Graeme Bate Receives 24 Months Disqualification And $1000 In Fines
Offences Charged:
(3) GAR86(o) – In that Mr. Bate did make a false or misleading statement on 24 October 2013 regarding the presence of the substance Hydrocortisone in the form of Hysone 20mg tablets at his property at Lara, to Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) Stewards Mr. Glenn Fish and Mr. Ron Matthews and GRV Industry Veterinary Officer Dr Steven Karamatic during the course of an investigation regarding a swab irregularity taken from the greyhound ‘Luxurious' on 11 August 2013, which in the opinion of Stewards was dishonest, improper or constitutes misconduct.
(4) GAR86(o) – In that Mr. Bate did procure up to six thousand (6000) Hysone 20mg tablets between on or about 11 August 2012 and 6 July 2013 on behalf of Mr Peter Hunt without his knowledge or permission, which in the opinion of Stewards was dishonest, improper, or constitutes misconduct.
(5) GAR86(o) – In that between on or about 11 August 2012 and 23 October 2013 Mr. Bate did administer or cause to be administered the prohibited substance Hydrocortisone, in the form of Hysone 20mg tablets, to greyhounds trained by Mr Peter Hunt without his knowledge or permission, being conduct which in the opinion of Stewards is dishonest, improper or constitutes misconduct.
(6) GAR86(o) – In that Mr. Bate, did procure up to seven thousand two hundred (7200) Hysone 20mg tablets containing the prohibited substance Hydrocortisone between on or about 7 May 2012 and 3 April 2013 for the purpose of administering to greyhounds, which in the opinion of Stewards was dishonest, improper, or constitutes misconduct.
Report
General – General Following advice from Racing Analytical Services Laboratory, the Stewards of Greyhound Racing Victoria conducted an investigation into the results of a pre-race urine sample taken from greyhound ‘Luxurious' at the Sale Greyhound Racing Club meeting held on Sunday, 11 August 2013.
During the investigation, Stewards received evidence from registered trainer Mr. Graeme Bate, Mrs. Beverley Bate (Owner), Mr. Joe Briffa (Trainer), Mr. Robert Camilleri (Trainer), Ms. Amy Cole (Trainer), Ms. Jenny Hunt (Trainer), Mr. Leon Harris (Handler), Ms. Michelle Mallia-Magri (Trainer), Mr. Chris Falcke (Department of Health), Wendy Fasoli (Trainer) and received statements from Dr. Alastair Smith (Sandown Veterinary Clinic), Mr. Paul Zahra
(Racing Analytical Services Laboratory), Dr. Steven Karamatic (Greyhound Racing Industry Veterinary Officer), Mr. Glenn Fish (Chief Steward) and Mr. Ron Matthews (Steward).
After considering the evidence, Stewards charged Mr. Bate with breaches of Greyhounds Australasia Rules as indicated in charges (1) to (6) above.
Under Rule 47.1 of the Greyhound Racing Victoria Local Rules these charges constitute Serious Offences. As a result, on Tuesday, 10 June 2014 this matter was heard before the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board in the first instance under Greyhound Local Racing Rule 47.3 and Sections 83C(b) and 83M(1) of the Racing Act.
Mr. Graeme Bate was represented by Ms. Carmen Randazzo SC, instructed by Mr. Rowan Slattery.
Mr. Paul Holdenson QC assisted by Mr. Patrick Considine (Corrs Chambers Westgarth) represented the Stewards Panel.
Mr. Graeme Bate pleaded guilty to charges (1) and (3) to (6). Charge 2 was not initially put for a plea. Upon Mr. Bate pleading guilty to charge (1), Charge (2) was withdrawn.
After hearing all the evidence tendered and having regard to GAR83 (1) and GAR86 (o), the RADB determined that:
(a) in relation to charge (1), Mr. Bate was guilty as charged and he was disqualified for 12 months;
(b) in relation to charge (3), Mr. Bate was guilty as charged. His conduct was regarded as improper and he was fined $500 and disqualified for 3 months;
(c) in relation to charge (4), Mr. Bate was guilty as charged. His conduct was regarded as dishonest and he was fined $500 and disqualified for 6 months;
(d) in relation to charge (5), Mr. Bate was guilty as charged. His conduct was regarded as improper and he was disqualified for 6 months (with 3 months of this disqualification to be served concurrently with the disqualification penalty for charge 4); and
(e) in relation to charge (6), Mr. Bate was guilty as charged and was disqualified for 6 months (to be served concurrently with the disqualification penalty for charge 4);
In assessing penalties, the Board took into account all the evidence and submissions, including the following matters:
(a) The nature of the charge;
(b) Mr. Bate's guilty pleas;
(c) The nature of the prohibited substance Hydrocortisone;
(d) The need to maintain the integrity of greyhound racing and ensure a level playing field for all participants;
(e) Prior penalties for Mr. Bate and others for similar offences, including those penalties associated with other persons charged in the ‘Luxurious' swab irregularity matter;
(f) Mr. Bate had the main role in the operations of his kennels including what medications were to be administered;
(g) Mr. Bate's conduct was over a lengthy period of time; and
(h) Mr. Bate was a leading greyhound trainer with significant contributions to the industry over many years.
