Victorian greyhound trainer avoids ban despite dog being found with cocaine in system
Summary
A greyhound trainer in Victoria, Geoffrey Dalton, was fined $300 after a dog he trained tested positive for cocaine before a race. Despite the industry regulator wanting a ban, a tribunal decided not to suspend Dalton because he had let his trainer registration expire and faced reputational damage.Key Facts
- Dalton’s dog, Soda Apache, tested positive for cocaine before a 2024 race.
- He was fined $300 and given a suspended nine-month disqualification by the Victorian Racing Tribunal in 2025.
- The Civil and Administrative Tribunal decided not to ban Dalton temporarily.
- Dalton’s trainer registration expired in June 2025, which influenced the tribunal’s decision.
- The regulator Greyhound Racing Victoria wanted a harsher penalty to maintain industry integrity.
- Dalton claimed he did not know how the dog was exposed, suggesting a contaminated van used for transport.
- The tribunal said Dalton’s penalty served as a warning to others due to damage to his reputation.
- This year, 30 greyhounds have died in Victorian races, the highest number in Australia.
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