But Harness Racing New Zealand is refusing to go public with the revised rules.
The process of blood spinning, also known as ACS or PRP, involves collecting blood from the horse using a needle, processing it in a laboratory, and then re-injecting it back into the horse.
In July, The Star reported HRNZ would review the rules of the practice after the controversial process was slammed by industry veteran David Phillips. He made a submission on the Special Review of Racing Integrity Bodies, as part of Minister for Racing Winston Peters’ Messara Report.
In the submission, Mr Phillips said the process is cruel and called for it to be banned.
Animal welfare groupsPETA, SPCA and SAFE have also raised concerns about the process and its effect on animals.
HRNZ says the process is used as a therapeutic treatment to aid the healing of horses’ injuries.
HRNZ general manager corporate services Liz Bishop said proposed changes to the rules were approved at an annual conference at the end of last month.
“There is a formal process to go through before these changes are incorporated into the HRNZ rules of racing, which will happen over the next month,” she said.
“The revised rules of racing will be published on the HRNZ website, once this process is completed,” she said.
The rules currently state the process must be used only when prescribed by a vet and cannot be done within one clear day of racing.
The Star understands the new rules may involve a seven-day withholding period on the re-introduction of the extracted blood.
However, Mr Phillips said “tinkering with the number of days (by a day or two or even week or two) pre-race spun blood can be used is useless.
“No horses should be prepared for any racing on a ‘diet’ of spun blood or EPO or other artificial enhancers. Racing should not be about who has the best and latest ‘vet’ product. It should be about horses competing on a level playing field. Why has (HRNZ) introduced a seven-day ban, when before it argued vocally a one-day ban was sufficient? What was it’s evidence, science and vet advice to support a one-day ban? What is it’s evidence to support a seven-day ban?”
One of the New Zealand’s most successful stables, Rolleston-based All Stars Stables, uses the process.
Its owners Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen own Equine Blood Solutions NZ Ltd, which offers the treatment to customers.
Purdon did not respond to The Star when asked for comment on the new rules.
