NSW Stewards & GRNSW Up The Ante On Drug Cheats
GRNSW will spend in excess of $560,000 over the next 12 months, making it the largest ever spend on drug detection in the state's history.
GRNSW Chairman Professor Percy Allan AM said the changes signify the strongest approach towards drug detection to be undertaken by the New South Wales greyhound racing industry.
“The new changes will lift the standards to their highest ever levels and are fundamental to ensuring punter confidence in the integrity of our sport is maximised and our members have confidence that they are competing on a level playing field,” Allan said.
“Following the recent merger that saw GRNSW assume responsibility for the regulatory affairs of our sport there is a renewed focus on improving the regulation of the greyhound racing industry.
“The changes will improve the rate of target testing at tracks, not just of winners but testing based on actual performance be that either improved or poor performance. It will also increase the surprise element that appears to be lacking in the current approach where in most cases there is an 80% likelihood that you will not be swabbed,” Professor Allan said.
The predominant feature of the current policy is the random ballot system. Unique to the NSW greyhound industry, the random ballot system will be abolished at metropolitan and TAB meetings at which GRNSW stewards officiate.
Changes will come into effect on 1 September 2009.