Australian trainer Peter Moody has described a six-month suspension as “a great disappointment” but declared it was unlikely to end his career in racing.
Peter Moody – 6 months
Moody has been suspended from training racehorses for six months after being found guilty on two charges over a positive swab to cobalt.
The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board handed Moody a year-long ban last Thursday, but suspended half of the sentence for 12 months.
His suspension will start at midnight on Thursday 24 March.
“It gives me a possibility of saving my business in some way shape or form,” he told reporters.
“It was the only thing I’ve done since I was 10 years old and disqualification makes me unemployable.
“I’d like to think that I’ve had a great career. Racing’s been great to me and I hope it will be great to me again.
“I certainly want to go out on my terms and not someone else’s.”
Counsel for Racing Victoria stewards had earlier asked the RADB to impose a two-year disqualification on the trainer.
Moody had been cleared of the most serious charge of intentionally administering cobalt to affect a racehorse’s performance, which would have carried a minimum three-year ban.
He said an appeal against the suspension would be unlikely.
“I’ve always indicated strongly that I won’t go through an appeal process. I want this matter ended today.”
Moody says he felt vindicated that “I haven’t cheated” and defended the way his stable operates.
“I don’t think I became too laid back about the things we’ve put in place,” he said.
Lidari tested above the allowable threshold for cobalt after running second in the 2014 Turnbull Stakes during the Melbourne spring carnival.
The trainer, who prepared champion racemare Black Caviar throughout her unbeaten career, becomes the latest prominent Victorian horseman to be banned for a cobalt swab.
Danny O’Brien has appealed a four-year disqualification, while Mark Kavanagh is fighting a three-year ban.
Lee Hope faces three years on the sidelines and his son Shannon has been outed for five years. They have also appealed.
– AAP
