COBALT - WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BY Adrian Dunn - @adriandunn2Lee and Shannon Hope were the first Victorian Thoroughbred trainers to face the RAD Board to answer cobalt charges What is cobalt? A heavy metal salt that is a naturally occurring trace element which may normally be present in horses at very low levels as a result of the ingestion of feedstuffs that contain the element in trace amounts. Cobalt is also present in the structure of vitamin B12. It is contained in very small amounts in supplements for example like Hemo-15 (contains cobalt gluconate), VAM (contains cobalt sulfate), Formula3 (cobalt listed in nutritional content) How can it be administered? Cobalt in the form of cobalt chloride can be given to horses as a powder or a feed supplement, or it can be injected. What influence is it is said to have on a racehorses performance? There are two lines of thought. One is that cobalt has similar effects to the endurance-boosting drug EPO where it can assist in generating more red blood cells to carry oxygen through the body and thereby allow a horse to perform at a sustained peak level for longer while decreasing its muscle fatigue. Another, as described by Dr Rick Arthur, equine medical director of the California Horse Racing Board, is that its reputation as a performance enhancer is over-exaggerated. Dr Arthur told The Thoroughbred Daily News that cobalt is easy to test for, easy to regulate. It doesnt do what its supposed to do (in terms of performance enhancement). So why would a trainer mess with it? The bottom line is theres no justification for the use of cobalt at all. What is the permitted threshold in Australia? Racing Victoria were the first to test for cobalt and the first, on April 2014, to introduce a threshold of 200 micrograms per litre of urine. Racing Australia adopted a national rule, which mirrored what RV had established on January 1, 2015. How does this threshold compare with other jurisdictions? Hong Kong Jockey Club set a cobalt threshold of 100 micrograms per litre of urine in 2006. No horse has returned a positive reading in Hong Kongs jurisdiction. Hong Kong Executive director of racing Bill Nader said in The South China Morning Post in January a clear understanding of all the horses cobalt background exists in Hong Kong. We havent seen cobalt levels approaching anything like the threshold established in Australia, Nader told the South China Morning Post. How much does it cost? A 25-gram vial of soluble cobalt chloride can be purchased online for the equivalent of $A23.50 Those charged in Victoria: Trainers Lee and Shannon Hope (three horses - 9 charges); Peter Moody (one horse - 3 charges); Mark Kavanagh (one horse - four charges); Danny OBrien (fours horses - 16 charges); Veterinarian Dr Tom Brennan (20 charges). Racing Victoria announced earlier this month they are investigating elevated cobalt readings from two other trainersJohn Leek and Len Xuereb. No charges have been laid. Cobalt testing Samples are sent to ChemCentre, a West Australian government statutory authority, for testing. Not every racing jurisdiction in Australia can test for cobalt. If a positive reading is detected a reserve sample is then sent to the Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Laboratory, which pioneered for testing of cobalt in 2006, for confirmation. All horse testing requires a primary and a B sample to be tested. In cobalt testing there is a factored 10 percent measure of uncertainty and that is reflected in the presented reading. The Cobalt readings of the Victorian trainers? Lee & Shannon Hope Windy Citi Bear - 5th 3YO Benchmark 78 Geelong, June 25, 2014 Pre-race urine sample reading: 290 micrograms per litre (ChemCentre, WA); 300 micrograms per litre (Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Laboratory) Best Suggestion - 8th sportingbet.com.au Hcp, Caulfield, July 5, 2014 Pre-race urine sample reading: 510 micrograms per litre (ChemCentre); 550 micrograms per litre (Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Laboratory) Choose - 5th Citiopera Plate, Caulfield, September 28, 2014 Pre-race urine sample reading: 450 micrograms per litre (ChemCentre); 440 micrograms per litre (Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Laboratory) Mark Kavanagh Magicool - WON Listed UCI Stakes, Flemington October 4, 2014 Post-race urine sample reading: 640 micrograms per litre (ChemCentre); 670 microgram per litre (Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Laboratory) Danny OBrien Caravan Rolls On - 8th Group 3 Lexus Stakes, Flemington, November 1, 2014 Pre-Race urine sample reading: 350 micrograms per litre (ChemCentre); 380 micrograms per litre (Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Laboratory) Bondeiger - 2nd Group 1 Victoria Derby, Flemington, November 1, 2014 Pre-race urine sample reading: 330 micrograms per litre (ChemCentre); 370 micrograms per litre (Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Laboratory) De Little Engine - WON People@Work Handicap, Ballarat, November 22, 2014 Post-race urine sample reading 550 micrograms per litre (ChemCentre); 580 micrograms per litre (Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Laboratory) Bullpit - WON Jeep 55 Second Challenge Heat 9, Moonee Valley, December 19, 2014 Post-race urine sample reading: 300 micrograms per litre (ChemCentre); 320 micrograms per litre (Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Laboratory) PETER MOODY Lidari - 2nd Group 1 Turnbull Stakes, Flemington, October 4, 2014 Pre-race urine sample reading: 380 micrograms per litre (Chem Centre); 410 micrograms per litre (Hong Kong Jockey Club Racing Laboratory) There is a 10 percent measurement of uncertainty factored into each reading. Those charged and penalised in NSW: Trainer Darren Smith disqualified 15 years after being found guilty of 42 cobalt related charges. Trainer Sam Kavanagh disqualified for nine years and three months. Penalty a mix of cobalt, caffeine, Xenon gas and race day administration charges. Veterinarian Dr Tom Brennan disqualified for six years. Penalty included charges on cobalt, improper conduct, false evidence. Harness identity John Camilleri was disqualified for a total of four years and six months, including 18-months disqualification for possessing inside information about a race day administration. Mitchell Butterfield, another harness racing identity, was disqualified for 21-months on charges of race day administration and conduct prejudicial to racing. Aaron Corby, the practice manager of the Flemington Equine Clinic, was disqualified for three months for providing false evidence. Licensed stablehand Michael OLoughlin was disqualified for two and a half years for race day administration as well as failing to attend a stewards inquiry. STEWARDS CASE The stewards view is that horses can only reach levels above the threshold if they are given cobalt. Racing Victoria chairman of stewards Terry Bailey described the threshold level as generous. RV chief veterinarian Dr Brian Stewart says there is next to zero chance of a horse obtaining a level above the threshold by contamination or excessive vitamin supplement feeding. Dr Stewart said the chances of a naturally occurring elevated reading above the threshold was a million to one. Stewart says most horses would have levels of less than 50 micrograms per litre of urine. TRAINERS CASE ALL deny deliberately administering cobalt to their respect horses by injections or excessive doses of cobalt in food supplements. They claim their horses are given vitamin supplements which inexplicably have resulted in the elevated readings. PENALTY MINIMUM three-year disqualification as outlined by Racing Australia if trainer is found guilty of administration as this falls into the top misdemeanour category that attracts a mandatory punishment. Penalty can be reduced by mitigating circumstancesearly plea of guilt; co-operation with stewards, personal circumstances or other extenuating circumstances. RAD BOARD HEARING DATES Lee and Shannon Hope: October 15, 16 &19 Mark Kavanagh & Danny OBrien: Begins November 30 Peter Moody: Begins mid-December. No set date confirmed Since this time most Supplement Manufacturers have changed from Cobalt Chloride and Cobalt Carbonate to Cobalt Sulphate. Animal Nutrition Manufacturers have adjusted levels to meet the Rules Of Racing Injection Products will continue to be HIGH RISK and should only be administered by Veterinarians who specialise in the Racing Industry
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