Central Queensland under cobalt cloud with several positives

CENTRAL Queensland racing has been rocked by five positive tests to banned substances since February, including three relating to cobalt.

Cobalt is a heavy metal salt which, when present at high levels, some experts believe it can lead to postponing the onset of fatigue.

CENTRAL Queensland racing has been rocked by five positive tests to banned substances since February, including three relating to cobalt.

Racing Queensland stewards are scheduling inquiries following the positive tests.

Along with the five positives, there has been a further two ­irregularities to banned substances recorded in central Queensland that are yet to be confirmed.

Four of the five positive tests, including the three cobalt positives, were recorded by horses in the care of Rockhampton trainer Ricky Vale.

The banned substances relating to the two other positive tests not involving cobalt are unknown at this stage.

Four of the five positive tests were recorded from races at Rockhampton, while the other positive relates to a race at Mackay.

Cobalt is a heavy metal salt, which is present in all animals at very low trace levels.

At high levels some experts believe it can assist in generating more red blood cells to carry oxygen through the body and therefore postpone the onset of fatigue.

Vale could not be contacted for comment on Sunday. He was disqualified for 18 months for his conduct towards stewards and officials at Rockhampton Jockey Club on April 8.

But he had his disqualification reduced to a six-month suspension on appeal, with the term suspended on the proviso he does not reoffend for a period of 12 months.

Trainer John Zielke has high expectations for next season. Picture: Mark Cranitch

HAPPY TIMES AHEAD

JOHN Zielke believes he can train “15 or 20” two-year-old winners next season after Happy Event took the trainer’s tally to 11 for the season with her convincing win at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

Sunshine Coast trainer Zielke has had an amazing run with two-year-olds this season with his 11 victories, including an astonishing seven Saturday metropolitan winners. That figure doesn’t include Dream Aplenty’s Group 2 placing in the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes.

Originally published as Central Queensland under cobalt cloud with several positives