Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) stewards have finalised an inquiry following analysts' reports of the finding of 5b-androstane-2a, 17b-diol, Flunixin, and Boldenone and its metabolite Androsta-1, 4 diene-3, 17 dione in the urine sample taken from Deb’s Dream after that greyhound won Race 2, the Parkview Hotel Maiden (347m) at the Gunnedah meeting on 10 January 2015.
Evidence was taken from Deb’s Dream’s trainer John Cini, Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) Science Manager Dr Adam Cawley, licensed handler Troy Cooper, Gunnedah Greyhound Race Club veterinarian Tina Clifton and licensed trainer Robert Dwyer. Written evidence was also tendered from the ARFL, Racing Science Centre QLD, Racing NSW Head Veterinarian Dr Craig Suann as well as licensed trainers Brett Hazlewood and Jeremy Evans.
Mr Cini gave evidence that he had no idea how the four prohibited substances came to be in the urine sample but raised concerns that the greyhound had been patted by persons other than himself and Mr Cooper while a post-race photograph was taken in front of the 400m boxes. Mr Cini also gave evidence that he did not believe the veterinarian had worn gloves during the sampling process.
Evidence taken from Dr Cawley outlined the finding of 5b-androstane-2a, 17b-diol was at an estimated level of 460ng/ml and was the second highest recorded finding by the ARFL. It was also consistent with an administration timeframe of somewhere between 12 to 20 hours prior to the sample being taken.
Dr Cawley also advised that the estimated level of Flunixin (10,000ng/ml) in the urine sample was the highest level the ARFL had reported and consistent as having been administered to the greyhound two to four hours prior to sampling.
Mr Cini was subsequently found guilty of a charge under Gar 83 (2) (a) of having been responsible for the presentation of Deb’s Dream 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 confirmed to have contained the metabolite of testosterone (5b-androstane-2a, 17b-diol), Flunixin, Boldenone and its metabolite (Androsta-1, 4 diene-3, 17 dione).
Mr Cini was subsequently disqualified for two years.
In considering penalty, stewards took into account such factors as Mr Cini’s not guilty plea, his personal circumstances, which includes a license period of 33 years in the industry, his record in relation to the prohibited substance rules which includes a previous breach in 1995, the nature of the substances involved, three of which would be categorised as Category 3 in accordance with the GRNSW Penalty Guidelines, the extreme level of the 5b-androstane-2a, 17b-diol and Flunixin detected in the sample, the inability of Mr Cini to provide stewards with any plausible explanation for the findings, the need for the penalty to act as a deterrent and the negative impact that such findings have on the industry.
Under Gar 83 (4), the greyhound Deb’s Dream was disqualified from the race in question and the placings amended accordingly.
Mr Cini was advised of his right of appeal.
