Trainer cops cobalt ban
TRAINER Sam Kavanagh and five others have been disqualified at the end of a longrunning inquiry prompted by an illegal level of cobalt in a post-race sample taken from Midsummer Sun after his Gosford Cup win in January.
Kavanagh received a sentence of nine years and three months for 23 offences relating to cobalt and race-day treatments.
As the investigation progressed, the trainer named Melbourne vet Dr Tom Brennan as the source of a product called Vitamin Complex, later found to contain high levels of the banned cobalt.
Brennan, who initially denied being the source, was outed yesterday for six years for 12 offences, including supply, improper conduct and false evidence.
The vet, who last month stood down from his practice, the Flemington Equine Clinic, also faces charges laid by Victorian stewards over high cobalt levels found in horses trained by Danny O’Brien and Mark Kavanagh, Sam’s father.
Aaron Corby, the clinic’s practice manager, was given a three-month sentence for false evidence.
Harness racing identities John Camilleri and Mitchell Butterfield received four years and six months and 21 months respectively for giving raceday drenches to horses in the Kavanagh stable.
Licensed stablehand Michael O’Loughlin, who refused to give evidence, was outed for 2½ years for his part in the race-day administrations and failure to attend the inquiry.