A number of horses are understood to have tested positive for caffeine in Kwazulu Natal, including some normally based In Cape Town.
Caffeine is a stimulant and therefore prohibited. However its use this time is believed to be wholly innocent.
Contaminated feedstuffs are the most likely cause.
NHA Racing Control boss Arnold Hyde told journalist Michael Clower at the weekend: “We are carrying out investigations but it is quite sensitive. We will put out a press release when we have all our ducks in a row.”