Racing WA stewards conducted an inquiry on 29 October 2024 into reports received from the ChemCentre in Perth and Racing Analytical Services Limited (Vic), that the urine sample taken from Kingsbrae Demon after winning Race 7 at Mandurah on 21 June 2024, was found to contain the prohibited substance Carprofen.
At the inquiry evidence was heard from:
- Chem Centre representative – Dr N Beckett
- Racing WA Regulatory Veterinarian - Dr C McMullen
- Racing WA Investigator – Mr B Bird
- Trainer of Kingsbrae Demon - Mr G Currie
Mr Currie subsequently pleaded guilty to the following charge under Rule 141(1)(a).
GAR 141(1)(a) Greyhound to be free of prohibited substances.
Particulars: Mr Currie, as the trainer and a registered person with RWWA, presented Kingsbrae Demon to compete in Race 7 at Greyhounds WA Mandurah on 21 June 2024 not free of the prohibited substance Carprofen.
After considering submissions with respect to penalty, stewards determined to issue a $5000 fine.
Further, pursuant to rule 141(4) and rule 141(5), Kingsbrae Demon was disqualified from Race 7 on 21 June 2024 (a Heat of the Winter Sprint) and the final on 28 June 2024, with the commensurate implications to placings and the return and re-issue of prizemoney to apply.
When determining penalty, stewards considered, among other things:
- Mr Currie’s guilty plea and that this was his first prohibited substance offence after 30 years of involvement in the greyhound industry.
- That nature of the substance Carprofen which was classified as a therapeutic substance (anti-inflammatory) commonly used under prescription by veterinarians for the treatment of greyhounds.
- 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.
- Precedence in past cases involving this substance.