Hong Kong TestingWest Australian Racing

PerthTurfTalk

RWWA Stewards advise that arrangements have been made for a number of horse and greyhound race day samples to be analysed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club's Racing Laboratory.


These include samples, from all three codes, that have been previously stored by order of the Stewards in addition to other routine race day samples.


The analysis of these samples involves additional targeted screening for new and emerging threats to integrity.


The samples are currently in the process of being conveyed to the Hong Kong laboratory with the results of analysis to be advised once testing has been completed.


Additional sampling of runners will be taking place during the upcoming carnivals in addition to other increased integrity strategies. RWWA Stewards advise that they will continue to store samples which in due course will be subjected to similar screening.

thefalcon

there could be a few people with the jitters... 8-X
seriously though, is the detection analysis going a little too far? almost everything we, including animals, digest has some form of synthetic additive. to be able to analyse every minute ingredient and judge if it is a performance enhancer is perhaps taking science a little too far..imo

Piston_Broke

did u ever think that they might know what they are looking for but HK is the Lab that can find it

TheDiva

I think its a great move for two reasons:

1. Hong Kong is the world leader in detection of doping in equine sports. If it cant be found in Hong Kong, it cant be found. They have to money to research continuously and test for a wide range of substances, not just a random few, including the latest drugs.

2. If the samples sent are all clear, then the rumour and inuendo about certain trainers can end and everyone can get on with the racing.

All anyone is asking for is a level playing field and the lab in Hong Kong can put people's minds at ease, especially those paying big training bills each month.

Rodent

If Lance Armstrong can beat the tests, I'm sure trainers can too. If a trainer's results are too good, I just assume they have an "edge". I thought G.Harper was too good to be true, I thought M.Reed was too good to be true and now I think there is another bloke who is as good as them :-\"

Carlosa

Not sure too many trainers would have the money nor team around them to 'beat the tests' like Lance Armstrong did.

I would say it's more to do with our testing methods not being up to scratch, so as The Diva said above, good on em for sending samples over to where they do it best.

jonesee

I reckon this is a terrific initiative and the stewards here deserve a huge wrap. The more effort we put into catching those cheating the better chance we have of maintaining racing as a viable betting medium into the future. The USA shows what happens when the drug cheats win. Some local trainers will be sweating which in itself is a good thing.

goose

Why has it taken so long to do? would have thought they would have done this months ago :|

TheDiva

there was an article on Perth Racing with more detail. Can anyone find it and post it?

TheDiva

My apologies, the article was in The West:

STEWARDS UP THE ANTE ON DOPING SUSPECTS

Racing and Wagering WA stewards will send long-time stored swabs to a world-class Hong Kong labora- tory in a bid to find prohibited substances not detectable under previous methods.

Samples from starters at thoroughbred, harness and greyhound race meetings across the State will be sent to Hong Kong.

"We've made arrangements to have horse and greyhound race day samples analysed by the Hong Kong Jockey Club's racing laboratory," RWWA integrity general manager Denis Borovica said.

"These include samples that have been stored by order of the stewards. Analysis of these swabs is part of RWWA's additional targeted screening for new and emerging threats to integrity.

"Additional sampling of runners will take place at upcoming carnivals. Stewards will continue to organise storage of samples which will be subjected to intense overseas screening."

Borovica said the swabs which would be consigned to Hong Kong included samples from major race winners up to 12 months ago.

"There are Group 1 swabs and samples from runners in minor races," he said. "Stewards ordered storage of certain swabs for one reason or another.

"There are a considerable number of swabs going to Hong Kong. The initial batch are in transit."

Borovica expected Hong Kong analysts to provide results within four weeks of receiving samples.