Racing: Wonder drug to disappear

New Zealand racing's latest wonder drug is set to disappear from today.

And Harness Racing New Zealand bosses have a very scary warning for those who have already used it.

Harness racing is rife with rumours that Levamisole has been used in horses for the past three months, often with spectacular results.

And trainers have felt comfortable using the substance because it was never specifically tested for.

But that will change soon, with HRNZ to officially announce in their weekly magazine today that Levamisole is a prohibited substance, with testing to start soon after Christmas.

But the most worrying fact for trainers who have used it is that retrospective testing could also be conducted.

That will terrify trainers who have used Levamisole as it could mean horses treated with it months ago could still be caught.

Complicating the matter is the fact many vets were advised only last week that the drug was not to be used within 15 days of raceday.

That resulted in several trainers who have been using Levamisole having to seek advice from their vets last week as to whether they should scratch horses in case it was still in their systems.