Cobalt saga’s damage done
THE reputations of highprofile trainers Danny O’Brien and Mark Kavanagh “will never recover”, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has heard.
The trainers’ legal counsel, Damien Sheales, yesterday rejected Racing Victoria’s bid to press on with a suspension and called for an end to the three-year cobalt saga.
Sheales cited the irreparable damage done to the finances and reputations of O’Brien and Kavanagh, who returned to Melbourne from the Karaka sales in New Zealand specifically for yesterday’s purported VCAT decision on penalty.
“There will always be a stain on them and their businesses,” Sheales said.
After listening to final submissions yesterday, VCAT president Justice Greg Garde reserved judgment until a later date.
It is believed the findings could be delivered as early as next week.
Justice Garde last year overturned a Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board decision to disqualify O’Brien (four years) and Kavanagh (three), for presenting horses on race day with excessive levels of cobalt.
He was satisfied O’Brien and Kavanagh had no knowledge of the excessive cobalt levels and therefore could not be guilty of its administration.
Sheales urged Justice Garde to impose no further penalty on the trainers.