Racing Victoria issues five trainers with ‘show cause’ notices over cobalt allegations

By: Matt Stewart

UPDATE: SOME of horse racing’s most famous trainers face a show cause hearing that could have them banished from the spring racing carnival.

The stables of Peter Moody, Danny O’Brien, Mark Kavanagh and Lee and Shannon will be shut down if the trainers cannot argue before Racing Victoria on Wednesday that they should keep their licenses.

All five trainers face charges relating to the use of banned substance cobalt on their horses. If found guilty of administering cobalt they all face career-threatening three-year disqualifications.

If they were suspended more than 200 staff, from secretaries to track riders, would be out of jobs and hundreds of horses would have to be re-homed for racing’s most famous carnival.

In a letter to clients, Flemington-based O’Brien said the notice was “completely without justification’’ and that he was “simply amazed’’ by it.

“I have nothing but co-operated with stewards from the day this saga began many months ago. I cannot believe this action given charges have not been tested and we have so much at stake,’’ he said.

Racing Victoria stewards would comment on the reasons for the show cause notice.

The Hopes will front the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Bard on October 15, two days before the Caulfield Cup in which they have leading contender Fenway.

Kavanagh and O’Brien face a directions hearing on August 17 to set a date for their RAD Board hearing.

Moody, he trainer of legendary sprinter Black Caviar, has 350 horses in work across two states, including a number in pre-training and on agistment farms.

He has more than 30 horses being aimed at the spring, including a handful of European imports being aimed at the Melbourne Cup.

His clients, who may have to hastily shift hundreds of horses to other stables, include Racing Victoria chairman David Moodie.

O’Brien’s Bondeiger is regarded as a leading chance for the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate and Kavanagh’s Magicool won the Queensland Derby and is being aimed at the Caulfield. Cup.

Collectively the five trainers face 32 charges relating to cobalt use on their horses.