Determination of prohibited substance

188.  (1)  The Controlling Body may determine -

(2)  When making a determination under sub-rule (1) the Controlling Body may act under any paragraph or any combination of paragraphs in that sub-rule.

188A.  (1) The following are prohibited substances:

(a)      Substances capable at any time of causing either directly or indirectly an action or effect, or both an action and effect, within one or more of the following mammalian body systems:-

the nervous system
the cardiovascular system
the respiratory system
the digestive system
the musculo-skeletal system
the endocrine system
the urinary system
the reproductive system
the blood system
the immune system
the integumentary system
the ocular system

(b)     Substances falling within, but not limited to, the following categories:-

acidifying agents
adrenergic blocking agents
adrenergic stimulants
agents affecting calcium and bone metabolism
alcohols
alkalinising agents
anabolic agents
anaesthetic agents
analgesics
antiangina agents
antianxiety agents
antiarrhythmic agents
anticholinergic agents
anticoagulants
anticonvulsants
antidepressants
antiemetics
antifibrinolytic agents
antihistamines
antihypertensive agents
anti-inflammatory agents
antinauseants
antineoplastic agents
antipsychotic agents
antipyretics
antirheumatoid agents
antispasmodic agents
antithrombotic agents
antitussive agents
bisphosphonates
blood coagulants
bronchodilators
bronchospasm relaxants
buffering agents
central nervous system stimulants
cholinergic agents
corticosteroids
depressants
diuretics
erectile dysfunction agents
fibrinolytic agents
haematopoietic agents
haemostatic agents
hormones (including trophic hormones) and their synthetic counterparts
hypnotics
hypoglycaemic agents
hypolipidaemic agents
immunomodifiers
masking agents
muscle relaxants
narcotic analgesics
neuromuscular agents
plasma volume expanders
respiratory stimulants
sedatives
stimulants
sympathomimetic amines
tranquillisers
vasodilators
vasopressor agents
vitamins administered by injection

(c)  Metabolites, artifacts and isomers of the prohibited substances prescribed by sub-rules (1) (a) and (1) (b).

(d)  An endogenous substance where the concentration of that substance is in the opinion of the Stewards unusual or abnormal.

(2)  The following substances when present at or below the levels set out are excepted from the provisions of subrule (1) and Rule 190AA: 

(a)  Alkalinising Agents, when evidenced by total carbon dioxide (TCO₂) present at a concentration of 36.0 millimoles per litre in plasma.

(b)  Arsenic at a level of 0.30 micrograms per millilitre in urine.

(c)  Dimethyl Sulphoxide at a concentration of 15.0 micrograms per millilitre in urine or 1000 nanograms per millilitre in plasma.  

(d)  In male horses other than geldings, free and glucuroconjugated 5α-estrane-3β, 17α-diol at a mass concentration of 45 micrograms per litre in urine when, at the screening stage, the free and glucuroconjugated 5α-estrane-3β, 17α-diol exceeds the free and glucuroconjugated 5,10 estrene-3β,17α-diol in the urine.

(e)  Salicylic acid at a concentration of 750 micrograms per millilitre in urine or 6.50 micrograms per millilitre in plasma.

(f)  Free hydrocortisone at a concentration of 1.00 micrograms per millilitre in urine.

(g)  Testosterone -

       (i)  in geldings: free testosterone and testosterone liberated from its conjugates at a mass concentration of 20 micrograms per litre in urine,

       (ii)  in geldings, fillies and mares: free testosterone at a mass concentration of 100 picograms per millilitre in plasma,

       (iii)  in fillies and mares:  free testosterone and testosterone liberated from its conjugates at a mass concentration of 55 micrograms per litre in urine,

       (iv)  in fillies and mares that have been notified as pregnant so as to comply with Rule 103B:  free testosterone and testosterone liberated from its conjugates at any concentration in urine or free testosterone at any concentration in plasma.

(h)  3-Methoxytyramine (including both free 3-methoxytyramine and 3-methoxytyramine liberated from its conjugates) at a concentration of 4.0 milligrams per litre in urine.  

(i)  Boldenone in male horses other than geldings, (including both free boldenone and boldenone liberated from its conjugates) at a mass concentration of 15 micrograms per litre in urine. 

(j)  Prednisolone (free Prednisolone) at a mass  concentration of 10 micrograms per litre in urine

(k)  Cobalt at a concentration of 100 micrograms per litre in urine or 25 micrograms per litre in plasma.

