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 Mitchell Freedman-trained racehorse, Pearl de Vere.
The report relates to a pre-race urine sample taken from Pearl de Vere before running in the Fillies and Mares Benchmark 64 Handicap over 1200 metres at Geelong Racecourse on 28 June 2019.
RASL reported that it had detected within the sample cobalt at a mass concentration of 111 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 Chemistry Laboratory reported that it had detected within the reserve portion of the sample cobalt at a concentration of 130 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.
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 Mitchell Freedman of the irregularity on 3 August 2019 and was today advised of the confirmatory findings and that Stewards are continuing their investigation.