Stewards Reports: Amanda Azzopardi disqualified until July, 2023
Several greyhound participants, across two states, have been disqualified or fined for breaching the rules of racing. The biggest penalty was handed down to Mark Ballantine in New South Wales with his biggest indiscretion being abusing a GWIC staff member.
New South Wales stewards reports
Amanda Azzopardi has been disqualified for a period of 12-months, to expire on 23rd July 2023 and fined a sum of $200 for failing to maintain clean and sanitary kennel.The rap sheet also included failure to prevent undue pain and suffering of a greyhound; undertaking breeding activities while not registered as a breeder, for allowing two greyhounds not registered for breeding to mate with one another, failing to keep and maintain appropriate written treatment records and failed to comply with a lawful order issued by a member of the controlling body.
Mark Ballantine has been disqualified for a period of three years and fined a sum of $1,000 for obstructing or abusing a Greyhound Welfare Integrity Commission staff member. Ballantine has also been reprimanded for failing to maintain clean and sanitary kennels; failing to keep and maintain written treatment records, failing to comply with Standard 3.16 of the Code of Practice, failing to notify the Commission of the change of premises of a greyhound within the required period and failing to comply with Standard 5.2 of the Code of Practice.
Amber Capper has been fined a sum of $1500, with $500 conditionally and wholly suspended, for the use of improper language towards a member of the controlling body at a race meeting. Capper attended The Gardens on November 12, 2022, where she used insulting and offensive language towards a steward regarding the boxing of another runner.
Finally, interim suspensions have been placed on Jennifer Lee and Michael Lee, whereby GWIC inspectors were refused entry to their premises and in relation to additional animal welfare concerns. Investigation into this matter is ongoing.
Victorian stewards reports
William McMahon has been fined a sum of $2,000 with $1,000 conditionally and wholly suspended pending no similar re-offence, and suspended for a period of 12-months for intentionally revealing his underwear in view of other participants, members of the public and cameras. McMahon was also charged for conduct towards a steward and improper conduct in the catching pen in the form of grabbing and pulling a greyhound by its tail.
Gerrie Sneyders was hit with a two-month suspension, with 20-months being wholly suspended for a period of one year, for the presence of cobalt, detected at a mass concentration of greater than 100 nanograms per milliliter in the Sample of “Brandeen Jerry”, which was disqualified from race 4 at Warragul on 2nd April 2022.