Bate Loses SA Derby, Fined $3000 Over Positive Swab
GRSA Stewards have just advised that in relation to the shock positive swab from 2009 Group 3 SA Derby winner Dyna Forte, Graeme Bate has been found guilty and has lost the $21,500 to the winner race.
Bate has also been fined $3,000 but has not received any suspension or disqualification for the positive swab to Procaine.
The leading Victorian trainer, who has had a shocking run of bad luck lately, with Velocette and Amity Bale suffering career ending injuries; was due to face a GRSA Stewards Inquiry today in to the positive swab.
Bate pleaded not guilty to the charge of not presenting a greyhound to race free of prohibited substances, but GRSA Stewards found him guilty as charged.
There had been some discussion over what penalty GRSA Stewards might impose under their rules, as they had shown a firm hand with another greyhound trainer who had been guilty of a positive swab to Guaifenesin; handing down a three month disqualification for an offence GRV Stewards had only given a leading trainer a $500 fine.
Similarly several leading trainers in Victoria had only been given $500 fines for positive swabs to Procaine in recent years by GRV Stewards.
The $3,000 is consistent with the GRSA's firmer approach to positive swabs and Bate may have been lucky to have avoided a suspension or disqualification. Of course, the net result is much greater as Bate and owner Paul Wheeler also lose the $21,500 first prizemoney which now goes to the Shaun Matcott trained Beer Time.
There was some consolation for Bate and Wheeler though, as third placed Dentax Bale is now elevated from third to second, earning the pair and extra $3,200. Fourth placed Mick The Mozz trained by fellow Victorian Andrea Dailly, is another big winner, going from unplaced to earning $3,150 for now being recognised as third placegetter.