Caulfield chaos after Weir team scratched
TODAY’S race meeting at Caulfield has been thrown into disarray after Racing Victoria stewards scratched trainer Darren Weir’s team of high-profile runners.
Weir has been asked to show cause why he should be allowed to continue training after being issued with six charges by stewards following the discovery of three jiggers, or electronic devices, at his Miners Rest properties.
His assistant trainer Jarrod McLean has also been asked to show cause after a jigger was found at Yangery. Failure to do so can lead to a suspension of licence.
Weir had a string of highclass runners entered at Caulfield today, including star sprinter Nature Strip, VRC Derby winner Extra Brut and emerging cult figure Ringerdingding.
He had 11 runners in total at Caulfield, nine last night at The Valley, seven at Kyneton today and three at Sale tomorrow but all have been scratched after the stewards’ decision.
Weir’s racing empire is in crisis after he was hit with six charges by Racing Victoria stewards and asked to show cause why he should be allowed to continue to train.
The nation’s champion trainer and stable employees McLean and Tyson Kermond have been hit with a total of 12 charges stemming from Wednesday’s dawn stable raids.
The dramatic turn came as owners prepared to take champion horses out of Weir’s stables amid fears for the trainer’s staff and suppliers.
Weir and McLean have been “invited to make submissions to stewards” over the show-cause notice, a day after Sydney stewards asked Weir to justify why he should be allowed to compete in NSW.
Queensland racing officials were late yesterday seeking further information about the investigation into Weir before deciding whether to demand he show cause why he should be allowed to race horses in their state.
“We are in contact with Victoria and are waiting to get all of the information from them they can share with us, and once we get that we will make a decision whether we need to take action as NSW have done,’’ Queensland Racing Integrity commissioner Ross Barnett said.
“I understand why NSW are trying to be proactive because he may have runners in that state.’’
Kermond has been referred directly to the Victorian Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board at a date to be fixed to answer two charges of failing to give evidence and failing to comply with stewards’ direction.
Weir has been issued with six charges relating to the discovery of electronic devices, or jiggers, at properties near Ballarat and Warrnambool, failing to give evidence during interviews at Flemington on Thursday at the request of stewards, failing to comply with a direction of the stewards in that he refused to answer questions or give evidence and with conduct prejudicial to the image, interests or welfare of racing.