RV Stewards Report Archie Alexander

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 Archie Alexander-trained racehorse, Tom’s Knight.

The report relates to a post-race urine sample taken from Tom’s Knight following the gelding’s win in the Bet365 Protest Promise Maiden Plate (1200m)  at Kilmore Racecourse on 2 November 2018.

RASL reported that it had detected within the sample cobalt at a mass concentration of 141 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 137 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 Mr Alexander of the irregularity on 28 November 2018. He has now been advised of the confirmatory findings and that Stewards are continuing their investigation.”