AU: Jim Psaila Disqualified For Six Months For Two Caffeine

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From www.australianracinggreyhound.com

Jim Psaila Disqualified For Six Months For Two Caffeine Positives

Written By Kevin Pitstock, Editor
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/author/admin> & Australian
Greyhound Racing Expert Contributor Tuesday 26th June 2012

Description: Jim Psaila Disqualified For Six Months For Two Caffeine
Positives

Greyhound Racing <http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/> Victoria
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.co ... ing/tasman
ian-greyhound-racing/damek-now-with-bobby-douglas-in-victoria/25385> have
just announced the results of an stewards
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/tag/stewards> investigation in to
two positives swabs that were finalised a week ago.

The stewards inquiry relates to two separate positive swabs
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.co ... tive-swabs> to caffeine
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/tag/caffeine> and its metabolites
found in two greyhound trained by Victorian greyhound training stalwart Jim
Psaila.

The first positive
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.co ... ing/victor
ian-greyhound-racing/great-chase-finalist-disqualified-due-to-posititive-swa
b/6353> swab was returned by Turkoglu when winning the Geelong 460m maiden
final on Friday 27th January 2012 by a massive margin at the lucrative odds
of $5.00.

The second positive swab was returned by Nurse Ally when running third as
$3.30 favourite in a Ballarat
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.co ... lds/victor
ian-fields/ballarat-fields/friday-7th-may-2010-5/21917> Tier 3 race 450m on
20th February <http://www.australianracinggreyhound.co ... /02/page/4>
2012.

Following advice from Racing Analytical Services Laboratory, the Stewards of
Greyhound Racing <http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/> Victoria
conducted an investigation into the results of a urine sample taken from the
greyhound Turkoglu at the Geelong Greyhound Racing
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/> Club meeting held on 27th
January, 2012.

During the investigation, Stewards heard evidence from registered Trainer -
Mr. James Psaila, and received written statements from Dr. John Vine (Racing
Analytical Services Laboratory) and Dr. Alistair Smith
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.co ... tair-smith> (Sandown
Veterinary Clinic).

After considering the evidence, Stewards charged Mr. Psaila with breach of
Greyhounds Australasia
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.co ... ustralasia> Rule
83(2) and (3) in that he did fail to present the greyhound Turkoglu free of
any prohibited substance for an event at the Geelong Greyhound Racing
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/> Club meeting on 27th January,
2012 given that the urine sample taken from the greyhound indicated the
presence of the prohibited substance Caffeine and its metabolites
Paraxanthine, Theobromine
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.co ... heobromine> and
Theophylline.

Under Rule 47.1 of the Greyhound Racing
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/> Victoria Local Rules this
constituted a Serious Offence. As a result, on Wednesday, 20th June, 2012,
this matter was heard before the Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board in the
first instance under Greyhound Racing
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/> Victoria Local Rule 47.3 and
Sections 83C(b) and 83M of the Racing Act.

Following advice from Racing Analytical Services Laboratory, the Stewards of
Greyhound Racing <http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/> Victoria
conducted an investigation into the results of a urine sample taken from the
greyhound Nurse Ally at the Ballarat Greyhound Racing
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/> Club meeting held on 20th
February, 2012.

During the investigation, Stewards heard evidence from registered Trainer -
Mr. James Psaila, and received written statements from Dr. John Vine (Racing
Analytical Services Laboratory) and Dr. Alistair Smith (Sandown Veterinary
Clinic).

After considering the evidence, Stewards charged Mr. Psaila with breach of
Greyhounds Australasia
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.co ... ing/group-
listed-greyhound-racing/greyhounds-australasia-recommend-cyber-dogs-by-2012/
17533> Rule 83(2) and (3) in that he did fail to present the greyhound
Nurse Ally free of any prohibited substance for an event at the Ballarat
Greyhound Racing <http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/> Club meeting
on 20th February, 2012 given that the urine sample taken from the greyhound
indicated the presence of the prohibited substance Caffeine and its
metabolites Paraxanthine, Theobromine and Theophylline.

Under Rule 47.1 of the Greyhound Racing
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/> Victoria Local Rules this
constituted a Serious Offence. As a result, on Wednesday, 20th June, 2012,
this matter was heard before the Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board in the
first instance under Greyhound Racing
<http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/> Victoria Local Rule 47.3 and
Sections 83C(b) and 83M of the Racing Act.

Ms. Harriet Shing represented Mr. Psaila who was also in attendance.

Mr. Glenn Fish <http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/tag/glenn-fish>
(GRV <http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/tag/grv> Chief Steward)
represented the Stewards Panel.

The parties agreed that both charges be dealt with as a single hearing. The
RADB agreed with this approach as the same prohibited substances occurred in
similar circumstances.
Mr Psaila pleaded guilty to both charges.

After hearing all the evidence tendered, the RADB found Mr. James Psaila
guilty as charged and imposed the following penalties:

* (a) A penalty of three months disqualification in relation to
offence 1, and
* (b) A penalty of six months disqualification in relation to offence
2, to be served concurrently with penalty (a).
Penalties in (a) and (b) above to be wholly suspended for two years
effective from today pending no further prohibited substance offences under
GAR83 during this two year period; and
* (c) A fine of two thousand dollars in respect of both offences.

Acting under GAR83(4), the RADB also disqualified Turkoglu from Race 3 at
the Geelong Greyhound Racing <http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/>
Club meeting held on 27th January, 2012 and amended the placings
accordingly.

Acting under GAR83(4), the RADB also disqualified Nurse Ally from Race 5 at
the Ballarat Greyhound Racing <http://www.australianracinggreyhound.com/>
Club meeting held on 20th February, 2012 and amended the placings
accordingly.