Racing Victoria investigating after horses test positive

Top racing trainer Peter Moody is under investigation after one of his horses allegedly returned a positive test for the banned drug cobalt.

Two other trainers, Mark Kavanagh and Danny O’Brien, are also accused of using the drug in their stables.

It was Moody’s horse Lidari which supposedly tested positive, a horse that finished second in last year’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes.

“I’m as shocked as anyone,” Moody said.

Cobalt is believed to have similar effects in horses to the human endurance drug EPO, most notoriously used by cyclist Lance Armstrong.

All three have denied using the drug but if found guilty face bans of up to three years.

The trio are assisting Racing Victoria with its investigation, after which stewards will decide if charges could be laid.

“We don’t have an issue with the way we do things, and I think our reputation and our record speaks for itself,” Moody said.