Greyhound stewards’ inquiry – trainer Lexia Isaac – Daughter of Fun
Racing WA stewards conducted an inquiry on Monday, 11 December 2023, into reports from the ChemCentre in Perth and the Racing Analytical Services Laboratory (RASL) (Vic) that meloxicam was detected in the sample taken from Daughter of Fun, trained by Lexia Isaac, following it competing in and winning Race 6 at Cannington on 23 August 2023.
After hearing evidence from managing owner Mr M Pollard, ChemCentre representative Dr N Beckett, Racing WA Head of Veterinary Services Dr J Medd and Racing WA Senior Steward Mr S Jones, Ms Isaac pleaded guilty to the following charges:
Under Greyhound Rule of Racing 141(1)(a) with the particulars being:
Lexia Isaac, as the trainer, presented Daughter of Fun, that was nominated for and did compete in Race 6 at Cannington on 23 August 2023, not free of the prohibited substance meloxicam.
Under Greyhound Rule of Racing 151(1) with the particulars being:
Lexia Isaac, as the trainer and person in charge of the greyhound Daughter of Fun, did fail to comply with the provisions of rule 151(1) in that she did not record the details of the treatment of meloxicam administered by her to that greyhound during the period of injury prior to 23 August 2023.
In relation to the first charge under rule 141(1)(a) Ms Isaac was fined the sum of $6000.
In relation to the second charge under rule 151(1) Ms Isaac was fined the sum of $500.
Further, acting under rule 141(4) stewards also determined to disqualify Daughter of Fun from the race in question with the commensurate implications to placings, with return and re-issue of stake money to apply.
When determining penalty stewards considered, among other things:
- Ms Isaac’s pleas of guilty, personal circumstances and her record over 30 years as a licensed trainer that included one previous matter involving breaches of prohibited substance rules that occurred in South Australia in 2015 in relation to cobalt.
- The nature and level of the prohibited substance detected, namely that meloxicam is an anti-inflammatory substance that is considered to be a therapeutic agent.
- 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.