Richardson Guilty Not One, But Two Positive Swabs To Pholcodine & Receives Fine Only
Victorian greyhound trainer Adam Richardson has received a $750 fine only as the results of two separate positive swabs in different greyhounds trained by him.
Both greyhounds returned positive swabs to the drug Pholcodine.
Pholcodine is an opiate based cough suppressant which is chemically related to morphine. It commonly available in many over the counter cough syrups and has a mild sedative effect.
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 Shauny Badtooth at the Horsham GRC meeting on Tuesday, 14th June, 2011.
Additionally the Stewards of Greyhound Racing Victoria conducted an investigation into the results of a pre-race urine sample taken from the greyhound Peter's Project at the Sandown GRC meeting on Sunday, 3rd July, 2011.
During the investigations, Stewards heard evidence from registered Trainer Mr. Adam Richardson 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. Richardson with breach of Greyhounds Australasia Rule 83(2) and (3) in that he did fail to present the greyhounds Shauny Badtooth and Peter's Project free of a prohibited substance for separate events at the Horsham GRC meeting on Tuesday, 14th June, 2011 and the Sandown GRC meeting on Sunday, 3rd July, 2011.
Mr. Adam Richardson represented himself at the RADB Hearing.
Mr. Glenn Fish (GRV Chief Steward) represented the Stewards Panel.
Mr. Richardson pleaded guilty to both charges.
After hearing all the evidence tendered, the RADB found Mr. Richardson guilty as charged and fined him a total of $750 on the two charges.
Acting under GAR83(4), the RADB disqualified ‘Shauny Badtooth' from Race 6 at the Horsham GRC meeting on 14th June, 2011, and ‘Peter's Project' from Race 5 at the Sandown GRC meeting on 3rd July, 2011.
In 2009, NSW greyhound trainer Owen Langley was handed a 3 month disqualification at a stewards inquiry over a positive swab in a greyhound to Pholcodine.