Queensland trainer Lindsay Hatch reveals cobalt ban has taken a heavy toll on his family

Lindsay Hatch has opened up on the “shocking” ordeal of having to fight for his training career, but is still focused on his job until there’s a verdict in his cobalt ban appeal.

Trainer Lindsay Hatch is appealing a 12-month suspension for a cobalt offence. Picture: Kevin Farmer

Queensland trainer Lindsay Hatch has opened up on the “shocking” ordeal of having to fight for his career as he appeals a 12-month racing suspension for a cobalt offence.

Hatch said his wife had been a nervous wreck and had come home crying every day since the Darling Down trainer was suspended for 12 months by stewards, in relation to racehorse Dream Lantern returning a post-race urine sample containing cobalt above the permitted threshold after winning at Ipswich in August last year.

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Hatch, who has kept training on a stay of proceedings, said the possibility of his appeal being quashed had weighed heavily on his family, particularly his wife Tracey.

“I don’t want to say too much until the result of the appeal comes through but we’re pretty confident that justice will be done,” Hatch said.

“It’s been shocking. My wife’s nervous, it’s been terrible. We all handle it differently but she’s come home every day crying and she’s been a mess.

“It’s been our business and if we lose our business then we can’t trade and if we’re getting in the news then we can’t go and get a job anywhere.

“It’s been very stressful for her.”

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Hatch, who appeared at the Queensland Racing Appeals Panel in Brisbane last Friday, said he expected a result on his case by the end of next week.

But Hatch said while the appeal process had been distressing, he was still fully focused on his job as trainer.

Hatch is set to run Writtle (left) at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Picture: Claire Power

“We’ve got an obligation to the owners and we haven’t taken our eyes off the ball,” he said.

“We’ve been doing everything as normal but it’s been very difficult having charges like that put on you.”

Hatch will have two runners in the same race at Eagle Farm on Saturday – consistent mare Wanda Rox and veteran gelding Writtle in a Benchmark 90 Handicap (1000m).

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Wanda Rox hasn’t raced since finishing second-last in the Group 3 Begonia Belle Stakes (1100m) at Flemington in early November but she has a superb first-run record (four from four).

“Writtle has been racing out of his skin so (jockey) Justin Huxtable recommended that we try and step him up in grade and get him right down in the weights,” Hatch said of the seven-year-old gelding.

“(Melbourne Cup champion) Robbie Dolan will be riding him at true weight.

“He’s got nothing on his back so if they go like a bat out of hell up front, he’ll be finishing up nice and strong.”