Eight people charged in treatment probe

High profile trainer Robert Smerdon is one of eight people charged after an investigation sparked by the scratching of Lovani at Flemington last spring because of an alleged race day treatment.

Stewards on Tuesday laid charges against Smerdon, citing more than 100 alleged race day treatments over a seven–year period, and fellow trainers Stuart Webb, Tony Vasil, Liam Birchley and Trent Pennuto.

Greg Nelligan and Denise Nelligan, employees of Smerdon and former employees of Vasil, as well as another Smerdon employee Daniel Garland have also been charged.