McLean ban appeal adjourned again

THE inquiry in to charges against trainer Jarrod McLean possessing a banned electricshock device was adjourned until September after a brief appearance before the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board on Monday.

McLean, pictured, who has continued to train and has three runners at Ballarat today, is facing two charges including possessing an electrical apparatus — known as a jigger — and conduct prejudicial to racing.

The charges arose from the same January raids by Racing Victoria stewards and Victoria police which resulted in disgraced trainer Darren Weir receiving a four year ban after a jigger was found in his bedroom.

Weir didn’t contest his charges, but McLean, who had been Weir’s assistant while also training on his own, has opted to proceed with a hearing. It was supposed to begin on Monday but McLean’s barrister Patrick Wheelahan immediately made an application to have the case heard behind closed doors.

When asked if McLean was contesting his two charges, Wheelahan said he couldn’t say for reasons he explained when the hearing was closed.

The session was adjourned until a new directions hearing on September 3. McLean has been allowed to continue to train, but RV rejected his application to take over Weir’s Warrnambool stables. Both trainers were arrested and then released without charge by police after officers and stewards raided Weir’s stables at in January.