Australian vets charge 4 x higher than France and UK, with vets inclined to over-treat horses in OZ.
How does S.A. compare??
www.dropbox.com/s/npzlzyrc84xyh96/OTI%20...0Newsletter.pdf?dl=0
OTI Racing questions vets' role after cobalt positive
Brad Waters - 22 Jan 2015
Prominent syndicator OTI Racing has questioned the influence of vets in the decision-making process of racing stables in the wake of Victoria’s cobalt scandal.
OTI Racing owns the Peter Moody-trainer import Lidari, which tested positive to an elevated cobalt reading after the entire finished second in the Group I Turnbull Stakes in October last year.
OTI Racing directors Terry Henderson and Simon O’Donnell supported the Racing Victoria stewards’ investigation of the matter in a statement released on Thursday.
"We fully support the actions of the Integrity Department of Racing Victoria to resolve this matter in the best interests of the industry,” the statement read.
"At the same time, we point out that our relationships with Peter Moody and Danny O’Brien, who do or have trained OTI horses over many years, have been honest and frank.
"It is our hope that some mistake has been made through either contamination or ignorance in the alleged administration of the substance.”
However, Henderson and O’Donnell said the latest developments have raised the issue of "the use of veterinary services in many Australian stables”.
The pair noted Australian veterinary costs were "four times higher” than those in France and the UK with vets inclined to over-treat local horses.
"One wonders if we have now reached the position where vets have far too much influence,” the statement read.
"For some trainers, the vets are the prime, possibly the only, source of research on medications and supplements.
"Overall, they (vets) are an essential component of OTI’s business and significantly contribute to the wellbeing of our stock. Our comments are therefore not directed at their reputation but the relationship that has developed with many racing stables.
"There is little doubt that this cultural shift in the use of vets has led to the overuse of pre-race/post-race medications (many scientifically shown to be useless) as well as overtreatment generally.
"Some trainers see these treatments as some sort of ‘security blanket’ around race time. Such unwarranted services take the focus away from horsemanship, the core of a trainer’s business.”
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