Horse trainer Peter Moody's cobalt case

TRAINER PETER MOODY CLEARED OF MOST SERIOUS COBALT CHARGE

WHAT IT WAS OVER

* Lidari second in Group One Turnbull Stakes, October 2014

* Recorded cobalt level of 360-410 micrograms per litre of urine

* Cobalt prohibited substance if more than 200 micrograms per litre

THE FINDING

* Most serious charge dismissed - administering cobalt to affect horse's race performance (minimum three-year ban)

* Guilty of lesser charge of administration

* No set penalty: could get a fine or ban

* Cobalt got into Lidari due to something in Moody stable

* Significant carelessness in stable's operations and Moody responsible

* Carelessness or even negligence not purposeful administration

THE DEFENCE ARGUMENT

* Stablehand mistakenly gave Lidari large doses of oral hoof treatment Availa for months

* Availa contains modest amount of cobalt

* Wanted analysis evidence thrown out because of breaches including stewards intervening in way test samples analysed - Board disagreed

STEWARDS ARGUED

* Availa story nonsense and a lie, with Moody central to the lie

* Inference that Moody administered cobalt to affect Lidari's performance

HOW OTHER VICTORIAN TRAINERS HAVE FARED

* Shannon Hope disqualified for five years and father Lee for three years for intentional administration; appealing

* Danny O'Brien four-year ban for intentional administration; appealing

* Mark Kavanagh three-year ban for intentional administration; appealing.