Racehorse trainer claims doping probe used ‘bullying tactics’

Racehorse trainer Mark Kavanagh has claimed a Racing Victoria doping investigation into him and two other trainers has employed ‘bullying tactics’.

The investigation began after one of Peter Moody’s horses allegedly returned a positive result for the banned drug cobalt in January. Kavanagh and Danny O’Brien are also accused of using the drug in their stables and the investigation is ongoing.

Any prize money Kavanagh wins will be frozen until the investigation concludes, including if his horse Magicool defies the odds to win the $3 million Caulfield Cup this Saturday.

“I believe it’s bullying tactics, the way they’ve handled it,” Kavanagh told 9NEWS.

“I certainly will be working when it’s over to make sure they don’t handle a situation with any other trainer in the manner that they’ve handled us.”

Kavanagh said the investigation had taken a toll on his business and family.

“It hasn’t been easy, our stable is certainly suffering in size and it’s been tough on our family, but we’ll battle through it,” he said.

Legal restrictions prevent Kavanagh from talking at length about the investigation.

The matter will be heard in court at the end of November.