Trainers are warned that the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) is capable of detecting the presence of the prohibited substance glaucine.
Glaucine is an alkaloid found is certain plants in the Papaveraceae family, including poppy plants such as Glaucium flavum (yellow horn poppy) and Glaucium oxylobum. It is also found in other plants, for example, the tulip poplar tree Liriodendron tulipfera.
Glaucine would be a prohibited substance according to the Australian Rules of Racing since it has actions and effects principally on the nervous system, the cardiovascular system and the respiratory system (AR178B(1)), and would be categorised as an anti-hypertensive agent, anti-inflammatory agent, antitussive agent, bronchodilator and vasodilator (AR178B(2)).
Glaucine is not contained in any legitimate or registered human or veterinary medicines or supplements available for use in Australia.
Trainers are strongly advised not to use any unregistered or non-APVMA compliant products, including herbal and “natural” remedies, that are claimed to be of benefit in treating or managing horses known to be bleeders. Such products may deliberately or inadvertently contain glaucine, and its detection would constitute the finding of a prohibited substance.
– Racing NSW
