Trainers beware: With-holding times have changed - Copy That to miss final cup lead-up

Trainers are running the risk of getting positive drug tests, racing their horses unaware that withholding times for a number of commonly used medications have recently changed.

But Harness Racing New Zealand is now moving to prevent a PR nightmare by notifying trainers and ensuring better communication with the New Zealand Equine Veterinary Association.

In response to increased sensitivity in testing and a recent positive to a drug given in the allowable period, with-holding times for a number of medications were aligned with European standards by the NZEVA.

That meant that commonly used treatments for horse welfare like the pain-killing anti-inflammatory dexamethasone, bute and cortisone were assigned new with-holding times.

HRNZ general manager of racing Catherine McDonald said, traditionally, the veterinary association has viewed withholding periods as a matter between vets and trainers as they were vet-only administered medications.

“We had not been notified of the changes and that’s why nothing was posted on either the HRNZ or RIB websites.

“But we agree that it would be better if both HRNZ and the vets educated the trainers.”

While the drugs might be ones designated to be given by vets, trainers who might have medications on site in case of urgent need on welfare grounds had to be informed.

After discussions last week, McDonald said the veterinary association had undertaken in the future to inform HRNZ of any changes at the same time as they notify their vet members.

HRNZ was also looking at how best to notify trainers of changes in a timely matter.

“Putting them on our website would not necessarily achieve this and we will probably notify them via our Infohorse system (an app trainers use for such things as nominating horses for races).”

Thoroughbred trainers warned

While no advisory was posted on the New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing website either, the New Zealand Trainers’ Association alerted its members to the changes in some recommended withholding times, headlining its April newsletter with a warning.

It advised the veterinary association had notified its own members in an update on March 24.

“Because some of the changes were for very commonly used medications, trainers were most likely contacted by their vet to make sure medications had the right labelling.”

It cited the withholding time for bute (phenylbutazone) as having increased from eight days to 9.8 days, based on new information.

“NZTR is working through the process of providing information over withholding times for common medications and are hoping for an update early next month.”

Trainers upset over the recent changes, who perceive it as just another road block to racing their horses, will be pleased to hear international jurisdictions are in the process of introducing screening limits to make sure the level of detection is responsible so animals can be treated but still allowed to race.

Copy That to miss Purdon Memorial

The with-holding changes impacted this week on star pacer Copy That who will be missing from the final Auckland Cup lead-up on Friday week, the $45,000 Roy Purdon Memorial.

Green had Copy That’s joints injected with cortisone this week, routine maintenance work which previously could be done no closer than eight days before racing.

But the recent change dictates that if more than one joint is injected the with-holding period has to be doubled.

Green said he was not aware of the change until told by his vet.

It was a straight forward and common treatment to keep the horse healthy and racing, just like a human athlete.

Green said Copy That would have to trial instead before the $180,000 Auckland Cup on May 26.

“I’m not too upset by it. The Roy Purdon could have been a tough race for him, off 20 metres, where they’ll go like hell.

“He doesn’t need another hard race. The horse is feeling really good and I’ll just keep him ticking over without stretching him too much.”