Veterinarian Tom Brennan had fallen out with Mark Kavanagh before the trainer had a horse return a positive test to cobalt, an inquiry has been told.
During the fourth day of the probe into cobalt positives returned by horses trained by Kavanagh and Danny O’Brien, a Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board hearing was told the relationship between Brennan and Kavanagh soured over treatment and expenses for Australian Cup winner Super Cool.
The inquiry heard Super Cool had bleeding to a joint that needed attention.
Brennan said he provided correct veterinary care to Super Cool but Kavanagh continued to work the horse against the vet’s advice.
After receiving a bill of $25,000 for the work carried out on Super Cool, Kavanagh cut ties with Brennan as his stable vet.
Brennan was still working for Kavanagh when Magicool received a drip that later led to the horse returning an elevated reading to cobalt after winning at Flemington in October last year.
He described Kavanagh as irate when the trainer called him several months later after being told Magicool had returned a positive swab to cobalt.
Kavanagh and O’Brien have pleaded not guilty to their cobalt charges while Brennan has pleaded guilty to the majority of his charges except administration to affect the performance of the horses.
