Greyhound Stewards Inquiry Trainer Mr Derek Coldstream
RWWA Stewards have now completed the Stewards inquiry into the reports received from the ChemCentre in Perth, that cobalt at a concentration in excess of 100 nanograms per millilitre, being the threshold prescribed in the Greyhound Rules of Racing, has been detected in post-race urine samples taken from
• FREDDY BE COOL (Race 1 Cannington 11 April 2018)
• EMMA BE COOL (Race 1 Mandurah 3 May 2018)
• KAOS BE COOL (Race 1 Cannington 9 May 2018)
The inquiry, which commenced on 25 June 2018 was conducted over several sittings including 27 June, 11 September, 12 November and 27 November as additional evidence was obtained from the Chem Centre at the request of trainer Mr. D Coldstream and Managing Owner Mr A. Ranford in addition to submissions put forward by them.
Trainer Mr D. Coldstream had been suspended pending outcome of this inquiry as from 31 May 2018.
Stewards found Mr Coldstream guilty to three charges issued under Rule 83 (2)(a) relating to presenting to race the greyhounds in question not free of the prohibited substance cobalt.
Stewards have now completed deliberations with respect to penalty and have determined the appropriate penalty to be:
1. A disqualification of 9-months for each charge.
2. That 5-months of the second and third 9 month disqualification is to be served concurrently with the first disqualification period, with 4-months of each offence to be served cumulatively thereby making the total period of disqualification to be 17 months.
3. That the commencement date for the total period of 17-months disqualification be backdated to commence as of 1 June 2018 to take into account that period of time that Mr Coldstream had been suspended so that the total period of disqualification expires on 1 November 2019.
Further, acting under Greyhound Rule of Racing 83 (4) the Stewards have determined to disqualify FREDDY BE COOL, EMMA BE COOL and KAOS BE COOL from the races in question with the placings to be amended accordingly with the commensurate implications to all stake money and payments (including breeder’s bonus’s) to apply.
In determining the penalty Stewards took into account:
• Mr Coldstream’s long and unblemished record within the industry in relation to prohibited substance matters.
• The nature of the substance and the seriousness of greyhounds being presented for, and competing in races with a level of cobalt above the prescribed threshold of 100ng/mL.
• The negative perceptions that arise when offences of this nature occur which tarnishes the image of racing being a level playing field.
• The reported levels of 310ng/mL, 120ng/mL and 260ng/mL reported by the Chem Centre.
• The treatment regime adopted by Mr Coldstream with respect to the excessive and consistent administration of multiple products that impact cobalt levels that was contrary to the issued warning notices with respect to the use of such products, including VAM.
• Penalties issued in WA and other jurisdictions in relation to this prohibited substance.
• The need for deterrence both general and specific.