Purses Reduced To Fund Drug Testing?

Published: August 24, 2011 01:54 pm EDT

Harness Racing New South Wales Chief Executive Sam Nati has been cited as saying that purse money may have to be redirected to drug testing following the scandal which is currently rocking the Down Under harness racing world.

According to a report by The Telegraph, Nati has said that if the existing system, which costs $750,000 a year to operate, is to be overhauled, the new system could cost as much as $1.5 million.

"We have always maintained a policy of trying to maximise the funds we put into prizemoney, but obviously we need to review that position," Nati was quoted as saying.

The matter will reportedly be on the table during HRNSW's board meeting next week.

Down Under trainer Paul Fitzpatrick let his opinion on the matter be known, as he was quoted as saying, "I think they should be swabbing every horse pre-race and then at the end of the day you assess which horses have performed beyond expectations and you test those samples."

In related news, HRNSW officials yesterday banned a trio of trainers for anywhere between four and 18 months in relation to positive tests.

''At the moment, we particularly want to send a message that, 'Get a positive and you will be dealt with,'" HRNSW Regulatory Manager Reid Sanders was quoted as saying in a report by The Sydney Morning Herald.

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