Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) stewards have concluded an inquiry into analysts’ reports about the urine samples taken from the greyhounds On His Way and Avondale Prince.
The samples were taken at the race meetings conducted at Unibet Gardens on 17 February 2012 after both greyhounds had performed poorly in their respective races and were found to contain abnormal levels of metabolites of the endogenous substance ethanol, ethanol glucuronide and ethyl sulphate.
Following collaborative research between relevant laboratories and GRNSW in 2010 and 2011 aimed at identifying substances detected in poorly performed greyhounds, GRNSW officers determined to impound the greyhounds during April 2012 for the purpose of identifying normal resting levels of the metabolites in each greyhound. The level of the metabolites in the greyhounds On His Way and Avondale Prince were found to be significantly more than the normal resting levels identified through the research.
Following the receipt of the analysts’ reports, GRNSW stewards conducted an inquiry. Evidence was taken during the inquiry from the trainer of On His Way and Avondale Prince Matthew Moncrieff, Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) Science Manager Dr Adam Cawley and from University of NSW Emeritus Professor Brynn Hibbert. In addition, written evidence and materials were provided by ARFL Senior Veterinarian Dr Craig Suann, Dr Cawley, Professor Hibbert, the ARFL, Racing Analytical Services Victoria, Racing Science Centre Queensland, GRNSW and Mr Moncrieff.
Mr Moncrieff could not inform the inquiry as to how the greyhounds may have been administered the prohibited substances.
On 14 July 2015, Mr Moncrieff pleaded not guilty to two charges under Gar 83(2)(a) via correspondence in that he had presented the greyhounds to compete on 17 February 2012 with the greyhounds found to have abnormal levels of the metabolites of ethanol.
After considering submissions on penalty from Mr Moncrieff, GRNSW stewards determined that he should be disqualified for a period of five years on each charge to be served concurrently.
In considering the appropriate penalty, GRNSW stewards took into account Mr Moncrieff’s not guilty plea, the unique circumstance of this being the first finding of its type in any code throughout the country, the extremely high level of the metabolites from the race day samples when compared to the resting samples, the footage of the races and the impact such reports have on the welfare of the industry. GRNSW stewards were mindful of the need for protection of the industry interest due to extreme welfare concerns, with the finding of these substances at the levels reported having a negative impact on the reputation of the industry and only capable of having a detrimental impact on performance.
Mr Moncrieff also had a prior offence for the presentation of a greyhound with a prohibited substance, namely Timolol, which is also known to adversely affect the performance of a greyhound, and was therefore not dealt with on a first offender basis.
Mr Moncrieff has appealed the decision.
No direction was made under the provisions of Gar 83(4) in each case.
