Its happening and everyone will have to abide by the new rules and there is a reason for many things happening at present .

The GRV have systematically gone out to rid the industry of small time trainers.....IMO

We are all witness to it and maybe one day a few people will stand up and demand answers not LIE'S from the PTB .

Levels of Arsenic and Cobalt needed further testing to see how much of it is laden in our food chain and at present it's like playing russian roulette or dodge ball ..IMO

People are being labelled drug cheats when in fact they are feeding the same way they have done for years and accumulation over time seems to be the culprit today but hey maybe i am wrong ....

I do see some great Old Timers getting pinged at present and it's a shame these people have to go through all the crap ahead of them and maybe if people decided to PLEAD INNOCENT and contest this further at VCAT then maybe we can see some solid changes

i guess people will just accepted it as Gospel and the new rules are on the way

Not many people giving their view on this very important subject. Wonder if guts has anything to do with it.

No proper research done on either COBALT or ARSENIC. GRV have just pissed on the same tree as RVL. The cobalt saga was started by Terry Bailey. He knows that cobalt chloride was the substance that may have been misused. Instead of developing a test for this they chose the blanket method which brought vitamins into the mix. In the Greys we did get some notice about this but the horse trainers did not. I, like many others are hanging on the VCAT case to be completed and the verdict given, deliberation has been going since November. RVL better have some spare cash because they are going to need it. The swabbing regime is out of control and will damage the industry. Innocent people are being put thru hell to satisfy a public that do not give a shit.

And yes, some of our legends and stalwarts are being vandalised as well.

Jodie, hi. My sources tell me chloride can be detected in blood as the salts are present. Urine is unreliable and inaccurate and specific gravity needs to be done but as far as I know it is not done.

I had positives to one ml of B12 within 24 hours period. The PTB have slotted cobalt in with EPO (Cat 4) which is ridicules. As the rule says cobalt no amount of argument will alter the opinions that Cobalt Chloride is the problem. I took my penalty to VCAT and was unsuccessful however the Member (magistrate) summed up by saying that Cobalt Chloride seems to be the bad boy however the rule says cobalt, not B12 or chloride or sulphate. What gets me is the PTB know this but continue to pursue people and put them thru great amounts of stress to satisfy their myth of cleaning up the industry. People better start believing that the industry (VIC) could crumble after the perusal of the overbreeding myth which now see's calls for quality breeding (joke) and when T3 meeting noms are extended I would be concerned. I doubt I will come back to the industry as I have seen innocent people used as examples to push the political agenda, starting with the live baiting fiasco and another myth that the wider community actually gives a damn.

A long time academic expert used examples from several different types of rice to demonstrate that all showed the presence of arsenic to varying degrees (brown rice was the worst). Then the arsenic proportions consumed varied widely in accordance with the cooking method. The more water used, the less arsenic remained in the rice.

No results were worse than conventional health limits for humans although the effect of cumulative absorption was not stated.

The key points are that (1) arsenic presence is generally ignored or not noted, (2) the full effect, if any, on humans has not been investigated, and (3) any impact on (smaller) animals is unknown.

All of which suggests that racing authorities in Australia are relying on their arbitrary "no-exceptions" principle, albeit that they have adopted a minimum acceptable level - one which has itself varied (for horses) from state to state - the source of which is unknown. Obviously they must be guessing if the absence of supporting studies is any guide. If they want to claim the opposite then why not publish such evidence?

Surely, the critical issue is that the world has moved on rapidly over the last few decades. Food preparation, content and availability are different. Analytical skills have jumped ahead hugely. For bent trainers, it may be that they can keep one step ahead of the labs, although that must be a risky game these days. For the majority, it is a struggle to keep up and they are often losing out through no fault of their own.

Sweet It Is was a case in point. Leaving aside what happened in Australia, its positive swab in NZ was demonstrated (by a chief steward) to be almost certainly due to a minute amount of tea (ie caffiene)included in the factory recipe for the local kibble. Who would know? This is the poppy seed syndrome, or the presence of tiny amounts of steroids or whatever in the meat processing chain.

No doubt cobalt might have a similar history but I don't have any knowledge there.

The outcome is that what is basically a worthwhile advance for the industry - more and better drug testing - has gone beyond the bounds of practicality. It is no longer "reasonable".

To which you must add the biggie - what effect does arsenic or any other drug have on the ability of the dog to compete. It is not enough to install a safety minimum for penalty purposes if that cannot be attached to performance advantage. And it can't.

At the very least, authorities should keep testing for certain substances but refrain from allocating penalties until much more is known, particularly as to performance enhancement.

I return to the rice cooking tests. The total absorption method produced high readings for arsenic; with a little more covering water arsenic levels were lower; with an excessive amount of water (and overnight soaking) minimal levels were found. And that's just for one type of rice. Oils ain't oils!

Cobalt is a mineral.
B12 is a vitamin.
Arsenic is a metalloid.

All of these are naturally occurring and can be found in a wide variety of foods (whether added or not).

