Just hours after Racing Victoria stewards reminded Peter Moody of his obligations to the racing industry following remarks he made in the media, the premiership-winning trainer decided not to speak to journalists at Caulfield on Saturday.
Moody was interviewed by stewards following some adverse remarks he had made through the media regarding the cobalt crisis.
After winning the opening race with former New Zealand mare Abidewithme, Moody announced the media ban.
Moody is facing a possible three-year disqualification if found guilty of administering cobalt to Lidari last spring following that stayer returning a positive swab to the substance.
Over the past two weeks Moody has not missed an opportunity to voice his contempt for the science behind the outlawed cobalt.
Moody refused to go to last Sunday night's Scobie Breasley Medal, despite an evening in which one of his horses was named Victorian horse of the year, due according to the former Queenslander to the cobalt stigma surrounding him.
Late last week Moody lashed out at the racing industry on a Melbourne radio station by declaring, "I'm either good for the game or bad for the game – get your splinters out of your arse and make your mind up is what I'm saying."
Just six weeks ago when formally charged, it was reported that Moody would walk away from the industry. However, he's still training a huge team at his Caulfield base.
Moody will have all percentages from group and listed races frozen until his hearing. Trainers earn 10 per cent of all prizemoney. No date has been fixed for his hearing.
For some 30 years the late Jack Denham refused to speak to the media but Moody is the first in recent times to object to an interview. It's unclear what onus is on trainers by Racing Victoria to make themselves available after each race.
In the AFL, coaches must attend a post-game media conference. Perhaps RVL may have to intervene to demand trainers give interviews.
It was a disappointing outcome as Saturday's Memsie Stakes was the first group 1 event of the season.
Just hours after making his decision Moody was again the winner's stall, this time with high-class colt Gold Symphony.
Moody met other trainers and owners in Sydney last week to discuss the elevated cobalt levels that have seen some of Australia's most successful trainers facing stiff penalties.
Moody, who prepared the all-conquering Black Caviar, told the media that it was merely a "think tank" and maintained that cobalt had been made out to be far worse than it is in reality.
On October 18, Lee and Shannon Hope will have to front stewards over their cobalt positives as do Mark Kavanagh and Danny O'Brien, who go before the racing disciplinary and appeals board on November 30.
