Shock wave resonates after Melbourne Cup
December 3rd 2008 06:15
The current stewards’ investigation into treatment received by Melbourne Cup runner-up Bauer is progressing slowly - at this time awaiting the return to Melbourne (on December the 11th) of OTI partner Terry Henderson who is currently at the sales in England - and staying with Luca Cumani.
(photo: Stable Close Equine Practice)
Although any drug related misdemeanour has been ruled out, the actual infringement has not as yet been specified. The whisper and conjecture is that Bauer received shockwave therapy on the Thursday preceding the Melbourne Cup. It was well known that Bauer was suffering from soreness after his Geelong Cup victory.
It is believed that vets from (or sanctioned by) Racing Victoria attended to Bauer and provided physiotherapy and shock wave treatment.
“The vet recommended the therapeutic treatment and we took it that he would know the local rules.”
"This treatment is widely available in every racing country, and it is available in England.”
"The vet didn't alert me that there would be an issue.”
"I took it for granted that if he recommended it, it would be OK." - Luca Cumani.
The worst possible outcome would be the disqualification of Bauer and the slur on the Cumani stable - and headlines and ill-informed commentary that confuses such an issue as proof of the ‘shady' nature of horseracing.
If the vet providing the treatment was either from Racing Victoria - or sanctioned by Racing Victoria - then it would be unreasonable to think that an overseas trainer would know each and every rule of local racing. The problem then a bureaucratic error rather than a racing infringement. Shock wave therapy is allowed till the day prior to raceday in England - although this is a more lenient position than that of most other racing jurisdictions.
The other face of OTI Racing and Bloodstock is Simon O’Donnel. When interviewed on Melbourne radio today he made these comments:
"There's been a treatment administered before the cup that Racing Victoria stewards are looking at, it's got nothing to do with the owners, they didn't administer any treatment. “
"The only treatment administered I would assume would be by the veterinary surgeons that are endorsed or recommended by Racing Victoria. And all the veterinary accounts go into Racing Victoria."
An explanation of shock wave therapy:
Shock wave therapy is a treatment that is used by veterinarians to treat conditions such as bone fractures or ligament problems on horses. It promotes bone growth and healing as well as minimizing the pain. Horses can return to full activity without the recurrence of disease. Shock wave does not use electrical pulses but high-energy acoustic pulses (like sound waves) that travel readily through soft tissues. The pulses stimulate osteoclasts (the bone cells that rebuild the bone) and enhance the development of new blood vessels. The therapy also provides an anti-inflammatory action that reduces the biochemicals responsible for pain. As such, the nerve impulse transmission is disrupted and pain perception is decreased. Studies have shown that horses do better post treatment when rested. - Michigan Horse Racing.
noting also that in the US:
All horses receiving treatment will be placed on the Vet's List and will not be eligible to race for 7 days following the treatment. Day 1 is the day following the treatment.
Failure to follow any of these will result in the notification to the Board of Stewards for disciplinary action.
Shockwave therapy
(photo: Stable Close Equine Practice)
Although any drug related misdemeanour has been ruled out, the actual infringement has not as yet been specified. The whisper and conjecture is that Bauer received shockwave therapy on the Thursday preceding the Melbourne Cup. It was well known that Bauer was suffering from soreness after his Geelong Cup victory.
It is believed that vets from (or sanctioned by) Racing Victoria attended to Bauer and provided physiotherapy and shock wave treatment.
“The vet recommended the therapeutic treatment and we took it that he would know the local rules.”
"This treatment is widely available in every racing country, and it is available in England.”
"The vet didn't alert me that there would be an issue.”
"I took it for granted that if he recommended it, it would be OK." - Luca Cumani.
The worst possible outcome would be the disqualification of Bauer and the slur on the Cumani stable - and headlines and ill-informed commentary that confuses such an issue as proof of the ‘shady' nature of horseracing.
If the vet providing the treatment was either from Racing Victoria - or sanctioned by Racing Victoria - then it would be unreasonable to think that an overseas trainer would know each and every rule of local racing. The problem then a bureaucratic error rather than a racing infringement. Shock wave therapy is allowed till the day prior to raceday in England - although this is a more lenient position than that of most other racing jurisdictions.
The other face of OTI Racing and Bloodstock is Simon O’Donnel. When interviewed on Melbourne radio today he made these comments:
"There's been a treatment administered before the cup that Racing Victoria stewards are looking at, it's got nothing to do with the owners, they didn't administer any treatment. “
"The only treatment administered I would assume would be by the veterinary surgeons that are endorsed or recommended by Racing Victoria. And all the veterinary accounts go into Racing Victoria."
An explanation of shock wave therapy:
Shock wave therapy is a treatment that is used by veterinarians to treat conditions such as bone fractures or ligament problems on horses. It promotes bone growth and healing as well as minimizing the pain. Horses can return to full activity without the recurrence of disease. Shock wave does not use electrical pulses but high-energy acoustic pulses (like sound waves) that travel readily through soft tissues. The pulses stimulate osteoclasts (the bone cells that rebuild the bone) and enhance the development of new blood vessels. The therapy also provides an anti-inflammatory action that reduces the biochemicals responsible for pain. As such, the nerve impulse transmission is disrupted and pain perception is decreased. Studies have shown that horses do better post treatment when rested. - Michigan Horse Racing.
noting also that in the US:
All horses receiving treatment will be placed on the Vet's List and will not be eligible to race for 7 days following the treatment. Day 1 is the day following the treatment.
Failure to follow any of these will result in the notification to the Board of Stewards for disciplinary action.
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