Stewards Activity

Swabbing Numbers

• Swabs taken 2021 – 2022 financial year (01/07/2021 – 30/06/2022) = 10666
• Swabs taken 2022 – 2023 financial year = 9585

Prosecutions Overview

Victorian Racing Tribunal

Joseph Abela – VCAT Hearing 17 April 2023 – LRR42.9(a), LRR42.6 & GAR86(o), Mr Abela requested a stay of the penalty decision made at the VRT hearing on 30 March 2023, where a total suspension period of 15 months was imposed. VCAT refused the stay application.

Victorian Racing Tribunal

John Lindrea – VRT Hearing 4 April 2023 – GAR83(2), LR42.1, LR42.2, GAR106(1)(a), GAR106(1)(c), GAR86(q), GAR21(1)(c), GAR21(3), GAR105(4)(i) & LR42.6(i)(i), failed to present the greyhounds “Ebony Tara”, “Nitroglycerine” and “Mayhem’s Quest” free of the prohibited substance ‘Procaine’ for events at Warragul, Sale and Traralgon on 27 November 2021, 5 December 2021 and 17 January 2022 respectively. On 8 December 2021 and 6 July 2022, Mr Lindrea kept greyhounds in conditions likely to be dangerous and detrimental to their health and safety and failed to provide sufficient water and sanitary kennels. Between January and February 2022, Mr Lindrea failed to notify GRV of three (3) greyhounds leaving his custody and failed to keep rehoming records for the greyhounds. Mr Lindrea pleaded guilty to all charges except GAR 106(1)(a). Mr Lindrea was found guilty of all charges. The VRT imposed a total disqualification period of 21 months, in addition to a 15-month suspension, which was wholly suspended for 24 months. A total fine of $7250 fine was imposed, with $2250 suspended for 24 months). “Ebony Tara”, “Nitroglycerine” and “Mayhem’s Quest” were disqualified from the events.

Cassendra Jayakody – VRT Hearing 4 April 2023 – GAR86(p) & GAR86(f), In January 2021, Ms Jayakody failed to comply with two (2) lawful orders of the Stewards to remove greyhounds from her kennelling property in order to provide them adequate accommodation. On 13 May 2021, Ms Jayakody published an online review which was contemptuous, unseemly, improper and insulting towards the Controlling Body and an Investigative Steward. Ms Jayakody pleaded guilty to all charges. The VRT imposed a 3-month suspension, in addition to a total fine of $3250, with $750 suspended for 12 months.

Graeme Jose – VRT Hearing 14 April 2023 – GAR142(1), GAR141(1) & GAR151(1), failed to present the greyhounds “Lots of Chatter” and “Boom Lateral” free of the prohibited substance ‘Meloxicam’ for events at Bendigo and Sale on 15 May 2022 and 10 July 2022, respectively. Mr Jose also administered the prohibited substance ‘Meloxicam’ to “Lots of Chatter” and failed to record the administration in treatment records. Mr Jose pleaded guilty to all charges. The VRT imposed a 3-month suspension, wholly suspended for 18 months, in addition to a total fine of $4800, with $2000 suspended for 18 months. “Lots of Chatter” and “Boom Lateral” were disqualified from the events.

David Gehan – VRT Hearing 18 April 2023 – GAR86(o), engaged in a verbal and physical altercation with a registered participant on 12 November 2021. On 12 November 2021, Mr Gehan injected a greyhound with the expired substance “Feron 200 + B12” when not an approved person to administer injectable supplements under the conditions of the EHMP, which may have caused the death of the greyhound, constituting misconduct. Mr Gehan pleaded guilty. The VRT imposed a 3-month disqualification.

Gerry Orr – VRT Appeal 21 April 2023 – GAR124, the greyhound “Fernandes Mac” was charged with failing to pursue at Healesville on 16 April 2023. Mr Orr pleaded not guilty. The VRT upheld the appeal and dismissed the charge.

Gerry Orr – VRT Appeal 21 April 2023 – GAR124, the greyhound “Please Thanks” was charged with failing to pursue at Sandown on 16 April 2023. Mr Orr pleaded not guilty. The VRT dismissed the appeal.

Aroha Hemingway – VRT Appeal 28 April 2023 – GAR123, the greyhound “Vaila Bale” was charged with marring at Shepparton on 24 April 2023. Ms Hemingway pleaded not guilty. The VRT dismissed the appeal.

Stewards’ Hearing Reports

Donna Knight – Stewards Hearing 7 April 2023 – GAR165(a), On 22 February 2023, Ms Knight engaged in conduct that was detrimental and/or prejudicial to the interests and image of greyhound racing when using inappropriate language in response to a GRV Steward, after being directed to attend the Stewards Room at the Ballarat Greyhound Racing Club. Ms Knight pleaded not guilty. Stewards imposed a $500 fine, with $250 suspended for 24 months.

Peter Grice – Stewards Hearing 11 April 2023 – GAR29(1)(a), GAR29(1)(b) & GAR165(a), On 10 February 2023, Mr Grice failed to muzzle a greyhound in public, failed to have effect control of the greyhound in a public place and conducted himself in a manner which was detrimental to the interest of the greyhound industry. Mr Grice pleaded guilty to charge 1 and not guilty to charges 2 and 3. Mr Grice was found guilty of all charges and Stewards imposed a 1-month suspension, wholly suspended for 12 months, in addition to a $500 fine, with $250 suspended for 12 months.

Mark Delbridge – Stewards Hearing 26 April 2023 – GAR30, On 6 April 2023, Mr Delbridge used a prohibited barking muzzle on a greyhound. Mr Delbridge pleaded guilty. Stewards imposed a $1000 fine, with $500 suspended for 12 months.