Julie Brodie Suspended And Fined For Positive Swab
Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) stewards have completed an inquiry into analysts' reports that the urine sample taken from Rodrigo Diaz – after that greyhound had won Race 9 at the Bulli Greyhound Club's meeting on 25 September 2013 – had been analysed and confirmed to contain the prohibited substance 6alpha-hydroxystanozolol, a metabolite of stanozolol.
Evidence was taken from trainer Julie Brodie, registered attendant Paul Brodie 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, Ms Brodie and GRNSW.
The inquiry heard Ms Brodie had administered 0.25 mls to Rodrigo Diaz from an old vial of the preparation Stanozol on two occasions in late April and early May, to treat an injury. This was supported by written records for Rodrigo Diaz that were kept updated regularly by Ms Brodie. It was unable to conclusively establish if this could be the reason for the findings of the laboratories, despite the known retention times of Stanozol metabolites in the systems of mammals. The inquiry also heard of the danger of using out of date substances, particularly substances falling within the schedule of veterinary medicines.
Ms Brodie subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge under GAR 83 (2) (a) in that she presented Rodrigo Diaz 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 6alpha-hydroxystanozolol.
Following submissions on penalty, Ms Brodie was suspended for a period of four months, to expire at midnight on 11 June 2014. In addition she was fined $500.
In assessing penalty, consideration was given to Ms Brodie's record of having only one previous prohibited substance breach in 1995 during more than 34 years of registration, her guilty plea, her hobby status and personal circumstances with only three greyhounds in work, the particular substance involved and its moderate reported level, her assistance to both the inquiry and on notification of the irregularity, as well as the absence of any significant kennel support for Rodrigo Diaz.
Notwithstanding this, stewards considered that the lack of official advice sought prior to administering an out of date Schedule 8 substance to treat a greyhound had displayed negligence.
Rodrigo Diaz was disqualified from the event and the placings amended accordingly.