As the closure of Wentworth Park approaches, and GRNSW prepares its sickening PR campaign of nostalgia, let’s revisit the darkness of racing at the track.
Wentworth Park features prominently in disciplinary decisions from the Greyhound Welfare & Integrity Commission (GWIC). A review of these disciplinary decisions reveals a litany of doping and cruelty – even after the shocking ICAC inquiry in 2000.
In many of these disciplinary hearings trainers plead guilty to take advantage of a 25 percent reduction in penalty. Welfare advocates believe the fines and suspensions are largely inadequate, and greyhounds continue to be doped. The list includes leading trainers and She’s A Pearl, once “the greatest prizemoney earner”.
Jay Opetaia presented the greyhound ‘Light Of Mine’ for the purpose of competing in race 6 at the Wentworth Park meeting on 24 January 2026 in circumstances where the Greyhound was not free of any prohibited substance: Testosterone Propionate
Shane Pulbrook presented the greyhound ‘Rugged Ethics’ for the purpose of competing in race 7 at the Wentworth Park meeting on 25 September 2025 in circumstances where the Greyhound was not free of any prohibited substance: Ethyl Glucuronide and Ethyl Sulphate
Andrew Katalinic presented the greyhound ‘Mickayla Swift’ for the purpose of competing in race 5 at the Wentworth Park meeting on 6 September 2025 in circumstances where the Greyhound was not free of any prohibited substance: 5ß Androstane-3α, 17ß-Diol
Joseph Scerri presented the greyhound ‘Lumina Bell’ for the purpose of competing in race 6 at the Gosford meeting on 24 June 2025 in circumstances where the Greyhound was not free of any prohibited substance.” Testosterone Propionate
Jodie Lord presented the greyhound ‘Destroying’ for the purpose of competing in race 2 at the Wentworth Park meeting on 26 April 2025 in circumstances where the Greyhound was not free of any prohibited substance. Carprofren
Joseph Scerri presented the greyhound ‘Tomorrow Wendy’ for the purpose of competing in race 2 at the Wentworth Park meeting on 27 March 2025 in circumstances where the Greyhound was not free of any prohibited substance: Testosterone Propionate
Stuart Barron presented the greyhound ‘Irinka George’ for the purpose of competing in race 3 at the Wentworth Park meeting on 10 August 2024 in circumstances where the Greyhound was not free of any prohibited substance: Sotalol
Rob Tyler presented the greyhound ‘Letizia’ for the purpose of competing in race 2 at the Wentworth Park meeting on 10 August 2024 in circumstances where the Greyhound was not free of any prohibited substance: Dexamethasone
Mr Joseph Scerri presented the greyhound ‘Shanghai Girl’ for the purpose of competing in race 6 at the Wentworth Park meeting on 22 March 2024 in circumstances where the Greyhound was not free of any prohibited substance: Bethanidine
Jacob White presented the greyhound ‘Springview Hawk’ for the purpose of competing in race 11 at the Wentworth Park meeting on 24 February 2024 in circumstances where the Greyhound was not free of any prohibited substance: Carprofen. (Note: on 27 March 2025 GWIC found Jacob White also “engaged in conduct of lay betting against greyhounds that he trained.”)
Mr Scott Board presented the greyhound ‘Spring Commander’ for the purpose of competing in race 3 at the Wentworth Park meeting on 21 February 2024 in circumstances where the Greyhound was not free of any prohibited substance. Carprofen
Joe Comito presented the greyhound ‘Steal A March’ for the purpose of competing in race 1 at the Wentworth Park meeting on 9 February 2024 in circumstances where the Greyhound was not free of any prohibited substance. Ethynylestradiol, Norethisterone and 17a-Ethynyl-5ß-Estran-3a, 17ß-Diol
Denice Warren was suspended doping greyhound Infrared Rays at Wentworth Park on 25 November 2023 with phenobarbitone. This is a prohibited substance used to treat epilepsy and available only on prescription. Phenobarbitone can cause aggression in dogs.
On 4 November 2023 “Kangaroo Jack” was swabbed following his race at Wentworth Park. Trainer Sydney Swain was suspended following the painkiller meloxicam being detected in the swab.
On 13 October 2023 Robert Howard was found in possession of syringes and found to have administered “a substance” to his greyhound at Wentworth Park. He was fined $1,300 for three charges.
