Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) stewards have concluded an inquiry into reports from the ChemCentre (Perth) and the Racing Science Centre (Qld) that gabapentin was detected in a sample taken from Matilda Keeping, trained by Natalee Marshall, following it competing in and winning Race 5 at Northam on 28 August 2023.
After hearing evidence from ChemCentre representative Dr Beckett and RWWA Regulatory Veterinarian Dr McMullen, Ms Marshall pleaded guilty to a charge issued under Greyhound Rule of Racing 141 (1) (a).
The particulars:
“Natalee Marshall, as the trainer, presented Matilda Keeping, that was nominated for and competed in Race 5 at Northam on 28 August 2023, not free of the prohibited substance gabapentin.”
After hearing submissions on penalty, stewards determined the appropriate penalty to be a fine of $5000.
Further, acting under rule 141 (4), stewards determined to disqualify Matilda Keeping from the race in question with the commensurate implications to placings, with return and re-issue of stake money to apply.
When determining penalty, stewards considered, among other things:
- Ms Marshall’s plea of guilty, personal circumstances and that this was her first offence.
- That Ms Marshall had only been licensed for approximately 18 months as a T2 trainer.
- The nature and properties of the prohibited substance detected, namely that gabapentin is a therapeutic agent prescribed to dogs.
- That the most plausible explanation for the detection was that the medication, which had been properly prescribed by a veterinarian for another greyhound in her care, was inadvertently fed to Matilda Keeping due to a lack of proper controls when preparing, then distributing, multiple meals simultaneously.
- The intent and purpose of the Rule, which was directed to ensuring a level playing field and maintaining the necessary confidence of those supporting or involved in the racing industry.
- Precedence in past cases involving substances of a therapeutic nature.