Harness Racing Australia (HRA) will bring in amendments to its rules from 1 April. To see how these changes affect trainers, Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) has summarised the amendments below.

 

Changes that affect trainers

  • Stable returns
  • Horse location
  • Retirement or death of horse
  • Inactive horse
  • Traceability
  • Medical and surgical procedures
  • False starts
  • Prohibited substances and testing
  • Log book
  • Stomach tubing, atomisers and other devices
  • Unregistered substances
  • Administering substances
  • Gear and equipment

 

Part 3 of HRA Rules MEETINGS AND RACES

Stable returns

• Amend Rule 25(1)(a), (b)

• Renumber existing Rule 25(5) to (4)

• Renumber existing Rule 25(4) to (5)

25. (1) (a) When a horse enters the stable of a trainer a stable return containing true and correct particulars must be lodged with the Controlling Body or Stewards by the connections of a horse within the time and in the manner and form determined by the Controlling Body or Stewards and the connections shall ensure that all particulars on the stable return are true and correct.

(b) Unless otherwise determined by the Controlling Body or Stewards, a stable return shall be made within twenty four hours and in such form as the Controlling Body may determine.

(4) The Controlling Body or Stewards may reject a stable return or impose on the return such conditions as it or they consider appropriate.

(5) A person who fails to comply with any provision of this rule is guilty of an offence.

 

Change of Horse Location – Trainer Obligations

• New heading

• Add new Rule 25B(1)(a), (b), (c), (2)(a), (b), (3)(a)(i), (ii), (b), (4), (5)(a), (b)

25B. (1) A trainer must:

(a) disclose any change in the previously notified location of a horse in their care within 24 hours of the day on which that change is made, by notifying the Stewards or Controlling Body in such manner or form as may be determined by the Controlling Body; and

(b) lodge a Stable Return within 24 hours of a horse joining or leaving the trainer’s stable;

(c) lodge an amendment to a Stable Return immediately if any particulars on the Stable Return have changed.

(2) For the purposes of sub-rule (1):

(a) if a trainer’s stable is comprised of more than one registered training establishment, the trainer must disclose at which registered training establishment the horse is located;

(b) 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) A person is not required to comply with sub-rules (1)(a) and (2)(a) if:

(a) the horse is away from its previously notified location for no more than 30 days and during that period the horse is:

(i) located at a veterinary clinic, or under the direct care of a veterinary clinic; or

(ii) under the direct care of a qualified veterinary surgeon, for the purpose of obtaining treatment from a qualified veterinary surgeon; or

(b) the horse is away from its previously notified location for no more than 7 days for the purpose of being offered for sale at a physical public auction.

(4) Nothing in this rule affects a trainer’s Stable Return obligations under AHRR25.

(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;

(a) the entry of the horse for any race or official trial may be rejected or cancelled.

(b) the horse may be disqualified from any race in which it has competed.

 

Part 5 of HRA Rules HORSES

Retirement and Death of a Horse

• Change heading - Deregistration of a Horse to Retirement and Death of a Horse

• Repeal Rule 96A(4)(a), (b), (5), (6), (7), (8), (9), (10)

• Repeal Rule 96B

• See Stud Book Regulations 11

96A. (4) The owner or trainer of a registered horse at the time of its death shall:-

(a) In the case of a horse which dies whilst in the care of a licensed trainer immediately notify the Stewards of the death.

(b) In any other case notify HRA and the Controlling Body or Stewards of the death within twenty four hours of its occurrence.

(5) A notification of death under sub-rule (4) shall be in writing or such other form as the Controlling Body or Stewards may determine.

(6) The person in possession of the dead horse’s registration certificate shall within 7 days of such notification return the certificate to the Controlling Body.

(7) The owner or trainer shall comply with any direction given by the Stewards or the Controlling Body to verify the death.

(8) The owner or trainer of a horse whose death has been notified, or which should have been notified, under sub-rule (4)(a) shall not dispose of the carcass without the permission of the Stewards or the Controlling Body.

(9) Where notification of retirement of racing has been given to the Registrar as provided by the SBR the horse is ineligible to race unless it is re-registered.

(10) A person who fails to comply with this rule is guilty of an offence.

96B. Notification of deregistration or death shall be given to the Controlling Body or Stewards on Form R25-A.

 

Horse Retired to Industry Participant

• New heading

• Add new Rule 96C(1)(a), (b), (c), (2)(a), (b), (c), (d), (3)(a)(i), (ii), (b), (4)

96C. (1) This rule applies where:

(a) a horse is retired from racing in accordance with SBR 11 or a decision is made not to commence racing the horse (for the purposes of this rule, “retired racehorse”);

(b) the retired racehorse is not registered for breeding; and

(c) the person responsible for the retired racehorse is licensed or registered under the Rules (for the purposes of this rule, “responsible person”).

