GRIU Integrity Report – August 2023

Date: 04/08/2023

Stewards Activity

Swabbing Numbers

• Swabs taken 2021 – 2022 financial year (01/07/2021 – 30/06/2022) = 10666
• Swabs taken 2022 – 2023 financial year (01/07/2022 – 30/06/2023) = 11272
• Swabs taken 2023 – 2024 financial year = 873

Prosecutions Overview

Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal

Colin O’Donnell – VCAT Hearing 15 June 2023 – GAR 106(1)(c), GAR 106(1)(d), GAR 106(2) & GAR 86(f), On 10 September 2019, Mr O’Donnell failed to provide kennels constructed in an approved standard, failed to provide veterinary attention to a greyhound when necessary, and failed to exercise reasonable care and supervision to prevent the unnecessary pain and suffering of a greyhound. On 9 September and 4 October 2019, Mr O’Donnell engaged in and published contemptuous, insulting or offensive language in relation to the Controlling Body. On 18 February 2021, the VRT imposed a total disqualification period of 3 years, in addition to a $200 fine. VCAT affirmed the VRT’s decision.

Victorian Racing Tribunal

Shara Quinlan – VRT Hearing 1 June 2023 – GAR141(1), failed to present the greyhound “Ramblin’ Man” free of the prohibited substance ‘Procaine’ for an event at Shepparton on 6 October 2022. Ms Quinlan pleaded guilty. The VRT imposed a $2000 fine with $1000 suspended for 12 months. “Ramblin’ Man” was disqualified from the event.

Darren Petersen – VRT Hearing 6 June 2023 – GAR141(1), failed to present the greyhound “Maximum Jane” free of the prohibited substance ‘Procaine’ for an event at Shepparton on 29 September 2022. Mr Petersen pleaded guilty. The VRT imposed a 3-month suspension, wholly suspended for 24 months, and a $2000 fine, with $1000 suspended for 24 months. “Maximum Jane” was disqualified from the event.

Mario Briganti – VRT Hearing 20 June 2023 – GAR141(1) & GAR151, failed to present the greyhound “Kinrock Star” free of the prohibited substance ‘Dexamethasone’ for an event at Sandown on 4 August 2022. Mr Briganti pleaded guilty. The VRT imposed a 6-month suspension, with 2 months suspended for 24 months, and a $2000 fine. In addition, a $300 fine was imposed for failing to record treatments in treatment records. “Kinrock Star” was disqualified from the event and from the Final at Sandown on 11 August 2022. This finding breaches the conditions of the suspended portion of the penalty imposed by the VRT on 23 March 2021, resulting in the activation of a 1-month suspension and $500 fine, to be served cumulatively.

Samuel Mallia – VRT Appeal 29 June 2023 – GAR124, the greyhound “Quinnley Bale” was charged with failing to pursue at Geelong on 24 June 2023. Mr Mallia pleaded not guilty. The VRT dismissed the appeal.

Gerry Orr – VRT Appeal 4 July 2023 – GAR125, the greyhound “Fernandes Mac” was charged with failing to pursue by reason of injury at Warragul on 29 June 2023. Mr Orr pleaded not guilty. The VRT dismissed the appeal.

Laurie Rounds – VRT Hearing 5 July 2023 – GAR156(f)(ii), GAR165(c)(ii), GAR164(b) & GAR165(b)(ii), engaged in improper conduct during telephone conversations with GRV employees on 19 July 2022, used contemptuous, unseemly, improper and insulting language towards GRV employee during phone conversation on 19 July 2022, failed to attend an inquiry on 21 July 2022 and published contemptuous, unseemly, improper, insulting and offensive language to the GRV Facebook page on 20 July 2022. Mr Rounds pleaded not guilty to all charges. The VRT imposed a total disqualification period of 3 years, in addition to a $4000 fine.

Gregory Schofield – VRT Hearing 18 July 2023 – GAR141(1) & GAR151(1), failed to present the greyhound “Bow Zarr Dashian” free of the prohibited substance ‘Ketoprofen’ for an event at Geelong on 23 August 2022. Mr Schofield pleaded guilty. The VRT imposed a 3-month suspension, with 1 month suspended for 24 months, and a $500 fine. In addition, a $500 fine was imposed for failing to maintain treatment records. “Bow Zarr Dashian” was disqualified from the event. This matter was appealed to VCAT and is awaiting outcome.

