Stewards Inquiry - Incident that occurred at a Bendigo Greyhound Training Complex, Thursday 21 June 2018:

On Tuesday 3 July 2018, GRV Stewards inquired into an incident that occurred at the registered training address of Rosslyn Nicholls on Thursday 21 June 2018, during a kennel visit by GRV Officials to take Out of Competition samples from several kennels and greyhounds.  After hearing evidence from GRV Industry Veterinarian Dr Nick Evans, GRV Steward Ms Roslyn Fazulla, Registered Participant Mrs Roselyn Nicholls and Attendant Mr Peter Nicholls, Stewards issued a charge to Mr Peter Nicholls under GAR 86 (q).  The specifics of the charge were that on Thursday 21 June 2018, during a kennel visit by GRV Officials, Mr Peter Nicholls engaged in conduct that was detrimental and prejudicial to the interests or control of greyhound racing by behaving in a loud, hostile and aggressive manner towards them, which resulted in Dr Evans aborting the blood sample that was being taken from Senorita Pepe.  Mr Nicholls pleaded guilty to the charge.  A fine of $1000 was imposed.

In determining penalty, the Stewards considered Mr Nicholls good and long record with GRV, his guilty plea and personal antecedence, that Mr Nicholls apologized personally to both officials and was remorseful for his actions.  Against these factors, Stewards considered the nature and gravity of the incident, the precedents and penalties of similar cases, the need to deter other participants from acting in a similar manner (being general deterrence).  Further, the consequences that flowed as a direct result of this behaviour in that the sample was not taken.  Participants must be aware that there are real consequences for this type of incident and should accept and be conscious that a license is a privilege and not a right.  Stewards noted that this was a sustained effort and not a spur of the moment act.  Persons performing official duties in relation to greyhound racing must not be subjected to aggressive and hostile behaviour during the course of these duties.  They have a right and expectation to conduct their role within the industry, without disproportionate challenge and overt confrontation.  Stewards have suspended half of the $1000 penalty, for 24 months, pending no further conduct related offences in this time.

Race 1 - Horsham, 3 July 2018:

Laile Brobio was slow to begin.  Harry Ora Bluey faltered soon after the start and tailed off.  Lucina Motief and Iceni Sailor collided on the first turn.  Laile Brobio checked off Lucina Motief entering the home straight.

Harry Ora Bluey was vetted following the event.  It was reported that the greyhound sustained a left hindleg back muscle injury, a 21 day stand down period was imposed.

Miracle Gem was vetted following the event.  It was reported that the greyhound sustained a spike wound the right hindleg, a 14 day stand down period was imposed.

A pre-race sample was taken from Magic Milly.

Big Cam was slow to begin.  Big Cam checked off Doran's Flame approaching the home turn.  Magic Milly galloped on the heels of Pyrenees Blaze approaching the home turn, severely checking Magic Milly.  Doran's Flame checked off Pyrenees Blaze approaching the home turn.  Magic Milly and Doran's Flame collided in the home straight.

Chill Out Jess was vetted following the event.  It was reported that there was no apparent injury found.

Magic Milly was vetted following the event.  It was reported that there was no apparent injury found.

A sample was taken from Kurtis Pandora - the winner of the event.

A pre-race sample was taken from Taabi.

Lil' Tuff Chapta was quick to begin.  Well Armed checked off Blue Berty soon after the start.  Not Enough Cash checked off Blue Berty on the first turn.  Taabi and Lil' Tuff Chapta collided approaching the home turn, checking Lil' Tuff Chapta.  Lil' Tuff Chapta checked off Stavros approaching the home turn.  Well Armed raced wide in the home straight.

A pre-race sample was taken from Thomeli Skip.

Chill Out Al and Steorra were slow to begin.  Sneak Preview and Talanjee Chief collided soon after the start.  Bakali Louis checked off Chile Allen approaching the home turn.  Thomeli Skip and Kraken Copper collided approaching the home turn.  Chill Out Al and Steorra collided in the home straight.  Chill Out Al raced wide in the home straight.

Jacobite Joseph, Go Natalie Go and Middle Chic were slow to begin and collided soon after the start, checking Go Natalie Go and Middle Chic.  Pyrenees Inferno checked off Rythym Taboo on the first turn, checking Go Natalie Go.  Jacobite Joseph and Crymelon Rip collided entering the home straight, checking Crymelon Rip, Chapta Lee and Middle Chic.  Chapta Lee and Pyrenees Inferno collided in the home straight.

A sample was taken from Rythym Taboo - the winner of the event.

