The Matt Rudolph show cause hearing has been adjourned to a date to be fixed by Racing NSW.

A sub-committee of the Board of Racing NSW consisting of Ken Brown as chairman, Russell Balding and Tony Hodgson heard evidence on Tuesday during a show cause hearing against Australian Turf Club Executive Manager Racing Matt Rudolph.

The show cause centres on whether Rudolph should be penalised pursuant to the Rules of Racing for conduct arising out of the stewards’ inquiry into the discovery of cobalt and caffeine in the urine sample taken from Midsummer Sun subsequent to that gelding winning the Gosford Gold Cup on January 9.

This follows an independent investigation and advice received by Racing NSW from the Keith Mason QC.

The show cause notice relates to events on March 2 when Rudolph met with trainers Mark and Sam Kavanagh at the Lord Dudley Hotel in Sydney.

Rudolph is required to show cause why his conduct at that meeting was not an attempt to cause Sam Kavanagh to change his evidence before the stewards in the Midsummer Sun inquiry.

In particular, it is alleged that Rudolph pressured Kavanagh to withdraw evidence that Dr Tom Brennan, a partner in the Flemington Equine Clinic, was the supplier of the 100ml injectable bottle labelled ‘Vitamin Complex’ containing cobalt.

An independent senior counsel Peter Braham SC, is conducting the show cause hearing for Racing NSW. Rudolph was legally represented by Ian Pike SC.

Evidence was taken on Tuesday from Sam Kavanagh, Mark Kavanagh and Matt Rudolph, and exhibits tabled.

The hearing has been adjourned to a date to be fixed to allow evidence from further witnesses, and thereafter submissions, prior to a delivery of the sub-committee’s findings.