David Pringle Fined $1,000 For Prednisolone Positive In One Of His Star Greyhounds
Greyhound Racing NSW Stewards on 19 January 2012 conducted an inquiry into analysts' reports that the urine sample taken from Buck Fever after that greyhound won Race 9, the ‘Super Maiden Oct 31' conducted by the GBOTA at Bathurst on 10 October 2011 contained the prohibited substance Prednisolone.
Ironically it was this same race that earned Buck Fever the October 2011 Australian Greyhound Run Of the Month.
In December 2011, GRNSW announced that an exemption under the racing rules would be allowed for Prednefrin Forte eye drops to be used for greyhounds affected by Pannus, provided the greyhounds were registered with GRNSW as being affected by the condition. However this would not appear to be the source of the Prednisolone positive in this case.
At the GRNSW inquiry, evidence was taken from Trainer David Pringle and Dr Adam Cawley the Science Manager of the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory. Written evidence was entered from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory, Racing Science Centre (QLD), ARFL Senior Veterinarian Dr Craig Suann and Dr Bruce Thompson of Springside Veterinary Clinic.
Mr Pringle pleaded guilty to a charge under Greyhound Racing Rule 83 (2) (a) in that he presented Buck Fever for the race in question not free of a prohibited substance as the urine sample taken from the greyhound was found to contain Prednisolone.
After considering submissions on penalty Mr Pringle was fined $1000.
In determining the penalty Stewards took into consideration Mr Pringle's record in relation to this Rule over a 13 year involvement in the industry whereby he had previously only been issued with a Caution in February 2000, his personal circumstances, the nature of the substance involved which included the prescribed use of the product Dermotic by Dr Thompson for the treatment of Ringworm, the evidence from Dr Cawley that the level of the prohibited substance found in this sample was extremely low and in all likelihood consistent with the alleged mode of administration provided by Mr Pringle, previous penalties given to other persons in relation to the same Rule, and the effects that such findings have on the image of greyhound racing.
Under Greyhound Racing Rule 83 (4) Buck Fever was disqualified from Race 9 the ‘Super Maiden Oct 31' at Bathurst on 10 October 2011.
There has been no word from AGRA as to whether they will allow Buck Fever to retain the claim of Australia's best greyhound race for October 2011.