There is no possible way to know how much your dogs are receiving.

What is possible, is to determine if a "drug" has been given in sufficient quantities (i.e. with "INTENT") so as to affect performance.

So why not set ALL drug levels where INTENT to affect performance can be PROVEN.....rather than the current situation where perfectly innocent trainers are branded as cheats???

Maybe the PTB feel they need to be seen as catching the "cheats".........even if the vast majority are nothing of the sort???

Either people believe there is no problem with the current levels, or it is a case of no-one cares until they are the one being pinged?

The sample taken from Fancy Bounce contained
cobalt at a mass concentration of 109 nanograms per millilitre.

Second reading was lower than the first test samples

IMO ...Just a small amount over and this is a travesty of justice

This one remains as a set up and Norm and Dede have been training the same way for years and in fact they got a call requesting Norm to plead Guilty and we see how well he was stitched up ...

GREYHOUND
Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board
The Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board (RADB) is established under section 83B of the Racing Act (1958). The RADB is an independent
Board established to hear and determine appeals in relation to decisions made under the rules to impose penalties on persons and to
hear and determine charges made against persons for serious offences.
Media Release
20 January 2017
Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board
Date of Hearing: Friday, 20 January 2017
Venue of Hearing: Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Regulation
49 Elizabeth Street, Richmond, Victoria
Panel: Mr. Shane Marshall (Chairman), Mr. Terry OConnor (Deputy
Chairman), and Mr. Phillip Davies
Name of Person Charged: Mr. Norman Burns
Town: Rushworth
Track: Bendigo
Date: 27 July 2016
GAR No: 83 (1A) and 83 (2)(3)
Offences Charged: Charge 1 Mr. Norman Burns administered or caused to be
administered a prohibited substance to the greyhound Fancy
Bounce at the Bendigo meeting held on 27 July 2016.
Charge 2 Mr. Norman Burns failed to present the greyhound
Fancy Bounce free of any prohibited substance for an event at
the Bendigo meeting held on 27 July 2016.
REPORT:
Following advice from Racing Analytical Services Laboratory, the Stewards of Greyhound
Racing Victoria conducted an investigation into the results of a post-race urine sample taken
from the greyhound Fancy Bounce at the Bendigo meeting held on 27 July 2016.
During the investigation, Stewards received evidence from registered trainer Mr. Norman
Burns, Mr. Paul Zahra (Racing Analytical Services Laboratory) and Dr. Steven Karamatic
(GRV Chief Veterinarian).
After considering the evidence, Stewards charged Mr. Burns with a breach of Greyhounds
Australasia Rule 83 (1A) and 83(2)(3) in that he failed to present the greyhound Fancy
Bounce free of any prohibited substance for an event at the Bendigo meeting held on 27 July
2016 given that the post-race urine sample taken from the greyhound indicated the presence
of the prohibited substance cobalt

GREYHOUND
Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board
The Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board (RADB) is established under section 83B of the Racing Act (1958). The RADB is an independent
Board established to hear and determine appeals in relation to decisions made under the rules to impose penalties on persons and to
hear and determine charges made against persons for serious offences.
Under Rule 47.1 of the Greyhound Racing Victoria Local Rules breaches of GAR83 (1A) and
GAR83 (2)(3) constitute Serious Offences. As a result on Friday, 20 January 2017 this matter
was heard before the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board in the first instance under
Greyhound Local Racing Rule 47.3 and Sections 83C(b) and 83M(1) of the Racing Act.
Mr. Norman Burns represented himself.
Mr. Patrick Considine Minter Ellison Solicitors represented the Stewards Panel.
Mr. Norman Burns pleaded guilty to the charges.
DECISION:
1. Mr. Norman Burns is a registered greyhound trainer of greyhounds and the trainer of
the greyhound Fancy Bounce. Fancy Bounce competed in race 12 at Bendigo on 27
July 2016 and won the race. A post-race urine sample taken from the greyhound
detected cobalt at a mass concentration of greater than 100 nanograms per millilitre.
2. Stewards of Greyhound Racing Victoria (GRV) have charged Mr. Burns under
Greyhound Australasia Rule (GAR) 83 (1A) with administering a prohibited
substance to a greyhound that has been presented for an event, being a prohibited
substance which is detected in a sample taken from a greyhound. There is also a
charge under GAR83 (2) and (3) of presenting a greyhound for an event while not
being free of a prohibited substance.
3. Mr. Burns has pleaded guilty to each charge. The Board finds the charges proven. It
will assess the appropriate penalty on the more serious administration charge and
impose no extra penalty on the presentation charge which arises out of the same
substratum of facts.
4. Cobalt is a prohibited substance when it is present in a sample at greater than 100
nanograms per millilitre. That is a combined effect of GAR83 (10) and the definition of
prohibited substance in GAR (1). The sample taken from Fancy Bounce contained
cobalt at a mass concentration of 109 nanograms per millilitre.
5. Mr. Burns is a small hobby trainer and at the material time, trained three greyhounds
together with his partner, Ms. OMara. Ms. OMara was responsible for feeding the
greyhounds, including Fancy Bounce. Part of the regular feeding regime included
cobalt containing substances, Ferramo D, Stockgain and Livamol. Mr. Burns and Ms.
OMara did not realize that these supplements contained cobalt. They were not aware
of the steps taken by GRV to advise trainers of the introduction of a urinary cobalt
threshold and warnings about the use of vitamin supplements containing cobalt. These
are discussed in our decision in Crawford (12 July 2016).

