Racing: Drug tests after trials

Random drug testing in relation to trials races is to start from August 1, the New Zealand Racing Board announced yesterday.

NZRB and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing have agreed to random sampling the day after trials.

NZRB confirmed the description of track conditions would change from August 1 to be in line with those used in Australia.

The new track readings will be fast (a dry and hard track), good (which replaces firm), dead (replaces easy), slow (soft) and heavy.

The fast description will be for tracks with a penetrometer reading of 2.0 or less with good being 2.1 to 2.5. The other categories are unchanged with dead being 2.6 to 3.5, soft 3.6 to 4.5 and heavy being 4.6 and more.

NZRB said clubs would continue to take penetrometer readings before their meetings.

"However, a further reading will be taken on race morning if the weather conditions overnight have impacted on the racing surface," it said. "Stipendiary stewards will be responsible for monitoring this process."

- NZPA