Alexander's cobalt hearing stalls

A crucial legal ruling on Archie Alexander's cobalt case before the Victorian Racing Tribunal (VRT) is set to be made by VRT chairman Judge John Bowman.

Bowman in Monday's preliminary hearing took submissions from Alexander's legal representatives over a two-and-a-half-hour period which focused on whether the defence of an "honest and reasonable mistake" was applicable to Alexander's current cobalt administration charge.

The defence centres around Alexander's actions following a conversation with Racing Victoria steward Dion Villella.

Villella advised Alexander that a type of feed used by the trainer contained cobalt which prompted Alexander to make a direct inquiry with the manufacturer.

Alexander was then assured by the feed manufacturer that their product could not trigger a cobalt reading above the permitted threshold.

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Article written by: Carl Di Iorio