NSW: Drug tests already at Homebush

AAP General News (Australia)
04-08-1999
NSW: Drug tests already at Homebush

By Emma Tinkler

SYDNEY, April 8 AAP - The Sydney 2000 Olympic Games are nearly 18 months away, but drug
testing is already going on at the Homebush Bay site.

The competitors under scrutiny are of the distinctly four-legged variety, and are part of
routine testing at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

For five years, the Royal Agricultural Society (RAS) has been performing random drug tests
on animals competing in show events.

The tests were first carried out only on horses, but was recently expanded to include
cattle.

RAS veterinary committee chairman Frank Hooke said drugs tested for were generally not
harmful to the animals.

"Most of the drugs that they use (in competition) are drugs used in the course of treatment
or production," Mr Hooke told AAP.

He said for horses, sedatives, analgesics and tranquillisers were the most common, while
cattle might be given anti-inflammatories, painkillers and even anabolic steroids.

"We particularly test steers for steroids, but they are not common in stud cattle," he
said.

"Such substances are legal in production, but of course for competition we want to see
animals that are bred naturally."

Animals selected for testing are not necessarily prizewinners, and come from an
across-the-board array of those entered in a particular event.

Vets are assigned to take six samples each of urine and blood, which are then sealed and
sent to the Thoroughbred Racing Board's forensic laboratory.

About 15 animals are tested each day.

The procedure is performed before the animal owner, who must sign forms declaring they have
witnessed the process and understand the sample has not been tampered with.

Mr Hooke said since the random testing policy was initiated there had been fewer incidences
of doping.

But he said the alternative was not always in the animal's best interests.

The testing process takes about two weeks, after which the results are returned to the RAS
veterinary committee.

If an animal is found drug positive, the owner will be summoned before a disciplinary
committee.

The penalty for the offence usually means the loss of prizemoney and ribbon, a fine and
being barred for up to two show seasons.

Last year two animals tested positive to drug use, officials said.

Mr Hooke said testing had been a success and well received among competitors.

"We've tried to put a deterrent on (doping), not police it," he said.

"And in general, we've managed to keep a lid on it."

AAP et/tsm/was

KEYWORD: SHOW DRUGS

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