TRAINER PETER MOODY CLEARED OF MOST SERIOUS COBALT CHARGE
WHAT IT WAS OVER
* Lidari second in Group One Turnbull Stakes, October 2014
* Recorded cobalt level of 360-410 micrograms per litre of urine
* Cobalt prohibited substance if more than 200 micrograms per litre
THE FINDING
* Most serious charge dismissed - administering cobalt to affect horse's race performance (minimum three-year ban)
* Guilty of lesser charge of administration
* No set penalty: could get a fine or ban
* Cobalt got into Lidari due to something in Moody stable
* Significant carelessness in stable's operations and Moody responsible
* Carelessness or even negligence not purposeful administration
THE DEFENCE ARGUMENT
* Stablehand mistakenly gave Lidari large doses of oral hoof treatment Availa for months
* Availa contains modest amount of cobalt
* Wanted analysis evidence thrown out because of breaches including stewards intervening in way test samples analysed - Board disagreed
STEWARDS ARGUED
* Availa story nonsense and a lie, with Moody central to the lie
* Inference that Moody administered cobalt to affect Lidari's performance
HOW OTHER VICTORIAN TRAINERS HAVE FARED
* Shannon Hope disqualified for five years and father Lee for three years for intentional administration; appealing
* Danny O'Brien four-year ban for intentional administration; appealing
* Mark Kavanagh three-year ban for intentional administration; appealing.