Stewards wrap- WA trainer disqualified for amphetamine possession
IT has been a busy few weeks in stewards rooms around Australia, with several participants facing the respective authority bodies over a range of prohibited substance and misconduct offences.
Last week, WA owner/trainer/attendant Joshua Jovanovic faced Racing Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) Stewards after the discovery of four bagged tablets on the floor of the main kennel building at the race meeting conducted at Mandurah on January 30, 2016.
The four tablets were analysed and were identified as Dexamphetamine.
Jovanovic pleased guilty to a charge under GAR 84B in relation to the possession of a prohibited substance.
After hearing submissions and considering the evidence, Stewards determined to impose a nine month disqualification.
The disqualification was back dated to commence on January 30, 2016, and is set to expire at midnight on October 29, 2016.
Ayoub disqualified
NSW trainer John Ayoub was slapped with a 12 month disqualification by Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) Stewards after a urine sample taken from his greyhound, Dear Darcy, showed the presence of the prohibited substances caffeine, theophylline, paraxanthine and theobromine after it won at Wentworth Park on May 23, 2015.
Ayoub pleaded guilty to a breach of GAR 83(2)(a) in that he presented Dear Darcy for the race in question in a state which was not free of a prohibited substance. As a part of his penalty, it was also ordered under LR 99B(1)(f) he must vacate his residential address within two weeks, with Ayoub also required to repay the prize money won from the event to GRNSW. Dear Darcy was also disqualified from the event, with placings amended accordingly.
Liberty Legs inquiry completed
Queensland trainer Glen Olsen faced Racing Queensland (RQ) Stewards at the end of last week after his greyhound, Liberty Legs, returned a positive urine sample to the prohibited substance Meloxicam after it won at Townsville on September 29, 2015.
Olsen pleaded guilty to a breach of GAR 83(2)(a) and he was subsequently fined $1,500, while Liberty Legs was also disqualified from the event in question. Olsen was directed to return all prize money won to RQ.
Joan Newnham fined
RQ concluded an inquiry last week into the finding of the prohibited substances caffeine, theophylline, paraxanthine and theobromine in a urine sample taken from the greyhound Scorpio Jay when it won at Townsville on September 1, 2015.
Stewards charged trainer Joan Newnham with a breach of GAR GAR 83(2)(a), to which she pleaded guilty, and was subsequently fined $1,500. Scorpio Jay was also disqualified from the event in question, with Newnham directed to return all prize money to RQ.
Victor Osborne faces Stewards over greyhound deaths
Victor Osborn faced RQ Stewards last week, with an inquiry held into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of six greyhounds in his care between August and November 2015.
Osborn advised Stewards three of the greyhounds had died as the result of snake bites and three as the result of injuries sustained in their kennel yards. Veterinary Certificates were provided confirming the euthanasia of all six dogs, but had all been provided some time after.
After considering all evidence, stewards charged Osborn with six breaches of GAR 106(3)(b) which states.
“At any time after the registration of a litter, the last registered owner or person responsible for the greyhound at the relevant time shall, notify the Controlling Body by lodging the prescribed form:
(b) within two working days if that greyhound has been humanely euthanased by a veterinary surgeon or deceased.”
Osborn pleaded guilty to all charges and was fined $600.
Osborn was also reprimanded after questioning regarding his involvement in the breeding arrangements for the greyhounds Betty Be Good and Smiley Summer and was reminded of the requirements to hold the appropriate breeders licence when involved in such breeding activities.
John Bradley fined
John Bradley has been fined by RQ Stewards after an inquiry was held by RQ Stewards into the specifics of the training of the greyhound She Can Do which was not kennelled on the property of its trainer John Bradley when a kennel inspection was held at his property on January 27, 2015.
Bradley pleaded guilty to a breach of GAR 105(1) which details a greyhound shall be kept at the address of the registered trainer or owner at all times unless given permission by the controlling body.
Bradley was fined $1,000 and was informed of his appeal rights.
Kerry Hoggan fined by RQ
Kerry Hoggan faced RQ Stewards recently after it was alleged she failed to notify RQ of the removal of her racing greyhounds from her registered training address to another address which was not approved for the training of greyhounds.
Hoggan informed Stewards at the inquiry she had been called away urgently and had moved the greyhounds to Mirror Lodge at Churchable to be cared for by Mrs Falla, a licensed trainer.
Hoggan pleaded guilty to contravening GAR 105 (1) in that she failed to notify RQ and seek approval so the greyhounds could be removed from her address. Hoggan was subsequently fined $1,500.
Colin Dalton disqualified
Victorian trainer Colin Dalton faced the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board (RADB) last week after his greyhound As Sweet As returned a post-race urine sample to the prohibited substances Morphine and Codeine after it raced at Healesville on September 20, 2015.
Dalton was faced with a breach of GAR 83(2)(3) in that he presented the greyhound to race in a state which was not free of a prohibited substance.
Dalton pleaded guilty to the charge and was disqualified for three months, one of which was suspended for 12 months pending no further breaches of GAR83 during that period, effective from February 25, 2016.
It was noted this was yet another case where the positive test may have resulted from the ingestion of poppy seeds contained in the bread fed to the greyhound.
As Sweet As was also disqualified from the event in question, with the placings amended accordingly.
Shane Whitney fined
Shane Whitney faced the RADB after he was charged with a breach of GAR 86 (p) in that he disobeyed the order of Animal Welfare Officer Adam Evans issues on July 15, 2015, by having more than the allowed number of greyhounds at his property in Avalon on October 20, 2015.
Whitney pleaded guilty to the charge and was imposed a $200 fine.
Robert Wilson disqualified
Robert Wilson was charged with a breach of two rules (GAR 106(1)(d) and GAR 106 (2)) after Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) Stewards conduced an inquiry into the greyhound Bandsaw.
The charges related to Wilson failing to seek veterinary attention to the greyhound, which had significant injuries to its neck, and failed to exercise the necessary care to prevent the greyhound being subjected to unnecessary pain or suffering.
Wilson pleaded not guilty to both charges, but was ultimately found guilty as charged by the RADB and was disqualified for two months on each charge, to be served concurrently, from February 16, 2016.