On September 20, 2023 trainer Charlie Gatt presented his greyhound “Sirius Cuddles” to race at Wentworth Park. A post race swab showed the greyhound had been doped with 5B Androstane-3a, 17B-Diol, an androgenic steroid and permanently banned substance.
“Zambora Tiger” was raced at Wentworth Park on 20 May 2023 and later returned a positive swab result to 4-hydroxy zylazine. Trainer Scott Tyson claimed it was as a result of eating “contaminated meat” and was fined $1,500.
On 4 March 2023 trainer Tracey Kovacic presented greyhound “Agent Nevada” for racing at Wentworth Park. A swab showed the presence of Ipamorelin, a growth hormone.
Trainer Karina Britton presented “Wow” for racing at Wentworth Park on 23 January 2023. The swab was positive for cocaine and its metabolites. Some of the levels of the metabolites were “the highest detected in a canine urine sample in this laboratory” (Australian Racing Forensic Laboratory).
On April 16 2022 “Payton Keeping” was swabbed following her race at Wentworth Park and returned a positive cobalt reading. Her trainer Charmaine Roberts pleaded guilty and was disqualified for thirteen months. It was her fourth such offence (Roberts also found guilty on 28 September 2026 of doping at Gunnedah)
Trainer Vincent Spiteri was fined and for doping greyhound “Sally’s Reward” with caffeine after racing at Wentworth Park on 12 March 2022.
At Wentworth Park on 16 February 2022 trainer Aaron Williams presented the greyhound “Fergie Pepper” who ran first in her race and was swabbed, returning a cobalt level above the permitted threshold. .
At Wentworth Park on 19 February 2022 trainer Peter Sims presented “Bruce Mick Glenn” to race a week after the greyhound had won at Temora track. He was swabbed both times and returned a positive reading for dexamethasone. “Bruce Mick Glenn” was passed onto a South Australian trainer and is now listed as “retired (deceased)” – after he’d suffered a wrist sprain in his last race and was stood down for 10 days.
“She’s a Pearl” won her race at Wentworth Park on 27 October 2021 and her subsequent swab showed cobalt. Trainer Peter Sims was suspended, while “She’s a Pearl” went on win nearly $1.8 million.
On 7 July 2021 “Zambora Rex” was raced at Wentworth Park and returned a swab positive for methylprednisolone. At the disciplinary hearing trainer Joseph Sciberras admitted doping the greyhound, not his first doping offence. He was suspended for four weeks.
“Emerald Green” won his race at Wentworth Park on 23 June 2021, swab returned positive to amphetamine and a derivative. Trainer Paul Camilleri was disqualified for thirteen months.
Trainer Chrystal Hensing pleaded not guilty to doping not one but two of her greyhounds with arsenic. “Bones Mccoy” returned a positive swab following his win at Wentworth Park on 1 May 2021.
“Kurios Motion” was swabbed at Wentworth Park following her race on 13 February 2021. Following a positive finding for 4-hydroxyl xylazine, trainer Kerry Drynan was suspended for 28 weeks.
On 23 January 2021 trainer Rob Tyler’s greyhound “Zipping Truvy” ran second at Wentworth Park. She was swabbed and returned a positive result for dexamethasone.
The NSW Trainer of the Year in 2023, Jason Magri, was penalised for one of his greyhounds testing positive to cocaine and its metabolites sixteen hours after the dog raced at Wentworth Park on July 4 2020. He received a nine month suspension. During the same visit to his property by GWIC investigators, shock collars were found as well. The following year Magri was fined $5000 for “misconduct” at a race meet at Wentworth Park on 27 November 2021.
Violent Dog Abusers
At Wentworth Park on 14 August 2025, Shayne Stiff did something which, in the opinion of the Controlling Body, constitutes an offence, by striking a greyhound causing unnecessary harm or suffering to a greyhound.
Stiff did something which, in the opinion of the Controlling Body, constitutes an offence, by restraining a greyhound in a manner likely to cause unnecessary harm or suffering.
Shayne Stiff did this as president of NSW greyhound racing clubs. GWIC will not release the CCTV.
On 23 July 2022 trainer Mark Gatt struck his greyhound “Hudson Road” on the side of his head when presenting the greyhound for weighing. The greyhound raised its head and made contact with the trainer’s head. According to the disciplinary decision, when spoken to by stewards Gatt said “if a greyhound hits you in the fucking head, you fucking hit the cunt”, “the dog’s a fucking faggot” and “I fucking…clipped him”. Gatt was disqualified for six months. He continues to race greyhounds at Wentworth Park.