Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) stewards have completed an inquiry into the withdrawal of the greyhounds Lucky Town trained by Glenn Starr, and Rate Cut trained by Tanya Nieuwendyk from the Wentworth Park meeting on 14 December 2012.
The hearing was delayed due to Mr Starr’s non-availability as a result of ongoing overseas work commitments.
The inquiry was initially convened after both greyhounds were scratched the morning of the race due to sickness, despite Ms Nieuwendyk informing GRNSW
veterinarian Clare Harisson that both greyhounds were fine.
Evidence at the inquiry was taken from Ms Harisson, GRNSW stewards Clint Bentley, Craig Easey, and Terry Hynes. Written evidence was tendered from Stewart Street Vet Clinic Bathurst, and a Daily Telegraph newspaper article written by John Davis quoting Greyhound Action Group Spokesman Bob Whitelaw.
After the taking of evidence, stewards levelled two charges under Gar 23(6) and Gar 86(o) against both Mr Starr and Ms Nieuwendyk. Not guilty pleas to each charge were entered by Mr Starr and Ms Nieuwendyk.
After due consideration stewards found Mr Starr and Ms Nieuwendyk guilty with respect to the charge under Gar 23(6) – unacceptable scratching reason. An open finding was delivered reGarding the charge under Gar 86(0) – improper act, in that Mr Starr and Ms Nieuwendyk knowingly were aware that their greyhounds had been administered a substance to impair an examination.
Following submissions on penalty, Mr Starr and Ms Nieuwendyk were each fined $1,000.
In assessing penalty, consideration was given to Mr Starr and Ms Nieuwendyk’s unblemished periods of registration, their ongoing sponsorship of the Richmond and Lithgow Clubs, their not guilty pleas, the loss of industry revenue and the negative impact brought about by their actions, and parity with prior breaches under the same rule.
Mr Starr and Ms Nieuwendyk have appealed the stewards decision.
