New Zealand's Judicial Control Authority for Racing has handed trainer Denis Schofield a two-year ban after traces of methamphetamine and amphetamine were found in his greyhound Zipping Andre's system, after it won at the Cambridge races in December last year.
The veteran trainer Schofield believes he has been made a scapegoat after his son's previous run in with authorities, despite the decision saying that his son's previous breach was irrelevant to the penalty imposed.
The trainer is adamant he’s been made a scapegoat for his son’s past.
"I just really feel that we've been discriminated through previous events and other dogs from our kennel," said Schofield.
This is the first time in New Zealand's racing history that a greyhound (entry) has been found to have traces of the banned substance methamphetamine.
"The severity and the harshness of it, I've never been disqualified, I've been in greyhounds (racing) since 1995."
His son David was fined in 2011 when one of his dogs tested positive for amphetamine and he had his dog handling licence revoked in 2016.
Denis Schofield was handed a two-year ban yesterday after his greyhound Zipping Andre had traces of P in its system following a dominant win at the Cambridge Races in December.
Schofield's greyhound Zipping Andre dominated at the Cambridge races on December 29.
"I pleaded guilty and put my hand up, I thought a sufficient fine, a reasonable fine - I think it is a $10,000 maximum. But to get two years, God, I'll probably be dead in 2020."
The 77-year-old has been part of the racing industry for 30 years and has produced over 2000 winners.
Scholfield has appealed against his disqualification. The Racing Integrity Unit wouldn't comment but confirmed that it had originally sought an even tougher penalty to act as a deterrent.
If his appeal is unsuccessful Scholfield's 40 dogs will be transferred to his wife Pam.
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