Racing NSW stewards have made prompt amendments to race day procedures in the wake of the horse tragedies that marred Melbourne Cup day at Flemington.

Racing NSW stewards today issued a updated list of the minimum requirements race clubs are required to have in place for every race meeting to deal with equine emergencies.

1. Horse ambulance: A double horse float configured so that it is able to (a) Transport off-course an injured horse that can still stand; (b) Transport a recumbent (down) horse, whether dead or alive.

This will require thevehicle to be equipped with a winch or similar apparatus and sliding rubber mat to

facilitate loading and unloading of the recumbent horse.

2. At least two privacy screens to shield injured horses from public view, one to be positioned behind the winning post and the other to be in the barrier attendant’s vehicle.

3. A veterinarian experienced in equine practice and suitably equipped to euthanize a horse, be on course no later than one hour before the scheduled time for the first race and remain on course until released by the Stewards after the conclusion of all race-day requirements. Such veterinarian should be approved as an official race day veterinarian and be fully versed in race-day duties as set out in the Racing NSW manual “A Guide for Official Race-Day Veterinarians in NSW.”

4. Access for the veterinarian’s vehicle, or other suitable transport, be provided to all areas of the racecourse.

5. Suitably experienced staff are identified, whose roles are to assist the veterinarian in restraining injured horses during assessment and management of injuries, or assisting during euthanasia including, but not limited to, the erection of privacy screens and crowd control.

6. Protocols to be in place so that the relevant staff are so positioned that they are able to view and react quickly to any catastrophic breakdown, including the provision of suitable transport (where necessary) to the breakdown site.

7. A suitable area on or adjacent to racecourse to where a horse can be moved, if possible, for euthanasia out of the public’s view.

8. Make suitable arrangements for the disposal of the deceased horse, respecting owner’s wishes and also respecting restrictions when barbiturates are used in the euthanasia process

The stewards have also issued directions under the Rulesa of Racing that requires trainers to adhere to set policies regarding the return to training and to racing of a horse which has sustained a major fracture or other major orthopaedic injury regardless of whether or not surgery was conducted to repair the fracture/injury.

These include fractures that are repaired with placement of surgical implants, but also includes those that are managed conservatively.

Major fractures/orthopaedic injuries include front and hind cannon bone fractures; pastern bone fractures; carpal (knee) slab fractures; midbody and basal fractures of the proximal sesamoid bones; and long bone stress fractures

A trainer must give notification to the Stewards, together with a veterinary certificate of clearance from the specialist veterinary practice which performed such examinations/surgery, prior to the horse returning to training subsequent to the injury. Such clearance must testify that the horse is suitable to train and to perform

fast work.

The RNSW Senior Official Veterinarian will review the clearance certificate and where deemed necessary, the stewards will request any further tests or examinations that the Official Veterinarian requires after discussions with the certifying veterinarian, before the horse resumes training after the injury.

The trainer must lodge a further veterinary certificate of clearance with the Stewards prior to the subject horse being required to compete in an official trial. Upon review of that certificate, the Official Veterinarian will determine should any further tests or examinations be required.

Subsequent to competing in an official trial, the subject horse will be examined by the RNSW Official Veterinarian who may request any further tests or examinations.

The trainer must monitor, together with the stable veterinarian, any lameness or musculoskeletal issues with the subject horse. Should such issues occur, the trainer shall direct the stable veterinarian to conduct whatever diagnostic procedures are necessary.

Such information is to be provided to the stewards, together with an assessment by the stable veterinarian as to the suitability of the subject horse remaining in training.