Victorian Greyhound Trainers Fined For Misleading Stewards
Greyhound Racing Victoria Stewards have just released details of a Stewards inquiry in to the scratching of a greyhound from a Geelong greyhound meeting that saw a Victorian greyhound trainer fined for making a “misleading” statement.
GRV Stewards held an inquiry in to the late scratching of Mr. Rumby from a Geelong greyhound race on Friday 12th November 2013.
Officially Mr. Rumby was a late scratching from the meeting due to non-arrival, and the greyhound's trainer Lauren Gorman; was fined $100 over the matter.
However greyhound trainer Pam Tabone and Traralgon Track Manager Andrew Inger, have each been fined $250 by GRV Stewards for “making false and misleading” statements regarding the greyhound's non-arrival. We are left to assume Tabone and Inger were handling the greyhound for Gorman on the night, as no attempt is made to explain their relationship to the greyhound in the report; nor was Gorman called to give evidence at the inquiry.
At inquiry, GRV Stewards interviewed Ms. Pam Tabone (Trainer), Mr. Andrew Inger (Trainer), Ms. Janine Giles (Trainer) and Mr. John Rea (GRV Steward). There is no mention of the trainer Lauren Gorman.
After considering the evidence, Stewards charged Tabone and Inger with a breach of GAR86 (d) in that being licensed trainers and having official duties in relation to greyhound racing, they did make false or misleading statements to Stewards in an inquiry regarding the greyhound's non-arrival.
We are left to assume that Tabone and Inger were handling for Gorman on the night of the meeting.
Under Rule 47.1 of the Greyhound Racing Victoria Local Rules, a breach of GAR86 (d) constitutes a Serious Offence. As a result, on Monday, 16 December 2013 this matter was heard before the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board in the first instance under Greyhound Racing Victoria Local Rule 47.3 and Sections 83C(b) and 83M of the Racing Act.
Tabone and Inger represented themselves and pleaded guilty to the charges.
Mr. Glenn Fish (GRV Chief Steward) represented the Stewards Panel.
After hearing all the evidence tendered the RADB determined that both Tabone and Inger were guilty of making false and misleading statements to Stewards in an inquiry, contrary to rule GAR86 (d).
They were both fined the sum of $250, with $150 suspended for 12 months pending no further breach of GAR86(d).