Victorian lab will be first in Australia to test for cobalt as racing steps up fight against PEDs

By Leo Schlink and Daryl Timms

VICTORIAN racing’s fight against performance-enhancing substances has escalated with the creation of Australia’s first cobalt-testing laboratory.

When completed, the $350,000 lab will test both blood and urine samples for cobalt and other metals in horses and greyhounds.

The funding for the project was announced today by Minister for Racing Martin Pakula, completing weeks of planning.

Racing Analytical Services Limited has been authorised to buy hi-tech equipment — including an ICP-MS machine — as four Victorian thoroughbred trainers are under investigation after their horses returned tests with cobalt levels exceeding the prescribed threshold.

Mr Pakula said the Victorian Government would provide $200,000 towards the cost of the lab, while RASL and the Victorian Racing Industry will also each contribute $75,000.

RASL’s Flemington lab will be modified to accommodate the specialist equipment — making it the first racing lab in Australia able to test for cobalt in-house — speeding up the testing process and reducing the risk of cross-contamination.

Previously, samples had to be sent to Perth, Sydney or Hong Kong for analysis.

Cobalt is a metal-based substance used for performance enhancement that increases a horse’s red blood cells to carry more oxygen through the body.

As cobalt is naturally produced in horses, Racing Victoria introduced a threshold limit of 200 micrograms per one litre of urine in April 2014, with a national threshold of 200 micrograms also introduced from January 1 this year.

“This will be Australian racing’s first dedicated cobalt testing lab, giving Victorian racing the most advanced facilities in the country,” Mr Pakula said.

“Upholding the highest standards of integrity in racing is top priority for the Victorian Government, and is in the interests of all participants — particularly the public.”

RASL Laboratory director David Batty said: “Historically this technology was — and still is — not common in racing laboratories around the world.

“This technology will enable samples to be tested for cobalt and other inorganic trace metals in a more efficient and timely manner than was previously the case.”

Dayle Brown, Racing Victoria Executive General Manager — Integrity Services said: “Ensuring that Victorian thoroughbred racing is managed and conducted with the highest integrity is of paramount importance to Racing Victoria.

“We invest significant resources into our Integrity Services and a bolstered testing regime for prohibited substances will ensure a level playing field for our 70,000 participants.”

RV believes its current cobalt investigation into horses trained by Peter Moody, Mark Kavanagh, Danny O’Brien and Lee and Shannon Hope will be completed within four to five weeks.

The Herald Sun understands the probe could widen amid speculation more threshold breaches have been detected.