​​​​​​​TCO2 ANALYSIS AND THE USE OF ALKALINISING AGENTS

PRESS RELEASE

TCO2 ANALYSIS AND THE USE OF ALKALINISING AGENTS

The National Horseracing Authority (NHA) remains committed to maintaining the integrity of horse racing in South Africa by ensuring fair competition, prioritising horse welfare, and supporting the sport's sustainability. To address the potential unfair advantage of increased blood alkalinity on performance, which is internationally acknowledged, Total Carbon Dioxide (TCO2) analysis is now conducted on race days using an approved handheld blood gas analyser.

Since 2002, the NHA Laboratory has been screening all pre-race blood specimens for TCO2 using a Beckman analyser. It is very likely that specimen handling and storage time may affect TCO2 stability in blood, the Abbott i-STAT handheld blood gas analyser was identified in 2005 as a suitable instrument for race-day TCO2 analysis. A comprehensive study in South Africa from 2004 to 2008 compared 1 956 pre-race specimens analysed using both the Abbott and Beckman analysers, finding minimal variation between the two instruments. Repeated analysis of the same specimen on different i-STAT analysers produced consistent readings. Each specimen is analysed using a brand-new cartridge, taking approximately four minutes, which include the time for the i-STAT analyser to identify and record the specific unique cartridge, perform the calibration, and the analysis of the specimen to ensure accurate results. The study's findings were presented at the 17th International Conference of Racing Analysts and Veterinarians (ICRAV) in Turkey in 2008 and published in the conference proceedings. Subsequently, other international racing jurisdictions adopted the i-STAT for TCO2 analysis of pre-race blood specimens.

In late 2023, pre-race blood specimen analysis for TCO2 indicated that a few horses displayed levels high enough to warrant further investigation by the NHA. In March 2024, the NHA published the procedure for TCO2 analysis using an approved handheld blood gas analyser on race day. The first official use of the i-STAT occurred on 6 April, following a phasing-in period where pre-race blood specimens were once again analysed at the NHA laboratory using both the Abbott and Beckman analysers. Between 6 April 2024 and 6 June 2024, a total of 1 351 TCO2 analyses were performed on 1 242 horses. Of these, 89 horses (7.2%) tested above 35 mmol/L and were retested within a timeframe of 10 - 15 minutes later, with 20 horses (1.6%) withdrawn from races due to TCO2 levels above 36 mmol/L. The remaining 1 222 runners had levels between 26 and 36 mmol/L, consistent with the normal physiological range for Thoroughbred Racehorses.
 Carbon Dioxide is classified as a Class 2 prohibited substance according to the Rules of the NHA, with a regulatory threshold of 36 mmol/L established in Article 6 of the International Agreement on Breeding, Racing and Wagering, published by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities (IFHA). This threshold was established internationally many years ago, primarily from the analysis of a large population of Thoroughbred Racehorses in Australia. Several factors can elevate TCO2 concentrations in horses, including dehydration, supplements, medications (alkalinising agents), feed, electrolytes and salts, ambient environment, and the horse's clinical physiology. The effects of transport and excitement have not been extensively studied locally or internationally. The NHA as a member of the IFHA accepts the international threshold as being reliable and robust, with the approved testing minimising the chance of false positives.

An alkalinising agent is any substance that may elevate a horse's TCO2 levels when administered by any means, and thus, no person shall administer an alkalinising agent to a horse on race day. Prohibited alkalinising agents include substances containing bicarbonates, citrates, succinates, acetates, propionates, maleates, lactates, alkaline water, and trometamol (THAM, Tris Buffer, or Tromethamine), as well as products marketed as urinary alkalinisers, neutralising agents, and lactic acid buffers. Alkalinising agents in commercial feeds and balanced electrolyte supplements, when used according to the manufacturer’s recommendations, have a negligible effect on TCO2 levels.

Trainers are reminded that a TCO2 concentration in the blood above the threshold for a horse presented to race constitutes prima facie evidence of alkalinisation (regardless of the means or methodology by which the elevated levels were facilitated), or the use or administration of an alkalinising agent and will result in the horse’s withdrawal from the race. If the taking of a specimen from a horse is refused by the trainer and/or the person in control of such horse, then that horse shall be withdrawn from the race in question. The NHA has increased its frequency and the number of runners selected for TCO2 testing with the ultimate goal to test every runner in the new season.


Vee Moodley

Chief Executive  

Have not seen much testing documented in the Stipes reports.
But today they have scratched Pritti Victory even money favorite.

They need more clarity on this process.

That are driving punters away from the game ! 

Are punters going wider on exotics because of Testing

......it seems the ticket bin is much wider....a shame as pools shrink and more leave the game....today I played my last local multiple leg exotic.....made that scratching a real good thing....and was wide around Saartjie....after going out of P6....played a JP and bankered Saartjie.....

Are we able to get a list of horses scratched and trainers since this started. Might give an insightful meaning to the whole picture of TCO2.Is there any correlation to the testing?

Good evening all,
I have been a punter for 42 years and I'm  54 now...figure out at what age I started.
Vee moodley and I were in primary school together and whilst the rest were doing maths we were doing calculations of a different nature with the teachers involved.

As I grew up and got more disposable income so did my bets grow.
Since around the age of 35-40 MY MINIMUM  spend on exotics has been not less than R10 000 a day. 
Every day and i would expect to catch 3 exotics a week to break square and anything over will be a bonus.

