Greyhound stewards’ inquiry – Trainer Corey White (Dandalup Blazer)
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) stewards have concluded an inquiry into reports from the ChemCentre in Perth and the Racing Analytical Services Limited (Vic) that Meloxicam was detected in a sample taken from Dandalup Blazer, trained by Corey White, following it competing in and winning Race 4 at Cannington on 16 September 2023.
After hearing evidence from ChemCentre representative Ms Cook, RWWA Regulatory Veterinarian Dr Medd and Deputy Chief Steward Mr Jones, Mr White pleaded guilty to the following charges:
Under Greyhound Rule of Racing 141(1)(a) with the particulars being:
“Mr Corey White, as the trainer and a registered person with RWWA, nominated and presented Dandalup Blazer to compete in Race 4 at Cannington on 16 September 2023 not free of the prohibited substance Meloxicam.”
Under Greyhound Rule of Racing 151(1) with the particulars being:
“Mr Corey White as the trainer and person in charge of the greyhound Dandalup Blazer failed to comply with the provisions of rule 151(1) in that you did not record the details of the treatment of one tablet of Meloxicam administered by you to that greyhound at approximately 1AM on Sunday 10 September 2023.”
In relation to the first charge under rule 141(1)(a) Mr White was fined $4000.
In relation to the second charge under rule 151(1) Mr White was fined $500.
Further, acting under rule 141(4) and rule 141(5), stewards also determined to disqualify Dandalup Blazer from race 4 on 16 September 2023 (a heat of the WA Bred Championship) and the final on 23 September 2023, with the commensurate implications to placings and the return and re-issue of stake money to apply.
When determining penalty, stewards considered, among other things:
- Mr White’s plea of guilty to both charges, personal circumstances and that this was his first offence regarding a prohibited substance.
- The nature of the prohibited substance detected, namely Meloxicam which is an anti- inflammatory substance and a therapeutic agent.
- The low level of Meloxicam detected which indicated that it was at the tail end of treatment.
- The intent and purpose of the Rule, which was directed to ensuring a level playing field and maintaining the necessary confidence of those supporting or involved in the racing industry.
- Precedence in past cases.