Acting under GAR83(4), the RADB also disqualified ‘Luxurious' from Event 8 – LIAM TARYN SYND Mixed 440m – at the Sale Greyhound Racing Club meeting held on Sunday, 11 August 2013 and amended the placings accordingly.
Torz Liuzzi Casey Nance
Shayne Triffett
“Not long enough”
Terry Kingcott
Richard Ocic
Michael Hodges
so wayne you think Greame is only drug cheat do you.
Definitely not mate
Ryan Silvester
not much of a deterrent is it
can someone please explain to me what he is actually guilty of?
Whack the dogs under someone else’s name and continue training. Isn’t that the norm???
Sucked in to him. He don’t run the industry…
Yeah what steve said #grub
Hahaha, spot on Travis Walker same shit different episode, who’s name will he put the dogs under this time!
Very lucky to escape jail if you ask me. Serial offender and as usual he’s been treated very leniently. Top trainer my anus.
Should of been gone for life
How many times can one person get a positive swab ?? It’s a joke get rid of people like this not good enough grv
Rob Norris
Penalties across the board are too soft at the moment. People will have a crack at things if the consequences are not too harsh, the same as misleading an investigation & only getting 3 months, it’s way too lenient.
I find it extraordinary that you can give anything to another trainers dogs without their knowledge, regardless of relationship, and it is not regarded as serious. Any person giving anything to another persons greyhounds without their knowledge and permission should get a life ban. I think this has been a huge oversight as to the seriousness of this particular guilty plea.
Many years ago when i had a greyhound trainers license in Qld, it was widely known that Graeme Bate used EPO on his dogs.. the stewards couldn’t prove it. Now he is disqualified agasin for substance abuse. How many times has this moron been allowed to continue to train dogs. One simple penalty should be, ban him for life. What also needs to be done if a trainer gets disqualified, his deputy can train the dogs. That also has to stop. They new whayt cwas going on. Didn’t the Howe family of NSW come out years ago and stat that… Read more »
Torz Liuzzi Casey Nance
Shayne Triffett
“Not long enough”
Terry Kingcott
Richard Ocic
Michael Hodges
so wayne you think Greame is only drug cheat do you.
Definitely not mate
Ryan Silvester
not much of a deterrent is it
can someone please explain to me what he is actually guilty of?
Whack the dogs under someone else’s name and continue training. Isn’t that the norm???
Sucked in to him. He don’t run the industry…
Yeah what steve said #grub
Hahaha, spot on Travis Walker same shit different episode, who’s name will he put the dogs under this time!
Very lucky to escape jail if you ask me. Serial offender and as usual he’s been treated very leniently. Top trainer my anus.
Should of been gone for life
How many times can one person get a positive swab ?? It’s a joke get rid of people like this not good enough grv
Rob Norris
Penalties across the board are too soft at the moment. People will have a crack at things if the consequences are not too harsh, the same as misleading an investigation & only getting 3 months, it’s way too lenient.
I find it extraordinary that you can give anything to another trainers dogs without their knowledge, regardless of relationship, and it is not regarded as serious. Any person giving anything to another persons greyhounds without their knowledge and permission should get a life ban. I think this has been a huge oversight as to the seriousness of this particular guilty plea.
Many years ago when i had a greyhound trainers license in Qld, it was widely known that Graeme Bate used EPO on his dogs.. the stewards couldn’t prove it. Now he is disqualified agasin for substance abuse. How many times has this moron been allowed to continue to train dogs. One simple penalty should be, ban him for life. What also needs to be done if a trainer gets disqualified, his deputy can train the dogs. That also has to stop. They new whayt cwas going on. Didn’t the Howe family of NSW come out years ago and stat that… Read more »