Around the Stewards Rooms: Six trainers penalised over drug swabs
The latest round of disciplinary action in the Australian greyhound racing scene has led to sanctions for six trainers in the eastern states. ARG brings you all the news from the stewards rooms around the country.
NSW
Trainer Dean Clarson was fined $1500 for the detection of dexamethasone in Bundy Trigger, who won race 12 at Taree on August 24, 2022. Mr Clarson has had no prior substance offences since his registration commenced in 1989.
Trainer Scott Eaton has been suspended for a period of 10 weeks, after his greyhound Ready To Raid – who competed in race 12 at The Gardens on September 17, 2022 – returned a positive sample to cobalt. Mr Eaton has had no prior substance offences.
The following NSW participant's suspensions will also expire during November:
Paul Camilleri – suspended from 19/10/2021 to 19/11/2022
Alex Verhagen – suspended from 18/08/2022 to 25/11/2022
Victoria
Trainer John McCallum's matter was heard before the Victorian Racing Tribunal on November 9, 2022, regarding the detection of the substance sotalol in the sample of Tzar's Ghost after it competed at Healesville on April 8, 2022. After considering all available evidence, including Mr McCallum's current personal medication he was taking at the time, the Tribunal imposed a suspension for a period of three months, along with a fine of $300, and the greyhound was disqualified from the event.
Trainer Michael Katsiris matter was heard before the Victorian Racing Tribunal on November 3, 2022, for the substances caffeine, theophylline, paraxanthine and theobromine being detected in the greyhound Replicant after competing in race seven at Healesville on March 18, 2022. These substances are commonly found in products such as tea, soft drinks, energy drinks and chocolate. After considering all available evidence, the Tribunal imposed a penalty of four months, to be wholly suspended for a period of 12 months, and a fine of $500. Replicant was disqualified from the race in question.
Queensland
Trainer John Bradley was fined $1500, with $750 of this suspended for 12 months, after the banned substance salbutamol was detected in the greyhound Drink Long Necks having competed in race two at Albion Park on August 18, 2022. Mr Bradley explained he has a medical condition which requires the daily usage of a ventolin inhaler. The greyhound was disqualified from the event and placings amended.
Trainer Rhonda Essery received a three-month suspension, which was wholly suspended for 12 months, after her greyhound Waking Smile returned a positive swab sample to arsenic, detected at a level in excess of the mass concentration limit of 800 nanograms per millilitre. The greyhound won race two at Townsville on August 27, 2022, and was disqualified from the event.
Correction: An earlier version of this story had an incorrect picture attached to it, the man pictured was not Dean Clarson. Australian Racing Greyhound apologises for any confusion caused.