Screening Limits

Australian Racing Board 

Amendments to Australian Rules of Racing

 A.        Addition of new Rule 178EA:

 Please insert new rule as follows:

 

AR.178EA

 

(1)        In relation to the testing for the presence of a therapeutic substance in a sample taken at any time from a horse there must be an initial screening test or screening analysis of the sample.

(2)        As a minimum requirement, the initial screening test or screening analysis is to be conducted as follows:

 (a)        A biological matrix, equivalent in volume to the sample, is to have added to it a quantity of the therapeutic substance, or its specified metabolite, sufficient to bring its concentration to the screening limit specified for that therapeutic substance. This is known as the spiked sample and is to be analysed concurrently with the sample.

 (b)        The sample is then to be tested to ascertain whether or not it contains a quantity of the therapeutic substance, or its specified metabolite, that exceeds that screening limit by making a direct comparison with the spiked sample.

 (c)        If the screening limit is not exceeded, the detection of the therapeutic substance is not to be reported.

 (d)        If the screening limit is exceeded then the sample is to be further tested in accordance with normal laboratory procedures designed to certify the presence of the therapeutic substance in the sample.

 (3)        A therapeutic substance for the purpose of this Rule and the screening limit applicable to it or its specified metabolite shall be promulgated from time to time by the Australian Racing Board and published in the Racing Calendar.

 (4)        The screening limit testing provided for in this Rule is not intended and does not operate to mean that for the purpose of the Rules the therapeutic substance only becomes a prohibited substance if and when the screening limit is exceeded.

 (5)        It shall not be a defence to any charge under AR.177, AR.177A or AR.178 that the result of any initial screening test or screening analysis should have been below the screening limit for the therapeutic substance in question.”

 B.        New AR.1 Definition:

 Please insert new Definition as follows:

 “therapeutic substance” means a prohibited substance to which a screening limit applies, and which is promulgated as such from time to time by the Australian Racing Board and published in the Racing Calendar.

 C.        New AR.1 Definition:

 Please insert new Definition as follows:

 “screening limit” means the concentration of a therapeutic substance or its specified  metabolite present in a sample during a screening test or analysis as specified in AR.178EA(2), above which the therapeutic substance will be notified as a prohibited substance.

 

Date of Effect:              1st October, 2012

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