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Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) stewards have finalised deliberations on penalty following analysts' reports of the finding of diclofenac in the urine sample taken from Saffron Ice after that greyhound won Race 9, the petsnacks.com.au Stake, 520m at Wentworth Park on 10 October 2014.
Consistent with the protocols established for dealing with such reports under the GRNSW Prohibited Substance Penalty System, Saffron Ice’s trainer Lynne Aldous was advised of the reports received from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory and Racing Science Centre, Queensland, via written notification of the laboratory findings.
Following alternate correspondence, Ms Aldous pleaded guilty to a charge under Gar 83 (2) (a) of having presented Saffron Ice for the event other than free of any prohibited substance in that the urine sample taken from the greyhound after the event was found on confirmatory analysis to contain diclofenac.
After GRNSW had considered submissions from Ms Aldous on penalty her licence was suspended for a period 10 weeks.
In considering penalty, stewards took into account factors such as Ms Aldous’ guilty plea, her personal circumstances which included her unblemished record in relation to the prohibited substance rules in more than 30 years as a licensed person, the nature of the substance involved, being a Category 5 substance in accordance with the GRNSW Penalty Guidelines, negligence displayed via poor husbandry practices permitting the greyhound to be exposed to the prohibited substance, the effect that such findings have on the image of the industry, and the absence of any significant wagering on Saffron Ice in the event.
Under Gar 83 (5), Saffron Ice was disqualified from the event in question and the placings amended accordingly.
Ms Aldous was advised of her right of appeal.
