Greyhound stewards’ inquiry – Trainer Natalee Marshall (Matilda Keeping)
Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) stewards have concluded an inquiry into reports from the ChemCentre (Perth) and the Racing Science Centre (Qld) that gabapentin was detected in a sample taken from Matilda Keeping, trained by Natalee Marshall, following it competing in and winning Race 5 at Northam on 28 August 2023.
After hearing evidence from ChemCentre representative Dr Beckett and RWWA Regulatory Veterinarian Dr McMullen, Ms Marshall pleaded guilty to a charge issued under Greyhound Rule of Racing 141 (1) (a).
The particulars:
“Natalee Marshall, as the trainer, presented Matilda Keeping, that was nominated for and competed in Race 5 at Northam on 28 August 2023, not free of the prohibited substance gabapentin.”
After hearing submissions on penalty, stewards determined the appropriate penalty to be a fine of $5000.
Further, acting under rule 141 (4), stewards determined to disqualify Matilda Keeping 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 Marshall’s plea of guilty, personal circumstances and that this was her first offence.
- That Ms Marshall had only been licensed for approximately 18 months as a T2 trainer.
- The nature and properties of the prohibited substance detected, namely that gabapentin is a therapeutic agent prescribed to dogs.
- That the most plausible explanation for the detection was that the medication, which had been properly prescribed by a veterinarian for another greyhound in her care, was inadvertently fed to Matilda Keeping due to a lack of proper controls when preparing, then distributing, multiple meals simultaneously.
- 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 involving substances of a therapeutic nature.