By MICHAEL GUERIN
Harness racing officials see a shock rash of unacceptable bicarbonate levels as a warning to trainers to watch what they feed their horses.
In results which have stunned industry bosses, eight horses have returned unacceptable bicarbonate levels since the new threshold of 35 millimoles per litre of blood came into place on June 1. That is about three years' worth of unacceptable results in just a few days.
Seven of those unacceptable results came at the Ashburton meeting on June 2 and 4, while the other was at Forbury Park on June 7.
The eight horses involved are Down To Earth, Til'Us Do Part and Clinton's Choice at Ashburton on June 2 (all trained by Jim Veint); Times OK Franco and Dusky Night at Ashburton on June 4 (Chris Thornley), Roller Franco at Ashburton on June 4 (Bob Morris), Try Kacy at Ashburton on June 2 (Malcolm Boa) and Orendel at Fobrury Park on June 7 (Marcus Hamilton).
Try Kacy was the only one to win while Down To Earth finished third. Payment of stakes for both races have been frozen pending investigations.
No North Island-trained horses have returned unacceptable bicarbonate reading since the new testing regime started.
The latest development in bicarbonate testing means pre-race blood samples are still taken but they are analysed later at the Racing Services Laboratory in Avondale, meaning horses with elevated levels cannot be scratched before the race.
Harness racing bosses moved to the set level of 35mmol/l after their extensive bicarbonate review last season. Previously horses were ruled to have an unacceptable level if they tested five points above the mean for horses in their race.
But Harness Racing New Zealand general manager Edward Rennell does not believe the number of recent high levels indicates the process known as "milkshaking" is becoming common in New Zealand again, as it was for several years before 1991.
"I think the level coming down to 35mml/l has caught some trainers unaware," said Rennell.
"Without wanting to go too much into the details, because obviously these investigations are still continuing, I think some trainers don't realise the impact of what they feed their horses has on their bicarbonate readings.
"Trainers may have been feeding foods with high bicarbonate or other alkaline ingredients in them in the past and not had to worry because it was only pushing their horses to a certain level. But with the set levels now they could be caught out.
"Initially we were alarmed to see so many results like this in such a short space of time but we know it will settle down.
"I think it sends a very powerful message to trainers to be careful what they feed their horses."
HRNZ inspectors will investigate the unacceptable results over the next month and decide whether to lay charges.
Even allowing for the results Rennell says HRNZ is confident the ghost of milkshaking has not, and will not, return to haunt New Zealand harness racing.
"The fact five of these eight horses come from just two stables indicate to us this is a relatively isolated problem and one we don't expect to continue, as long as trainers take heed."
New Zealand has lost its third leading trainer in two months.
Hard on the heels of Lyell Creek's departure to the United States and the retirement of exciting mare Enthusiast, Sundon's Way has left for New Jersey.
The multiple group one placegetter left on Monday and will join former Kiwi trainers Brett Pelling and Nifty Norman.
Owner Bill Heads will retain a half share in Sundon's Way but the move came as a shock to trainer Mark Purdon, who was not notified his stable trotting star was on the move.
Racing: Bicarbonate readings warning to trainers
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