Greyhound stewards’ inquiry – trainer Anthony Scott (Piper Spolly)
RWWA stewards have concluded an inquiry into reports from the ChemCentre and the Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory (ARFL) advising that tolfenamic acid had been detected in the post-race urine sample taken from Piper Spolly after the greyhound competed in and won Race 1 at Northam on 3 April 2023.
At an inquiry conducted on Wednesday, 8 November 2023, Mr Scott pleaded guilty to a charge under Greyhound Rule of Racing 141 (1) (a) as follows;
That he, as the trainer, presented Piper Spolly, that was nominated for and did compete in Race 1 at Northam on 3 April 2023, not free of the prohibited substance tolfenamic acid.
During the inquiry, stewards heard evidence from T1 trainer Mr Anthony Scott, RWWA Regulatory Veterinarian Dr C McMullen, ChemCentre Analyst Dr N Beckett and RWWA Senior Investigator Mr A Walton.
The stewards took into consideration;
- That tolfenamic acid is an anti-inflammatory prescription veterinary medication registered for use in and commonly used in cattle.
- That there was no evidence of Mr Scott possessing or using this substance at any time.
- The evidence of Mr Scott’s pet meat supplier regarding how their meat is sourced and processed.
- Previous cases involving anti-inflammatory medications, including those that had findings where contamination of a feed source was a likely explanation for the appearance of a prohibited substance.
- Mr Scott’s clear record of presenting greyhounds free of prohibited substances over many years as a trainer in both Victoria and Western Australia.
- That despite a published RWWA notice warning of the potential risks associated with feeding raw meat that has not been declared fit for human consumption, Mr Scott had chosen to source meat that had not been officially declared fit for that purpose.
- The acknowledgement of the offence and that Mr Scott had been co-operative and respectful and behaved in a professional manner at all stages of the investigation and subsequent inquiry.
After considering all evidence presented, the stewards were satisfied that a likely source of tolfenamic acid was through the ingestion of contaminated raw meat.
Taking all matters into account, stewards determined to impose a fine of $4,000.
Acting under rule 141 (4), Piper Spolly has been disqualified as the winner of Race 1 at Northam on 3 April 2023 with the commensurate implications to placings and return and re-issue of stake money to apply.
Trainers are reminded that to mitigate the risk of residues of medications being present in raw meat, the safest raw meat to feed to racing greyhounds is meat that is sold as fit for human consumption.
Further advice on the feeding of raw meat and other foods to greyhounds is available in the Veterinary Notices section of the RWWA website here.