Black Caviar trainer cleared of cobalt doping

Black Caviar's trainer was cleared of intentional cobalt doping on Wednesday, but found guilty of a lesser charge of giving the substance to one of his horses.

Australian Peter Moody was convicted of a single count of administering the element -- believed to improve equine endurance -- to Lidari, which tested positive in 2014.

But he avoided the more serious charge of using it "for the purpose of affecting the performance or behaviour of a horse in a race".

Two other Australian trainers, Danny O'Brien and Mark Kavanagh, were banned for four and three years respectively by the Victorian Racing and Appeals Disciplinary Board in January, joining several others who have already been hit by lengthy suspensions.

If Moody, who previously trained the now-retired Australian wonder mare Black Caviar, had been found guilty of the more serious charge, he would have faced a minimum three-year ban.

"Pleasing aspect of today was that we were found not to have purposely administered cobalt to enhance or change the horse's performance in any one way," Moody told reporters in Melbourne after the decision by the disciplinary board.
"I felt in a way I have been vindicated that we have never cheated or never had to cheat."

Australian racing rules describe cobalt as a naturally occurring element which may normally be present in horses at very low levels. It is also found in vitamin B12.

Cobalt is believed to improve endurance, however, trainers have been warned of severe side effects.

The Australian Racing Board set a threshold level of 200 micrograms per litre with bans enforced for higher concentrations from January 1 last year.

The board said in the decision it was "readily apparent from the evidence before us that there was significant carelessness, for which Mr. Moody was responsible, in relation to the operation of his stables".

"This was particularly so in relation to the administration of cobalt, as well as general feeding, supplementation and injection procedures... He was ignorant as to the dosages horses were receiving."

The prominent trainer said he had introduced different measures at his stables to lower the chances of such a case arising again.

Moody will learn of the penalty, which has no minimum requirements, for the lesser charge on Thursday.

Flemington trainers O'Brien and Kavanagh are appealing their bans.
Source: AFP