(2) During the period in which the responsible person is responsible for the care of the retired racehorse, within 7 days of any of the following occurring that person must notify the Controlling Body by lodging the relevant prescribed form;

(a) the transfer of the retired racehorse to any other person;

(b) the change of the retired racehorse’s location;

(c) the decision to retire the retired racehorse from any post-racing career, including but not limited to equestrian pursuits; or

d) the death of the retired racehorse.

(3) A person is not required to comply with sub-rule (2)(b) if:

(a) the retired racehorse is away from its previously notified location for no more than 30 days and during that period the horse is:

(i) located at a veterinary clinic, or under the direct care of a veterinary clinic; or

(ii) under the direct care of a qualified veterinary surgeon, for the purpose of obtaining treatment from a qualified veterinary surgeon; or

(b) the retired racehorse is away from its previously notified location for no more than 7 days for the purpose of being offered for sale at a physical public auction.

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

 

Status Update for Inactive Horse

• New heading

• Add new Rule 96D(1)(a), (b), (c), (2), (3), (4)

96D. (1) Within seven days of a horse not having been the subject of any activity for a period of six consecutive months, the connections must by lodging a Stable Return where applicable or giving notice in such manner or form as determined by the Controlling Body notify the Controlling Body of the following matters;

(a) the current status of the horse;

(b) the location of the horse; and

(c) any other matters in respect of which a notification should have been made under any rule in that six-month period.

(2) Prior to the horse reaching the six-month period of inactivity referred to in sub-rule (1), the Controlling Body will notify the connections of the upcoming notification requirement.

(3) For the purposes of this rule, “activity” includes but is not limited to the lodgement or notification of a Stable Return, nomination, scratching, transfer of ownership, change of location, retirement from racing, or death.

 

Breach of Traceability Rules

• New heading

• Add new Rule 96E(1), (2)(a), (b), (c)

96E. (1) If a person provides any false or misleading information in respect of any form lodged or notification as required by Rules SBR11, SBR12, 96C and 96D, the person may be penalised.

(2) If a person fails to lodge any document or provide any notification as required by Rules SBR11, SBR12, 96C and 96D, the Controlling Body may:

(a) restrict that person or any relevant horse from participating in the Standardbred racing and breeding industry; and/or

(b) restrict the payment (including payments under bonus schemes) or awarding of any prize to that person, until the relevant form has been properly lodged or the relevant notification has been properly made; and/or

(c) may refuse to accept any future Mare Return, Stallion Return or Declaration of Service (as applicable) from the relevant person or in respect of the relevant horse.

 

Medical and surgical procedures

• Amend Rule 99A(2)

99A. (2) For the purposes of this rule blistering means the application or injection of an irritating substance onto or into soft tissue of a horse to create an inflammatory reaction which results in the vesiculation of the skin and/or underlying tissues.

 

Part 7 of HRA Rules STARTING

False Start

• Amend Rule 141(3)

141. (3) The starter may declare a false start if the starter considers a horse’s prospects in the race are adversely affected by any incident that occurs immediately prior to or at the time of start.

 

Part 12 of HRA Rules PROHIBITED SUBSTANCES

Determination of prohibited substance

• Amend Rule 188A(3)

188A. (3) The following are not prohibited substances:

- antiparasitics approved and registered in Australia by the APVMA for use in horses

 

Testing

• Repeal Rule 189A

• Add new Rule 189A(1), (2)(a), (b)(i), (ii), (3)

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.

 

Log Book

• Add new Rule 190B(2)(xvi)

190B. (2) For the purposes of this rule treatment includes:

(xvi) the taking of a blood sample.

 

Stomach tubing, atomisers and other devices

• Amend Rule 193(2)

193. (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

• Add new Rule 194B(1), (2)

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.

 

Administering substances

• Amend Rule 196C(4)(d)

196C. (4) Alkalinising agent:-

(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.

• Add new Rule 196E(1)(a), (b), (c), (d), (2), (3)

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.

 

Part 17 of HRA Rules EQUIPMENT AND COLOURS

Offences

• Amend Rule 273(1), (2), (3)

• Add new Rule 273(7)

273. (1) A person shall not use or permit the use of any gear or equipment that is not listed on the HRA Approved Gear List except with the permission of the Chairman of Stewards.

(2) A person shall not present to start or start a horse in a race in gear which in the opinion of the Stewards is:-

(a) Incorrectly fitted.

(b) Insecure.

(c) Of inadequate quality.

(d) In poor condition.

(e) Of insufficient strength and quality to cope with the stresses likely to be imposed on it in a race.

(3) A person shall not without the permission of the Stewards start a horse in a race unless the horse is fitted with:

(a) A false belly band.

(b) Retaining straps.

(c) A throat lash.

(d) A breast plate.

(e) A cavesson or noseband.

(7) A person shall not modify or permit the modification of any gear or equipment except with the permission of the Chairman of Stewards.