Dobrivoje Stojanov Disqualified For Heptaminol Positive Swab
Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) stewards have finalised an inquiry into analysts' reports that the urine sample taken from Angels Of Gail – after that greyhound won Race 9 at the Goulburn Greyhound Club's meeting on 31 July 2013 – had been analysed and confirmed to contain the prohibited substance heptaminol.
Evidence was taken from trainer Dobrivoje Stojanov and from Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) Science Manager Dr Adam Cawley. Written evidence was submitted from ARFL Senior Veterinarian Dr Craig Suann, the ARFL, Racing Analytical Services, VIC, and GRNSW.
The inquiry heard that Mr Stojanov had administered 6 mls of the preparation Dynajec, which had been purchased to replace Dynacliene, the substance he had previously used without issue to aid in tying up of his greyhounds. Dynajec contains the substance heptaminol as an active ingredient. The administration occurred only six hours prior to the race, leading to a comparatively high level of heptaminol reported in the sample.
Mr Stojanov subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge under GAR 83 (2) (a) in that he presented Angels Of Gail for the race in question other than free of any prohibited substance in that the urine sample taken from the greyhound after the race was found on confirmatory analysis to have contained heptaminol.
Following submissions on penalty, Mr Stojanov was disqualified for a period of four months, to expire at midnight on 5 June 2014.
In assessing penalty consideration was given to Mr Stojanov's previously unblemished record over 12 years of registration, his guilty plea, his hobby status, the particular substance involved and its high reported level, his assistance to both the inquiry and on notification of the irregularity, and the absence of any significant kennel support for Angels Of Gail. Mr Stojanov displayed obvious contrition during the course of the inquiry and his personal presentation was regarded as a mitigating factor in assessment of penalty.
Notwithstanding this, stewards considered the lack of official advice sought prior to changing the substance used as a display of negligence, and the specific and general deterrence required in this case was at the higher end of the scale.
Angels Of Gail was disqualified from the event and the placings amended accordingly.