Harness and Thoroughbreds Arsenic Threshold
As advised in August, following a number of horses exceeding the prescribed arsenic threshold within the rules of racing where the Stewards have determined this has likely been caused by exposure to Copper Chromium Arsenic (CCA) treated timbers commonly used in fencing, the RWWA Integrity Assurance Committee (IAC) resolved to raise these concerns with Racing Australia in order to give consideration to:
• The existing arsenic threshold as prescribed within the rules
• The mandatory provisions of Rule AR177 and HR 195 which state that a horse must be disqualified from any race in which it started if a prohibited substance is detected in any sample taken from it prior to or following the race.
Racing Australia has advised RWWA that the matter was discussed at the Veterinary & Analysts Committee meeting in September and the Chairmen of Stewards Committee meeting in November. Both Committees determined that no action was required at a national level and that no change should be made to the current rules on the basis of scientific and other statistical evidence.
The matter was further tabled at the Racing Australia Board Meeting on 6 December where it was resolved to reaffirm the arsenic threshold of 0.30 milligrams per litre in urine.
On the basis of two Australian race horse population survey analyses, conducted in 2015 and 2016, it was concluded that the current international urinary arsenic threshold of 0.3 mg/L appears to be suitable for the Australian population with a low normal risk of exceedance. This methodology is the most appropriate way of determining thresholds.
The risk of a horse consuming CCA treated timber can be mitigated if all sources of CCA treated timber are removed from the horse’s environment – commonly fence rails and posts – and replaced, or alternatively, the horse is removed from that environment. Applying such cautions is preferred to deviating from the standard methods of threshold determination which may compromise proper control over this prohibited substance.
RWWA recommends that trainers take precautionary measures to remove racing horses from areas with access to CCA treated timber where there is a risk of excessive consumption.
RWWA Stewards will now proceed as normal to conduct or finalise any outstanding inquiries in accordance with the rules of racing and principles of natural justice.