Disqualified Linda Britton takes out WA’s leading trainer award
LEADING greyhound identities in Western Australia have defended the decision to crown disqualified Linda Britton the state's no.1 trainer.
Britton, who was not allowed to attend the function on Sunday night, continued her stranglehold on the mantle as WA's leading trainer despite being disqualified for 18 months by Racing and Wagering Western Australia on January 18.
Britton was sidelined from the training ranks after her star greyhound Zelemar Fever was found to have a prohibited substance in urine samples taken after she won the WA Sprint Championship and then placed third in the Group 1 National Sprint Championship last August.
While Zelemar Fever was disqualified from both events, Britton still managed to train 299 winners from 1,285 starters throughout 2014, a feat which saw her claim the title of leading trainer.
RWWA's Manager of Greyhound Racing, Mark Bottcher, told Australian Racing Greyhound that they never questioned Britton's eligibility for the award despite the fact that she is now a disqualified person.
“No, not really especially given that the award was for the 2014 calendar year based on the number of winners she trained across the three tracks, obviously Linda was not disqualified until this year,” Bottcher said.
“We didn't feel it was appropriate to take that award off her because it was something she has achieved by training all throughout that year while she was a licensed person.
“As far as that award is concerned we don't really have any criteria in there that we wouldn't award it to someone that became disqualified at some point.”
Britton has won the Leading Trainer Award every year since it's inception – she also won the Cannington Trainers' title for a record 16th time in 2014 while she took out the Mandurah Trainers' title for the seventh time.
Britton was unable to accept the award on the night that saw her two of her former chasers, Zelemar Fever and Star Recall, fight it out to be named greyhound of the year, with the latter ultimately victorious.
“Because she is disqualified and it was a RWWA official function she couldn't be there, so she couldn't accept that award or the accolades of having two greyhound of the year contenders including the greyhound of the year winner,” Bottcher said.
“I was at the evening and the response was quite good, there was a reasonable amount of cheering in the audience when her name was mentioned. Obviously she had some kennel staff and people connected to her which were there, there wasn't much negativity.”
Australian Racing Greyhound attempted to contact some of WA's other leading trainers to get their thoughts on Britton taking out the award. While several declined to comment, John Iwanyk said the legendary Britton deserved to be named WA's leading trainer despite the ban.
“I think she won it fair and square, I don't think it should be taken off her,” Iwanyk said. “She had two positive swabs but that doesn't paint the picture of her full year, her dogs would have been swabbed hundreds of time. I am fully behind her, I think she deserved to win it.”
RWWA Chief Steward Carlos Martins told Australian Racing Greyhound on Tuesday that Britton has lodged an appeal against her disqualification with a date for the hearing yet to be decided.
Until then, she will remain unable to train greyhounds with all prohibitions placed upon her applicable.
Britton failed to return Australian Racing Greyhound's calls, but previously said she does not want to comment on her disqualification until all avenues of appeal had been exhausted.
When contacted just after her disqualification was announced, Britton mentioned she was thankful for the support shown by her family and friends during this arduous period.
While I won’t say anything bad about Linda she’s wonderful lady caught by a really lacking in common sense situation I do think that if the race board is going to hand out a disqualification to that should make her or anyone mind you not just Linda ineligible for awards that’s just my opinion we all have them. It’s just a bad look for a disqualified person to receive awards boards a constantly talking about the industries image and brand etc well this makes the brand look quite unprofessional no other sport or code would allow this I mean you… Read more »
Actually in higher doses the Hormone can have performance enhancing affects maybe you should get a clue that’s why they have dosage standards it’s just that the standards set are very inaccurate is were trainers get caught out as Linda has and ppl not misusing appear to have according to the set standards…
Andrew pull ya head in ya jealous moron!!!
Great comment Mick
Mick Campo comment is spot on. This post should not of even got off the ground. This site should be used for the good of the industry not singling people out to have the opportunity to put harsh comments on social media. It shouldnt have been posted. WA stewards have made their decision this post isnt going to change it. Give this wonderful lady a break and leave her the hell alone!
If a jockey gets disqualified And they are ahead in the premiership they still win the premiership if they are ahead at the end of the season . So the winner is l Britton . So to the small minded muckrakers who try to make this an issue , spit the sour grapes out of your big mouth. And shut it .and yes linda is a great trainer and those who know how hard linda, Chris and her staff work know that training winners is not luck or drugs its hard work and dedication to an animal they love
Linda and her team earned the award regardless
Fuck you Nathan! Take your tiny dick else where your bullshit comments don’t belong here!
thats crap shouldnt happen may have been one incedent but that may be the only one she was caught for out of how many
I think the registered participants of greyhound racing should tread very carefully here. Don’t let the trolls suck you into saying things that may get you whacked by your racing board.
Mark Moroney Different standards!!!!!
Classic. this industry is as straight as a dogs hind leg.
Highly intellectual argument there..
Worked hard at trying to cheat..
Nice to see you’re all for promoting dog racing as family friendly Chris lol
Banned in NZ, causes a lot of downstream grief for bitches physically. Not needed, used by only the greedy who wont spell their bitches so they can have a heat cycle. Lame argument.
Only greedy trainers who wont give their dogs a rest use these to suppress heat cycles.
lol thanks for the giggle
Raising the intelligence stakes of racing enthusiasts are we?
Yea heaven forbid the public see the lack of core integrity on dog racing.
Well said John, I totally agree with you.
Actually your slightly wrong there if a jockey is “suspended” ie for bad riding or over used the whip etc he can still win BUT if a jockey is “disqualified” ie warned off for any period of time he loses all rights to it… It’s all a stupid grey area exactly like wot Linda is caught in there is no consistency and an innocent mistake causes this…
Congrats linda u deserve it and tge whole team behind the seens
Whether you agree or disagree just let linda get on with her life and stop talking about it
No what joke a drug cheat
Does trainer of the year simply go to the least shady trainer or the one who comes up with the most brazen lies to explain the shadiness?
how can you say she deserves it when she has been suspended for drugging her dogs FFS
Omg if she deserves it then let her have it. Stop ruining what we the punters enjoy the sport of it all. I’m sure other shit goes on that is not caught out. It sounds as if people are jelous or envious of this lady.
I agree with you Linda
Reading through some these comments its very disappointing to see the unnecessary use of appalling language. There are thousands of words in the English language to express your feelings and I suggest you use your intelligence (if you have some) and use them. Try using the English Oxford Dictionary or a Thesaurus to find alternative words.
Congrats Linda you deserve it , pleasure to of met u lovely lady
Aren’t hormone drugs to control females seasons banned by the racing industry?? So perhaps this is one reason why the trainer Linda Brittain has been disqualified or banned from training.
Why are these drugs used anyway? Sterilising dogs can still run fast!!
Indeed a wonderful industry that destroys thousands of healthy dogs each year because they are beyond their usefulness, I you must be so proud of how wasteful this wonderful industry is with living defenceless animals.
Excactly, very professional criminals.
if linda deserves her award why not lance armstrong or even ben johnstone. seems to me the greyhound industry all know what is really going on. you have all dug your own grave.