Trainers Peter and Will Hulbert have been handed a $5000 fine and a 12-month suspended ban after one of their runners returned a cobalt reading above the allowed limit following a win at Eagle Farm.
The import, Dillian, scored as the short-priced favourite in a 2400m Benchmark event on April 26, but post-race testing revealed cobalt levels in excess of the legal threshold outlined in the Australian Rules of Racing.
The father-son training duo pleaded guilty to the breach, with stewards taking into consideration their clean disciplinary history when issuing the penalty.
While the 12-month disqualification was imposed, it was fully suspended for a two-year period, provided they avoid any further cobalt-related breaches. In addition, they were fined $5000.
The victory by Dillian has been overturned, with the horse disqualified and the $48,800 winner’s cheque forfeited. Galifianakis has been officially promoted to first place as a result.
The ruling also has implications for the Brisbane metropolitan jockeys’ title race, with Emily Lang—rider of Galifianakis—now moving to within one win of current leader Angela Jones.