A review of the National Racing Rules (NRR) and policies occurs each year, with any recommendations, where deemed appropriate, adopted by the GA Board.

The application of NRR and policies provides for greater uniformity throughout Australia and New Zealand and minimises the need for local rules. In this regard, the integrity of greyhound racing is dependent on NRR to ensure consistency for participants and Controlling Bodies.
Accordingly, Greyhounds Australasia (GA) today announced amendments to the National Racing Rules (NRR) and policies effective from 1 January 2013.

The most significant amendments are:

National Rules

1. R1 Definitions
   • Definition of “Official” - Amend by adding officials who may have an effect on the outcome of an event, that is, a “weighing official” and “photofinish operator”.
   • Definition of “Veterinary Surgeon” – Amend to read:
     “veterinary surgeon” means a qualified veterinary surgeon registered pursuant to appropriate State or Territory Legislation.

     The current rule has shortcomings in that it provides a definition of a veterinary surgeon only for a meeting. Veterinary registration is State or Territory based.

2. R18(2)(c),18(3)(c), 78(2), 79A, 80, 81 & 83 – For uniformity, amend the word “specimen” to “sample” throughout the prohibited substance rules.
3. R 63(3) - Correction after All Clear - Amend Section (3) of R63 to read:
   The entitlement of prize money (save as otherwise provided for in these Rules) shall be determined on the basis of the finishing positions existing at the time that the All Clear was announced unless corrected pursuant to sub-rule (1).
4. R83(6) Greyhound to be free of prohibited substances – Add new rule GAR83(6) as follows:
   Testosterone as evidenced by the presence of 5b-androstane-3a,17b-diol at or below a concentration of 10 nanograms per millilitre in a sample of urine taken from a bitch will not breach the provisions of sub rule (2) of this rule.

   Note: Refer to the separate preamble at the end of this release for further information on R83(6).

5. R99(3)(g) – Add new part (g) as follows:
   (g) to enter or go or remain on, at any time, any place where greyhounds are trained, kept or raced.
   It was agreed this rule could be imposed on persons in breach of the rules who are residing with a disqualified person; several jurisdictions already have a similar local rule in place.
6. DNA Fingerprinting - GAR127(3)(B), GAR 138(1)&(2), GAR 139(2) & GAR 140(6) - Amendments were endorsed to these rules to standardize the varying terminology in respect to the approval of a laboratory.

In noting the changes, it must be recognised that respective State and Territorial Legislation pertaining to individual jurisdictions may prevent the total adoption of all of the NRR and policies. In these cases, individual jurisdictions will adopt Local Rules to provide for such legislative requirements, which shall take precedence.

Participants are reminded of their obligation to keep abreast of rule and policy changes, and are advised to contact GA or their relevant Controlling Body if they have any questions.

PREAMBLE TO R83(6)

Testosterone is a ‘prohibited substance’ as defined by the National Racing Rules.

All participants take full responsibility for their compliance with the rules, which contain, amongst other things, provisions relating to prohibited substances. This preamble is for the purpose of general communication and will not be a defence in the event of a breach of the rules.

A new threshold for testosterone has been designated, based on extensive research, to enable the regulation of the administration of testosterone products to bitches. R83(6) specifies a threshold level for a testosterone metabolite, 5b-androstane-3a,17b-diol (known as BaB). The threshold provides for a certain level of endogenous, or naturally occurring, testosterone to be considered acceptable in a bitch. The threshold level exemption is set at or below a concentration of 10 nanograms per millilitre in a sample of urine and has been determined following extensive research, analytical studies and statistical analysis, taking into account the variations in natural testosterone levels of bitches and allowing for a statistically-robust margin of safety.

Participants are however reminded that testosterone related products are prescription medications, which should only be administered under the supervision of a veterinary surgeon and where clinically designated. Testosterone propionate excretion studies on three (3) bitches have shown that, when administered 25 milligrams of testosterone propionate intramuscularly, BaB was detected in the bitches above the threshold limit for a period beginning within one hour after administration, up to 98 hours. When three (3) bitches were administered 50 milligrams of testosterone propionate intramuscularly, BaB was detected above the threshold limit in the bitches for up to 120 hours post administration.

This information is made available to participants, in order to assist them to comply with the rules. The detection times are not withdrawal times and should not be construed as such. There are many relevant factors in relation to testosterone that give rise to unpredictable and prolonged excretion times beyond those identified above, which include:

• An animal’s general health status, its physiology, metabolism, hydration status, fitness level, training regime, nutritional and dietary supplementation and concurrent medical treatment.
• Factors relating to drug dose rate, length of treatment, dosing regime, pharmaceutical preparation and route of administration.

 Careful consideration of the above factors and advice from your veterinary surgeon is mandatory, and a more conservative withdrawal time may need to be implemented.

GA again reminds participants that testosterone propionate and related testosterone products are prescription medications which should only be administered under the supervision of a veterinary surgeon and where clinically indicated.

It is the participant’s responsibility to ensure that a greyhound treated with a testosterone related product must still strictly comply with the rules. Reliance on this preamble will not be a defence in the event of a breach of the rules.

All participants in races do so subject to, and take full responsibility for their compliance with, the rules which contain, amongst other things, provisions relating to prohibited substances, the disqualification of greyhounds that have been found to have received them and the punishment of those who administer them.