Queensland trainers who have horses with positive cobalt results will know the results of confirmatory tests within the next week.

Samples from six harness racing horses and three thoroughbreds have returned cobalt levels higher than the threshold of 200mcg per litre of urine.

The irregularities in the harness racing horses are from three stables and another three from three individual thoroughbred trainers.

The trainers will be only be named if results of the B samples sent to laboratories in Hong Kong and Sydney confirm higher than allowed levels.

Racing Queensland’s integrity department chief Wade Birch said it was not possible to give an exact date when the B sample results would be back from testing.

“There is a large volume of work being carried out. But at this stage I expect them back Friday of this week or next Monday,” Birch said.

“As for releasing the results Monday week looks the most likely.”

Birch said trainers would be notified of the test results and then officials would undertake any action,.

If found guilty of any breach of cobalt regulations, trainers face lengthy disqualifications.

In Sydney, stewards are expected to decide early in the week whether charges will be laid against Newcastle trainer Darren Smith.

Chief steward Ray Murrihy said his panel had studied submissions from Smith’s legal counsel after a hearing in late 2014.

The trainer has admitted giving the substance to horses in his care last year before the introduction of a threshold.

In Melbourne, stewards are continuing their investigations into elevated cobalt levels returned from horses in four stables.

Peter Moody, Mark Kavanagh, Danny O’Brien and Lee and Shannon have all been told they have positive results to the substance.

Article from justhorseracing.com.au