Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) Stewards have lodged an appeal of two of the sanctions delivered by the independent Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board (RADB) in the case of Mr Graeme Bate, which they believe to be manifestly inadequate given the nature of the breaches.

Mr Graeme Bate pleaded guilty to five serious offences under the Greyhounds Australasia Rules (GAR) before the RADB on Tuesday 10 June 2014. The charges to which Mr Bate pleaded guilty include; administering a prohibited substance to a greyhound under his care, administering a prohibited substance to greyhounds trained by another person, procuring tablets for the purpose of administering to greyhounds and making a false and misleading statement.

Across the five charges, the RADB imposed penalties totalling 24 months disqualification and $1000 in fines.
Stewards have the right to appeal the RADB’s decision to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) under the Racing Act (1958).

Glen Canty, General Manager – Integrity, Racing and Welfare at GRV, commented that the decision of the RADB in regard to two of the sanctions does not send a strong enough message about the seriousness of the rule breaches.

“The decision to disqualify Mr Bate for a period of two years was too lenient in our opinion and after internal discussions, GRV Stewards have decided to lodge an appeal,” Mr Canty said.

GRV will make no further comment about this matter until it is heard at VCAT.