Thoroughbred racehorses displaying cardiac arrhythmia will be banned from racing or trials until their connections provide a veterinary clearance.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing will introduce the ban from the start of the new season on August 1.
Cardiac arrhythmia is a term for abnormal electrical activity in the heart.
The heartbeat may be too fast or too slow, and may be regular or irregular.
Some arrhythmias can result in cardiac arrest and sudden death.
Others may predispose towards life-threatening conditions.
The ban is aimed at increasing rider safety.
The veterinary certificate of soundness will be required to include the result of an electrocardiogram.
The horse will be required to complete a trial of at least 1000m.
Any horse experiencing more than two episodes of cardiac arrhythmia may be suspended by the stewards to allow an evaluation by a veterinary specialist.
Any horse that continues to experience cardiac arrhythmia will be ineligible to trial or race until stewards decide a course of action.
> A meeting at Foxton has been programmed for tomorrow week.
New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing said the additional meeting was programmed due to the high number of horses being nominated for meetings in the central districts.
> Additional information for the meetings today. -
Racing Tauranga
Scratchings
Race 2: Knife Edge.
Race 4: Trinney.
Race 6: Another Glance, Le Seigneur.
Race 10: Sleepy Joe, Zealandia.
Weather, fine; track, slow(7); rail, true.
Canterbury Racing
Rider
Race 10: Nashita: D Bothamley (not L Allpress).
Scratchings
Race 8: Kid Columbus.
Weather, fine; track, heavy(10); rail, out 2m.