(3)  The following are not prohibited substances:

      -  antimicrobials (antibiotics) and other antiinfective agents but not including procaine penicillin
      -  antiparasitics approved and registered in Australia by the APVMA for use in horses
      -  ranitidine
      -  omeprazole
      -  ambroxol
      -  bromhexine
      -  dembrexine
      -  registered vaccines against infectious agents
      -  orally administered glucosamine
      -  orally administered chondroitin sulphate
      -  altrenogest when administered to fillies and mares 

(4)  A trainer must notify the Stewards no later than 1 hour prior to the scheduled starting time of a race if the trainer’s horse has been treated with Antimicrobials (antibiotics and other anti infective agents) except Procaine Penicillin, Vaccines and antisera for the prevention of disease, or Mucolytics within the preceding 7 days. 

(5)  A trainer who fails to comply with sub-rule (4) is guilty of an offence.

188B.  (1)  In relation to the testing for the presence of a therapeutic substance in a sample taken at any time from a horse there must be an initial screening test or screening analysis of the sample.

(2)  As a minimum requirement, the initial screening test or screening analysis is to be conducted as follows:-

(a)  A biological matrix, equivalent in volume to the sample, is to have added to it a quantity of the therapeutic substance, or its specified metabolite, sufficient to bring its concentration to the screening limit specified for that therapeutic substance.  This is known as the spiked sample and is to be analysed concurrently with the sample.

(b)  The sample is then to be tested to ascertain whether or not it contains a quantity of the therapeutic substance, or its specified metabolite, that exceeds the screening limit by making a direct comparison with the spiked sample.

(c)  If the screening limit is not exceeded, the detection of the therapeutic substance is not to be reported.

(d)  If the screening limit is exceeded then the sample is to be further tested in accordance with normal laboratory procedures designed to certify the presence of the therapeutic substance in the sample.

(3)  A therapeutic substance for the purpose of this Rule and the screening limit applicable to it or its specified metabolite shall be promulgated from time to time by Harness Racing Australia and published on the websites of Harness Racing Australia and a Controlling Body.

(4)  The screening limit testing provided for in this Rule is not intended and does not operate to mean that for the purpose of the Rules the therapeutic substance only becomes a prohibited substance if and when the screening limit is exceeded.

(5)  It shall not be a defence to any charge under Rules 190, 190A, 190AA, 195 and 196A that the result of any initial screening test or screening analysis should have been below the screening limit for the therapeutic substance in question.

Testing

189.  (1)  The Stewards may carry out tests and examinations to determine whether a prohibited substance was or is in or on a horse.

(7)  Blood, urine, saliva, or other matter or samples or specimens may be taken from a horse for purposes of testing and examining and may be stored, frozen or otherwise dealt with, and shall be disposed of only as the Stewards may direct.

(8)  Where the Stewards suspect that a prohibited substance was or is in or on a horse or that blood, urine, saliva, or other matter or sample or specimen taken from a horse may contain a prohibited substance, they may withdraw the horse from a race, bar it from racing for a period, or give such direction about the horse as they consider appropriate.

(9)  It is an offence for a person to fail to comply with a direction given under sub-rule (5) or sub-rule (7) or sub-rule (8) or to interfere with or prevent or endeavour to interfere with or prevent the carrying out of a test or examination.

189A.  (1)  Subject to sub-rule (2) any sample taken from a horse shall only be analysed by a laboratory approved by the Controlling Body.

(2)  The Stewards or a Controlling Body:-

(a)  May retain a sample, or portion or aliquot of a sample taken from a horse for their own purposes including without limitation to conduct their own testing or analysis (including screening tests).

(b)  May in their discretion but subject to sub-rule (3):

    (i)  Determine whether they communicate the result of their own internal analysis.

    (ii)  Use the result of any analysis for the purpose of investigations, enquiries and intelligence or prosecuting a breach of the rules.

(3)  If an internal analysis is used to prosecute a breach of the rules the Stewards or the Controlling Body must communicate the results of that analysis to the person(s) the subject of the prosecution.

Presentation free of prohibited substances

190.  (1)  A horse shall be presented for a race free of prohibited substances.

(2)  If a horse is presented for a race otherwise than in accordance with sub-rule (1) the trainer of the horse is guilty of an offence.

(3)  If a person is left in charge of a horse and the horse is presented for a race otherwise than in accordance with sub-rule (1), the trainer of the horse and the person left in charge is each guilty of an offence.

(4)  An offence under sub-rule (2) or sub-rule (3) is committed regardless of the circumstances in which the prohibited substance came to be present in or on the horse.