Why am i saying all this.
To make other clanners aware that when i say enough is enough , its coming from a punter who has been through time and not from just a newbie.
i can take a loss and I wont cry foul , but when im being fcuked by some law/regulation that has no foundation its time to walk away from the bet.

I was angry at the Peters clan for bring racing to a halt a few weeks back but today I think they have a valid point.
James asked above how many horses have been scratched since this new rule has come about, and across how many stables.
Am I to believe that all these horses were "milkshaked" , with certainty I will say no.
So if this was not the case surely theres something wrong .

The final nail for me was Priiti Victory , banker in all my bets ( and in hindsight) had PV  NOT BEEN IN THE RACE IT WAS A RACE TO GO WIDE., but i am stuck with a no hoper with the TOTE  favourite.
like i said I can take a fair loss like the normal rules in racing like scratched at the start or injured in pens etc etc, but this artificial scratching is a step too far.

My suggestion, if the authorities want to keep punters like me in play, is that they should have the necessary ability to also change the rules.
THEY MUST MAKE THE HORSE SCRATCHED WITH  ELEVATED TCO2 AN AUTOMATIC QUALIFICATION IN THE EXOTICS IRRESPECTIVE OF WHAT WINS UNTIL THEY EVEN REALISE WHATS LEGAL AND WHATS ILLEGAL .WE CAN NO LONGER BE THEIR GUINEA PIGS AND THROW AWAY MONEY WHILST THEY ARE FIGURING IT OUT, OR THE OTHER ALTERNATIVE IS STOP THIS TESTING TILL FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS REVEAL OTHERWISE .

What are the other clanners thoughts on this.
it would be interesting to know.



I cannot invest in another exotic 

 

RacingG wrote:

Good evening all,
I have been a punter for 42 years and I'm  54 now...figure out at what age I started.
Vee moodley and I were in primary school together and whilst the rest were doing maths we were doing calculations of a different nature with the teachers involved.

As I grew up and got more disposable income so did my bets grow.
Since around the age of 35-40 MY MINIMUM  spend on exotics has been not less than R10 000 a day. 
Every day and i would expect to catch 3 exotics a week to break square and anything over will be a bonus.

Why am i saying all this.
To make other clanners aware that when i say enough is enough , its coming from a punter who has been through time and not from just a newbie.
i can take a loss and I wont cry foul , but when im being fcuked by some law/regulation that has no foundation its time to walk away from the bet.

I was angry at the Peters clan for bring racing to a halt a few weeks back but today I think they have a valid point.
James asked above how many horses have been scratched since this new rule has come about, and across how many stables.
Am I to believe that all these horses were "milkshaked" , with certainty I will say no.
So if this was not the case surely theres something wrong .

The final nail for me was Priiti Victory , banker in all my bets ( and in hindsight) had PV  NOT BEEN IN THE RACE IT WAS A RACE TO GO WIDE., but i am stuck with a no hoper with the TOTE  favourite.
like i said I can take a fair loss like the normal rules in racing like scratched at the start or injured in pens etc etc, but this artificial scratching is a step too far.

My suggestion, if the authorities want to keep punters like me in play, is that they should have the necessary ability to also change the rules.
THEY MUST MAKE THE HORSE SCRATCHED WITH  ELEVATED TCO2 AN AUTOMATIC QUALIFICATION IN THE EXOTICS IRRESPECTIVE OF WHAT WINS UNTIL THEY EVEN REALISE WHATS LEGAL AND WHATS ILLEGAL .WE CAN NO LONGER BE THEIR GUINEA PIGS AND THROW AWAY MONEY WHILST THEY ARE FIGURING IT OUT, OR THE OTHER ALTERNATIVE IS STOP THIS TESTING TILL FURTHER INVESTIGATIONS REVEAL OTHERWISE .

What are the other clanners thoughts on this.
it would be interesting to know.



I cannot invest in another exotic 
Racing G ,I cannot agree more with your post .Im 53 and punting from the age of 7 ,your story is more or less same as mine lol.I have been giving this matter a lot of thought and exactly what I was thinking you posted.I am now convinced that the Peters clan were correct in protesting maybe not in law but from their pockets .Pretti Victory kicked all my tickets into the dustbin and it's day light robbery .I find it amazing that hot pot favourites are the ones being tested positive and then the punter suffers the fate .Should these testing jot be carried out before 10am so we can thereafter place our exotics . Favourites scratched minutes before the race is not on .What do the trainers and owners have to say about their horses testing positive ? Do trainers and owners get penalised if their horses test positive ? What are the sanctions ? Punters are being sanctioned heavily .Wonder what will happen in July day ? 


 

Have to agree with everything that has been said.
I thought when Robert Bloomberg spoke up the concerns would have been taken to another level. 

The punters feed the game plus consider the owners heart break with this ruling. 

So be it, but very sad for tote turnover on exotics..... hopefully it will eventually hurt their own pockets 😡
 

The TCO2 has highlighted a problem that applies when any fancied horse is a late scratching after exotics close.
The rules for exotics should be changed so that if any of the top 3 in the betting is scratched after that exotic has closed, then the field should qualify for that leg.

.....maybe Vee should have paid more attention to science and biology at high school and not fallen for this bunk that is going to wreck racing as we know it.....

Very interesting how this TC02 testing has has a dramatic impact on SA racing.

Initially used to target Paul and Tony Peter yards, now catching other yards and creating major pain for exotic punters and i imagine bookies reductions.

What is sad is that the NHRA/ 4RACING/Cape Racing( which probably need to own part of this situation) and the entity run by Rivalland are all being very quiet.

Perhaps ABC need to take the lead and go to bat for the Punters.