Greyhound Racing NSW stewards have concluded an inquiry into the analysts’ reports that the urine sample taken from Ninja Turtle after that greyhound had won Race 1, the Welcome to Newcastle Greyhound Stakes ¾ Grade, at The Gardens on 24 January 2015, had been analysed and found to contain the prohibited substances boldenone, and androsta-1,4-diene-3, 17-dione, a metabolite of boldenone.
Evidence at the inquiry was taken from Ninja Turtle’s trainer Troy Donaldson and Dr Adam Cawley from the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL). Written evidence was tendered from the ARFL, Racing Analytical Services Victoria and Dr Peter Yore.
Mr Donaldson could offer no explanation to the inquiry as to the detection of the prohibited substances.
Mr Donaldson pleaded guilty to a charge under Gar 83(2)(a) in that he was responsible for the presentation of Ninja Turtle for the race in question other than free of prohibited substances in that the post race urine sample taken from the greyhound was found on confirmatory analysis to contain the prohibited substances boldenone, and androsta-1,4-diene-3, 17-dione,
Mr Donaldson was disqualified for a period of 12 months.
In determining penalty, stewards took into consideration Mr Donaldson’s guilty plea, unblemished record over eight years of licensing, his significant number of cleared swabs, the extreme level of the prohibited substance which was in excess of 10 times greater than any other detected level of the same prohibited substance, the inability of Mr Donaldson to provide stewards with a satisfactory explanation for the finding of the prohibited substance, and the need for the penalty to act as a deterrent.
Under Gar 83 (5), Ninja Turtle was disqualified from the event in question and the placings were amended accordingly.
Mr Donaldson was advised of his right of appeal.
