Racing Victoria Appeals Cobalt Decision

Racing Victoria has lodged an appeal against the decision of the Victorian Civil and Administrative tribunal to clear trainers Mark Kavanagh and Danny O'Brien of charges related to cobalt offences.

Kavanagh and O'Brien were handed bans of three and four years, respectively, in December 2015 after horses under their care had tested over the legal limit for cobalt. The pair were cleared of any wrongdoing in March when the VCAT ruled that fault lay with veterinarian Tom Brennan, who was banned five years. The VCAT also found fault with the testing procedures.

RV Acting Chief Executive Giles Thompson told Racing.com, “Racing Victoria must pursue its core focus of the protection of the integrity of our sport and welfare of our horses. We believe it is appropriate that Racing Victoria seeks an appeal of VCAT's decision.”

Damian Sheales, representative of both trainers, said they declined to comment.