Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) stewards have concluded inquiries into analysts' reports that the urine sample taken from Flying Fabulous after that greyhound won Race 3 at Goulburn on 15 April 2014 had been analysed and confirmed to contain the prohibited substance 6-alpha-hydroxystanozolol.
The inquiry commenced on 19 December 2014 and had been adjourned in order to allow viewing of studies pertinent to the matter. Due to personal circumstances it had been further adjourned from 27 January 2015.
Evidence was taken from trainer Sean Bailey, trainer Kim Mulrine, attendant Andrew Mulrine, trainer Alan Ivers 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 from GRNSW. It was established that Flying Fabulous had been in the care of Mr Bailey at the times associated with the findings of the metabolite reported in the sample.
Mr Bailey had taken the greyhound to the Mulrine property for education on exiting the boxes due to recent poor performances. It was left at that property for three days prior to the race in question.
No evidence was produced explaining the reason for the urine sample findings. Inspections by GRNSW stewards at the properties of Mr Bailey and Ms Mulrine failed to find any substance containing stanozolol, which would give rise to the detection of the metabolite.
Mr Bailey subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge under Gar 83 (2) (a) in that he presented Flying Fabulous 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 6-alpha-hydroxystanozolol.
Following submissions on penalty, Mr Bailey was disqualified for a period of five months.
In assessing penalty consideration was given to Mr Bailey's relatively short period of three years of registration, his guilty plea, the comparatively low level of the substance reported in the sample, and his hobbyist status.
Penalties imposed for similar findings over the past 10 years were considered. It is considered that reports such as these have an adverse effect on the image of greyhound racing, and the penalties imposed for such reports of steroid findings in greyhounds have almost invariably resulted in periods of disqualification from the industry.
Flying Fabulous was disqualified from the event and the placings amended accordingly.
