The National Horseracing Authority confirms the reported Prohibited Substances findings which is aligned with its decision to publish the status of all Prohibited Substance matters from the commencement of the new Racing Season. 

Following the Press Release on 4 August 2023 (below), concerning Out of Competition (OOC) specimen collection that took place at Randjesfontein Training Centre and Turffontein Racecourse on 24 July 2023, the NHA confirms that the respective parties associated with AXEL COLLINS and YOURE MY SUNSHINE exercised their rights in terms of the Rules and requested that the respective reference specimens be sent to a Laboratory for confirmatory analysis. 

• Betway Spring Spree Stakes (Handicap) (Listed) 

QUANTUM THEORY has had his merit rating raised from 107 to 114 after winning the Listed Betway Spring Spree Stakes (handicap) over 1200m on the Turffontein inside track on Saturday 2 September. The Handicappers were unanimous in their view that 3^rd placed TEXAS RED made for the ideal line horse, in the belief that he would not have run below his rating in filling a place against a field of this calibre, leaving him unchanged on a mark of 94. 

Aside from the winner, the only other rating’s increase was for 2^nd placed SHELDON, who goes up from 110 to 116. 

There were ratings drops for three horses.  SMORGASBORD is down slightly from 109 to 108, VAL D’ORCIA drops from 103 to 101, and lastly TEAM GOLD was trimmed from 103 to 102. 

• Betway Insurebet Jockey Club Stakes (Listed) 

FLOWER OF SAIGON has had her rating raised from 89 to 101 after she easily won the Listed Betway Insurebet Jockey Club Stakes for fillies and mares over 2000m on the turf course at Fairview on Friday 1 September.  The Handicappers were of the view that consistent 6^th finisher DEFINITELY MAYBE would not have run below her best in a field of this nature and opted to use her as the line horse, leaving her unchanged on a mark of 88. 

The only other increase was for 3^rd placed DOUBLE CHECK, who goes up from 76 to 91. 

The only ratings drop was for runner-up FIRST STREET, who is down slightly from 98 to 97.

Following our Press Release of 4 August 2023 and the ongoing investigations, please note the amendment to Rule 72.1.46 was approved by the National Board at a meeting held yesterday. 

72. SPECIFIC OFFENCES (PROHIBITED PRACTICES) 

72.1     CONTRAVENTIONS

            Without in any way derogating from the provisions of the RULES, no PERSON shall:- 

72.1.46      race a HORSE within 7 days, calculated inclusively from the date of treatment, after the administration of any intra-articular treatment. 

The National Horseracing Authority (NHA) has acknowledged the progress made by Onderstepoort Biological Products (OBP) in producing and distributing the registered African horse sickness (AHS) live attenuated vaccine. After consultation with industry stakeholders the NHA will be extending the deadline for vaccination as outlined in Rule 39.1.1 from 31 October 2023 to 31 December 2023. This extension is intended to provide ample time to improve vaccination coverage and it applies to all horses residing in the AHS infected zone ONLY.

• East Cape Paddock Stakes (Listed) 

AND WE DANCED remains unchanged on a merit rating of 103 after winning the Listed East Cape Paddock Stakes for fillies and mares over 1600m on the Fairview Polytrack on Friday 4 August.  The race meeting was originally scheduled for the turf course but was moved to the Polytrack because of weather-related reasons.