Cohen Suspended For Four Months Over Positive Swab
Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) Stewards on Tuesday 9 April concluded an inquiry into the analyst's reports that the urine sample taken from Uno Knocka after that greyhound had won Race 10, the TAB.com.au Stakes at Wentworth Park on 23 November 2012 had been analysed and found to contain the prohibited substance Sildenafil.
Evidence was taken from trainer Peter Cohen and Dr Adam Cawley from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL). Written evidence was entered from Dr Craig Suann, the ARFL Senior Veterinarian, and GRNSW Steward Terry Hynes.
Mr Cohen pleaded guilty to a charge under GAR 83 (2) (a) in that he presented Uno Knocka for the race in question other than free of a prohibited substance in that the urine sample taken from the greyhound was found to contain Sildenafil. Sildafenil is better known by its its brand name, Viagra.
Mr Cohen offered to Stewards that he had purchased a powder from a local supplier believing it to be an all natural herbal product and not containing any prohibited substances, and assumed this was the source of the positive sample.
Mr Cohen was suspended for a period of four months. In determining penalty Stewards took into consideration Mr Cohen's guilty plea, his 24 year unblemished period of registration, his forthrightness throughout the inquiry, and his culpability in purchasing a non-branded product from an unregistered supplier.
Under GAR 83(4) Uno Knocka was disqualified from this event and the placings amended accordingly.