Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) stewards conducted an inquiry on 21 May 2024 into reports received from ChemCentre in Perth and Racing Analytical Services Limited (Vic), that the sample taken from Columbus Monelli after winning Race 4 at Cannington on 20 January 2024, was found to contain the prohibited substances Codeine, Morphine and Oripavine.
At the inquiry evidence was heard from:
- Chem Centre representative – Dr Nicola Beckett
- RWWA Regulatory Veterinarian - Dr Judith Medd
- RWWA Investigator – Mr Paul Criddle
- Trainer of Columbus Monelli - Mr Chris Halse
During the course of the inquiry, Dr Beckett (ChemCentre) gave evidence that the levels of Codeine, Morphine and Oripavine detected were less than 5 ng/ml for each substance.
Pursuant to Rule 147(3) where the “residue limit” is not exceeded, the presence of that substance is not considered to be a breach of the prohibited substance rules.
Rule 147(6)(b) reads:
147 Residue substances and residue limits
(6) The following residue limits apply:
(b) morphine at a mass concentration of 200 nanograms per millilitre in a sample of urine.
Dr Medd (RWWA) gave further evidence that the alkaloid substance Oripavine, was an indicator that the presence of Codeine and Morphine was a result of the ingestion of poppy seeds.
Mr Criddle (RWWA) reported that at the kennel inspection carried out at Mr Halse’s property, poppy seeded bread was located and being used for feeding of greyhounds.
After considering all the evidence provided at the inquiry, Mr Halse pleaded guilty to the following charge under Rule 141(1)(a).
GAR 141(1)(a) Greyhound to be free of prohibited substances.
The particulars being, Mr Halse, as the trainer and a registered person with RWWA, presented Columbus Monelli to compete in Race 4 at Greyhounds WA Cannington on 20 January 2024 not free of the prohibited substances Codeine and Oripavine.
After adjourning to consider submissions made on penalty, stewards determined to issue a $2000 fine.
Further, acting under GAR141 (4), stewards determined to disqualify Columbus Monelli from the race in question with the placings to be amended accordingly, with the commensurate implications to all prizemoney payments to apply.
When determining penalty, stewards considered, among other things:
- Mr Halse’s guilty plea and that this was his first prohibited substance offence after 35 years of involvement in the greyhound industry.
- That nature of the substances being Codeine and Oripavine and the likely source of the substance being from poppy seeds.
- Oripavine is a substance only produced by the Papaver species of plants and the presence in a sample is indicative of poppy seeds or poppy plant.
- The low levels reported by Dr Beckett with all the substances, is consistent with a poppy seed ingestion.
- That the detection of such substances was considered to be a serious matter as such breaches of the rules had potential to bring the industry into disrepute.
- Since the notification of the irregularity, Mr Halse has taken steps to eliminate the possibility for further contamination with feeds.
- Precedence in past cases involving Codeine and Oripavine.