THE NEWS Bulletin from Racing Victoria today highlights recent rule changes which reaffirm the state's commitment to integrity and fair play.

There is also news of OTI buying four more imports in their quest for the Melbourne Cup and fillies dominating the opening markets on the Blue Diamond Stakes. 

Racing Victoria committed to integrity

Recent changes to the Rules of Racing are indicative of Racing Victoria’s (RV) commitment to the integrity of the sport and ensuring a level playing field for all participants.

Central to the strengthening of rules were changes to race-day administrations and stomach tubing of horses, effective March 1.

Under existing rules trainers must not treat horses on raceday, however under the new rule a horse cannot be stomach-tubed or be given alkalinising agents at any time one clear day before it races.

“Racing Victoria is confident the reforms will curtail attempts to push the limits, particularly around elevated levels of TC02 on raceday,” RV Chief Executive Officer, Bernard Saundry said. “The intent of this and other rule changes is to ensure a level playing field every time a horse presents to race.”

OTI bolsters Cup arsenal

OTI Racing has continued its relentless quest to win the Emirates Melbourne Cup, purchasing another four European horses to be aimed at this year's Spring Racing Carnival.

French four-year-old Mobaco, a Group 3 winner over 2000 metres on turf, heads the list alongside another stakes winner, Only A Pleasure, a four-year-old entire by Montjeu who is a Listed grade winner over 3000 metres.

Lightly-raced Irish gelding Moldowney will join Mobaco at trainer Luca Cumani’s stables, while Only A Pleasure will remain with Andre Fabre.

The fourth of the OTI purchases, Cape Cross four-year-old Ruscello, will be trained by Cumani’s former assistant Ed Walker.

Fillies head Diamond announcement

The TAB has opened its market on the 2013 Blue Diamond Stakes with South Australian filly Miracles Of Life the $6 favourite.

Unbeaten in two starts including a last start nine-length romp at Morphettville, Miracles Of Life is yet to be nominated for the $1 million two-year-old feature.

Another filly that is yet to be entered for the race, the Peter Moody-trained Gold Carat winner Diamond Glow, is on the second line of betting at $11 ahead of Stephen Theodore’s Crack A Roadie at $13.

Maribyrnong Trial winner Kuroshio is at $21, alongside the Gai Waterhouse-trained trio of Breeders Plate winner Whittington, Debutant Stakes runner-up Overreach and Magic Millions 2YO Classic runner-up Sweet Idea.

Jewel set to shine again

Unbeaten mare Atlantic Jewel has recovered from a tendon injury, but is unlikely to be seen until the 2013 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival.

Trainer Mark Kavanagh said both the Melbourne Festival of Racing and Sydney autumn will come around too quickly for the daughter of Fastnet Rock who will have her tendon constantly monitored while in work.

With Atlantic Jewel unbeaten in seven starts including Group 1 victories in the Thousand Guineas (1600m) and All Aged Stakes (1400m), Kavanagh told the Herald Sun he was tentatively looking towards the Spring.

“We are looking at the Spring and at this stage she wouldn’t run before then, she is a work in progress,” Kavanagh said. “I will bring her back into the stables in a few weeks and she’ll do some work, it’ll just be great to see her back in training.”

Sale race times amended

Race times for Thursday’s Sale race meeting have been brought forward due to predicted extreme weather conditions.

The meeting, which was originally scheduled to commence at 1pm, will now be held from 12 midday on January 17.

Due to low acceptances the last race has been deleted from the program and the seven-race card will conclude at 3.20pm.

Intervals between races have been reduced with the first two races of the day being held at 30 minute intervals and the remaining five at 35 minute intervals.

RACING VICTORIA NEWS BULLETIN COMPILED BY SHEENA COFFEY.