The Supreme Court of New South Wales yesterday refused to grant an injunction, in the terms sought, by five veterinarians.

The veterinarians had applied for an interlocutory injunction restraining Racing NSW from proceeding with LR82C on 15^th January 2014, which requires veterinarians to be licensed by Racing NSW in order to provide veterinary services to thoroughbred horses in training, or competing in New South Wales.

In making his ruling, his Honour Justice Rothman, expressed the view that the veterinarians did not have a strong case and set the matter down for a final hearing on 4^th of February 2014.

His Honour did make an order that Racing NSW not to prevent the five veterinary surgeons, concerned only from providing veterinary services to racehorses, for not holding a license in the period between 15^th January 2014 and 4th February 2014.

Racing NSW Chief Executive, Peter V’landys , said “The integrity of thoroughbred racing is crucial to public confidence in the sport.”

“It is of critical importance, particularly given the blight of drugs in sport, all persons involved in racing are subject to the Rules of Racing.”

“Racing NSW is committed to ensuring that veterinarians, like all others involved in thoroughbred racing, are subject to those rules and I am confident that the Supreme Court will uphold that licensing regime at the final hearing on 4th February 2014.”

“In this respect it is unfortunate that the AVA Australian Veterinary Association continues to provide misinformation, not only about Racing NSW efforts to protect the integrity of racing, but also about the Court’s view of the challenge of the veterinarians to Racing NSW’s licensing regime,” he added.