Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) stewards have completed an inquiry into analysts’ reports that the post-race urine sample taken from Anita May after that greyhound won the Beteasy 1 Win Only Stakes (400m) at Maitland on 26 February 2015 had been analysed and found to contain the prohibited substance 5beta-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol, a metabolite of testosterone, at a concentration of greater than 10ng/ml, in a female greyhound.
Evidence was taken from Anita May’s trainer Maureen West, her husband Barry West and Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) Science Manager Dr Adam Cawley. Written evidence was also tendered from the ARFL, Racing Science Centre QLD and Racing NSW Head Veterinarian Dr Craig Suann.
Mr West gave evidence that the greyhound had been administered 0.25 ml of the androgenic steroid Testoprop, which contains testosterone propionate, four-and-a-half days prior to the event in question by veterinarian Dr David Symons. Such evidence of administration by Dr Symons was supported by the presentation of treatment records which detailed the administration.
Evidence taken from Dr Cawley outlined the finding of 5beta-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol at an estimated level of 16ng/ml, which was the second lowest recorded finding (above the threshold) by the ARFL. Based on the administration studies conducted by ARFL, this was consistent with the administration timeframe provided by Mr West.
Ms West pleaded guilty to a charge under Gar 83 (2) (a) of having been responsible for the presentation of Anita May 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 (5beta-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol) at a level greater than 10ng/ml in a female greyhound.
Ms West was suspended for four months.
In considering penalty, stewards took into account such factors as Ms West’s guilty plea which indicated her contrition, her personal circumstances, which includes a license period of 38 years in the industry, her record in relation to the prohibited substance rules which includes no previous breaches, the nature of the substances involved, which would be categorised as Category 3 in accordance with the GRNSW Penalty Guidelines, the low level of the 5beta-androstane-3alpha, 17beta-diol, the ability of Ms West to provide stewards with a plausible explanation for the finding, 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 Anita May was disqualified from the race in question and the placings amended accordingly.
Ms West was advised of her right of appeal.
