Jim Psaila Disqualified For Six Months For Two Caffeine Positives
Greyhound Racing Victoria have just announced the results of an stewards investigation in to two positives swabs that were finalised a week ago.
The stewards inquiry relates to two separate positive swabs to caffeine and its metabolites found in two greyhound trained by Victorian greyhound training stalwart Jim Psaila.
The first positive swab was returned by Turkoglu when winning the Geelong 460m maiden final on Friday 27th January 2012 by a massive margin at the lucrative odds of $5.00.
The second positive swab was returned by Nurse Ally when running third as $3.30 favourite in a Ballarat Tier 3 race 450m on 20th February 2012.
Following advice from Racing Analytical Services Laboratory, the Stewards of Greyhound Racing Victoria conducted an investigation into the results of a urine sample taken from the greyhound Turkoglu at the Geelong Greyhound Racing Club meeting held on 27th January, 2012.
During the investigation, Stewards heard evidence from registered Trainer – Mr. James Psaila, 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. Psaila with breach of Greyhounds Australasia Rule 83(2) and (3) in that he did fail to present the greyhound Turkoglu free of any prohibited substance for an event at the Geelong Greyhound Racing Club meeting on 27th January, 2012 given that the urine sample taken from the greyhound indicated the presence of the prohibited substance Caffeine and its metabolites Paraxanthine, Theobromine and Theophylline.
Under Rule 47.1 of the Greyhound Racing Victoria Local Rules this constituted a Serious Offence. As a result, on Wednesday, 20th June, 2012, 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.
Following advice from Racing Analytical Services Laboratory, the Stewards of Greyhound Racing Victoria conducted an investigation into the results of a urine sample taken from the greyhound Nurse Ally at the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club meeting held on 20th February, 2012.
During the investigation, Stewards heard evidence from registered Trainer – Mr. James Psaila, 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. Psaila with breach of Greyhounds Australasia Rule 83(2) and (3) in that he did fail to present the greyhound Nurse Ally free of any prohibited substance for an event at the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club meeting on 20th February, 2012 given that the urine sample taken from the greyhound indicated the presence of the prohibited substance Caffeine and its metabolites Paraxanthine, Theobromine and Theophylline.
Under Rule 47.1 of the Greyhound Racing Victoria Local Rules this constituted a Serious Offence. As a result, on Wednesday, 20th June, 2012, 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.
Ms. Harriet Shing represented Mr. Psaila who was also in attendance.
Mr. Glenn Fish (GRV Chief Steward) represented the Stewards Panel.
The parties agreed that both charges be dealt with as a single hearing. The RADB agreed with this approach as the same prohibited substances occurred in similar circumstances.
Mr Psaila pleaded guilty to both charges.
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After hearing all the evidence tendered, the RADB found Mr. James Psaila guilty as charged and imposed the following penalties:
- (a) A penalty of three months disqualification in relation to offence 1, and
- (b) A penalty of six months disqualification in relation to offence 2, to be served concurrently with penalty (a).
Penalties in (a) and (b) above to be wholly suspended for two years effective from today pending no further prohibited substance offences under GAR83 during this two year period; and - (c) A fine of two thousand dollars in respect of both offences.
Acting under GAR83(4), the RADB also disqualified Turkoglu from Race 3 at the Geelong Greyhound Racing Club meeting held on 27th January, 2012 and amended the placings accordingly.
Acting under GAR83(4), the RADB also disqualified Nurse Ally from Race 5 at the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club meeting held on 20th February, 2012 and amended the placings accordingly.