Queensland racing’s chief of integrity, Ross Barnett, has made it clear the state has no choice but to follow national rules regarding cobalt positives.
There are believed to be at least six unresolved cases in Queensland involving cobalt charges.
In the past year there have been several leading Queensland-based scientists who have attacked the current cobalt rules.
Barnett said in a statement, the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission should re-state its position about the status of unresolved cobalt inquiries after Racing Australia’s Veterinary and Analysts’ Committee review into the matters.
RA has reaffirmed its position and does not propose to amend the Australian Rules of Racing.
Barnett said that in light of the RA decision all Queensland cobalt Inquiries currently in process would continue to be dealt with in accordance with the rules.
He said the VAC advice included the view among international racing authorities that cobalt has the potential to positively affect performance and is a welfare risk at toxic levels.
“It also reported a typical daily diet of a racehorse meets a horse’s cobalt requirement and there have been no reported cases of cobalt deficiency in horses” he said.
“There is no nutritional, medical or welfare justification for the administration of cobalt salts by injection at any time.”
Barnett said the National racing bodies set the rules of racing and it was the role of QRIC to enforce them and all participants have the right of appeal.