Dyna Bobbie was a late scratching at 3:07 pm on the advice of the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon, due to an elevated temperature.  A five day stand down period was imposed.

A pre-race sample was taken from Cee Righty.

Cee Righty was quick to begin.  Faster Bolt was slow to begin.  Cee Righty, Minnesota Lee and Atlantic Rose collided on the first turn, checking Minnesota Lee.  Atlantic Rose and Tegz A Riddler collided entering the home straight.  Xerox Letter and Awesome Shep collided entering the home straight and again in the home straight.

Stewards spoke to Mr Craig Elliot, the trainer of Provenance, regarding the length of time the greyhound has had between races.  Provenance last raced on 1 March 2018.  Mr Elliot stated that the greyhound was returning to racing following a right back muscle injury.

Cee Sunrise was a late scratching at 2:58 pm on the advice of the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon, due to a laceration to the left scapula.  A seven day stand down period was imposed.

A pre-race sample was taken from Swift Ruby.

Raloo Barbara was slow to begin.  Nitro Heroine, Secret Message and Provenance collided on the first turn, checking Nitro Heroine.  Swift Ruby checked off Fast Trapper approaching the home turn.  Secret Message and Two Seasons collided on the home turn, checking both greyhounds.  Raloo Barbara checked Swift Ruby collided in the home straight.

A pre-race sample was taken from Serious Bolt.

Game Spirit and Why Not Grace were slow to begin.  Alezan checked off Manhattan Man soon after the start.  Manhattan Man crossed to the rail on the first turn, checking Betty La Fae, Give Me Wings, Game Spirit and Why Not Grace.  Game Spirit checked off Why Not Grace approaching the home turn.  Game Spirit checked off Why Not Grace approaching the home turn.  Eaglehawk Miss checked off Alezan entering home straight.  Eaglehawk Miss and Alezan collided in the home straight, checking Eaglehawk Miss.

Game Spirit was vetted following the event.  It was reported that there was no apparent injury found.

Gin Lee's Pride, Gin Lee's Bullet and Thomeli Boy were slow to begin.  Billy Moran checked off Dyna Yella soon after the start.  Billy Moran and Gin Lee's Pride collided approaching the first turn, severely checking Billy Moran.  Gin Lee's Bullet raced wide on the home turn.

Billy Moran was vetted following the event.  It was reported that there was no apparent injury found.

Stewards spoke to Mr Paul Cusack, the trainer of Paddy's Midnight, regarding the length of time the greyhound has had between races.  Paddy's Midnight last raced on 2 April 2018.  Mr Cusack stated that the greyhound was returning to racing following an injury to the right back muscle.

A pre-race sample was taken from Night Theory.

Witch Kilty was quick to begin.  Saloon Princess, Standing Bear and Carrara Lad collided approaching the first turn, checking Standing Bear.  Saloon Princess checked off Witch Kilty approaching the home turn, checking Paddy's Midnight.  Saloon Princess galloped on Witch Kilty approaching the home turn, checking Witch Kilty, and severely checking Saloon Princess which fell.

Saloon Princess was vetted and was revetted following event 11.  It was reported that the greyhound sustained a right hindleg soft tissue injury, a 21 day stand down period was imposed.

Stewards spoke to Mr Kevin Ashton, the trainer of Cement Socks, regarding the length of time the greyhound has had between races.  Cement Socks last raced on 26 July 2017.  Mr Ashton stated that the greyhound was returning to racing after a fractured left fore leg.

A pre-race sample was taken from Why Not Maxine.

Mako Icon was quick to begin.  Tron's Empire and Veetee Mist collided soon after the start, checking Veetee Mist.  Veetee Mist and Why Not Maxine collided on the first turn, checking Veetee Mist.  Cement Socks checked off Tron's Empire on the home turn.  Mako Icon and Why Not Maxine collided entering the home straight.

Supplementary Stewards Report - Healesville GRA, Friday 29 June 2018:

On Tuesday 3 June 2018, Stewards conducted an inquiry into the late scratching of the greyhound La Caprice at the Healesville GRA meeting on Friday 29 June 2018.  During the inquiry Stewards heard evidence from Mr Joe Uglietta, trainer of La Caprice, and GRV Steward, Ms Lee Fahry.

After considering the evidence Stewards charged Mr Uglietta with a breach of Greyhounds Australasia Rule GAR 86(o) in that he negligently failed to present the greyhound to race at the meeting.  Stewards fined him $500, with $250 wholly suspended for 12 months, pending no further breach of a similar nature.