Thompson’s Fourth Stewards Inquiry In Three Years Receives Fine Only For Positive Swab
As reported exclusively on Australian Racing Greyhound back on June 1st 2001, the Jason Thompson trained greyhound Proven Que Tee has returned a positive swab in the heats of the Warrnambool Cup held back in April 2011.
The Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board (RADB) has just now released details of the inquiry in to that positive swab, held back on 1st August 2011 and have confirmed that Thompson has been suubjected to his fourth stewards inquiry in three years.
The inquiry also now gives Thompson the extremely fortunate record of having had two confirmed positive swabs in his greyhounds in just the last two years in group races and having only received a fine on each occasion, no disqualification.
Following advice from the Racing Analytical Services Laboratory, the Stewards of Greyhound Racing Victoria conducted an investigation into the results of a post-race urine sample taken from the greyhound Proven Que Tee at the Warrnambool GRC meeting on Wednesday 27th April, 2011.
During the investigation, Stewards heard evidence from registered Trainer Mr. Jason Thompson 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. Thompson with breach of Greyhounds Australasia Rule 83(2)(3) in that he did fail to present the greyhound Proven Que Tee free of any substance for an event at the Warrnambool GRC meeting on Wednesday 27th April 2011, given the post-race urine sample taken from the greyhound indicated the presence of the prohibited substance Ketoprofen.
Ketoprofen is a less commonly used NSAID that is used for the short-term pain management as well as longer-term management of chronic pain particularly due to osteoarthritis.
Ketoprofen's analgesic properties work within an hour or two of administration and and it has a recommended witholding period of 48-72 hours prior to racing.
Ketoprofen's only performance enhancing properties are its ability to mask the pain of injury or arthritis.
In 2009 Victorian greyhound trainer Del Vigor received a one month disqualification for a positive swab to Ketoprofen, and more recently Dwyer Lennon received a fine only from NSW Stewards in 2010 after Dashing Corsair returned a positive swab to the same drug.
Under Rule 47.1 of the Greyhound Racing Victoria Local Rules this constituted a Serious Offence.
As a result, on 1st August 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. Jason Thompson represented himself at the RADB hearing and was assisted by Ms. Seona Hood.
Mr. Glenn Fish (GRV Chief Steward) represented the Stewards Panel and was assisted Mr. Andrew Mills (GRV Deputy Chief Steward).
Mr. Thompson pleaded guilty to the charge.
After hearing all the evidence tendered, the RADB found Mr. Thompson guilty as charged and imposed a fine of $4,000.
Acting under GAR83(5), the RADB also disqualified Proven Que Tee from 1st position in Event Three, the Warrnambool Cup heat at the Warrnambool GRC meeting held on 27th April, 2011.
The greyhound was also disqualified from 2nd position (Event Six) in the subsequent Group 2 Warrnambool Cup Final held at the Warrnambool GRC on 4th May, 2011.
The placings in these two events are to be amended accordingly, making Radley Bale the winner of the Warrnambool Cup heat, even though Radley Bale can now never take his place in the final.
Accordingly, despite official results still showing Proven Que Tee as running second in the Warrnambool Cup final, Graeme Bate's Hayder Bale will now receive second prize money of $8,750 and Cameron Bahen's Finbar McCool will go from receiving nothing for running fourth, to a windfall of $4,285 as official third placegetter.