By Giselle Wakatama
Allegations of serious doping violations have prompted inquiries into two New South Wales horse trainers, including one in Newcastle.
Horse racing officials have spent the past year on alert for the banned additive cobalt chloride
It boosts red blood cells and mimics the effects of the banned performance enhancing drug EPO.
Racing officials raided the stables of Newcastle trainer Darren Smith in May and have today confirmed 13 of his horses tested positive to the banned additive, prompting an inquiry.
Kembla Grange horse trainer Paul Murray will face a separate cobalt inquiry, after officials confiscated an injectable bottle in June.
Racing NSW Deputy Chairman of Stewards, Mark Van Gestel says they are serious allegations.
“It’s a serious business and we’re obviously serious about ensuring that there’s confidence in the industry,” he said.
“It’s obviously unfortunate and something that doesn’t paint the industry in a good light and I guess what it shows is the system that we have in place out there to catch horses that are not competing within the rules.”
Several NSW harness racing trainers have already been sanctioned for using cobalt chloride.
