Chief Stipe

An interesting statistic would be what percentage of trainers have used bute (or any other NSAID) on a horse in training. What is surprising though is that bute still seems to be the go to NSAID of choice when there are probably more effective ones around. Is it a case of the rules and recommended treatments not keeping up with new medications.

Perhaps the diagnosed ailment (diagnosed using all tools available) being treated before the race that returned the positive was different to the pre-onset laminitis which started later. Or there could have been a misdiagnosis by a veterinary professional. I'm sure a reputable stable as you described them would have used every tool available to them. Perhaps it wasn't and the bute was used to treat what was thought to be a minor non-chronic ailment.

DONTTELLTHEBOYS - driver C DeFilippi defended a breach of Rule 868(3) alleging that he failed to drive the gelding out to the end of the race when having a reasonable chance of finishing in 1st placing. After viewing the replays and hearing evidence from Stewards and Mr DeFilippi, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved and Mr DeFilippi's driver's licence was suspended from the conclusion of racing on 11 February up to and including 6 March 2024 (7 days).

How do you know they didn't x-ray her or that the foot abscess was in the same foot?

Masking soreness? Or treating it?

The positive was in Melbourne. Nothing to do with the RIB.

The horse obviously showed lameness. The cause unknown.

Oh no another good track mothballed for all the wrong reasons.

Yes but sore for lameness. Which can have any number of causes. Correct me of I'm wrong but laminitis symptoms initially can be confused with a number of potential causes of lameness. Slow onset laminitis does occur.

Bute is the initial recommended treatment for laminitis. It isn't the cause of it as some have suggested. Likely laminitis wasn't diagnosed until sometime after the race it returned a positive in.

I thought the pictures in the RV one would be easier for trainers to understand?

Well that's the end of that Thread!

If RV is anything like the RIB we won't get to see the levels. What time do they pre-race test? Found the attached document. treatment-charts.pdf

Good point. Does a few hours make a difference?

It says the positive was Bute. All stables use it so I guess a mistiming of application. Note Prowess was retired due to Laminitis one month after the race. Obviously they were struggling to keep her sound. Prowess Retired to Stud Tara Madgwick - Tuesday December 12 Outstanding Group I winning mare Prowess has run her last race with Kingsclere Stables announcing the daughter of Proisir has been retired due to a degenerative hoof condition. "The whole team at Kingsclere and the ownership group are absolutely devastated to share the news that Prowess's racing career has been cut short," a tweet from Kingsclere Stables read. "She is a once in a lifetime horse that gave us many thrills and changed many people's lives. "Due to the degree of changes present in the left foot, the mare will require a period of specialist farriery treatment and rehabilitation. "Once changes of laminitis have developed to this degree, it is very uncommon for horses to return to the stresses of racing." Prowess was a dual G1 winner - image Grant Courtney A $230,000 Karaka Book 1 purchase from Hallmark Stud for her trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood, Prowess won eight of 12 starts earning $1.5million and win the Group II MVRC Crystal Mile during a brief campaign in the spring. The full sister to Prowess will be a highlight at Karaka Book 1 offered as Lot 21 by Hallmark Stud.

No measure of variance or normalisation of data. Pointless presentation. D-

Interesting - no pre-leaks from the integrity units in Victoria.

Confirmed positive sample from Prowess (NZ) > Australia and International Horse Racing news updated daily www.thoroughbrednews.com.au Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have received a report from Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) confirming that a prohibited substance was detected in a pre-race urine sample collected from the Roger James and Robert Wellwood trained racehorse, Prowess (NZ). The report relates to a pre-race urine sample taken from Prowess prior to the mare starting in the TAB Champions Stakes (Race 😎 over 2000 metres, at Flemington Racecourse on 11 November 2023. RASL reported that the urine sample was shown to contain Phenylbutazone, Oxyphenbutazone and Gamma-hydroxyphenylbutazone (a non- steroidal anti-inflammatory and its metabolites) which is a prohibited substance on raceday in accordance with the Australian Rules of Racing. The Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) also reported that it had detected Phenylbutazone, Oxyphenbutazone and gamma-hydroxyphenylbutazone within the reserve portion of the urine sample. Phenylbutazone is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent. It has analgesic (pain relieving), anti-inflammatory and fever suppression properties and is registered for use in horses by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority. The substance is, however, a prohibited substance under the Australian Rules of Racing when detected in a sample taken from a horse at a race meeting or trial (including an official trial or a jump-out for the purpose of obtaining a permit to start in a race). RV Stewards initially informed Mr James and Mr Wellwood of the irregularity on 22 December 2023. Mr James and Mr Wellwood were informed on 5 February 2024 of the confirmatory findings and that Stewards are continuing their investigation. Note - Prowess finished 6th in the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (TAB Champions Stakes) at Flemington on November 11th. ThoroughbredNEWS News Desk

@Yankiwi I suggest you take your meds.

But contrary to your inference you don't have connections at Harvard. Bit like the inferences you make with your statistics.

Make your mind up!

Yes or though in a Syndicate it is the Racing Managers responsibility. That's still MY choice not something HRNZ should be called upon to legislate. You can't legislate morality. I wouldn't ever send my horse to a trainer with a proven diabolical record. I'd give it every chance I could otherwise what's the point of the investment? Yes you do. But only when you own it.

I think you are stretching it when you say "pride and joy horse"!

Or send it to the knackers yard?

If you have connections at Harvard I suggest you get them to do a review of your statistics and analysis. Would add credibility to your arguments would it not?