In a move to expedite the resolution of Australia's cobalt scandal, Racing Victoria will redirect investigators from its integrity department to work on the case, according to Racing and Sports. Earlier this week, horses in the care of leading trainers Peter Moody, Mark Kavanagh and Danny O'Brien tested positive for elevated levels of cobalt.
“We recognize that it is in the best interests of all of the parties involved that the investigations are conducted as swiftly and comprehensively as possible,” Racing Victoria Chief Executive Bernard Saundry told Racing and Sports. “Investigations of this nature are often complex and can involve an extensive number of interviews, a review of stable practices, analysis of stable medications and supplements, and horse samples. We have redeployed our resources to strengthen our compliance and investigation team for an effective and timely resolution to these investigations.”
Racing Victoria has said it will make no comment on the cases until the investigations are complete.
The state of Victoria is not alone in the cobalt scandal; nine of 290 tests for cobalt during the winter carnival in Queensland were flagged and have been sent for further testing, and yesterday two Gold Coast trainers revealed anonymously to the Herald Sun that they had been approached by men selling cobalt on separate occasions about six months ago.
In New South Wales trainers Darren Smith and Paul Murray are the subjects of current cases. In South Australia, preliminary tests have been done on some horses, and Johan Petzer, the chairman of stewards of Thoroughbred Racing SA, told the Herald Sun he is “anxious” about the results.
“It would be naive to believe it can't be in our system,” Petzer said. “If there is any issue here, I don't believe it is rife. If that was the case it would've been evident in our earlier testing.”
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