(5)  A horse is presented for a race during the period commencing at 8.00 a.m. on the day of the race for which the horse is nominated and ending at the time it is removed from the racecourse after the running of that race.

(6)  Where a trainer intends to leave another person in charge of a horse in the trainer's absence, then prior to doing so, the trainer must notify the Chairman of Stewards, and the notification must be in the manner, within the time, and containing the information determined by the Controlling Body or the Chairman of Stewards.

(7)  A person can only be left in charge of a horse by a trainer with the approval of the Chairman of Stewards.

(8)  A trainer who fails to comply with sub-rule (6) or sub-rule (7) is guilty of an offence.

Out of Competition Testing

190A.   (1)  When a sample taken at any time from a horse being trained or cared for by a licensed person has detected in it any prohibited substance specified in sub-rule (2):-

(a)  The trainer and any other person who was in charge of such horse at the relevant time shall be guilty of an offence.  

(b)  The horse may be disqualified from any race in which it has competed subsequent to the taking of such a sample where, in the opinion of the Stewards, the prohibited substance was likely to have had any direct and/or indirect effect on the horse at the time of the race.

(2)   For the purpose of sub-rule (1), the following substances are specified as prohibited substances:-

(a)  haematopoiesis – stimulating agents, including but not limited to erythropoietin (EPO), epoetin alfa, epoetin beta, darbepoetin alfa, and methoxy polyethylene glycolepoetin beta (Mircera);

(b)  insulins;

(c)  growth hormones and their releaseing factors;

(d)  insulin–like growth factor–1;

(e)  substances listed in Schedule 8 and Schedule 9 of the Standard for the Uniform Scheduling of Medicines and Poisons contained in the Australian Poisons Standard;

(f)  selective androgen receptor modulators (SARMS);

(g)  selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMS);

(h)  selective opiate receptor modulators (SORMS);

(i)  peroxisome proliferator activated receptor 8 (PPAR8) agonists, including but not limited to GW 1516;

(j)  AMPK activators, including but not limited to AICAR (5–amino–1–β–D–ribofuranosyl–imidazole–4–carboxamide);

(k) other agents that directly or indirectly affect or manipulate gene expression;

(l)  hypoxia inducible factor (HIF)–1 stabilisers, including but not limited to ITPP (myoinositol trispyrophosphate); and hypoxia inducible factor (HIF) – 1 activators, including but not limited to Xenon and Argon;

(m) agents modifying myostatin function, including but not limited to myostatin inhibitors;

(n)  oxygen carriers including but not limited to perfluorochemicals, efaproxiral and modified haemoglobin products;

(o)  thymosin beta;

(p)  venoms of any species or derivatives thereof;

(q)  synthetic proteins and peptides and synthetic analogues of endogenous proteins and peptides not registered for medical or veterinary use;

(r)  anabolic androgenic steroids (other than an anabolic androgenic steroid which is present at or below the relevant concentrations set out in Rule 188A(2));

(s)  unregistered bisphosphonates;

(t)  zoledronic acid;

(u)  metabolites, artifacts and isomers of any of the substances specified in paragraphs (a) to (t);

(3) The substances bufotenine, butorphanol, 3–(2–dimethylaminoethyl)–4–hydroxyindole, N.N–dimethyltryptamine, Ketamine, methadone, morphine, pethidine and quinalbarbitone, and their metabolites, artifacts and isomers are excepted from the provisions of this Rule.

(4)  Any person who is in possession of a substance specified in sub-rule (2) or a metabolite, artifact or isomer of such substance is guilty of an offence.

(5)  It shall be a defence to a charge under sub-rule (4) for the person in possession of such substance or preparation to prove that the substance or preparation was prescribed to him, for use by him, by a qualified medical practitioner.

(6)  Any person who attempts to obtain possession of a substance specified in sub-rule (2) or a metabolite, artifact or isomer of such substance, is guilty of an offence. 

Anabolic Steroids

190AA.  (1)  A horse must not, in any manner, at any time, be administered an anabolic androgenic steroid.

(2)  Any person who:

(a)  administers an anabolic androgenic steroid;

(b)  attempts to administer an anabolic androgenic steroid;

(c)  causes an anabolic androgenic steroid to be administered; and/or

(d)  is a party to the administration of, or an attempt to administer, an anabolic androgenic steroid,

to a horse is guilty of an offence. 

(3) Where the Stewards are satisfied that a horse has, or is likely to have been, administered any anabolic androgenic steroid contrary to this rule, the Stewards may prevent the horse from starting in any relevant race.

