What you may have missed: GRV release study results

IT is now possible to differentiate between naturally occurring testosterone in a male greyhound and testosterone which has been administered in order to improve performance, a study by Greyhound Racing Victoria shows.

A joint effort by the Faculty of Veterinary and Agriculture Sciences (FVAS) at the (UM) and Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) in 2013 was done on male greyhounds with samples of registered testosterone being administered in a controlled environment, with blood, urine and hair samples taken regularly during the testing process.

Through the study, a new analytical procedure was developed which has enabled the detection of testosterone compounds in greyhound hair for several months following administration, while it will also be able confirm the administration of testosterone to any greyhound, both dogs and bitches.

“The procedure allows the unequivocal determination that greyhounds have been dosed with testosterone and will provide significant benefit to the greyhound racing industry,” said Professor Ted Whittem, Associate Dean, Clinical Programs at FVAS, University of Melbourne.

The new study is hoped to strengthen GRV's crack down on the use of prohibited substances as the controlling body aims to take the sport's to the highest possible level.

GRV's General Manager Integrity, Racing and Welfare Glen Canty said the results of the study were a step in the right direction for .

“Animal welfare and integrity of racing is at the heart of every decision we make and this study was undertaken with those important values in mind,” Canty said.

“The results of this study mean our testing procedures are world class. It gives those that compete in, and wager on, greyhound racing tremendous confidence that GRV is extremely well placed to detect the administration of testosterone.”

Testing using the revolutionary analytical procedure is expected to commence later this year.

Fernando flawless again

FERNANDO Bale captured a fifth victory of his career on Saturday night when taking out the Maturity Classic at The Meadows.

Trained by Andrea Dailly, the son of Kelsos Fusilleer and Chloe Allen exploded from box two, setting new first and second sectional records of 4.89 and 17.37 respectively en route to his sublime 29.50 victory.

At just 28 months of age he now sits second on the all-time prize money earners list, with over $790,000 to his name.

The white and dark brindle speedster has won 25 races from just 31 starts and will target the heats of the Victorian Sprint Championship at Sandown Park on Thursday night.

He has drawn box three in the first of five heats against a classy field including Kayda Shae, Angie Rocks and his litter sister Elfen Bale.

Watch Fernando Bale's Maturity victory from box two below:

In the Stewards room

LEADING SA trainer and breeder has been disqualified following an investigation by Greyhound Racing SA (GRSA) Stewards into a number of prohibited substances found on her property during an inspection on Thursday March 26, 2015.

Bearpark was charged with four offences, including one breach of GAR 84(2) and three of GAR 79A(7).

Despite her not guilty plea, Bearpark was fined $1,500 for breaching GAR 84 (2); while she received a total of 42 months of suspensions for her three indiscretions of GAR 79A (7).

Bearpark will serve the penalties concurrently and they will backdated to March 26, 2015, meaning she will be eligible to return to training on March 26, 2017, exactly two years after her original suspension.

The decision has caused angst amongst many participants, given Bearpark's clean record for and her partner, leading veterinarian Dr. John Katakasi, also resides on the property.

Tasmania

TRAINER Paul Donaldson faced the Office of Racing Intergrity last week after a urine sample taken from his greyhound, Rebelation, was found to contain the prohibited substance Oxilofrine, a stimulant, after it raced at on April 27, 2015.

Donaldson was charged with a breach of GAR 83(2)(a) which relates to failing to present a greyhound free of prohibited substances.

After pleading guilty, Tasmania Stewards disqualified Donaldson's licence for four months, commencing immediately and expiring on November 23, 2015. 

Rebelation was also disqualified from the event in question, with the placings amended accordingly.

Run of the week

IT IS not often that a maiden greyhound claims run of the week – but then again it isn't very often that a maiden goes within a whisker of breaking a track record. 

However, on Friday night at Bulli, Brett May's excitement machine Hay Fergus did exactly that.

After a moderate beginning from box eight, the son of Brett Lee and Group 1 Futurity winner Daydream quickly circled the field, shooting clear to win by thirteen-and-one-quarter-lengths in a blistering 22.22 over the 400 metre trip – just two one hundredths off 's track record.

The black greyhound started at $1.30 following on from two impressive performance trials – 22.14 at Bulli and 24.98 at .

Hay Fergus is just one of many talented pups from Daydream, a prolific producer, which has thrown countless city and Group performers such as Dark Assassin, Kobi Jay, Fusaichi Kahn and My Boy Snoop.

Watch his debut performance below.

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