Magic Millions compliance gets a tick

18 January 2021

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission has completed one of its most comprehensive industry compliance campaigns around the recent Gold Coast Magic Millions carnival.

The Commission’s veterinarians, sample collection officers and the Integrity Investigation Team (IIT) targeted the runners in the lead up to race day on Saturday to ensure compliance with the rules covering the use of medication and other prohibited substances.

Acting Racing Integrity Commissioner Mark Ainsworth said the Commission’s operations around high stakes race days such as the Magic Millions ensures that racing meets high animal welfare standards and community expectations.

“Our teams have been out in force in this proactive operation to ensure there is a level playing field,” he said.

“The operation included out of competition testing, pre-race swabs and blood and hair samples were taken from the runners in all nine Magic Millions races on Saturday.

These will be tested using the Commission’s recently acquired cutting-edge analytical instruments that target the abuse of permanently banned drugs, such as Ligandrol, that have no place in the treatment of horses.

“The QRIC veterinary team also carried out pre-race checks on all 2yo Magic Millions Classic and 3yo Magic Millions Guineas runners.

“This is the first Magic Millions carnival where QRIC has carried out hair testing to identify historic use of prohibited substances.

“Hair retains the traces of prohibited substances for months, acting like a reservoir for drugs that have been administered over time.

“While the results of tests are yet to be returned, I am pleased to say there were no issues identified during the pre-race and race day stable inspections which were carried out on all local and interstate Magic Millions runners stabled at the Gold Coast, Eagle Farm, Hendra, the Sunshine Coast, Toowoomba and Ipswich in the lead up to race day.”

ENDS.

Media Contact Vincene Overs 0472 842 346