Greyhounds – Stewards Inquiry – Mr Peter Hepple and Dr Phillip Lawton
18 October, 2016
Greyhound
RWWA Stewards yesterday inquired into the discovery of the substance FERTAGYL (gonadotrophin releasing hormone) by RWWA Officials at the kennel property of Public Trainer Mr Peter Hepple on 15 September 2016, during an inspection conducted that day.
Evidence was taken from, RWWA Greyhound Deputy Chief Steward Mr Paul Searle, RWWA Veterinarian Dr Judith Medd, RWWA Stewards Compliance Officer Ms Freya Norman, Veterinarian Dr P Lawton, Owner Mrs Margaret Hepple and Public Trainer Mr Peter Hepple, assisted by Public Trainer Mr Max Julien.
After hearing evidence the following charges were issued against Mr Hepple to which he pleaded guilty.
- Charge 1 – GAR 79A(7) Out of competition testing, with the particulars of the charge relating to Mr Hepple being a registered person with RWWA, being found at the inspection of his kennel property conducted on 15 September 2016, to be in possession of the Permanently Banned Prohibited Substance Fertagyl which contains gonadotrophin releasing hormone, which could give rise to an offence if administered to a greyhound.
- Charge 2 – GAR 84A (4) (a) Treatment Records to be kept with the particulars of the charge being that Mr Hepple, being the licensed trainer, did administer the Permanently Banned Prohibited Substance Fertagyl, which contains gonadotrophin release hormone to the greyhound QUESTAR on multiple occasions those being 21/4/2016, 5/5/2016, 19/5/2016, 2/6/2016, 16/6/2016.
- Charge 3 – GAR 83 (1) Racing greyhound to be free of prohibited substances with the particulars of the charge being that Mr Hepple, being the licensed trainer, did administer the Permanently Banned Prohibited Substance Fertagyl that contains gonadotrophin releasing hormone to the greyhound DUNN AND DUNNER on the 2 October 2015 prior to it racing on 5 October 2015 for the purpose of affecting its performance in that event.
Dr Lawton pleaded guilty to the following charge;
- Charge under GAR 86 (o) Offences with the particulars being that on 20 April 2016, he being an approved on-track Veterinarian did prescribe the Permanently Banned Prohibited Substance Fertagyl to Public Trainer Mr Peter Hepple and in doing so had done a thing in relation to greyhound racing which in the opinion of the Stewards was improper.
After considering submissions in relation to penalty the Stewards reserved their decision in both cases.
Further, pursuant to Rule 92 (5), in view of the serious nature of the charges to which Mr Hepple had pleaded guilty to and in the interest of the integrity of greyhound racing and all of the circumstances, the Stewards directed that Mr Hepple’s Public Trainer’s licence with RWWA be suspended forthwith pending the outcome of this matter and the Stewards deliberations.
Media Contact:
Denis Borovica – General Manager Racing Integrity
Ph: 9445 5427
denis.borovica@rwwa.com.au