(4)  When a sample taken at any time from a horse has detected in it an anabolic androgenic steroid the horse is not permitted to start in any race or be used for the purposes of breeding:

(a) for a minimum period of 12 months from the date of the collection of the sample in which an anabolic androgenic steroid was detected; and

(b) only after an Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Clearing Certificate is provided in respect of a sample taken from the horse, such sample having been taken at a date determined by the Stewards.

(5) Any owner, lessee, nominator, trainer and/or person in charge of a horse registered under these Rules must, when directed by the Stewards or other person authorised by the Controlling Body, produce, or otherwise give full access to, the horse so that the Stewards or other person authorised by the Controlling Body may take or cause a sample to be taken and analysed to determine whether any anabolic androgenic steroid is present in the system of the horse.

(6) For the avoidance of doubt and without limitation, sub-rule (5) requires an owner, lessee, nominator and/or trainer to produce the horse, or otherwise give full access to the horse, even if the horse is:

(a)  under the care or control of another person; and/or

(b)  located at the property of another person.

(7)  Any person who fails to produce, or give full access to, a horse to provide a sample as required by sub-rule (5) is guilty of an offence.

(8)  In respect of a horse registered under these Rules, where an owner, lessee, nominator, trainer and/or person in charge of a horse is in breach of sub-rule (5), the relevant horse will not be permitted to start in any race:

(a)  for a period of not less than 12 months following the day on which the horse is in fact produced to the Stewards, or full access to the horse is otherwise given to the Stewards, so that a sample may be taken and analysed for anabolic androgenic steroids; and

 
(b) only after an Anabolic Androgenic Steroid Clearing Certificate is provided in respect of a sample taken from the horse, such sample having been taken at a date determined by the Stewards.

Bisphosphonates

190AB.  (1)  A horse must not at any time be administered an unregistered bisphosphonate or zoledronic acid.

(2)  Any person who:-

(a)  Administers an unregistered bisphosphonate or zoledronic acid

(b)  Attempts to administer an unregistered bisphosphonate or zoledronic acid

(c)  Causes an unregistered bisphosphonate or zoledronic acid to be administered and/or

(d)  Is a party to the administration of or an attempt to administer any unregistered bisphosphonate or zoledronic acid
 

to a horse is guilty of an offence.
 

(3)  Where the Stewards are satisfied that a horse has, or is likely to have been, administered an unregistered bisphosphonate or zoledronic acid contrary to this rule, the Stewards may prevent the horse from starting in any relevant race.

(4)  When a sample taken from a horse aged less than four years has detected in it a bisphosphonate the horse is not permitted to start in any race for a minimum period of twelve months from the date of the collection of the sample in which the bisphosphonate was detected.

(5)  When a sample taken from a horse aged four years or older has detected in it

(a)  A registered bisphosphonate other than zoledronic acid the horse is not permitted to start in any race for a minimum period of thirty days from the date of the collection of the sample in which the bisphosphonate was detected.

(b)  An unregistered bisphosphonate or zoledronic acid the horse is not permitted to start in any race for a minimum period of twelve months from the date of the collection of the sample in which the bisphosphonate was detected. 

(6)  For the purposes of this Rule and Rule 190A an unregistered bisphosphonate means a bisphosphonate that is not registered for veterinary use in Australia.

(7)  For the purposes of this Rule a registered bisphosphonate means a bisphosphonate that is registered for veterinary use in Australia.
 
(8)  When a sample taken from a horse has detected in it a bisphosphonate in breach of this rule the trainer and any other person who is in charge of such horse at the relevant time shall be guilty of an offence.

Log Book

190B.  (1)  A trainer shall at all times keep and maintain a log book:-

(a)  listing all therapeutic substances in his or her possession;

(b)  recording all details of treatment administered to any horse in his or her care and including as a minimum requirement:

(i)         the name of the horse

(ii)        the date and time of administration of the treatment

(iii)       the name of the treatment (brand name of active constituent)

(iv)       the route of administration

(v)        the amount given

(vi)       the name and signature of the person or persons administering and/or authorising treatment.

(2)   For the purposes of this rule treatment includes:

(i)         all Controlled Drugs (Schedule 8) administered by a veterinarian

(ii)        all Prescription Animal Remedies (Schedule 4)

(iii)       all Prescription Only Medicines (Schedule 4) prescribed and/or dispensed by a veterinarian for off label use

(iv)       all injectable veterinary medicines (intravenous, intramuscular, subcutaneous, intra-articular) not already included above

(v)        all Pharmacist only (Schedule 3) and Pharmacy Only (Schedule 2) medicines

(vi)       all veterinary and other medicines containing other scheduled and unscheduled prohibited substances

(vii)      all alkalinising agents

(viii)      all herbal preparations.

