Aquanita reaffirms its support for race rules
AQUANITA Racing, the management company now embroiled in one of Australia’s largest thoroughbred integrity scandals, insists it takes Racing Victoria’s rules and protocols “very seriously.”
In a letter sent to owners, Aquanita Racing said its directors are yet to review the massive 271 charges laid against trainers Robert Smer- don and Stuart Webb and six other people. The majority of the charges relate to the alleged illegal use of alkalising agents on horses from 2010-17.
All eight people charged have links, past or present, to Aquanita Racing or used the company’s services or stables.
If successfully prosecuted, some of the accused face the prospect of being warned off all Australian courses.
Aquanita said its directors, including board chairman Peter Howell and Melbourne Racing Club chairman Mike Symons, would need time to “understand the implication to our staff and the owners who support those two stables”.
“The Aquanita board takes the matters of compliance with RVL rules and protocols very seriously for all its business and related entities,” it said.
Aquanita Racing provides managerial services to a select group of trainers, including Smerdon and Webb. It also employs or employed Greg Nelligan, his wife Denise Nelligan and stablehand Danny Garland, who also face multiple charges stemming from the complex doping investigation.
The company has previously been associated with Group 1 winning trainers Tony Vasil and Liam Birchley, who have also been charged.