Bisphosphonates is a class of drug which prevents the loss of bone density in the racehorse.
These are substances are prohibited substances within the Rules of the NHA:
73.4.1 Substances capable at any time of causing an action or effect, or both an action and effect:
… 73.4.1.6 the musculoskeletal system;

There is now an allowance by which older racehorse are allowed to be treated for osteoporosis (which results in low bone density bones which are brittle and could break) which do occur with older horses.

The formal International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA) statement within Article 6 of the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering is:

Any bisphosphonate is not to be administered to a racehorse:

• under the age of three years and six months as determined by its recorded date of birth; and
• on the day of the race or on any of the 30 days before the day of the race in which the horse is declared to run.

The bisphosphonate product administered must be licensed for use in horses in the country in which it is being used, and be administered in accordance with the label instructions.

There must be a diagnosis determined by a veterinary surgeon that supports the use of a bisphosphonate as an appropriate treatment, and such treatment must be administered by a veterinary surgeon.

There is the requirement that 

• Only local registered horse-approved drug substances are used.
  There is only one such licensed for use in horses in South Africa, called Tildren which contains Tiludronic acid (also known as Tiludronate).
   Other, locally available human preparations and non-licensed and non-registered products and other bisphosphonates may not be used.
• That the horse must be an older horse (not still a growing horse).
  the racehorses must be 3.5 years old at least (the age when osteoporosis may become problematic).
  There must be control by means of a veterinarian and a formal treatment regimen from a veterinarian (according to the recommendations for the     specific product).
• That younger racehorses (below the age of 3.5 years) may not receive this treatment (as osteoporosis treatment should not be required).
• It is specified that the use of such medication must be prescribed and controlled by a veterinarian and that such treatment must be well-detailed by   the veterinarian in the VTR of the corresponding horse and trainer.

It must be noted that

• a positive finding will result when it is detected in a racehorse younger than 3.5 years.
• that a positive finding will result if it is detected in a racehorse older than 3.5 years - if an official, corresponding diagnosis and prescription is not in     place.
• that a positive finding when result if it is detected on a race day in a racehorse older than 3.5 years - if a 30 day withdrawal period was not complied   with.
• There must be an official diagnosis determined by a veterinary surgeon that supports the use of a bisphosphonate (Tildren) as an appropriate   treatment.
• Tildren must administered in accordance with the product label instructions.
• Tildren treatments must be administered by a veterinary surgeon.

Flumethasone is a therapeutic substance which forms part of locally available veterinary injectable preparations. It is prescribed and administered to the racehorse for injury associated pain and inflammation.
Within international literature and NHA literature there is no publication of a detection time in the racehorse for this prohibited substance. The NHA laboratory conducts screening and confirmation for the presence of this substance in both urine and blood (plasma) to international guidance, at a level which is considered to have an effect on the horse.

• Flumethasone intravenous (IV) administration

Hereby notification is provided that following an intravenous (IV) administration of a typical therapeutic dose of Flumethasone to a racehorse, a detection period of a least 48 hours must be considered. A period of withdrawal which is longer than this period must be applied to prevent a level of Flumethasone which would result in a positive finding for this substance in either urine or blood (plasma).

• Flumethasone intra-articular (IA) administration

Rule 72.1.46 of the NHA specifies that it is a prohibited practise and a contravention to “race a horse within 7 days, calculated inclusively from the date of treatment, after the administration of any intra-articular corticosteroid treatment”. This rule applies for intra-articular treatment with the corticosteroid Flumethasone. 

• Daily News 2000 (Grade 1)
HAWWAAM’s rating remains unchanged on 121 after his fluent win in the Daily News 2000 (Grade 1) at Greyville on Saturday, 1 June. The Handicappers agreed that the appropriate line horse to use in rating the race was the ultra-consistent runner-up TWIST OF FATE, who once again appeared to run his race and therefore his rating also remains unaltered on 117.
Third placed CAPOEIRA showed big improvement and as such his rating has shot up from 81 to 105. It must be borne in mind that he came into the Daily News rated 23 pounds inferior to the next lowest rate horse (jointly ATYAAB and CHARLES) and it is also interesting to note that every other runner in the race finished exactly in rating order. As such, it was clear to the Handicappers that CAPOEIRA was the “odd man out” in this scenario and it is believed that he is a progressive three-year-old who deserves his new, higher rating. The Handicappers deemed that CAPOEIRA has not yet established a profile and is a lightly raced, improving type who was trying a different distance, having not raced beyond 1750m previously.
Fourth placed ZILLZAAL was dropped from 105 to 104, while THANKSGIVING was dropped from 106 to 104. The remaining duo of CHARLES and ATYAAB (who suffered a nosebleed during the race) remain on 104, so all of those who finished behind CAPOEIRA are now rated one pound inferior to him.

• Woolavington 2000 (Grade 1)
SILVANO’S PRIDE’s rating was upped from 106 to 109 after she clearly benefitted from a step up in distance and won the Woolavington 2000 (Grade 1) at Greyville on Saturday. In assessing this three-year-old fillies’ event, the Handicappers felt that fourth placed SEVILLE ORANGE was unlikely to have run worse here than when she ran to a 102 in finishing third in the Grade 2 SA Oaks at Turffontein on 30 March and used that performance as the yardstick to rate the Woolavington.
Accordingly, SEVILLE ORANGE’s rating was raised from 99 to 102, one pound below third placed BLOSSOM, who basically confirmed Oaks form with SEVILLE ORANGE and whose rating was upped from 103 to 104. Runner-up FRONT AND CENTRE was left unchanged on 112 after she hung right across from the outside to the inside of the course in the straight, causing interference to several rivals in the process.
In the only other changes, SNAPSCAN and MADONNA were both raised to 89 from 81 and 82 respectively. This pair had dominated the finish to the Listed East Cape Oaks at Fairview on 19 April, with MADONNA beating SNAPSCAN by a diminishing head. The Handicappers feel that on overall form there is virtually nothing to choose between them and thus opted to rate them as equals for the time being.

• Lonsdale Stirrup Cup (Handicap (Grade 3)
LIEGE has had his rating increased from 95 to 100 after his comfortable win in the Lonsdale Stirrup Cup over 2400m at Greyville on Saturday. LIEGE seemed to lose his way after winning the 2017 Grade 1 Summer Cup, but the Lonsdale distance of 2400m brought him back to prominence even if his new rating is still well shy of his career high 110.
The Handicappers agreed that third placed SILVER ROSE was the correct line horse. As such, his rating remains unchanged, while runner-up GIMME ONE NIGHT was raised from 91 to 92. Fourth placed DYNASTY’S BLOSSOM, fifth finisher ROY’S RIVIERA and sixth placed SILVA’S BULLET all ran to their marks as well, and so all three remain unaltered.
The other changes were to STRATHDON, who drops from 102 to 101, FLICHITY BY FARR goes from 94 to 93, and NOBLE SECRET drops from 105 to 104.

Please note that the NHRA Handicapping Panel, Mr Lennon Maharaj, Mr Matthew Lips and Chief Executive of the NHA Mr Vee Moodley will be in attendance at Greyville Racecourse on the 1st June 2019.
The following will be discussed:
1. Handicapping Methodology – in Brief
2. Handicappers to assess the Daily News 2000 race meeting in view of attendees
3. Discuss the proposed adjustment of the national horse population
4. Questions and Answers

Venue: Greyville Racecourse – Classic Room
Start: 16H45
All welcome to attend