New regulations requiring all veterinarians working in the racing industry in NSW to be licensed by Racing NSW came into effect as of August 1 this year and not everyone is happy about them. It’s not just the vets but country race-club officials who fear the repercussions of this regulation.
One can understand the decision to introduce such a regulation given recent charges against veterinarian Tom Brennan of the Flemington Equine Clinic, in relation to the administration of cobalt to racehorses in both NSW and Victoria.
As Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said during a recent interview: “In our industry, strappers are licensed, jockeys are licensed, trainers are licensed, but the people who potentially have the most influence on a horse’s physiology, the veterinarians, are not licensed.”
On the other hand, Equine Veterinarians Australia vice-president Dr Ian Fuller points out that vets are already licensed by the NSW Veterinary Practitioners Board.
He also claimed that the regulations that Racing NSW has introduced are unfair to vets.
“Under the terms of the licence, Racing NSW can revoke a vet’s licence at any time. This could have a profound impact on a vet’s livelihood without fair and just review processes.”
This is the crux of the matter.
Few vets in country NSW would be involved in racing on a full-time basis. Most would derive income from outside racing. Any action taken, therefore, against a vet by Racing NSW could impact dramatically on a vet’s livelihood and reputation, and potentially destroy his/her career.
It’s too simplistic to say if they have done nothing wrong, they have nothing to fear, as Peter V’landys has suggested. Recent events clearly demonstrate this.
Trainer John McNair was fined $15,000 by Racing NSW stewards for presenting a horse to the races with methamphetamine and amphetamine in its system. The fine was imposed despite the stewards conceding they were satisfied that the trainer had no knowledge that the drug had been administered to the horse.
Stewards had tested McNair’s horse, Normandy, as a result of an anonymous tipoff that it would be presented to the races with the drug in its system. So, who made that phone call?
What does this have to do with the licensing of vets? Quite a lot. Vets visit racing stables or properties, treat horses and leave.
Stable records will show the date and time of the vet’s visit, the horse or horses treated and the nature of the treatment. What the records may not show is treatment administered after the vet has departed. The circumstances surrounding the John McNair case, clearly suggest that the trainer was “set up.” How easy would it be to “set up” a vet?
Very few country trainers can afford the elaborate security measures that city trainers have in place and even these systems are not foolproof.
Gai Waterhouse, for example, was charged and found guilty after one of her horses tested positive to cocaine.
The decision was subsequently overturned by the NSW Supreme Court, but the point is, if one of Australia’s leading racing stables can’t ensure that a horse cannot be “nobbled”, then how vulnerable are country trainers with limited funds to spend on security?
It is the vulnerability of country trainers that in turn makes country vets vulnerable.
Vets across NSW have every right to be deeply concerned about the new licensing regulations, but none more so than those working in country NSW. Many may decide that the risk to their reputations, livelihood and careers doesn’t justify their involvement in thoroughbred racing.
If this occurs, country racing will be the loser.
Giving them ’Curry
Last Saturday the Tuncurry-Forster Jockey Club, held its inaugural TAB meeting.
The day proved a great success with a crowd of 3000 present to watch the six-race program. With $48,000 in prizemoney on offer, the club had 65 acceptors.
Special guests for the day included the state’s chief steward, Ray Murrihy, who praised the club for putting on a great day of country racing.
On Sunday, the Moruya Jockey Club staged a seven-race program. The fact that the club was able to race at all following the deluge that had hit the south coast earlier in the week proved once again that the Moruya track is one of the best wet-weather tracks in the State.
Riding honours for the day went to Richard Bensley, who rode a treble.