Black Caviar trainer banned for at least 6 months

Black Caviar's trainer Peter Moody was banned Thursday from racing for one year, with six months suspended, after he was found guilty of doping one of his horses with cobalt.

Australian trainer Moody's conviction on Wednesday -- which saw him escape a more serious charge of intentionally doping the horse Lidari -- followed the suspension of other trainers as a drug crisis grips the racing industry.

Moody said he was disappointed with the decision by the Victorian Racing and Appeals Disciplinary Board but did not plan to appeal.

"(It's a) great disappointment, I'm a bit numb really," the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported him as saying Thursday.

"(We have) a lot of clients to meet and discuss options with, but first and foremost, I'll meet with my chief financial officer, my wife, and discuss it further with my legal team overnight."
Moody, who previously trained the now-retired Australian wonder mare Black Caviar, could have faced a minimum three-year ban if he was found guilty of the more serious charge. Lidari had tested positive for cobalt in 2014.

The board said six months of the ban were suspended under the decision, provided Moody did not commit further doping offences during the 12-month period.

Australian racing rules describe cobalt as a naturally occurring element which may normally be present in horses at very low levels. It is also found in vitamin B12.

Cobalt is believed to improve endurance, however, trainers have been warned of severe side effects.

The Australian Racing Board set a threshold level of 200 micrograms per litre with bans enforced for higher concentrations from January 1 last year.
Source: AFP