Trainers to front stewards over cobalt positives

Clinton Payne - Wednesday September 6

Randwick trainer Ron Quinton and country-based Group I-winning trainer Gordon Yorke face seperate stewards' inquiries over cobalt positives returned by gallopers from their stables.

Advertisement
Ron Quinton with his former apprentice Sam Clipperton. Photo: Steve Hart

Quinton has been asked to front an inquiry after "certified findings from two official racing laboratories" confirmed the cobalt above the legal threshold were detected in a pre-race urine sample taken from Boss Lane.

The sample was taken from the gelding prior to his fourth placing in the Group II Missile Stakes on August 5.

"Stewards have ordered the analysis of feed and supplements taken from Mr Quinton's stable," the stewards' report read.

"During the course of the investigation Racing NSW Stewards have taken some 35 out of competition samples from horses trained by Mr Quinton to endeavour to ensure that horses presented to race are done so in accordance with the Rules of Racing."

The inquiry into the matter will be held at a time and date to be fixed.

Meanwhile, Victoria Derby-winning trainer Gordon Yorke is also facing a cobalt inquiry after Follow Through returned an elevated reading in the pre-race urine at Grafton on July 13.

The five-year-old mare finished second in the Bidfood Class 1 Handicap after easing from $8 to $21.

Stewards have also ordered analysis of Yorke's feed and supplements taken from the stable.

" An out of competition sample taken from Follow Through prior to racing at Gosford on 17 August 2017 confirmed a level of cobalt below 100ug/l," the stewards report read.

Yorke also faces an inquiry at a time and date to be fixed.

Advertisment
More Reading...
$1.5Million Dundeel 3YO Salutes
When Arrowfield boss John Messara turns up to a Thursday meeting at Hawkesbury to watch a $1.5million Dundeel 3YO go around it’s a fairly safe bet that it will be winning.
State of Excitement for Cambridge Stud
In a week where Cambridge Stud’s focus is largely around Joliestar’s tilt at the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m), it was their first-season sire Sword Of State who was making headlines across the Tasman on Wednesday.
Sires With Winners - Thursday October 16
Here is the full list of 37 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Too Darn Hot Filly Chasing Guineas Start
Stablemates Oratia Beauty and Geneva will have opportunities to book their passages south when they step out at Ellerslie on Saturday.
Not This Time 2026 Fee Surges to US$250,000
When Widden Stud announced they would be shuttling Group I winning sprinter Cogburn (USA) to Australia this spring there were many Australian breeders who had to start doing some homework on his sire Not This Time.
Brave Smashing Out Winners
Yarraman Park’s Brave Smash (Jpn) has been on a winning roll since the start of this month and racked up his fifth winner for October when talented colt Smashing Lad scored an impressive maiden win at Warrnambool on Thursday.
Blue Gum Farm Find Positive in Debutant Result for Sejardan
The victory by Torture in Wednesday's Listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield kicked off the New Zealand based stallion Sword Of State's career in fine style and Blue Gum Farm have reason to be excited by the impressive performance.
800k Night of Thunder Colt Stars - Record-Breaking Tattersalls October Book 2 Concludes
Book 2 of the Tattersalls October Yearling Sale concluded with new benchmarks set for turnover and median. The sale aggregate of 70,124,500 guineas was well clear of the wide-margin record set in 2024, and the median of 76,000 guineas was a 9% increase on the previous year’s record equalling figure. The sale clearance rate was an excellent 92%.
Mr Mozart First Foals Impress at Highview Stud
Young Snitzel stallion Sword of State kicked off his stud career in the best way possible on Wednesday with an Aussie 2YO stakes-winner in Torture, but he’s not the only well credentialed son of Snitzel in New Zealand with Highview Stud home to Mr Mozart.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 The Everest
The moment has arrived! And what a journey it has been to The TAB Everest eve of 2025 - Official G1 status secured, 20 million bucks up for grabs, the fastest horse on the planet flown in and TV coverage going global - it's all happening!