(ix)       shockwave therapy

 

(x)        acupuncture (including laser treatment)

 

(xi)       chiropractic treatment

 

(xii)      the use of any electrical stimulation device (including  transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS))

 

(xiii)     magnetic field therapy

 

(xiv)    ultrasound

 

(xv)     any form of oxygen therapy including hyperbaric oxygen therapy

 

(xvi)    the taking of a blood sample.

(3)  Details of the treatment administered to any horse must be entered into the log book on the day of the administration.

(4)  A trainer shall upon request produce such log book or register for inspection by the Stewards.

(5)  A trainer shall retain possession of a log book for a period of two years.

(6)  A trainer who fails to comply with the provisions of sub-rule (1), (3), (4) or (5) is guilty of an offence.

Transfer Restrictions

190AC. (1)  When a trainer is notified by the Stewards that the presence of a substance prohibited by Rules 188A, 190A or 190AB has been certified to be present in a horse trained by that trainer at the time the sample is taken, the trainer is not permitted without the prior approval of the Stewards to:- 

(a)  transfer the ownership of any horse they own to any other person;

(b)  transfer any training responsibilities for any horse they train to any  other person.

(2)  For the purposes of sub-rule (1) “certified” means the issuance of an evidentiary certificate pursuant to Rule 191(1).

(3)  A trainer who fails to comply with sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.

Evidentiary certificates

191.  (1)  A certificate from a person or drug testing laboratory approved by the Controlling Body which certifies the presence of a prohibited substance in or on a horse at, or approximately at, a particular time, or in blood, urine, saliva, or other matter or sample or specimen tested, or that a prohibited substance had at some time been administered to a horse is prima facie evidence of the matters certified.

(2) If another person or drug testing laboratory approved by the controlling body analyses a portion of the sample or specimen referred to in sub-rule (1) and certifies the presence of a prohibited substance in the sample or specimen that certification together with the certification referred to in sub-rule (1) is conclusive evidence of the presence of a prohibited substance. 

(4)  A certificate furnished under this rule which relates to blood, urine, saliva, or other matter or sample or specimen taken from a horse shall be prima facie evidence if sub-rule (1) only applies, and conclusive evidence if both sub-rules (1) and (2) apply, that the prohibited substance was present in or on the horse at the time the blood, urine, saliva, or other matter or sample or specimen was taken from the horse.

(5)  sub-rules (1) and (2) do not preclude the presence of a prohibited substance in or on a horse, or in blood, urine, saliva, or other matter or sample or specimen, or the fact that a prohibited substance had at some time been administered to a horse, being established in other ways.

191A.   (Rule 191A repealed, HRA approved 01.06.2022)

Possession on course

192.  (1)  No person, unless he has first obtained the permission of the Stewards, shall have in his possession either on a racecourse or in any motor vehicle or trailer being used for the purpose of travelling to or from a racecourse any prohibited substance or a syringe, needle or other instrument which could be used -

(4)  For the purposes of sub-rule (1) possession includes control of and right of access to the prohibited substance or syringe, needle or other instrument.

Stomach tubing, atomisers and other devices

193.  (1)  A person shall not attempt to stomach tube or stomach tube a horse nominated for a race or event within one clear day of the commencement of the race or event.

(2)  A person shall not attempt to use or use an atomiser, face mask or other device on a horse nominated for a race or event within one clear day of the commencement of the race or event.

Unregistered Substances

194.  A person who:

(a)  Procures or attempts to procure;

(b)  Has in his possession or on his premises or under his control;

(c)  Administers or attempts to administer;

any substance or preparation that has not been registered, labelled, prescribed or obtained in compliance with relevant State and Commonwealth legislation is guilty of an offence.

194A.  A person who:

(a)  Sells or attempts to sell;

(b)  Supplies or attempts to supply;

(c)  Distributes or attempts to distribute;

any substance or preparation that has not been registered, labelled, prescribed or obtained in compliance with relevant State and Commonwealth legislation is guilty of an offence.

194B.  (1)  A person must not have in his or her possession or on his or her premises any injectable product which contains cobalt salts.

(2)  A person who fails to comply with sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.

Disqualification

195.  A horse which has been presented for a race shall be disqualified from it if blood, urine, saliva, or other matter or sample or specimen taken from the horse is found to contain a prohibited substance.

