Unwell vet in spotlight at cobalt appeal
A judge will decide if a vet named in cobalt cases in two states has to give evidence to Victorian trainers Danny O’Brien and Mark Kavanagh’s appeals against their cobalt disqualifications.
Dr Adam Matthews denies fellow vet Dr Tom Brennan’s claim he supplied bottles containing a substance called vitamin complex that Brennan gave to horses in the O’Brien and Kavanagh stables.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has heard Matthews is suffering from a significant psychiatric disorder that requires ongoing treatment in hospital.
The Racing NSW Appeal Panel found Matthews not guilty of being the supplier of cobalt in a bottle of vitamin complex Brennan sent to Kavanagh’s son, Sydney trainer Sam Kavanagh.
VCAT president Justice Greg Garde will hear further submissions on Monday before deciding if Matthews has to give evidence in Mark Kavanagh and O’Brien’s appeals.
Racing Victoria’s case is otherwise expected to finish on Monday before the first of the trainers begins giving evidence.