Harness Racing New South Wales has become aware of the use within the Industry of preparations containing the substance Mannitol.

There are no registered animal products available in Australia that contains the substance Mannitol.

Any such products would need to be dispensed by a treating veterinarian.

Although Mannitol, which is a sugar alcohol, can be found in nature produced by a plethora of organisms including bacteria, yeasts, fungi, algae, lichens, some vegetables and fruit, the resulting levels in a horse would be low.

As Mannitol can or may have a diuretic effect on a horse, it would be considered a prohibited substance under the Rules if detected in a sample taken from a horse on the day of a race.

HRNSW has been working with the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) on the detection of this substance and will identify/report those samples with high levels for further consideration.

Trainers are reminded of Australian Harness Racing Rule 188A (1) (d) which reads:

The following are prohibited substances:

"An endogenous substance where the concentration of that substance is in the opinion of the Stewards unusual or abnormal."

Should any existing samples, including those that have been frozen by HRNSW since 2011, are identified as having high levels of Mannitol these samples will be subject to further investigation by HRNSW, including the impounding of the horse for further studies.

The Rules prohibit trainers from possessing or procuring any substance or preparation that has not been registered, labelled, prescribed, dispensed or obtained in compliance with the relevant State and Commonwealth legislation.

Trainers carry the absolute liability of presenting their horses to race free of prohibited substances, and therefore the onus in complying with the Rules lies with the trainer.

Trainers are hereby placed on notice that the continued use of unregistered products is done so at their own risk.

Reid Sanders

CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER