Racing industry bracing for Darren Smith cobalt case verdict and fallout

THE Darren Smith cobalt case, which goes before the Racing Appeals Tribunal on Monday, will have huge ramifications for the racing industry.

Darren Smith drugs case

THE Darren Smith cobalt case, which goes before the Racing Appeals Tribunal on Monday, will have huge ramifications for the racing industry.

If the RAT finds against Smith and the trainer’s 15-year ban stands, then it opens the door for retrospective testing of other frozen samples stored over the last few years.

Smith is appealing against his lengthy disqualification imposed by Racing NSW stewards for 42 charges relating to the use of cobalt on some of the horses in his Newcastle stables.

AT THE TRACK: WHO WILL PAY LEGAL FEES?

The trainer’s legal team maintain cobalt was not a prohibited substance when Smith was found to have used the substance last year as NSW racing did not have an agreed threshold until January 1, this year.

But Racing NSW stewards will argue that racing rules already stipulate that it is illegal to administer any substance which changes the physiology of the horse.

NSW move on level playing field

THE Baird Government will legislate to introduce wagering taxation parity for NSW racing in the spring session of state parliament.

Deputy Premier and Racing Minister Troy Grant has confirmed he will be taking a proposal to Cabinet in September to “achieve parity via legislation’’.

Racing NSW chief executive Peter V'landys. Picture: Adam Taylor

The proposal will stipulate NSW wagering tax would be decreased from $3.22 from every $100 wagered to Victoria’s level of $1.28, and be phased in over a five-year period starting from January 1, next year.

Parity has the potential to provide up to $100 million per annum in additional revenue for the NSW racing industry that can be used to increase minimum prizemoney, improve infrastructure and secure funding for Sydney’s showpiece racing event, The Championships.

Racing NSW, as the industry regulator and commercial driver, argued the wagering tax cuts needed to be enshrined in legislation and worked closely with the Minister and his senior staff, Alex Bruce and Nick Santucci, to reach an agreement on the parity issue.

“The Minister understood without this legislation there was no certainty for the racing industry going forward,’’ Racing NSW chief executive Peter V’landys said.

“The sign of a good leader is one that listens and acts, and doesn’t pontificate.’’

Industry on the move

THE agreement to provide wagering taxation parity continues a decade of significant structural change for the NSW racing industry.

Racing NSW went to the High Court to secure the race fields legislation case, negotiated $235 million in Federal Government funding support during the equine influenza crisis, initiated the merger of Sydney’s two race clubs and secured $150 million funding to develop Randwick’s grandstand through the sale of the computer-generated racing game Trackside.

Claire Nutman on Way We Go during Sydney racing at Randwick.

No sale but ‘away we go’

THE proposed $250,000 sale of Way We Go to Asian interests might have fallen through after the gelding failed a vet test. But trainer Garry Frazer isn’t complaining now.

Way We Go is already worth a lot more than the amount of the initial offer after he scored his second win from as many starts with a brilliant effort at Randwick on Saturday.

The young sprinter took his earnings nearly $90,000 — not bad for a horse that Frazer secured for just $4000 as a yearling.

Macca to make defence

JAMES McDonald returns to Sydney racing at Warwick Farm on Wednesday to protect his lead in the jockeys premiership.

McDonald, who has been riding for Godolphin in Europe for the past month, still leads on 88.5 wins with Blake Shinn only one win behind him while Hugh Bowman remains in title contention with 86 wins.

James McDonald back in Sydney to protect lead in jockeys’ title race.

ROYAL RANDWICK SNAPSHOT

RUN OF THE DAY

DARCIWOOD’S last-to-first swoop was outstanding. He actually lost contact with the back of the field at the halfway point of the 1000m sprint but then did something quite special to unleash a tremendous finishing surge wide out on the track. Darciwood is a shortcourse specialist and obviously doesn’t take after his half-brother, 2010 Melbourne Cup runner-up Maluckyday. Team Hawkes can place Darciwood to advantage through winter.

Tommy Berry on Darciwood.

FORGET THEY RAN

FELL Swoop was luckless finishing fourth to Darciwood. It is difficult to say for certain Fell Swoop would have won with clear galloping room but he would certainly have tested the winner. Keep following Fell Swoop, he’s a talented sprinter.

Mardi hasn’t been herself in two runs this campaign. She struggled under 61kg when seventh to Noela’s Choice. Mardi hasn’t been suited by the wet tracks this winter but she is not racing with the enthusiasm she showed last autumn.

THE BLACK BOOK

Happy Clapper was first-up and on an unsuitable heavy track so his effort to finish fifth, beaten just over three lengths behind Idance was commendable. Promising sprinter who should continue to improve this preparation, particularly once he gets onto firmer tracks.

Tommy Berry returns on Idance after winning race The Mick "Crusher" Kerr Memorial Handicap.

RIDE OF THE DAY

TOMMY Berry was back with a bang from suspension, producing two excellent winning efforts for Team Hawkes on Idance and Darciwood. His ride on the latter gets the nod as his best. Despite Darciwood being a clear last in a big field coming to the turn, Berry kept his nerve, got the horse to the extreme outside and waited until 250m out before pressing the button. Berry’s sense of timing was perfect.

Originally published as Racing industry bracing for Darren Smith cobalt case verdict and fallout