Joan Sabine Gets Three Months For Pseudoephidrine Positive
On the day in question Flying Phoebe was a 2.25 length winner in 24.38. It was her first win in three months and she has not won a race in five sunsequent attempts, only placing on the one occassion.
The inquiry opened where evidence was taken from Mrs. J. Sabine the owner and trainer of Flying Phoebe.
Mrs. Sabine advised the Inquiry that she administered the human pharmaceutical ‘Sudafed' to control kennel cough. Sudafed contains as one if its main ingredients pseudoephidrine, a drug which is a known powerful stimulant. The similarity in chemical structure to the amphetamines has made pseudoephedrine a sought-after chemical precursor in the illicit manufacture of methamphetamines.
According to Mrs. Sabine's evidence, she ceased this administration of the Sudafed preparation on Tuesday prior to the Saturday event.
Mrs. Sabine pleaded not guilty to a breach of Rule 83(2)(a) which provides:-
-
R83 Racing greyhound to be drug free
- (2) The owner, trainer or person in charge of a greyhound-
- (a) nominated to compete in an Event;
- shall present the greyhound free of any drug.
GHRRA Stewards noted the particulars of the charge being that Mrs Sabine did on 23rd August, 2008 present the greyhound Flying Phoebe for an event being Race (5) Moree B P Service Station Stake held at Moree other than free of prohibited drugs in that the race day urine sample taken from the said greyhound had returned on confirmatory analysis positive to pseudoephidrine (Rule 83(2)(a) Rules of
Greyhound Racing).
The Stewards after considering all evidence found Mrs. Sabine guilty as charged.
After consideration on the matter of penalty Mrs. Sabine was disqualified for a period of three(3) months.
According to the offical GHRRA report, the following factors carried weight in the Stewards' decision :
- (1) Any penalty imposed must act as a deterrent.
- (2) Mrs Sabine's previous good record
Additionally GHRRA Stewards disqualified Flying Phoebe from its 1st placing in Race (5) at Moree and amended the placings.