RV looks at stand-down in drug scandal

Victorian racing authorities are considering whether prominent trainer Robert Smerdon and seven other people charged with misconduct in relation to breaches of race day treatment rules should be stood down.

The eight were charged on Tuesday after an investigation sparked by the scratching of the Smerdon-trained Lovani from a race at Caulfield on October 7 when stewards suspected she had been treated against the rules.

In Smerdon’s case, the alleged race day treatments date from 2010 to 2017 and number more than 100.

“Under the Rules of Racing, the stewards have the power to stand down participants prior to any hearing,” Racing Victoria said.

“With these serious charges now laid, the stewards are giving urgent consideration to the participants’ continued involvement in racing pending further legal advice.”

Meanwhile, Aquanita Racing's chairman Peter Howell has written to owners in the wake of Tuesday's bombshell concerning eight current and former staff members. Dear Owner, Today the Aquanita directors be- came aware of a number of charges that have been laid by RVL stewards against two of the Aquanita trainers, Robert Smerdon and Stuart Webb, as well as a number of employees. These charges are a result of the Lovani inquiry and other matters relating to that inquiry.

The Aquanita directors have yet to have the opportunity to review the charges and to understand the implications to our staff and the owners who support those two stables. It will take a few days to digest and understand the implications of the charges, but be assured our prime responsibility is to your horses and the management and care of their current training programmes.

The Aquanita board will not be commenting publicly on the charges at this point, but we will keep you fully informed on any relevant developments as they unfold and impact on the training of your horses.

The Aquanita board takes the matters of compliance with RVL rules and protocols very seriously for all its businesses and related entities. We look forward to working with the various parties to bring this matter to a speedy conclusion. — AAP, Racing.com