Five Victorian trainers facing charges for positive tests for cobalt will have their prize money from listed and group races in Victoria withheld and placed in a trust account until their charges are heard. This decision was handed down by Racing Victoria stewards Monday after they heard testimony last week from the trainers as to why they should be allowed to continue training until their hearings.
The trainers involved are Peter Moody, Danny O'Brien, Mark Kavanagh, and the father-son partnership of Lee and Shannon Hope. The Hopes's case will be heard Oct. 15, with dates yet to be set for the others.
In other cobalt news, Sam Kavanagh, the Sydney-based son of trainer Mark Kavanagh who is also facing cobalt charges, told an inquiry Monday he was put in touch with harness racing vet John Camilleri after a string of second-place finishes.
“I said to [former Flemington Equine Clinic vet] Adam Matthews I was sick of running second, and he said he could introduce me to John Camilleri,” Kavanagh told stewards. Kavanagh had had previous dealings with Matthews, paying him for 10 drenches late last year by putting money into a betting account operated by Matthews's wife. Kavanagh said he had arranged with Matthews to have a horse in his care, Midsummer Sun, treated on a raceday in January, and the gelding later returned positives for cobalt and caffeine after winning the Listed Gosford Cup. It is believed Camilleri was tasked with giving the medications, and outsourced it to another vet.
“Adam Matthews organized it–I didn't know the substance given,” Kavanagh told stewards. “I was very jaded at the time. Midsummer Sun had issues with bleeding.”
Kavanagh's inquiry will continue Tuesday.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
