Queensland trainer outed for cobalt

Rockhampton trainer Ricky Vale has been disqualified for 12 months on three charges relating to positive cobalt swabs.

He was also fined $5000 on a separate charge involving the drug dexamethasone, an anti inflammatory.

Queensland Racing Integrity Commission stewards charged Vale after cobalt above the allowable levels were detected in urine samples taken from three horses.

They were Prince Dan at Mackay in March 2016, Reset The World at Rockhampton in March 2016, and Shepiktus at Rockhampton in March 2016.

The prohibited substance dexamethasone was also detected in a urine sample taken from Prince Dan at Rockhampton in February 2016.

An inquiry was started in March this year and Vale with his legal representative Peter Boyce, made submissions and provided written exhibits.

The inquiry was adjourned but when it resumed this week Vale pleaded not guilty to the charges and stewards considered submissions in his defence.

But stewards were satisfied all four charges could be sustained and Vale was found guilty.