Peter Fulton – VRT Hearing 19 July 2023 – GAR141(1), failed to present the greyhound “Moraine Zorro” free of the prohibited substances ‘Atenolol’, ‘Hydrochlorothiazide’ and ‘Chlorothiazide’ for an event at Horsham on 27 September 2022. Mr Fulton pleaded guilty. The VRT imposed a 4-month suspension, with 3 months suspended for 24 months, and a $1000 fine. “Moraine Zorro” was disqualified from the event.

Jake Dean – VRT Hearing 20 July 2023 – GAR141(1), failed to present the greyhound “Send Me Dizzy” free of the prohibited substance ‘Arsenic’ for an event at Traralgon on 12 October 2022. Mr Dean pleaded guilty. The VRT imposed a 6-month suspension, with 5 months suspended for 24 months. “Send Me Dizzy” was disqualified from the event.

Sandra Galea – VRT Hearing 26 July 2023 – GAR83(2) & GAR139(3)(a), failed to present the greyhound “Yelich” free of the permanently banned prohibited substances ‘Amphetamine, 4-hydroxyamphetamine, Methamphetamine and 4-hydroxymethamphetamine’ for an event at Shepparton on 18 April 2022. Out of Competition Testing samples taken from the greyhounds “Unnamed (VJYBY)” and “Unnamed (VJAVS)” on 6 June 2022 were found to contain the Permanently Banned Prohibited Substances ‘Amphetamine and Methamphetamine’. Mrs Galea pleaded guilty to all charges. The VRT imposed a 12-month suspension, with 6 months suspended for 24 months. “Yelich” was disqualified from the event.

John Galea – VRT Hearing 26 July 2023 – GAR139(3)(a), Out of Competition Testing samples taken from the greyhounds “Major Boy”, “Unnamed (VJOKE)” and “Yelich” on 19 July 2022 and 20 July 2022 were found to contain the permanently banned prohibited substances ‘Amphetamine, 4-hydroxyamphetamine, Methamphetamine and 4-hydroxymethamphetamine’. Mr Galea pleaded guilty to all charges. The VRT imposed a 12-month suspension, with 9 months suspended for 24 months.

Stewards’ Hearing Reports

Nicole Stanley – Stewards Hearing 9 June 2023 – GAR165(a), On 20 January 2023, Ms Stanley engaged in conduct that was detrimental and/or prejudicial to the control of greyhound racing by providing a misleading date when reporting the death of a greyhound. Ms Stanley pleaded guilty. Stewards imposed a $1000 fine, with $500 suspended for 12 months.

Craig Jaensch – Stewards Hearing 16 June 2023 – GAR24(1) & GAR165(a), On 29 October 2022, Mr Jaensch failed to sterilise NICE AND NASTY and SURPRISE PACKET prior to being rehomed to a third party and engaged in conduct contrary to the interests of greyhound racing during the retirement of the greyhounds. Mr Jaensch pleaded guilty to both charges. Stewards imposed a $500 fine, with $250 suspended for 12 months.

Glen Davies – Stewards Hearing 21 June 2023 – GAR156(w), On 16 March 2023, Mr Davies failed to comply with the Code of Practice in failing to have an Establishment Health Management Plan for his kennelling address. Mr Davies pleaded guilty. Stewards imposed a $250 fine.

Michael Bowerman – Stewards Hearing 22 June 2023 – GAR156(w), On 14 March 2023, Mr Bowerman posted a social media post which breached the GRV Social Media Policy, and failed to have a valid Establishment Health Management Plan which breached the Code of Practice. Mr Bowerman pleaded guilty to both charges. Stewards imposed a $500 fine, with $250 suspended for 12 months, in addition to a $250 fine, wholly suspended for 12 months.

Jacob Biddell – Stewards Hearing 27 July 2023 – GAR165(a), Between 24 and 25 June 2023, Mr Biddell engaged in conduct that was detrimental and/or prejudicial to the interests and image of greyhound racing. Mr Biddell pleaded not guilty. Stewards imposed a 1-month suspension, wholly and conditionally suspended for 6 months.