Aquanita case mounts
Stewards to reveal an avalanche of texts over ‘guns’
WITHIN racing circles, it quickly became known as the “prisoner of war” interview.
Questioned by investigators over the content of thousands of text exchanges he shared with float driver Greg Nelligan, Robert Smerdon did not budge.
Under pressure to explain why Nelligan allegedly used a modified syringe in a horse urinal to plunge a slurry of sodium bicarbonate and Tripart down Lovani’s throat on October 7, Smerdon gave little more than a “name, rank and serial number” response.
Instead, the driver was cut adrift as a lone wolf — a ruse investigators did not buy given the avalanche of text messages involving Smerdon and others since charged with 271 counts of allegedly breaching racing’s rules that will be tested before the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board from Monday.
One text from Nelligan to co-accused Stuart Webb stood out, outlining contingencies to be a “martyr” and move interstate if the Aquanita circle of eight’s clandestine activity was uncovered.
Nelligan and his wife, Denise, have done exactly that, entering a “no contest” plea and leaving Victoria.
Grilled about terms such as “top-ups” and detail about timings and volume in the texts, Smerdon said instructions to the driver related purely to hydration and feeding.
The most prominent of the eight people charged with dishonest and improper practice, the trainer might not have known at the time investigators had been well briefed about his stable’s suspected use of race-day drenches and topups.
That information was provided by one of the charged parties, who, after initially following a pre-ordained path of denial, changed course and capitulated.
The evidence subsequently gathered was later presented to Aquanita directors, one of whom was so shaken he stumbled face first into a pillar at Racing Victoria headquarters.
Smerdon, who has walked away from racing after surrendering his licence, indicated no such panic.
As the probe wore on, he stood down as an Aquanita director — having assured board colleagues he had no knowledge of the cheating — before travelling to Queensland to consider his future.
In 2016, 16 months before Nelligan was busted, Smerdon’s text message orders — supposedly about hydration — carried an ironically sinister tone.
He had started using terms such as “guns”, a suspected reference to the plunger Racing Victoria compliance and assur- ance team members allegedly seized from Nelligan at Flemington at the time Winx was parading before the Turnbull Stakes.
“Better load 4 guns for tomorrow (smiling emoji),” he texted before a June 18 meeting. Nelligan replied: “OK.” Smerdon saddled four runners, with Clemency winning, leading home stablemates Every Faith and Zakayla.
Prontezza, Celeritas and Spreadeagled were unplaced at the same meeting.
The following week, before the Bendigo meeting, Smerdon asked Nelligan to: “Load up the guns big fella.” He replied: “All made.” All Well ran second, Berning Desire was fourth and Mate’s Reward was 10th.
On July 1, 2016, Smerdon lodged more requests.
“Can you be here at 3pm to leave at 3.15 and bring one loaded?” Smerdon wrote. Nelligan: “Will do”. Smerdon: “Load two up for the late load.”
Smerdon had Vanilla Ice Cream, Tapestry Boy, Best Of British and Dangerous Breeding at Pakenham that day. None finished in the top four.
When he was interviewed minutes after the Lovani bust, Smerdon pleaded innocence.
His texts supposedly relating to horse welfare were found on Nelligan’s phone, but were sent from Smerdon’s.
Smerdon is yet to enter a plea.
He has instead claimed publicity around the case has “tarnished” him.
“It just seems the right time to retire,” Smerdon told Racenet.