Racing NSW is withholding prizemoney won by Testarhythm in the Ortensia Stakes as their investigation into Darren Smith continues.

Racing NSW deputy chairman of stewards Greg Rudolph revealed to Fairfax Testarythm returned an elevated cobalt level following his first up success in the Listed Ortensia Stakes (1100m) last month.

Less than a fortnight later Racing NSW conducted a search of Darren Smith’s Newcastle stable as part of its ongoing investigation into the trainer’s use of cobalt.

Smith was immediately banned from nominating or accepting with horses which has as expected seen a mass exodus of runners from his team.

Testarhythm ran third in his stable debut for up and coming trainer Ben Smith while another former Darren Smith runner in Oakfield Commands saluted at Randwick on the weekend, now under the care of Gerald Ryan.

A date for the Darren Smith inquiry is yet to be set.