Damian Fleming Fined $500 For Warrnambool Greyhounds Hyoscine Positive Swab
Greyhound Racing Victoria have just today released details of a positive swab inquiry that occurred last week before the Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board, that saw Victorian greyhound trainer Damian Fleming fined $500 for a positive swab to Hysoscine.
Hyoscine is the same drug that saw El Galo disqualified from his 2008 Topgin win, the first of two swabs to the drug in two of Victoria's highest profile greyhound trainers.
Following advice from the Racing Analytical Services Laboratory, the Stewards of Greyhound Racing Victoria conducted an investigation into the results of a pre-race urine sample taken from the greyhound Bush Lad at the Warrnambool Greyhound Racing Club meeting on Saturday, 20th August, 2011.
During the investigation, Stewards heard evidence from registered Trainer Mr. Damian Fleming and received written statements from Dr. John Vine (Racing Analytical Services Laboratory) and Dr. Alistair Smith (Sandown Veterinary Clinic).
After considering the evidence, Stewards charged Mr. Fleming with breach of Greyhounds Australasia Rule 83(2) and (3) in that he did fail to present the greyhound Bush Lad free of any substance for an event at the Warrnambool Greyhound Racing Club meeting on Saturday, 20th August, 2011, given the pre-race urine sample taken from the greyhound indicated the presence of the prohibited substance ‘Hyoscine'.
Under Rule 47.1 of the Greyhound Racing Victoria Local Rules this constituted a Serious Offence. As a result, on 19th December, 2011, this matter was heard before the Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board in the first instance under Greyhound Racing Victoria Local Rule 47.3 and Sections 83C(b) and 83M of the Racing Act.
Mr. Damian Fleming represented himself at the RADB Hearing.
Mr. Glenn Fish (GRV Chief Steward) represented the Stewards Panel.
Mr. Fleming pleaded guilty to the charge.
After hearing all the evidence tendered, the RADB found Mr. Fleming guilty as charged and fined him $500.
Acting under GAR83(5), the RADB also disqualified ‘Bush Lad' from Race 10 at the Warrnambool Greyhound Racing Club meeting held on Saturday, 20th August, 2011.