In a post a few months ago about the use of hyperbaric chambers to speed recovery from equine injuries, I speculated that this might be yet another way for trainers to try to get an edge on their competition.

Well guess what...see the following link:

http://foxsports.news.com.au/story/0,8659,6443850-23218,00.html

For those of you that don't want to read the entire article, a leading Australian trainer (Clarry Conners) has admitted that he used a new "high-altitude simulation treatment, which may have similar benefits to the notorious and banned substance EPO" on his horse Belle Du Jour prior to her "sensational win in the Newmarket Handicap at Flemington."

This treatment "involves pumping treated air to the lungs through a tube and face mask, on "a few" of his horses."

Note that this is not a drug and not illegal; although it obviously does not pass the "hay and oats" test.

This guy is a top trainer of top horses in Australia.

One can only imagine what is going on at the top levels of racing back here in the good ole U-S-of-A.

Instead of "blinkers on" we may soon see "face mask on" ...

Cheers,

Chris

P.S. Thanks to Brent for bringing this one to my attention.