195A.  (1)  This Rule is to apply to any race or series of races which the Controlling Body stipulates in the Conditions of Entry that it shall apply to;  such a race or races being a qualifying race for some other race.

(2)  If in relation to a race to which this rule applies a blood, urine, saliva or other sample or specimen is taken from a horse when it is presented for such race and a certificate from a person or drug testing laboratory approved by the Controlling Body certifies the presence of a prohibited substance in such specimen or sample then the horse shall be immediately disqualified from participating in any other race for which the race in question provides or provided a qualification for participation.

(3)  This rule is to have effect and to be conclusive irrespective of whether further testing procedures or other circumstances establish that the horse was presented for the race free of any prohibited substances.

Administering substances

196.  (1)  The Controlling Body may make determinations concerning the feeding, injecting, inserting or otherwise administering substances or prohibited substances to a horse.

(2)  A person who fails to comply with a determination made under sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.

196A.(1)  A person shall not administer or cause to be administered to a horse any prohibited substance 

               (i)   for the purpose of affecting the performance or behaviour of a horse in a race or of preventing its starting in a race; or
               (ii)  which is detected in any sample taken from such horse prior to or following the running of any race.

(2)  A person who fails to comply with sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.

196B.  (1)  A person shall not without the permission of the Stewards within one (1) clear day of the commencement of a race administer, attempt to administer or cause to be administered an injection to a horse nominated for that race.

(2)  For the purposes of this Rule - 

(a)  Administering an injection to a horse means the use of a hypodermic needle or other instrument to introduce or extract any substance from the horse;

(b)  It is not necessary to establish whether any substance was injected or the nature of the substance injected. 

(3)  The Stewards shall order the withdrawal or disqualification of a horse that has been either administered or attempted to have been administered an injection in breach of sub-rule (1).

(4)  A person who fails to comply with sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.

196C.  (1)   A person must not administer an alkalinising agent in any manner to a horse which is engaged to run in a race:

(a)  at any time on the day of the scheduled race and prior to the start of the race;

(b)  at any time within one (1) clear day of the commencement of the race.

(2)  Any person who:-

(a)  administers an alkalinising agent;

(b)  attempts to administer an alkalinising agent;

(c)  causes an alkalinising agent to be administered; and/or

(d)  is a party to the administration of, or an attempt to administer, an alkalinising agent

contrary to sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.

(3) Where the Stewards are satisfied that a horse has or is likely to have been administered any alkalinising agent contrary to sub-rule (1) the horse shall either be withdrawn or disqualified from the race.

(4)  Alkalinising agent:-

(a)  Means any substance that may elevate the plasma total carbon dioxide (TCO2) of a horse when administered by any route.

(b)  Includes but is not limited to substances that are bicarbonates, citrates, succinates, acetates, propionates, maleates, lactates and trometamol (THAM, Tris Buffer or Trometamine) and also include products marked as urinary alkalinises and hind gut buffers.

(c)  Does not subject to sub-rule (d) hereof include substances that are alkalinising agents which are contained in commercial feeds and/or balanced commercial electrolytes supplements which when fed and consumed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations for normal daily use, which Stewards are satisfied have a negligible effect on plasma TCO2.

(d)  Any exemption from the definition of alkalinising agent granted under this rule does not constitute a defence to a charge laid against a person following the detection by a drug testing laboratory approved by the Controlling Body of a TCO2 concentration in a horse in excess of the threshold described by Rule 188.

(5)  (Rule 196C(5) repealed, HRA approved 09.12.2021)

196D. (1) A person shall not within eight (8) clear days of the commencement of a race administer, attempt to administer or cause to be administered an intra-articular injection to a horse nominated for that race.

(2) A Steward shall order the withdrawal or disqualification of a horse that has been either the subject of an administration or an attempted administration of an injection in breach of sub-rule (1).

(3) A person who fails to comply with sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.

(4) (Rule 196D(4) repealed, HRA approved 09.12.2021)

196E.  (1)  A person must not:-

(a)  Administer;

(b)  Cause to be administered;

(c)  Attempt to administer; or

(d)  Be a party to the administration or attempted administration of a product containing cobalt salts to a horse by injection.

(2)  Where the Stewards are satisfied that a horse has or may have been administered a product containing cobalt salts by injection contrary to sub-rule (1) the horse shall either be withdrawn or disqualified from the race.

(3)  A person who fails to comply with sub-rule (1) is guilty of an offence.