Terry Bailey takes stand in cobalt appeals

Racing Victoria’s chief steward Terry Bailey is expected to be questioned in court about claims RV chairman David Moodie was involved in leaking news of Danny O’Brien’s cobalt positives.

Bailey will be grilled over RV’s handling of O’Brien, Mark Kavanagh and Lee and Shannon Hope’s cobalt positives as the trainers’ appeals against their disqualifications continue.

The issue of O’Brien’s cobalt positives being leaked to fellow Victorian trainer Peter Moody is expected to be raised during the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal hearing.

Moody told O’Brien in January 2015 he had heard the Flemington trainer may also have a cobalt positive.

David Moodie spoke to Peter Moody immediately before the trainer called O’Brien, VCAT heard last month.

O’Brien and Kavanagh’s barrister Damian Sheales has said he plans to ask Bailey whether he investigated the breach of confidentiality or did not investigate because of who the person was believed to be.

Bailey is expected to give evidence some time on Tuesday.

The first witness for the day will be ChemCentre forensic science operations manager Charles Russo, who will give evidence via videolink from Perth.

O’Brien, Kavanagh and the Hopes are trying to overturn their cobalt disqualifications by arguing the laboratories that did the testing were not properly accredited at the time.

Racing Victoria head vet Dr Brian Stewart is scheduled to appear after Bailey.

Stewart has resigned to take up a position with the Hong Kong Jockey Club and will leave once the Melbourne Cup carnival has finishes on November 5.