The first cobalt inquiry in Victorian thoroughbred racing will get underway with evidence to be taken from a British expert in therapeutic drugs.
Lee and Shannon Hope will front the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board on Thursday to face charges three of their horses returned cobalt levels above the threshold of 200 micrograms per litre of urine.
Racing Victoria will call on Dr Stuart Paine who is considered an expert on cobalt, a heavy metal present in some feed and vitamin supplements but toxic in high doses.
Sydney trainer Sam Kavanagh has appealed a nine-year disqualification for the use of cobalt.
His father Mark Kavanagh also faces charges along with fellow Flemington trainer Danny O’Brien and Peter Moody.
Three days have been set aside for the Hopes inquiry.
