Peter Moody fined over cobalt tweets

Peter Moody expressed disappointment but pleaded guilty and was fined for publishing two tweets which Racing Victoria stewards considered to be prejudicial to the interests of racing at an inquiry on Friday.

The former champion trainer was charged with breaching AR175A which deals with "conduct prejudicial to the image, interests or welfare of racing".

Moody published two tweets on September 20 and the first was: "Any truth a leading vic stable has COBALT positive in nsw where they have few runners compared to home state."

The second said: "Feed the same for horses in both stables. Maybe RVL not testing for COBALT at moment. Couldn't risk more positives."

Lindsay Park's David and Ben Hayes and Tom Dabernig responded at the time on Twitter with. "Rumour mill going crazy. FACT: Lindsay Park DO NOT have a positive to Cobalt, or any other medication in Vic/NSW or anywhere else #fakenews."

Moody responded with: "Plenty denials. Don't believe I mentioned any names. At least trainers are now receiving warnings - for the better."

At Friday's inquiry Moody confirmed to chief steward Terry Bailey he had published the tweets but defended his actions.

"I think they were self explanatory," Moody said.

"I didn't name anyone, there were questions there I was happy to see asked.

"I didn't find them derogatory, I didn't name anyone and I believe they were questions I was more than happy to have answered."

After confirming to Moody that Racing Victoria was still testing for cobalt, Stewards asked if Moody felt it was reasonable for them to draw the conclusion "leading vic stable" meant either Lindsay Park or Darren Weir.

Moody disagreed.

"People could but my own relationship is I probably have an interest in some 10 or 15 horses with the stable (Lindsay Park) but I certainly was not alluding to Lindsay Park at all - I'm surprised they outed themselves."

"The tweets were driven by irritation and sour grapes, I don't feel proud I've done it but I certainly felt better at the time I did it.

"I'd run out of ink if I had to write down all the names of people that were telling me these things in the past week.

"Sometimes you shoot from the hip and think afterwards. In hindsight I probably shouldn't have used the word positive in relation to cobalt.

"As someone who's lost their livelihood, been ridiculed, portrayed as enemy number 1 and called a drug cheat, I believe I was unfairly dealt with by yourself and your regime."

Bailey told Moody stewards felt the tweets "cast aspersions on racing in Victoria and on RV's cobalt-testing regime".

After a brief adjournment, Moody pleaded guilty rather than take the matter to the Racing and Disciplinary Board.

"Much to my disgust, (let's) deal with it today for the good of racing," Moody said.

"I've built this building on previous cases."

Moody was fined the sum of $3000 and reminded of his rights of appeal.

Meanwhile at an earlier RAD Board inquiry, owner Rory Button pleaded guilty to leaving a voice message for several licensed people, including jockey Stephen Baster, which constituted misconduct and unseemly behaviour following Cosmic Light being scratched on veterinary advice at Flemington on August 5.

Button pleaded guilty and was fined $3000.