Premier dog trainer Graeme Bate cops two-year dope disqualification

By Yourwellness Last updated Jul 8, 2014 8

THE most successful trainer in Victorian greyhound racing history, Graeme Bate, has been disqualified for two years after being found guilty of five charges, including administering a prohibited substance to dogs trained by his son-in-law.

But Greyhound Racing Victoria stewards will appeal against what they say is a manifestly inadequate suspension for the trainer who has a track named after him at Geelong’s Beckley Park.

Officials will review Bate’s Hall of Fame honour and also his naming honour attached to the $8.3 million Beckley Park complex.

Bate also received a six-month suspension last year when one of his dogs, Gunda Bale, returned a positive swab to an elevated level of testosterone in a pre-race urine swab at Geelong.

The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board was told that on or between August 2012 and July 2013, Bate obtained 6000, 20mg hysone tablets on behalf of another trainer, son-in-law Peter Hunt, without his knowledge or permission and administered hydrocortisone, in the form of the tablets, to Hunt’s dogs.

The board, which also fined Bate $1000, was told that on or between May 2012 and April 2013, he procured up to 7200 hysone 20mg tablets, which have perceived performance-enhancing benefits of reducing inflammation and fatigue and increasing resistance to pain.

Stewards launched an inquiry after his dog, Luxurious, returned a positive pre-race urine sample at Sale greyhounds in August last year. The dog won the race, but was later disqualified.

Bate also pleaded guilty to procuring tablets for the purpose of administering them to greyhounds and making a false and misleading statement.

Stewards have exercised their the right to appeal against the RADB’s decision to the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, but a date has not been set for the hearing.

GRV racing integrity and welfare manager Glen Canty said the RADB’s decision on two of the sanctions — a 12-month ban for deliberate administration of a prohibited substance and six months for administering or causing to be administered the substance to Hunt’s dogs — did not send a strong enough message about the seriousness of the rule breaches.

“The decision to disqualify Mr Bate for a period of two years was too lenient in our opinion,” Canty said.

When the inner track at Geelong was named after Bate, he was described as having unrivalled success as a trainer for more than 40 years.