TCO2 Protocol

To strengthen integrity measures associated with elevated TCO2 results in Thoroughbred and Harness racehorses the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission has requirements for all equine racing participants. Horses with a record of elevated TCO2 results must present prior to racing

How do the measures apply?
For a period of six race starts following one confirmed elevated TCO2 reading the trainer of the horse/s nominated to race shall present the horse on course as follows:

• If the horse is nominated for Race 1: The trainer will present the Horse two hours prior to the advertised start time of the first race.
• If the horse is nominated for Race 2 – 4: The trainer will present the Horse three hours prior to the advertised start time of the race.
• If the horse is nominated for any subsequent race: The trainer will present the Horse four hours prior to the advertised start time of the race.
• If a horse incurs a second confirmed elevated TCO2 reading the measures will continue for a period of eight race starts.
• Any horse identified for early presentation at a race meeting will be subject to sampling for the purposes of TCO2 testing.  A pre-race blood sample will be collected approximately 30 minutes prior to the commencement of the race it is running in. At any time after the relevant horse arrives on course, the Chairperson of Stewards may issue a direction for an additional sample of the horse’s blood to be obtained by the swabbing officer.

Who does it apply to?
A trainer must comply with these measures where a blood sample collected from a horse presented for racing has been subsequently analysed and reported to have a plasma TCO2 level at or above 35.1 mmol/litre.

What happens if the new directions are not followed?
Should a trainer fail to present his horse at the race meeting by the required time Stewards may withdraw the horse from the race in which it was scheduled to participate, and the trainer may be subject to penalty.

What if I have transferred the horse?
Should the horse be transferred to another trainer within the period of six (6) race starts the new trainer, upon application to the Stewards of the relevant code, may request that the elevated TCO2 Policy requirements be lifted at the discretion of the Stewards.

For further information contact Thoroughbred or Harness Stewards