Canterbury harness racing trainer Stephen Hale has been fined $4500 by the Judicial Control Authority after a horse he trains returned a post-race swab with an elevated cobalt level.
Matau Gem ran second at Timaru on May 13 and subsequently returned a cobalt reading of 120 micrograms per litre, above the Harness Racing New Zealand-set threshold of 100.
The source of the reading was determined to be a salt lick Hale had given the mare, one which clearly stated cobalt's presence on the packaging. Hale admitted the breach, and in response to the Racing Integrity Unit's submission requesting a $5000 fine, said he believed it was manifestly disproportionate to other recent fees for the same substance at much higher levels.
Various factors were taken in to account and, after starting at $8000, the JCA applied deductions to settle on $4500 plus a minor amount of costs.
Matau Gem was disqualified from second, With The Band promoted.
