Integrity unit lifts pace of drug testing

Mike Godber, Racing Integrity Unit manager, was content New Zealand's drug-testing matched up with other regimes overseas - and other sports. Photo / Mark Mitchell

Racing watchdog committed to increasing number of tests on jockeys over next year.

New Zealand's horse racing industry is ramping up its $50,000-a-year random drug testing of jockeys.

The industry's Racing Integrity Unit, established three years ago, tested 224 jockeys over the last horse racing season.

Four riders returned positive results for cannabis and were banned for two months and fined $200.

One jockey returned a positive result for methamphetamine and was banned for 12 months.

Mike Godber, the unit's general manager, wants to keep increasing the amount of spot tests done in New Zealand annually to make sure the sport of kings is clean.

"We feel it is an area we need to keep on top of," Mr Godber said. "It's a work environment issue for us. The riders are sitting on 500kg animals going at 40-50km/h being followed by an ambulance - it's obviously a high-risk occupation."

The unit, which oversees the three racing codes - harness, thoroughbred, and greyhound - says its drug-testing regime matches those used within the construction and manufacturing industries.

Testers arrive unannounced at racecourses or training tracks and take urine samples. If jockeys refuse to give samples, they face suspension.

The tests are predominantly for cannabis, alcohol and methamphetamine. They do not cover performance-enhancing drugs.

In 2007, former top jockey Leanne Isherwood admitted drugs charges and was sentenced to 12 months' home detention after becoming addicted to meth.

There have been reports that some jockeys - forever battling to keep their weight down - use meth to shed the pounds. However, the class A drug is difficult to test for as it can be flushed out of the user's system in two to five days. Marijuana stays in the system for up to a fortnight.

Mr Godber was content New Zealand's drug-testing matched up with other regimes overseas - and other sports. The unit has budgeted to spend around $50,000 on its programme over the next racing season, from August 1 this year to July 31.

Dave Taylor, president of the Jockeys' Association, said riders welcomed increased drug-testing. "It's a dangerous occupation and our members wouldn't want to be on the track with anyone who is under the influence of drugs or liquor."

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- NZME.