Several outstanding cobalt inquiries in Queensland will be dealt with according to the current rules despite the Australian Trainers’ Association calling for a review of the science relating to the substance.
Queensland Racing Integrity commissioner Ross Barnett said Racing Australia had advised him it had not resolved to review the situation and as such any inquiries would go ahead.
Barnett quoted part of a letter from RA chief executive Barry O’Farrell.
“I write to advise that Racing Australia’s August Board meeting did not determine to initiate a review into cobalt “…including inter alia, matters that surround the science, laboratory testing procedures and penalties…” or take any action which justifies the Australian Trainer’s Association’s (ATA) request for a suspension/deferral by Principal Racing Authorities /integrity bodies of charges/cases relating to cobalt,” O’Farrell said.
Barnett said O’Farrell had been clear that “RA has not determined to initiate a review into cobalt, it has however established a working party of veterinarians and analysts to provide the RA Board with advice on the following issues only;
The merits of a total ban on the use of injectable products containing cobalt salts; and
cobalt regulation in relation to out of competition testing.”
Barnett said he supported RA’s approach which was to remove the emotion, seek expert advice and establish the facts to enable its board to make an informed decision.
“The national racing bodies set the rules of racing and it is the role of the Commission to enforce them,” he said.
Several Victorian trainers have also called for a review of the science and testing surrounding cobalt which has a national threshold of 100mcg/L.
