Greyhound stewards’ inquiry – Trainer S Withers
Racing and Wagering Western Australia stewards have concluded the inquiry into the report received from the Chem Centre in Perth that arsenic in excess of the threshold of 800ng/mL was detected in the sample taken from Tommy’s Ghost, trained by Steve Withers, following it competing in and finishing first in Qualifying Trial Two at Cannington on 31 May 2023.
After hearing evidence from Mr Withers, Chem Centre Analyst Dr B Doramkumbura, RWWA Head of Veterinary Services Dr J Medd and RWWA Senior Investigative Steward Mr P Criddle, Mr Withers pleaded guilty to the following charge:
RWWA Greyhound Rule of Racing 141 (1) (a)
Particulars:
“That you Mr Steven Withers as the trainer, presented Tommy’s Ghost to compete in the event of Qualifying Trial Two at Cannington on 31 May 2023, where it raced and finished first, not free of the prohibited substance arsenic as evidenced by a concentration in excess of 800ng/mL.”
Regarding the penalty, stewards considered, among other things:
- Mr Withers’ acknowledgement of the offence as evidenced by his guilty plea and that this was his first offence in relation to prohibited substances.
- That the offence did not relate to a race which involves wagering and stake money and thus the seriousness of the offence was reduced.
- That on the evidence presented before the stewards, including the reported level, it was accepted that the source of the arsenic was attributable to the greyhound having access to and chewing chromated copper arsenate (CCA) treated timbers.
- That although there had been cases in other states relating to arsenic detections reportedly arising because of greyhounds ingesting CCA treated timbers, this was the first case of this kind in Western Australia in greyhounds, thus the same levels of awareness or warning did not exist.
- Previous penalties imposed in Western Australia within the equine codes relating to horses exceeding the arsenic threshold in races due to ingestion of CCA treated timbers, where it was a first offence, generally attracted fines of $2000.
- The need for suitable deterrence and warning to the industry to take pre-emptive measures to ensure compliance with the rules given the potential for such exposures to CCA treated timbers which result in breaches of the rules.
Considering all matters the stewards determined the appropriate penalty for this offence was a fine of $2000 with $1000 to be suspended for a period of 12 months on the condition that no further offences of the prohibited substance rules occur.
Although a disqualification of Tommy’s Ghost from the trial in question had no effect given it had since successfully completed another qualifying trial, in line with the mandatory provisions of Rule 141 (4) and as a matter of record, it was disqualified.
Warning to all trainers
It is not a defence to a charge under Rule 141 that the source of any prohibited substance was environmental. The risks to potentially breaching the prohibited substance rules through exposure to arsenic caused by ingestion of CCA treated timbers is known.
Trainers are therefore warned that they must take suitable steps to ensure they prevent access of greyhounds in their care to CCA treated timber products or any other product that may present a similar risk of an elevated arsenic level.
While any future case would be determined on its own specific merits, in view of the warning now issued, failure to adequately respond or take suitable steps to address greyhounds chewing CCA treated timbers, which results in breaches of the rules, may result in higher penalties, including suspensions or disqualifications, being issued.