamed horses can be identified by their breeding details and MUST have a stable return lodged in accordance with AR 296.

Further trainers are reminded of the importance of keeping their stable returns accurate and up to date at all times. This is to be done AS SOON as a horse enters or leaves their stables.

Racing Australia (Stable Assist) has the capability for trainers to enter the precise location of a horse under their care when not stabled at the trainers approved training location.

For example: When a horse is “Spelling, “Retired” or “Active Non-Stable Training (water walker, pre training or beach work)”, the trainer must immediately lodge a new stable return, entering the horses status and the precise location in the corresponding fields, in accordance with Australian Rule of Racing 296;

Integrity Services will be conducting audits to ensure that the precise location of all horses trained by them are stabled as per the location in the stable return. Further be aware that Stewards will be taking a tougher stance regarding trainers not having up to date stable returns.

Trainers are further advised that under the provisions of AR296(3)(b) they are still required to submit a “Transfer of Horse after Nomination Time” form if they wish to relocate their horse from the time of nomination to the arrival on course prior to racing. This application must be approved by the stewards prior to the horse leaving the trainers approved training location.

 

The horse movement application form is located at https://www.racingvictoria.com.au/the-sport/trainers/licensing/victorian-licensed-trainers

 

AR 296 Stable returns

1. A trainer must:
   1. disclose the location of a horse under his or her care upon request by a PRA and/or the Stewards (for any purpose) and/or Racing Australia (for retirement purposes only);
   2. lodge a Stable Return immediately upon a horse joining the trainer’s stable;
   3. notify the Stewards immediately upon a horse which has been retired from racing joining the trainer’s stable;
   4. lodge an amendment to a Stable Return immediately if:
      1. any particulars on the Stable Return have changed; or
      2. a horse leaves or joins the trainer’s stable, or moves to another of the trainer’s premises (where the trainer’s stable is comprised of more than one premises), with the amendment to disclose the precise location of the horse.
2. For the purposes of subrule (2):
   1. if a trainer’s stable is comprised of more than one premises, the trainer must disclose at which premises the horse is located;
   2. when a horse leaves a trainer’s stable to spell or otherwise the trainer must disclose the location of the property at which the horse will be located.
3. Where a horse has been entered for a race, from the time of entry to arrival on course prior to racing:
   1. except with the permission of the Stewards, the horse must be stabled only at the premises from which the horse’s trainer is licensed to train;
   2. if the horse is travelling to participate in the race, the horse’s trainer must inform the Stewards of the horse’s proposed travel plans prior to the horse’s departure from the trainer’s stable and/or lodge a Stable Return disclosing the location of the horse (as required by the relevant PRA).
4. Where a horse is entered for a race in which the entries close more than 60 days prior to the advertised date for the running of the race, subrule (4) shall not apply from the time of entry, but shall apply from the period commencing 6 days prior to the advertised date for the running of the race.
5. If a trainer fails to lodge, in whole or in part, a Stable Return or any amendment thereof, or fails to provide details of the location or movements of a horse, in accordance with the provisions of this rule, the entry of the horse for any race, official trial or jump-out may be rejected or cancelled.
6. The manager of a named horse or his or her authorised agent must, unless otherwise contained in a Stable Return lodged by a trainer in accordance with this rule, disclose:
   1. any change in the previously notified location of the named horse to the relevant PRA by midnight of the day on which that change is finalised, by lodging the relevant form prescribed by Racing Australia or the relevant PRA; and
   2. the location of that horse upon request by Racing Australia and/or a PRA, including as required under any registration, transfer of ownership, or other form.

   Note: By way of example, the notification obligation on a manager would arise under subrule (7)(a) if a named horse was transferred from one spelling property to another spelling property.

    

7. The requirement referred to in subrule (7)(a) does not apply where the named horse is under the care of a trainer and the manager proves to the satisfaction of the Stewards the he or she was not aware, and could not reasonably have been aware, of:

1. the change in the previously notified location of the horse; or
2. the trainer’s non-compliance with his or her obligations under this rule.

 

Social Media Policy

It is again timely for all licensees to be reminded of the industry’s Social Media Policy which applies to all licensed personnel including, but not limited to, trainers, jockeys, stable employees, racing managers and riders’ agents.

This Policy provides all licence holders with guidance in relation to expectations for social media engagement use relating to Racing Victoria, the racing industry, its people, and other racing related individuals, clubs or organisations. 

The Policy is designed to protect the interests of the sport of thoroughbred racing, the individual engaging on social media, other licensed persons, employees and officials of Racing Victoria and the Victorian racing industry.

Among other things, the Policy requires that when engaging on Social Media that you

• take responsibility for ensuring that any information about racing that you provide is informed and factually accurate and does not breach the Rules of Racing;
• ensure that any material posted is not defamatory, threatening, discriminatory or hateful;
• show respect for the individuals and communities with which you interact; and
• remain mindful of who you are representing

 

In the overall interests of the industry, Racing Victoria takes the enforcement of this policy seriously and asks that you ensure that you are familiar with the Policy which can be accessed on our website www.rv.racing.com/integrity.

If you require clarification about aspects of this policy and how it applies to your own circumstances, please contact the RV Integrity Liaison Steward (in the first instance), the RV Jockey Welfare Officer or RV Trainer Wellbeing Officer.

 

Horse Suspension At Barrier Policy

 

The Stewards, following consultation with ATA, have implemented a new policy regarding the time interval between a horse receiving a suspension for poor barrier behaviour, and the time that same horse trials for re-instatement. The Stewards submit that there should be a minimum period of 2 clear days from raceday when the suspension was applied to the day the horse can trial for re-instatement. This will help ensure the horse has had time to receive some re-training by the licenced trainer to improve the horses behaviour.

For example, a horse which receives a suspension on Saturday, cannot trial for re-instatement until Tuesday.

 

 

Stable Employee Registrations

Please note all Stable Employee registration renewals are due by 31 July 2022.  Stewards will be conducting regular checks to ensure all registrations are up to date.

 

Changes To Vaccination Requirements

On 18 June 2022, the Victorian Government announced that directions requiring general employees to work from home unless they are double-vaccinated would be lifted and that vaccination policies are now the responsibility of individual workplaces.

 

The Racing Victoria Board has therefore advised that it is retiring its COVID Vaccination Policy and Victorian Local Rule 64D (which had required participants to be doubled vaccinated to enter any designated racing participant area) in line with these recent changes.