Greyhound Hilton Hustler Tests Positive for Meth After Race Win

A greyhound named Hilton Hustler tested positive for methamphetamine following a victorious race, raising questions for both its owner and racing officials about how the contamination could have occurred. Trainer Craig Anderson, aged 68, expressed disbelief at the findings, insisting he has never used the drug and is perplexed about how his dog may have been exposed.

The incident unfolded after a routine drug screening conducted by the Racing Integrity Board at Anderson’s property. During this examination, Hilton Hustler was the only one among Anderson’s six greyhounds to test positive for the Class A substance. Forensic samples were collected from the dogs’ kennel area, from Anderson’s vehicle used for transportation, and from both Anderson and his wife. All tests returned negative results. Notably, Hilton Hustler had tested negative one week prior, as well as two weeks after the positive test.

Over the past year, Anderson has participated in numerous races, with his greyhounds undergoing drug tests 22 times collectively. The previous year saw 18 tests conducted. Since beginning his racing career in 2017, he has not recorded any breaches involving prohibited substances.

Anderson informed investigators that aside from regular interactions with kennel staff and handlers during races, no other individuals had contact with Hilton Hustler in the two to three days leading up to the positive test. Despite the inability of investigators to pinpoint the source of the drug, a charge was filed against Anderson before the Racing Integrity Board.

At a hearing held in December 2023 at Addington Raceway, no penalties were pursued against Anderson due to the lack of evidence linking him to the drug. The Racing Integrity Board noted that the level of methamphetamine detected in Hilton Hustler’s system was quite low, measured at just 0.7 ng/mL, with 3 ng/mL of amphetamine also present. For context, the international cut-off concentration for a positive drug test in humans is 300 ng/mL.

The board concluded, “The Adjudicative Committee is satisfied that neither Mr. nor Mrs. Anderson was in any way responsible for the prohibited substances found in the out-of-competition urine sample taken from their greyhound.” The low levels of methamphetamine and Anderson’s clean racing history contributed to the decision not to impose any penalties.

While presenting a greyhound with a prohibited substance is categorized as an offence of strict liability, the absence of negligence allows for the possibility of reduced penalties or even no fine. The board acknowledged the unique circumstances of this case, emphasizing the lack of evidence connecting Anderson to the contamination of Hilton Hustler.