Drug test outs top dog

By Stuart Teather
A urine sample from the Geoff Mitchell-trained dog tested positive for the drug Dexamethasone following the Outa There’s win in the Group Two Great Chase semi-final.
Dexamethasone is an anti-inflammatory and is also commonly used on dogs to treat allergic reactions and also to treat skin and eye problems.
As a result, officials announced the second-placed runner, Quick Drink, as the winner and she will take Outa There’s place in the final.
Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) chief executive officer John Stephens said stewards would hold an inquiry into the positive test in the next four to six weeks.
“All the evidence will be put before the stewards who will consider all the evidence and decide on whether a penalty will apply or not,” he said.
In the meantime, Outa There will be able to continue racing, but not in the Great Chase.
When contacted, Outa There’s trainer Mitchell refused to comment.
The disqualification threw up another problem for the GRV, as the dogs racing in the Great Chase were aligned with community groups, with the winners to receive cash donations from the GRV.
Peninsula Access and Support Training (PAST) picked up $1000 after Outa There won his semi-final, but was at risk of having the money taken back after the disqualification.
But the GRV came to the party and gave $1000 to both PAST and Quick Drink’s group, Interchange Central Gippsland.
As Quick Drink is in the final, Interchange Central Gippsland remains in the running for the overall prize of $5000 plus a 10 per cent share of the dog’s winnings over the next 12 months.
Around 140 community groups were assigned greyhounds competing in the Group Two Great Chase series.
In other news, the inquiry into El Galo’s positive drug test has not advanced any further, with Stephens saying testing on the dog’s B-sample was continuing.