Tsohalis Becomes NSW’s Eleventh Anabolic Steroid Positive
Greyhound Racing NSW Stewards have today announced that New South Wales greyhound trainer, Angelo Tsohalis is officially the eleventh trainer, and the first since May 2009, to return a positive swab to an anabolic steroid in a greyhound since the new ban began.
At a Maitland greyhound race in September Tsohalis' greyhound, Doin' Nuffin was an impressive come from behind winner over the 400m journey in 23.03, getting up over early leader Style Queen by just a half head. It was Doin' Nuffin's second win in just 3 starts, having won a Dapto 297m on debut.
GRNSW Stewards directed that Doin' Nuffin be the subject of routine swabbing after the win and that swab subsequently returned positive to the Stanozol metabolite, 6 Alpha-Hydroxystanozolol; which has been the anabolic steroid that has seen several other NSW greyhound trainers also disqualified.
The Stewards Inquiry in to that finding was completed yesterday and Tsohalis gave evidence himself with support from Dr Tom Astbury.
Tsohalis pleaded not guilty, but after hearing all the evidence, GRNSW subsequently found him guilty of presenting a greyhound to race not free of any prohibited substances.
GRNSW Stewards handed Tsohalis a six month disqualification effective from 18th December 2009.
Doin' Nuffin was also disqualified as winner of the grade 5 race at Maitland.