According to a harness racing official, it is expected that proof will soon be produced which will confirm that snake venom has been used as a performance enhancer in the

Down Under horse racing industry.

A report by the Herald Sun states that Harness Racing New South Wales chief executive Sam Nati told the publication that evidence had been found to confirm what, to this point, has just been growing speculation in recent years.

The article cites Nati as saying that officials within HRNSW received a sample six weeks ago and that it has been sent to a lab for analysis. "Testing is continuing on the sample and the lab says from its experience it expects to confirm the presence of some type of venom," he was quoted as saying.

Snake venom, most notably cobra venom, is said to serve as a powerful painkiller by deadening a horse's joint or nerves.

Click here to the read the Herald Sun article in its entirety.

(With files from Herald Sun)