Stewards wrap: Chalker found guilty on live baiting charges
KERRY Chalker faced the Victorian Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board (RADB) this week, faced with four charges stemming from breaches of LR 18.5 and GAR 86 (af).
The specifics of the charges were in relation to his role in the live baiting scandal, with Chalker found guilty of live baiting a number of greyhounds at the Tooradin Trial Track on December 23, 2014.
Chalker did not attend the hearing, with his lawyers advising he would be seeking a review from the Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal once the decision was handed down by the RADB. After hearing all the evidence, the RADB found Chalker guilty on each charge. Stewards only sought penalty on charges 1 and 3, with the RADB reserving their decision on penalty.
The RADB's move to reserve a decision on penalty comes in the weeks following its decision to do the same for Langwarrin trainer Brett Mackie.
Mackie faced the RADB on October 8, on three charges of breaching LR 18.5 and GAR 86(af). The charges were also for his actions at the Tooradin Trial Track last year, where it was alleged he used a live rabbit to live bait a number of greyhounds.
Mackie was found guilty on two of the three charges, with the Stewards only seeking a penalty in regards to charge 1, that Mackie used, or caused to be used, a live rabbit attached to the lure arm to bait a black greyhound.
Also facing the RADB in recent weeks for their actions at the Tooradin Trial Track on December 23 was Bradley Keel who was charged with breaches of GAR 86 (o) and GAR 106 (2). The charges were in relation to Keel striking a greyhound in the head with excessive force when attempting to place it into the starting boxes. Keel pleaded guilty to the first charge and not guilty to the second, but was ultimately found guilty on both by the RADB.
Keel was disqualified for a period of eighteen months which was wholly suspended for that period pending no further breaches of any rule relating to the treatment and care of greyhounds during that time. Keel was also fined a total of $750.
Moore fined for positive swab
Kialla trainer Dallas Moore faced the RADB this week charged with a breach of GAR 83 (2)(3) in that he failed to present his greyhound, Startin To Shake, free of any prohibited substance when it raced at Bendigo on May 27, 2015.
A post race urine sample from the greyhound indicated the presence of the prohibited substances ‘Dehydromorketamine' and ‘Procaine', with Moore pleading guilty to the charge at his hearing on October 12.
Moore was subsequently disqualified for a period of three months (wholly suspended for 12 months pending no further breaches of GAR79A and GAR83 during that time) and was fined a sum of $500.
Stewards to commence Musical Cargo Inquiry
Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) Stewards have launched an inquiry into the analysts findings in a urine sample taken from the greyhound Musical Cargo after it won at Bathurst on August 3.
The post race sample was found to contain the prohibited substances Caffeine, Theobromine, Theophylline and Paraxanthine, with the reserve portion of the sample sent to Racing Science Centre (QLD) and since confirmed to contain the aforementioned substances.
Trainer Ronald Steel has been advised of the irregularity, with a date for the inquiry to be announced.
Pearce fined for Codeine positive
Queensland trainer Lee Pearce faced Racing Queensland (RQ) Stewards earlier this month after her greyhound, Fredrik, returned a urine sample containing the prohibited substance Codeine prior to competing at Townsville on July 21, 2015.
Pearce pleaded guilty to a breach of GAR 83 (2)(a) in that she presented the greyhound in a state which was not free of a prohibited substance, with Fredrik also disqualified from the event in question.
” Stewards only sought penalty on charges 1 and 3″
So let off the hook on half the charges right from the get go eh? Sounds about right..