GREYHOUND
Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board
The Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board (RADB) is established under section 83B of the Racing Act (1958). The RADB is an independent
Board established to hear and determine appeals in relation to decisions made under the rules to impose penalties on persons and to
hear and determine charges made against persons for serious offences.
6. In assessing penalty the Board is guided by the principles of specific deterrence,
general deterrence and the upholding of the integrity of the industry by providing drug
free racing. The Board also has regard to penalties given in like cases. Specific
deterrence is not an important consideration as Mr. Burns has learned from his
experience not to use cobalt containing supplements. General deterrence and the
upholding of the integrity of the industry are important considerations. There are also
animal welfare considerations relevant to the use of cobalt.
7. Taking into account Mr. Burns excellent record, co-operation with the Stewards, his
guilty plea and penalties given in other similar cobalt matters, the Board considers
that the appropriate penalty is 12 months disqualification with 8 months of that
period being suspended provided there are no further breaches of GAR 83 in the
following 12 months. The disqualification shall commence on 29 January 2017.
8. In addition Fancy Bounce is disqualified from race 12 at Bendigo on 27 July 2016.
9. We note that we have given Mr. Burns a small discount for the concept of recency,
given that the prohibited substance was only detected some two weeks after our 12
July 2016 decision in Crawford. In future cases such a discount may not be available
in cobalt matters.

Travesty of justice.

Witch HUNTS ..

Innocent people are being charged is this is resulting in about half of them walking away from the industry and this was the GAME PLAN ALL ALONG FOLKS ..

EXTERMINATION OF THE Hobbyist
These Two people are very good people and they look after their dogs as good as i have have ever seen

Norm is in his 80s and Dede the old dragon lady she is also not very well and all of this STRESS is playing a huge toll on a lot of OLD TIMERS HEALTH ...THIS MUST STOP ...Our Industry LEADERS MUST STAND UP and demand a fairer system with Guidelines and quantitative testing .

Our Old timers were once looked at as our Guides our Mentors and these people do not deserve what is happening to them at present and SOME ONE MUST STEP UP AND PROTECT THESE OLD FOSSILS because they are what Greyhound racing is about .... fun and enjoyable..
Who would knock back any old timers stories and these people just need to get a warning a small fine and the way these Old Timers have been treated at these hearings has left me FLABBERGASTED and there has to be someone with enough balls to fix this situation ...

Where is our INDUSTRY LEADERS when you need something fixed for the masses and that's right they are all like the three WISE MONKEYS ...See no Evil ...Speak No Evil ...Hear NO EVIL ....

When is the industry going to understand that the only time we will control things in the future is if we take BACK THOSE THINGS WE LOST ....We can all do this as a collective body and the GOTBA should now be stepping up and having a real decent CRACK at our industry LAWmakers

Mass extermination of the masses ..IMO

Big end of town remaining SILENT ..IMO

Are people now starting to join the dots because before long we will have no say in our industry or its future and people should be now starting to see the Game plan and this was plotted and planned all along but it's just taken time to really sink in but it's happening before your eye's.IMO

Some don't mind BANGING AWAY on their drums TRYING TO CREATE AWARENESS but surely now a lot more people can see what dire situation we will be in in 12 months time ..IMO

Make every Commercial Breeder accountable for every Dog they breed and place large BONDS on these big players because lets face it they still take 80% of the prize money out of OUR INDUSTRY ...IMO

I am watching every Commercial Breeder from now on because i still believe these breeders are restricting us all so much still and give them their share of racing but make race days just for Hobbyist and then see the fields full of dogs just waiting for a race start .IMO

Make race days for the participants... for the masses and then see a truer representation of our Industry and the fact remains TIER 3 racing still generates great returns for the industry ..IMO

Tier 3 participants do more for adoption and foster Groups ..IMO

Footnote
Had 3 Thoroughbred Trainers and a Veterinarian not gone to extreme overdose levels the 3 Codes would not be in this predicament.

Lee 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

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.

Opinion "If both cases were to be believed the only explanation is CUMULATIVE (from several sources)
Best to pick up all supplements and check for type of Cobalt as well as levels
Cobalt Sulphate is the better option if it must be present".

"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"

"The regular use of a mild Diuretic to flush the body of Swab able substances is an insurance against accidental accumulative build up"

Aaah, we've missed you, Peter.
A mild Diuretic is the answer then...
You wouldn't happen to know of one to recommend?