Stewards Report – Terry and Karina O’Sullivan: Racing.Com 9/28/16

By:  Racing Victoria Staff

Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have received two reports from Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) confirming that a prohibited substance has been detected in urine samples collected from the Terry and Karina O’Sullivan trained racehorses Gold a Plenty and Darragh.

Gold a Plenty

The report relates to a pre-race urine sample taken from Gold a Plenty prior to competing in the Crisp Steeplechase over 3900 metres at Ladbrokes Park Lakeside (Sandown) Racecourse on 7 August 2016. Gold A Plenty fell and failed to finish the race.

RASL reported that the urine sample was shown to contain cobalt at a mass concentration greater than 600 micrograms per litre in urine.  RASL has an expanded measurement of uncertainty for cobalt determination at 200 micrograms per litre of 10 micrograms.

The Racing Chemistry Laboratory (Western Australia) reported that it had detected within the reserve portion of the sample cobalt at a concentration of 1200 micrograms per litre in urine. RCL has an expanded measurement of uncertainty for cobalt determination at 200 microgram per litre of 20 micrograms.

Darragh

The report relates to a pre-race urine sample taken from Darragh prior to competing in the Catanach’s Jewellers Handicap over 1500 metres at Ladbrokes Park Lakeside (Sandown) Racecourse on 24 August 2016.  Darragh finished 11^th of 12 runners.

RASL reported that the urine sample was shown to contain cobalt at a mass concentration greater than 600 micrograms per litre in urine.  RASL has an expanded measurement of uncertainty for cobalt determination at 200 micrograms per litre of 10 micrograms.

The Racing Chemistry Laboratory (Western Australia) reported that it had detected within the reserve portion of the sample cobalt at a concentration of 960 micrograms per litre in urine. RCL has an expanded measurement of uncertainty for cobalt determination at 200 microgram per litre of 20 micrograms.

Cobalt was a prohibited substance in accordance with the Rules of Racing at a concentration in excess of 200 micrograms per litre in urine at the time both samples were taken (Note: For samples taken from 1 September 2016, the cobalt threshold in urine has been reduced to 100 micrograms per litre in urine, while a 25 microgram per litre threshold in plasma has also been introduced).

RV Stewards initially informed Terry and Karina O’Sullivan of the irregularities on 1 September 2016 and 15 September 2016. They were today advised of the confirmatory findings and that the Stewards are continuing their investigation.