Victorian champion trainer Peter Moody's hearing for three charges related to cobalt positives began Monday, with Moody's defense claiming that Lidari (Fr) (Acclamation {GB})–the horse who returned the cobalt positive–tested positive due to an oral hoof treatment, according to Racing.com.
Lidari returned cobalt readings of 380mg/L of urine and 410mg/L of urine in two separate samples after finishing second in last year's G1 Turnbull S. The allowed threshold is 200mg/L of urine. Moody is charged with two instances of administration and a presentation offence, according to Racing.com.
Moody's representative Matthew Stirling said at the hearing the product Lidari was on for his brittle hooves, Availa, was said to contain 0.18% cobalt, but the bag tested at Moody's stable was found to be 0.236% cobalt. Trials done by Racing Victoria found the cobalt levels to be 0.217%. Stirling also pointed out that industry trials had horses receiving about 9.7 grams of Availa daily, while Lidari was receiving 18.5 grams or more per day. According to Stirling, it was discovered the individual responsible for Lidari's feeding had incorrectly used a scoop that measured five to six times the prescribed amount, and he claimed that could have caused the horse's overage.
The hearing continues Wednesday with overseas witnesses set to testify.
Moody, a multiple champion trainer, is best known as the trainer of unbeaten three-time Horse of the Year Black Caviar (Aus) (Bel Esprit {Aus}). He trained another Horse of the Year in the form of Typhoon Tracy (Aus) (Red Ransom).
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