DOPING OF HORSES

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 117, 20 May 1932, Page 4

DOPING OF HORSES

I MELBOURNE STATEMENT ( A PERNICIOUS PRACTICE Endorsing the statements published from tho Melbourne Sporting Globe this week regarding the prevalence 01 doping of racehorses, a leading Melbourne veterinary surgeon lias stateu to the same paper that either knowingly or unknowingly 50 per cent, ot the trainers in Melbourne were giving dope to their horses. He said that doping was never previously so rampant as at present. Trainers were giving solutions as stimulants to their horses, and these actually were dopes, the administration of which was prohibited under the rules of racing. Some of these trainers were acting in ignorance, but, all the same, they were undermining the constitutions of their horses. According to this expert, doping has become a line art. The administration of morphine, cocaine, and other drugs can. be carried out so skilfully that detection by the authorities is almost impossible. The latest method of giving a horse cocaine is to have it mixed in a paste. This is merely smeared on the horse’s tongue while the trainer may, to all intents and purposes, be adjusting the bit in the horse’s mouth. The paste is quickly dissolved and swallowed by the horse. A Favourite Method A favourite method of giving a horse a dope, followed by some trainers nowadays, is to time the departure of the motor tioat from the stable to allow of the dope being administered eu route at a time that permits of it operating when the race is being run. The risk of detection in this method is practically nil. He attributes the increase in the practice of doping to the work of unscrupulous chemists. Some almost hawk their wares on racecourses, and it is the easiest thing possible for a trainer to get dope mixed in a manner which delies detection unless analysed. The veterinary surgeon went on to say that few “outsiders” tried to get at horses in order to stop them in races. The real trouble lies in the action of trainers in trying to stimulate their charges in order to win races.

He readily agreed with the suggestion published last week in these columns that tho winners of certain races should be examined for signs of dope. He advocated a rule making a trainer responsible for his horses, and taking the blame for any traces ot dope jhat may be found by the analyst in a swab. Like narcotics among human beings, horses becorfie used to the dope, and it has to be given to them in increasing quantities in order that the effect will be maintained. Causes of Deaths In the opinion of the expert quoted, accumulated quantities of poison in the intestines of horses has been the cause of the death of many noted performers. Gradually the doses of stimulant that had been given them has had to be increased, until the poison has accumulated and caused death. It is said that so used had a horse become to cocaine that he had to be given a ball containing 14 grains before it would take effect on him. This is an enormous quantity. Great care was taken to escape exposure in this case. The horse’s mouth was washed out with a sponge full of hypo solution, which would kill all traces of the dope. .And even drops were put in the eyes to prevent the dilation of the pupils. The fact that a prominent veterinary surgeon has made such exposures regarding tho doping of horses calls for immediate action on the part ot the racing authorities to put a stop to a practice that threatens to undermine the sport and eventually ruin the breeding industry of Australia. That the practice exists there Is no doubt, and those in power should wake up te tho fact.

An official should be appointed to enquire into the matter and to make a report to the authorities. Future action could then bo determined, and when that time comes about it shoub be powerful enough to stop a po.’nicious practice that la against all tho laws of nature and man.