Australian Trainers’ Association weighs up next move as Racing Australia stands firm on cobalt policy

Australian Trainers’ Association chief executive Andrew Nicholl said his body was still considering how to respond to Racing Australia’s decision not to change its stance on cobalt.

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Australian Trainers’ Association chief Andrew Nicholl said his body was still considering how to respond to Racing Australia’s decision to not change their present stance on cobalt.

Nicholl wrote to RA in August and in a detailed submission pointed out that the science had changed as to whether cobalt could effect a horse’s performance and also that other jurisdictions had administered fines instead of disqualifications for cobalt positives.

RA responded on Wednesday and told the ATA they don’t intend to change their approach to how they judge a cobalt positive.

They still believe that it has the potential to effect performance and that it’s up to trainers to ensure they present horses to the races without breaching the cobalt threshold.

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Harbour Views has been well back in the Ballarat Cup, but he could miss out on a start in the race. Picture: AAP

Waiting game for Harbour Views

Connections of potential star Harbour Views will have to wait and see whether he will get a run in Saturday's $500,000 Ballarat Cup (2000m).

With the distance having been reduced from 2200m to 2000m, the field size has gone from 18 to 16, which left Harbour Views as the second emergency. Despite being second emergency, punters have backed the gelding from $4 into $3.50 after the field was declared.

The prep-post favourite for the race Admiral’s Joker didn’t accept due to a slight virus.

Ben Thompson will return to Melbourne next month after successful riding stint in Singapore. Picture: Getty Images

Thompson heading home

Former leading apprentice Ben Thompson will return to ride in Victoria when he completes his stint in Singapore on December 8.

Thompson was granted a licence by the Singapore Turf Club to ride there next year but he has relinquished that opportunity, citing personal reasons.

Thompson has ridden in Singapore for the past year. The 22 year-old is seventh in the Singapore jockeys’ premiership with 27 wins from 406 rides.

He told the Singapore Turf Club website that he would return to Melbourne and hoped his usual supporters such as Ciaron Maher, Troy Corstens and Robbie Griffiths would give him rides.

Originally published as Australian Trainers’ Association weighs up next move as Racing Australia stands firm on cobalt policy