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Victorian racehorse trainers facing lengthy bans for horse positive test

Xinhua, January 14, 2015 Adjust font size:

Three prominent Australian racehorse trainers are facing lengthy bans after their horses tested positive for an endurance-enhancing substance.

Mark Kavanagh, whose horse Shocking won the 2009 Melbourne Cup, and Danny O'Brien revealed themselves on Wednesday as the second and third trainers whose horses have recently returned positive tests to the banned drug cobalt.

Peter Moody was informed on Tuesday that his horse Lidari had tested positive to the banned stimulant after running second in October's Turnbull Stakes at Flemington Racecourse.

Cobalt has racing authorities playing catch-up to the new drug, which has a similar endurance-enhancing effect on horses as erythropoietin (EPO) has on humans.

Racing Victoria said it began issuing notices after the Hong Kong Jockey Club Laboratory confirmed the results.

"Racing Victoria stewards have received a report from Racing Analytical Services Limited confirming that a prohibited substance has been detected in a sample collected from the Peter Moody-trained racehorse Lidari," Racing Victoria said in a statement on Wednesday.

Thresholds for the new drug are still being established across the world, differing depending on the racing body in charge.

A maximum level for cobalt has been established in Victoria since May and has since been made standard nation-wide.

The Australian Racing Board recently warned trainers that the overuse of "certain legal supplements close to racing may result in a level of cobalt in a subsequent sample that exceeds this threshold".

Kavanagh released a statement on Wednesday morning detailing his "complete shock" at the findings.

Moody, trainer of retired champion sprinter Black Caviar, said he was "devastated" by the positive tests.

Both said they will work closely with Racing Victoria's integrity department.

Victorian chief steward Terry Bailey told Fairfax Media last year he believed some trainers are willing to risk using the drug because investigators might struggle to make a strong case against them. Endi