It seems to be widely accepted that the Country Cups Final the other week was one of the best races witnessed for a long time.

A number of years ago, the Association’s National Council asked me to find out if the NZ Vet Association would provide a list of withholding time for various drugs and treatment, in other words, how long after a treatment a horse could race, without providing a positive swab result.

At a recent hearing over whip use concerning visiting Australian driver Shannon O’Sullivan, there were some revealing statements.

After what seemed to be an unnecessary delay, the RIB has released the promised video to assist in understanding the whip rules, to what have been mixed reviews.

A few months ago, a plea to trainers to get their act together and have horses ready to go on time on trial days seemed to have a positive effect.

You can now view and set the 'Accountable Person' through your My HRNZ account.

Following a meeting with the Trainers & Drivers Assn, the Racing Integrity Board has, in conjunction with Trackside, produced a video outlining what is, and is not, acceptable in regards to whip use by drivers.

The Association has received an update on various aspects of the stable audits they are currently conducting. See below:

Following a recent meeting with Racing Integrity Board officials, at which the Association was requested to provide a submission on Whip Rules, the following submission has been forwarded:

Following two requests from the Association, the Racing Integrity Board has posted on their website, www.racingintegrityboard.org.nz, an announcement that they have updated their Penalty Guide for harness racing, albeit two weeks after the document came into force.