At yesterday’s Disciplinary Committee Hearings the following professional trainers were sanctioned after dogs in their care tested positive for 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP).
Michael Barber was found to be in breach of GBGB Rules of Racing 152 (i) &; (ii), 174 i (a), 214, 216 and 217 in respect of a sample taken from the greyhound Sid The Squid on 9 February 2013 at Belle Vue Stadium.
Mr Barber was severely reprimanded and fined £1,000.
Joy Andrews was found to be in breach of GBGB Rules of Racing 152 (i) &; (ii), 174 i (a), 214, 216 and 217 in respect of a sample taken from the greyhound Bowtime Roz on 13 January 2013 at Belle Vue Stadium.
Miss Andrews was severely reprimanded and fined £1,500.
James Thompson was found to be in breach of GBGB Rules of Racing 152 (i) &; (ii), 174 i (a), 214, 216 and 217 in respect of a sample taken from the greyhound Aero Apollo on 2 February 2013 at Belle Vue Stadium.
Mr Thompson was disqualified for three months and fined £2,000.
Belle Vue: forced to make several changes to Bags card
Thompson’s 5-HTP ban hits Belle Vue strength
By Jonathan Kay of the Racing Post
BELLE VUE was forced to make a number of changes to its Bags card for Wednesday afternoon following the decision by the GBGB disciplinary committee late on Tuesday to disqualify trainer Brian Thompson for three months with immediate effect.
One of three handlers from the Manchester track to appear before the committee in the ongoing fallout from the use of 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), Thompson was also fined £2,000 while colleagues Michael Barber (£1,000) and Joy Andrews (£1,500) were severely reprimanded in addition to being fined.
The cases all dated back to 2013 after which the GBGB commission research into 5-HTP, a popular human dietary supplement, which indicated it can produce neurological effects in animals including tremors, co-ordination and balance disorders as well as toxicosis. Acting a ‘calmer' on humans, it could be considered to have an adverse effect on greyhound performance.
Big, big disappointment for Brian and his owners. Not too sure how the absence of his dogs will impact on the track. Tend to agree with Hines but relieved that, for whatever reason, Joy wasn't suspended.
I take it this substance is a stopper, if so looking at the Areo dog, comes to bv from sittingbourne in January 2013, first trial at bv on 26/01/2013 does 29.31 on -60 going, then trials on the 2/2/2013 when it gets tested and does 28.62 on _10 going dont add up....