Zelemar Fever Inquiry Adjourned

Report:

RWWA Stewards yesterday inquired into the report from the ChemCentre in Perth, that the presence of 5β– androstane-3α, 17β–diol (metabolite of Testosterone), at a concentration of greater than 10ng/ml, had been detected in the following samples obtained from :

A post race urine sample after winning Race 5, the W.A. Sprint Championship Final at on 16 August 2014.

A post race urine sample after placing third in Race 8 the Tabtouch Final at Cannington on 23 August 2014.

These of both ChemCentre reports have been verified by the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) in NSW.

Evidence was taken from Trainer of ZELEMAR FEVER, Ms , RWWA Investigator Mr Geoff Johnson, RWWA Racing Industry Veterinarian Dr Judith Medd and ChemCentre Analyst Mr James White.

In view of the voluminous evidence presented to the through the course of the day's hearing, the matter was adjourned at 5.20pm to afford Ms Britton and her counsel the opportunity to consider and make any submissions with regard to evidence presented, prior to the Stewards determining whether charges under the RWWA of Racing apply.

ARG Opinion:

With the threshold for testosterone being lowered in recent years, the greyhound industry has seen an abundance of as trainers continue to try and keep their bitches from coming on season. It is a very delicate balance between managing to keep them off and returning a positive swab, but the racing bodies around Australia have proven to be brutal in enforcing the new rules.

In November, GRV disqualified John Barbara for an Androstane positive for 9 months (with 6 months of this penalty suspended for 12 months pending no further breaches of GAR83 occurred during the 12 month period) with other trainers disqualified recently also including , Kevin Wright, Gregory Couldridge and Tony Vass.

While mostly they were all only disqualified for a few months, it would have a serious effect on racing in WA if the state's leading lady was sent out.

It is interesting to note that in September, Racing Queensland issued a $2,500 fine to trainer Jan Warner for an Androstane positive rather than a disqualification.

Only time will tell if Britton will escape with just a fine like Warner or whether she will face time on the sidelines.

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Brett El Oso Hastie
Brett El Oso Hastie
9 years ago

If the others went so must L Britton precedents are set mate.

Dale Hogan
Dale Hogan
9 years ago

They may be set but my money is on they’ll be ignored n a fine issued… No common sense has been used to date can’t see it happening now…

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

Ms Britton has been found guilty by the stewards of WA and should pay the price if confirmed at the end of the hearing. My understanding is that the Androstane has to be injected so one should know how much is being administered? One has to ask did Ms Britton administer it herself or did a member of her staff? it was done on two consecutive weeks for major races. Zelemar Fever was a very successful dog and now that will come into question if she has any pups. I do not agree that she should receive a lesser sentence just because… Read more »

Davey Sadler
Davey Sadler
9 years ago

Tony Vass got 5 years, why was he treated so harshly?

Bradley Keel
Bradley Keel
9 years ago

9 months and a fine for the last trainer who had 1 positive in wa
They are hardest state in Australia by along way when it comes to issuing penalties
They don’t care who u are they treat all people same for offences there

Greyhound Racing
Greyhound Racing
9 years ago

Vass has history with GRV plus a previous positive.

JennyAnthony
JennyAnthony
9 years ago

Of all the thousands of swabs taken each year how may trainers have failed to adjust to the new thresholds, should there be different rules for different trainers. By your argument that a leading trainer in WA shouldnt be punished to the same extent as a lesser known trainer is the same as saying Bates should have been able to play outside the rules too. That would stop any honest trainer who cares about the welfare of their greyhounds not to be able to achieve the same income/accolades as the big trainer because they wouldn’t be running on an even playing field.… Read more »

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

So how long does it take?
The races were in August, results came back in October, that’s 2 months later and its now the end of December and still not concluded. So what’s happening then RWWA?
Rumour is that they are discussing a $50,000 fine instead of a ban as they let Kody Charles off with a $10,000 fine instead of a ban as his family are connected with harness racing and the others where fined.
Some answers need to forthcoming RWWA.

Brett El Oso Hastie
Brett El Oso Hastie
9 years ago

If the others went so must L Britton precedents are set mate.

Dale Hogan
Dale Hogan
9 years ago

They may be set but my money is on they’ll be ignored n a fine issued… No common sense has been used to date can’t see it happening now…

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

Ms Britton has been found guilty by the stewards of WA and shouldpay the price if confirmed at the end of the hearing. My understanding is that the Androstane has to be injected soone should know how much is being administered? One has to ask did Ms Brittonadminister it herself or did a member of her staff? it was done on twoconsecutive weeks for major races. Zelemar Fever was a very successful dogand now that will come into question if she has any pups. I do not agree that she should receive a lesser sentence justbecause she is the states leading trainer… Read more »

Davey Sadler
Davey Sadler
9 years ago

Tony Vass got 5 years, why was he treated so harshly?

Bradley Keel
Bradley Keel
9 years ago

9 months and a fine for the last trainer who had 1 positive in wa They are hardest state in Australia by along way when it comes to issuing penalties They don’t care who u are they treat all people same for offences there

Greyhound Racing
Greyhound Racing
9 years ago

Vass has history with GRV plus a previous positive.

JennyAnthony
JennyAnthony
9 years ago

Of all the thousands of swabs taken each year how may trainers have failed to adjust to the new thresholds, should there be different rules for different trainers. By your argument that a leading trainer in WA shouldnt be punished to the same extent as a lesser known trainer is the same as saying Bates should have been able to play outside the rules too. That would stop any honest trainer who cares about the welfare of their greyhounds not to be able to achieve the same income/accolades as the big trainer because they wouldn’t be running on an even playing field.… Read more »

Recluse 60
Recluse 60
9 years ago

So how long does it take?

The races were in August, results came back in October, that’s 2 months later and its now the end of December and still not concluded. So what’s happening then RWWA?

Rumour is that they are discussing a ,000 fine instead of a ban as they let Kody Charles off with a ,000 fine instead of a ban as his family are connected with harness racing and the others where fined.

Some answers needed RWWA.