Supplementary Report: Ballarat 5 February 2018.

GRV Stewards inquired into the late scratching of Al’s In Trouble from Race 3 at Ballarat on 5 February 2018.Al’s In Trouble was withdrawn by Trainer Mr David Graham at 10.27am on the morning of the race, due to illness. After taking evidence from Mr Graham, GRV Stewards issued a charge under GAR 23 (1) (a) in that Mr Graham failed to examine Al’s In Trouble prior to the appointed scratching time of 8.30am, on the day of the race, to ensure the greyhound was free of injury, illness or was on-season. Mr Graham pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $200. When determining penalty, stewards took into consideration Mr Graham good record, guilty plea, his personnel antecedence and the forthright manner in which he conducted himself, before the Stewards. Against these factors, stewards considered the need for general deterrence and that a reserve was therefore denied a start in the race. Save for Mr Graham’s mitigating factors, the penalty for this offence would be nominally higher.

Alpanda, Gypsy Kiowa and Miami Fernando were quick to begin. Lake Lovin' and Limburg Patrick were slow to begin.

Gypsy Kiowa and Lake Lovin' collided on the first turn, checking both greyhounds. Blackpool Blast and Ohio Fernando collided on the first turn. Cash Chewing raced wide from the first turn and lost ground. Ohio Fernando checked off Blackpool Blast approaching the home turn, checking Lake Lovin'. Limburg Patrick and Lake Lovin' collided on the home turn.

Cash Chewing was vetted following the event. It was reported that the greyhound sustained shin soreness in the right hind leg. A ten-day stand down period was imposed.

A sample was taken from Miami Fernando, the winner of the event.