Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 

Five Victorian trainers at the centre of cobalt charges have avoided a suspension of their licences but they will face a spring carnival prize money freeze.

Racing Victoria stewards announced on Monday that prize money earned in Victorian Group and Listed races by Peter Moody, Danny O’Brien, Mark Kavanagh and the training partnership of Lee and Shannon Hope would be withheld and placed in a trust account, starting immediately.

The announcement came after the trainers appeared before stewards last week to show cause as to why their training licences should not be suspended pending their hearings.

In delivering the news on Monday, Racing Victoria’s chief steward Terry Bailey said the participation of the trainers in the Melbourne spring carnival threatened to undermine the image of racing.

The stewards said it was integral to safeguard the reputation and image of the sport, particularly in races which attracted significant national and international attention.

Bailey said stewards had noted the trainers intended to defend the charges brought against them and if they were cleared of guilt by an independent RAD board, the prize money would be returned to them.

The trainers will still be paid their prize money percentages from non-stakes races.

Bailey said suspending the licences of the five trainers before their charges could be heard by the RAD Board would have had dire consequences on their respective businesses and employees.

Stewards believe the decision to suspend prize money sends a strong message to the racing industry and the public that trainers facing charges will not profit from major races.

It is the first time stewards have handed out penalties before charges have been heard.

Their power to do so stemmed from a new rule introduced after the Damien Oliver betting scandal.

Moody’s cobalt charge arose after Lidari returned a concentration level above the threshold when second in the Group One Turnbull Stakes at Flemington last October.

Kavanagh’s charge came from Magicool winning at Flemington during the same period, while O’Brien had four horses return high readings.

The elevated cobalt levels returned by horses from the Hopes’ stable came from pre-race samples taken from gallopers who were unplaced in races in June, July and September last year.

Charges against the Hopes will be heard by the RAD Board beginning on October 15 while a date is yet to be fixed for Moody, O’Brien and Kavanagh.

Cobalt is a substance found naturally in horses, however a marked increase in levels is believed to improve a horse’s performance.

Racing Victoria introduced a cobalt threshold in April 2014 which was adopted nationally at the start of the year.

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au