The New South Wales Thoroughbred Racing Board has authorized the raising of minimum weights within the state by two pounds, but abolished all overweight allowances.

The new regulations take effect on January 1 and the new minimum weight for horses racing in the metropolitan (Sydney) area will be 117 pounds. The country minimum weight will be 119 and the minimum top weight at declaration time will be 133 pounds. No maximum top weight has been set.

A ban on the use of diuretics by jockeys will also take effect on January 1 and the Thoroughbred Racing Board is working with other racing authorities to resolve issues surrounding the use of saunas by riders.

Jockeys have been denied the use of on-course saunas on race days following the lawsuit brought by former champion jockey Peter Cook against the Australian Capital Territory Racing Club for a heart attack he suffered in the club's sauna in 1991. The heart attack led to Cook's retirement and a court awarded him $677,690 in compensations.

Saunas will remain closed as race clubs across the country seek specialist medical and legal advice on the issue. A coordinated education program for jockeys dealing with the proper management of weight loss and the risk of dehydration is expected to be introduced.—Delamere Usher