Sam Kavanagh runner Midsummer Sun tests positive for caffeine and cobalt

By Racingbase Staff

Trainer Sam Kavanagh is facing an investigation after Racing NSW stewards revealed his runner Midsummer Sun test posted for caffeine and cobalt after winning the Gosford Gold Cup in January.

Racing NSW informed Kavanagh that Midsummer Sun returned a positive test for caffeine and that there was presence of cobalt at a mass concentration in excess of 200 micrograms per litre in a urine sample taken following that gelding’s win in the Gosford Gold Cup on Friday 9 January.

Kavanagh becomes the latest trainer to be embroiled in the cobalt saga in Australia with his father Mark and Peter Moody two other big name handlers who have had runners test positive for the banned substance.

Newcastle trainer Darren Smith is also facing 42 charges of illegal use of cobalt substance with a verdict due on March 20.

Racing NSW said in a statement: “Mr Sam Kavanagh, trainer of Midsummer Sun, was advised last evening of the receipt of the certification and was advised that an inquiry will be conducted into the analyst’s findings at a time and date to be set.

“Such inquiry will not be held until Stewards have to hand the result of analysis of products taken from Mr Sam Kavanagh’s Rosehill Gardens stable and until they are in receipt of further stable and financial records requested of both Mr Kavanagh and of the veterinary practice which provides services to his stable.”

Kavanagh has vowed to full co-operate with Racing NSW as he fights to save his training career.

“This has been a very tough time for me and my young family,” Kavanagh told The Daily Telegraph.

“But I intend to fully co-operate with stewards and hope for a speedy resolution to this matter.”

Midsummer Sun became only the second back-to-back winner of the Gosford Cup when winning the listed race in January.

But the six-year-old galloper, who was trained by the late Sir Henry Cecil before being bought by Kavanagh in 2012, died after suffering an injury during barrier trials at Rosehill Gardens at the start of February.

Midsummer Sun finished third in that trial but broke down when pulling up afterwards.

In 31 careers starts, Midsummer Sun won seven times – four of those in Australia for Kavanagh.