Chief steward Terry Bailey is familiarising himself with the latest drug information, strategies and testing techniques in Britain and Canada.

His fact-finding visit to Toronto will take in the Ontario Racing Commission, regarded as the world leader in addressing the problem of EPO.

Accompanying Bailey is Harness Racing Victoria integrity manager Brant Dunshea, who has pioneered the fight against EPO in harness racing.

Dunshea's ties with the ORC led to a change in how harness stewards investigated the use of EPO and to a spate of positive swabs.

"The two codes are working together," Bailey said. "Obviously, combating EPO is a major factor in our trip. We are very keen to see how the laboratories work."

During his time in England, Bailey visited the UK Horseracing Forensic Laboratory Sports Science in Newmarket.

While in Toronto, Bailey and Dunshea plan to liaise with the integrity department of the ORC.

RVL chief executive Rob Hines said the assistance given by the ORC had been invaluable in the fight to stay ahead of those who wanted to use prohibited substances to gain an unfair advantage.

Hines said the testing regimes in Ontario had proved effective in uncovering EPO and that intelligence would only serve to benefit Victorian racing.

Bailey also visited Dubai to get an overview of how racing is conducted in the United Arab Emirates.

RVL will reveal its long-awaited decision of the future of jumps racing this week or by next Monday at the latest.

Hines said the board was committed to making an announcement before its annual general meeting on Wednesday week.