Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) has finalised its review 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.
The subsequent GRNSW Stewards inquiry found that members of the NSW Greyhound Breeders Owners and Trainers Association (NSW GBOTA) and certain industry participants had breached the Greyhound Racing Rules and that they were negligent in presenting the incorrect greyhound.
GRNSW issued penalties to those involved (information on the penalties can be found by clicking here). This conduct is deeply regrettable and steps have been taken with the NSW GBOTA to ensure that this incident is not repeated.
The purpose of GRNSW’s internal review was to consider whether any change to the Greyhound Racing Rules was necessary to prevent any incidence of an incorrect greyhound being presented in a race. The review also considered GRNSW’s liability to those who wagered on the disqualified greyhound Il Bacaro.
Based on the findings of the review, GRNSW has determined that the existing rules are adequate to deal with the incorrect presentation of a greyhound and no rule amendments are necessary at this time. The review also determined that the decision to disqualify Il Bacaro from the race in question was correct.
After considering the outcome of the Stewards inquiry and the findings of the review, GRNSW has determined that it does not bear any liability to issue refunds for wagering on the disqualified greyhound Il Bacaro.
With the finalisation of the review, GRNSW would like to express its disappointment with the NSW GBOTA employees and greyhound participants involved in the incident, whose negligence tarnished confidence in the integrity of greyhound racing and resulted in a number of people who wagered on Il Bacaro on 26 December 2015 to lose money through no fault of their own.
GRNSW has also written to the NSW GBOTA requiring it to respond to formal directions pursuant to the Greyhound Racing Act 2009 (NSW) regarding its regulatory and risk management framework.
GRNSW recognises that the future of greyhound racing in NSW turns on its capacity to secure its social licence through safeguarding greyhound welfare and the integrity of the sport.
GRNSW takes this matter extremely seriously and is actively reviewing the adequacy of the greyhound racing club compliance framework and investigating options to enhance controls and oversight under existing arrangements. This action is in line with GRNSW’s Industry Supervision Strategy.
“I am satisfied that the existing model where individual greyhound racing clubs can administer key aspects of racing oversight is undesirable. Going forward the complete integrity function and associated supervision, including racing officials, must be under the direction and control of GRNSW,” GRNSW Chief Executive Paul Newson said.
GRNSW will continue to work with the NSW GBOTA to ensure that it has safeguards and robust processes to prevent incidents of this nature from reoccurring and further ensure that all NSW clubs are actively discharging their obligations in relation to club management and training and are aware of the consequences of not meeting these standards.
