GBGB drug policy review overdue?
“We are trying to manage society’s problems and are currently looking at how we handle inquiries that involve recreational drugs.”
The rumours of a second high profile drugs positive shocked the greyhound world over the weekend and was followed by the confirmation on Monday that Richard Rees’ Churchfield Syd had tested positive for a banned substance, believed to be cocaine, in the Ladbrokes Winter Derby Final. It follows swiftly after the delayed announcement that Carol Weatherall’s No Rush had tested positive – allegedly for the same drug – last October – writes Star editor Floyd Amphlett.
Both trainers face stewards inquiries though under rule 173 (ii) both hounds have immediately forfeited the race, notwithstanding the results of any inquiry.
Amid all the discussion, it was rumoured that GBGB are reviewing their stance on recreational drugs due to ‘an explosion of positives’. While the first part of the claim is accurate, the second is not.
GBGB Senior Steward Duncan Gibson said: “There has been an increase but we need to keep some perspective on it. I believe that the positives for cocaine is just into double figures which is a tiny percentage set against the roughly 8,500 tests per year. That said, it is more than we have traditionally seen, which was probably one every six months or so.
“In my view, and based on the sample analysis, this appears to be much more about a more widespread use in society than improper use in racing and this has presented a problem for us that we are now duty bound to consider.”
Anyone with even a basic understanding of pharmacology understands the difference between the effect of a drug and the ability to detect it long after that efficacy has waned.
The No Rush and Churchfield Syd positives are believed to relate to the detection of metabolites of cocaine – as broken down in the body – not the pure drug. That in itself brings in another issue. Cocaine is a fast acting drug with an extremely short ‘half life’ – the speed in which it loses eficacy. The metabolites are only produced when it is broken down.
Basically, to have any effect, cocaine would need to be injested in a small number of hours before a race. Not days before leading to the creation (and detection) of metabolites.
In recent years GBGB, working with other racing codes, notably the Australians, has developed ever more sophisticated guidance as to screening limits and detection times.
This resulted in the Board introducing ‘thresholds’, below which a positive test would not result in an inquiry. However, as Gibson is quick to point out, “we cannot allow a threshold limit for a Class A drug.”
True – but what about a ‘contamination level’? A test in which the amount of substance detected might be considered (by the judicial system’s trusted arbiter, ‘the average man’) as being most likely attributable to accidental contamination.
Gibson said: “The idea of some acknowledgement of environmental contamination would appear to have some merit and that is something that we will need to consider. We will also be examining how the other racing codes tackle this issue.
“But you have to consider that we cannot just pull a figure out of the air and deem it to be below the limit. Sooner or later, somebody will challenge that limit in court and we would have to justify, scientifically, the basis behind it.”
The smart money is that both the No Rush and Churchfield Syd positives are at the very low end of the scale – and would quite probably fall into the ‘no further action’ or minimal order category.
GBGB would be aware of the legal implications of taking away a person’s livelihood on insufficient or unsafe evidence.
In which case, should rule 173 (ii), mandatory disqualification, also be scrapped?
Gibson said: “We are too early into the process to be looking that far ahead. You have to remember why that rule was created. There was a feeling that if a trainer was running in a final worth £10,000 and only likely to face a fine of £750, he might take a chance and use a banned substance.
“That can never be in the industry’s best interests. But whether that would need to be reconsidered based on a very low level positive is something that would have to be considered.”
Certainly, the industry has spoken loudly through social media with an overwhelming sense of sadness, disappointment and frustration for both Richard Rees and Carol Weatherall.
Churchfield Syd’s joint owner Steve Evans said: “We are firmly behind our trainer and he’s staff and we will fight this in a legal route and we will leave our stone unturned to prove their innocence and the dog in this matter, as something is badly wrong.”
Bok will launch
The 2024 Coral Springbok first round has been cancelled but the event will go ahead as a two round competition.
Hove Racing Manager Rob Abrey said: “We had three heats last year and I thought we might have some momentum so decided to make it a 24 runner event. In fact, the opposite has happened and we probably only have 12/13 likely entries. So the likelihood is that it will be two heats and a final.
“I was determined to give the hurdlers a chance but it really has been a struggle. In some ways, I think the big sweeping Hove bends haven’t helped; we seem to get more than our share of messing around. We have probably disqualified five or six dogs between last year’s race and this with a few more marked awkward.
“I admit to being a bit disappointed at how things have gone and it doesn’t bode well for the Grand National.”
Amazing Gracie
Signet Goofy – the 9/4 favourite for the £12,500 for the BGBF British Breeders Stakes at Nottingham (9/1 bar one) was eliminated in the first round.
The star of the round was the Jimmy Fenwick trained, Tony Brealey owned Coppice Gracie. The bitch whose career commenced in Newcastle A7 completed a four-timer and was six lengths faster than anything else on the night with a 29.74 run for the 500m.
Phil Milner’s Keefill Peppa, arguably the third string of an exceptional litter was next quickest in 30.22 with Goofy failing to qualify by a short hed.
Kevin Ferguson has all six members of the same litter in the semis with Acomb Alfie the sole winner in 30.27. That time was also recorded by converted stayer Westwell Diego who landed the odds at 16/1 in the opener.
Opens
Friday: Romford
