Stewards' Report - Jenny Gow-Whyte

Racing Victoria (RV) Stewards have received a report from Racing Analytical Services Limited (RASL) confirming that a prohibited substance has been detected in a urine sample collected from the Jenny Gow-Whyte trained racehorse, Soul Fire.

The report relates to a pre-race urine sample taken from Soul Fire after finishing third in the Elephant & Castle Hotel BM70 Handicap over 1100 metres at Geelong Racecourse on 3 August 2018.

RASL reported that it had detected within the sample cobalt at a mass concentration greater than 200 micrograms per litre in urine. The expanded measurement uncertainty for cobalt determination at 100 micrograms per litre is 10 micrograms per litre at greater than 99.7% confidence. 

The Racing Science Centre Laboratory reported that it had detected within the reserve portion of the sample cobalt at a concentration of greater than 200 micrograms per litre in urine. The expanded measurement uncertainty for cobalt determination at 100 micrograms per litre is 6 micrograms per litre at greater than 99.7% confidence. 

Cobalt (an essential mineral nutrient which affects multiple body systems and is toxic at high dosages) is a prohibited substance in accordance with the Rules of Racing at a concentration in excess of 100 micrograms per litre in urine.

RV Stewards initially informed Ms Gow-Whyte of the irregularity on 31 August 2018 and was today advised of the confirmatory findings and that Stewards are continuing their investigation.