On 27 December 2015, Greyhound Racing New South Wales (GRNSW) announced that it had commenced an inquiry into an incident which occurred at Wentworth Park on 26 December 2015, where the greyhound Asa Killa Queen was presented in place of Il Bacaro.
As a result of the inquiries conducted to date, GRNSW has determined that industry participants Anthony Azzopardi (trainer of Asa Killa Queen and Il Bacaro), Robert Stojanov (handler), Norm Sheppard (handler), Andrew Rowe (Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association official) and Steven Athanassas (Greyhound Breeders, Owners and Trainers Association official) should answer charges for breaches of the Greyhound Racing Rules.
The charges allege offences under rule 86 (o) of the Rules following the wrong greyhound being presented at Wentworth Park on 26 December 2015 and for failing to identify correctly prior to the completion of the race.
All five participants have been afforded the opportunity to respond to the charges in writing or alternatively directed to attend a hearing to answer the charges. The details of that hearing are:
Date: | Thursday, 3 March 2016 |
Time: | 10.00am |
Location: | Building B, 1 Homebush Bay Drive, Rhodes |
GRNSW will provide further details about the conduct of the inquiry in due course.