❓ Question on Notice regarding the use of milkshakes in harness racing, horse deaths, doping detection capabilities, and concerns raised by the West Australian Racing Trainers Association. The Minister provides answers relating to regulations, monitoring, and support for trainers.
AnsweredQoN 409Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
(1) I refer to the use of milkshakes in harness racing (a process by which large amounts of bi-carbonate of soda and other substance are poured into a horses' stomach through a tube inserted via the animals’ nostril) and I ask: (a) how many detections have been recorded in Western Australia (WA) and on what dates and where did the relevant testing take place; (b) how many repeat offenders have there been in relation to detection of use of milkshakes and the names of the repeat offenders, and how many times has each repeat offender been found guilty of milkshake detection; and (c) what penalty has each person guilty of a milkshake detection received? (2) Are any records kept of deaths of thoroughbred horses and harness racing horses that occur at off track training properties and racing stables, and do stewards seek such information from veterinarians, insurance companies, carcass removalists? (3) If no to (2), how can authorities monitor patterns of unexplained deaths which may involve malpractice, cruelty, or neglect? (4) Does the Racing and Wagering Western Australia doping regime have the ability to detect the use of equine growth hormones, Myo -inositol trispyrophosphate, Demorphin, and Aicar? (5) Is the Minister aware of concerns raised recently by the West Australian Racing Trainers Association about the difficulties facing trainers in WA and the declining health of WA racing? (6) If the Minister is aware of these concerns what is his response to these concerns?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
6 August 2013
Responded by
Minister for Racing and Gaming
Response time
56 days
(1) [See Tabled Paper No]
(2) The national rules of racing for the thoroughbred and harness codes provide for the notification by owners and or trainers of the death of a horse.
(3) While I am not aware of any evidence that there is a concerning level of unexplained deaths in horses in Western Australia, regular stable visits and inspection of trainers' properties by stewards and the review of stable return data to confirm accurate recording of horses in stables, assists stewards in tracking the fate of horses.
(4) Yes
(5) - (6) Yes I am aware of the challenges facing Western Australian trainers. However, RWWA consults with the West Australian Race Horse Trainers Association and RWWA's distributions for 2013 provide for trainers through increased stakes and funding towards training costs at major metropolitan and country venues.
(2) The national rules of racing for the thoroughbred and harness codes provide for the notification by owners and or trainers of the death of a horse.
(3) While I am not aware of any evidence that there is a concerning level of unexplained deaths in horses in Western Australia, regular stable visits and inspection of trainers' properties by stewards and the review of stable return data to confirm accurate recording of horses in stables, assists stewards in tracking the fate of horses.
(4) Yes
(5) - (6) Yes I am aware of the challenges facing Western Australian trainers. However, RWWA consults with the West Australian Race Horse Trainers Association and RWWA's distributions for 2013 provide for trainers through increased stakes and funding towards training costs at major metropolitan and country venues.
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