News of a rash of cobalt positives in the Down Under racing industry has made waves this week in both the trade and mainstream press. As more trainers are being implicated in the probe, a trainers' association has stated that it is backing strong sanctions against wrongdoers.
News broke earlier this week that top Australian Thoroughbred trainer Peter Moody – who is well known for conditioning Black Caviar – is facing a three-year suspension after it was found that one of his racehorses tested positive for illegal levels of cobalt in a post-race test.
Additionally, it has been reported that fellow top Australian Thoroughbred trainers Mark Kavanagh and Danny O'Brien have also had horses in their stables return positive tests of illegal levels of cobalt.
The report has quoted Kavanagh as saying that the positive one of his horses has produced "has come as a complete shock to me as I have always placed great emphasis on integrity and operating within the rules of racing."
A report on the situation by The Courier Mail states that Racing Queensland has conducted 290 tests for cobalt in a recent sweep. The article explains that nine of the samples have been sent for further testing. It was reported that the further testing will be done in western Australia on Monday, with results expected by Friday.
The Courier Mail report also includes a statement from Australian Trainers’ Association Queensland Branch President Barry Baldwin which indicates that his organization wants sanctions imposed on wrongdoers.
“We don’t want everyone to think we’re all doping horses, but anybody caught using it — so be it. They have to cop the penalty,” Baldwin was quoted as saying.
“From what I’ve been told talking to vets, it’s a serious drug that has the potential for side effects on horses,” Baldwin said, later adding that “Everybody has been well warned about it and there’s not going to be much sympathy if someone is caught.”
(With files from dailymail.co.uk and The Courier Mail)