Trainer’s corruption charges dismissed

The Victorian Racing Tribunal has dismissed corruption charges against former trainer Darren Weir, declaring his use of a jigger on three racehorses akin to a superstitious horseman “breaking into a racecourse to spread four-leaf clover on the track”.

Judge John Bowman said the VRT panel was not satisfied the use of a jigger on racehorses Red Cardinal, Tosen Basil and Yogi could have had any effect on the outcome of races – including the 2018 Melbourne Cup.

Weir and then-employees Jarrod McLean and Tyson Kermond had pleaded guilty to the use of jiggers but contested stewards’ charges of engaging in corrupt and dishonest conduct designed to affect the outcome of races.

Judge Bowman was scathing of Racing Victoria’s expert witness, Dr Andrew McLean, who gave evidence of the potential effect of jiggers on racehorses.

He said Dr McLean had little experience with racehorses and made several “important concessions in his oral evidence” under cross-examination.

He also said the stewards’ brief of evidence fell “well short” of the required standard of proof to find Weir, Jarrod McLean and Kermond guilty of corruption offences. McLean and Kermond were found guilty of engaging in corruption, dishonesty and misleading practices in connection with racing, a charge to which Weir had pleaded guilty.

The case continues next week with a directions hearing to determine the timeline for penalty submissions.

Weir has already served a four-year ban relating to possession of the jigger device.