Greyhound – Stewards Inquiry – Mr Terrance Bolton
10 June, 2016
Greyhound
On Wednesday 8 June 2016, RWWA Stewards inquired into a report received from Chief Steward Mr Carlos Martins following an extensive investigation concerning a greyhound training facility that had been located and placed under surveillance by Stewards.
A starting box initially located at this previously unknown training facility was later discovered at an alternative known training property which upon investigation led Stewards to Mr Bolton.
Owner/trainer Mr. Terrance Bolton was directed to attend the inquiry in relation to his alleged connection to the facility that was situated off Goulden Road in Busselton and the allegation that he misled the Stewards in responding to questions relating to it during the investigation.
Mr Bolton pleaded guilty to the following charges;
Charge 1 – Greyhound Rule of Racing 86 (d) with the specifics of the charge relating to Mr Bolton, being a registered trainer with RWWA, did make a misleading statement in relation to an investigation being conducted by the Stewards by stating that the starting box as found by the Stewards at a known training facility was from a number of locations that did not include the fact they were previously located at his training facility situated off Goulden Road, Busselton.
Charge 2 – Greyhound Rule of Racing 86 (o) with the specifics of the charge relating to Mr Bolton’s failure to disclose to Stewards the establishment of the training facility he constructed that was situated off Goulden Road which in the opinion of the Stewards was improper.
Mr Bolton was today disqualified for a period of eighteen months in relation to Charge 1, and twelve months in relation to charge 2.
Stewards further directed that six months of the disqualification in relation to charge 2 is to be served concurrently thereby making the total period of disqualification to be served, 2 – years.
In determining penalty Stewards took into account:
- Mr Bolton’s limited involvement in greyhound racing having only been licensed since 2009 and having authority only to train one greyhound.
- That the location of the training facility, whilst undisclosed to the Stewards, was in a public area that was readily accessible from an unsealed road at which there was evidence of other persons attending the area for purposes not associated with greyhound racing (e.g. woodcutting). The facility was not fenced off and was clearly visible from some distance.
- That during the period of surveillance of the property, there had been no evidence of it being used for greyhound training purposes.
- The seriousness of both matters and the importance of such facilities being fully disclosed to Stewards both at the time of construction and thereafter.
- That a clear message needed to be sent that there was no tolerance for misleading the Stewards in such matters or failures to disclose, in advance, the existence of dedicated training facilities to the Stewards
Media Contact:
Denis Borovica
General Manager Racing Integrity
Ph: 9445 5427
denis.borovica@rwwa.com.au