The Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) Integrity Department has provided an update on recent rule changes as Well as new measures that will assist participants in planning their greyhounds racing campaigns.
Treatment Records
The most recent rule change was introduced on 1 January 2014 that requires participants to keep records detailing all treatments administered to greyhounds in their care
The new rule, which was adopted by Greyhounds Australasia and will be enforced nationally, states that the person in charge of a greyhound must keep and retain records on all vaccinations, worming and medical treatments administered to a greyhound
GRNSW Chief Steward Clint Bentley said the rule was similar to those recently introduced in the thoroughbred and harness racing codes.
“This rule brings greyhound racing in line with the other two codes and will also bring a range of benefits to both racing authorities and participants,” Mr Bentley said.
“It will not only assist integrity officials in monitoring the use of therapeutic substances, it may also assist in identifying the cause of adverse reports in positive swab hearings.”
Mr Bentley said he recognised that the new rule may require significant changes for many trainers to comply with the new requirements.
“As a result, GRNSW will utilise the period to 30 June 2014 to work with trainers to ensure they have an understanding of the new rule.
Mr Bentley said any participant who had questions about the new rule or wanted to know more information should attend the upcoming information sessions being held across NSW by GRNSW.
“These information sessions will be held at TAB tracks between February and May. They will be held on days tracks stage race meetings with the information sessions conducted between close of kennels and the first race.”
Click here for the dates and locations for all information sessions.
Testosterone
A national rule that has been in place for more than a year is the introduction of a detection threshold for testosterone metabolites in urine samples taken from female racing greyhounds.
Since this rule was introduced, five trainers in NSW have been found guilty of presenting a female greyhound with testosterone levels above the threshold.
Mr Bentley said each of the five trainers had been issued with fines ranging from $1,500 to $2,000 for each offence by GRNSW stewards following an inquiry.
These trainers, the greyhound involved and the fine issued are as follows:
“Some participants have publicly asked why these trainers only received fines. Well the reason is because GRNSW made the decision to extend a degree of leniency in the first instance of the rule being introduced,” Mr Bentley said.
“Testosterone has been used by greyhound trainers for decades as a way of keeping bitches off season, so we decided to grant leniency in these early cases as trainers adjusted to the new threshold. Other racing jurisdictions have shown the same type of leniency.”
Racing Queensland fined NSW trainer John Finn $2,000 after Winsome Charlee returned a urine sample with testosterone levels above the detection threshold following her win at Albion Park on 11 April 2013 (click here for Racing Queensland’s decision).
Mr Bentley said leniency would continue to be granted to any case where the positive swab was detected between 1 January 2013 and 30 April 2013.
Mr Bentley said any swab detected to have exceeded the threshold after this date would get no leniency and could expect heavier penalties.
“Like every positive swab, each matter will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis, but given that the detection threshold has been in place for more than a year, stewards will no longer be showing leniency in these cases.”
“Trainers are showing that they have now adjusted to the rule. That is shown by the fact that we had 15 positives under this rule in the first four months that it was in place. Since then we have had only six.”
Grading Changes
Mr Bentley also wanted to notify participants about a new feature found in the OzChase Online Nominations Portal, which allows users to view the grades of every greyhound in their kennel at every track and distance in NSW.
The new functionality, which is available now, allows a greyhound to be selected, followed by a track and then a table of grades will appear covering every distance and class of meeting at the venue.
“This new feature will become an invaluable tool for participants as every trainer will now know the exact level of each greyhound in their care at every track in the state.
“This will enable greyhounds to be best placed to ensure they maximise their prizemoney earning potential.”
