On 2 December 2016 Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) charged trainer Ms Susanne Vella under rule 83(2) of the GRNSW Greyhound Racing Rules as follows:
- That you, Susanne Vella, a registered trainer, while in charge of the greyhound ‘Four Bits’, presented the greyhound for the purpose of competing in race 11 at Dubbo on 11 August 2016 in circumstances where the greyhound was not free of any prohibited substance (Charge A); and
- That you, Susanne Vella, a registered trainer, while in charge of the greyhound ‘Four Bits’, presented the greyhound for the purpose of competing in race eight at Bathurst on 12 September 2016 in circumstances where the greyhound was not free of any prohibited substance (Charge B).
The prohibited substances in detected were methylphenidate and ritalinic acid.
Ms Vella failed to respond to both charges.
After considering all the evidence before the inquiry, GRNSW Stewards found Ms Vella guilty of both charges and determined to impose a period of disqualification of 156 weeks in relation to each charge to be served concurrently.
A copy of the decision of GRNSW can be found here.
Ms Vella has been notified of her rights of appeal.
