Rules allow nominations for Weir gallopers
Trainer Darren Weir can nominate horses for the CF Orr Stakes meeting but a determination on whether they can start in his name will be made following a show cause hearing.
Racing Victoria stewards charged Weir on Friday before commencing a show cause hearing which was adjourned to until Monday afternoon.
Weir has been charged with possessing three taser-like devices known as jiggers and also with failing to give evidence to the stewards inquiry and conduct prejudicial to the image of racing.
RV opened the inquiry on Thursday, a day after they and Victoria Police officers from the sports integrity unit raided his stables at Warrnambool and Ballarat where they found the jiggers designed to give a horse an electric shock.
His assistant, licensed trainer Jarrod McLean who runs the Warrnambool stable, has also been charged with possession of a device and with failure to answer questions at the inquiry.
Racing Victoria’s head of integrity Jamie Stier said the pair can nominate, but if something comes out of the show cause hearing, that will change.
“There’d have to be a transfer obviously,” Stier said.
“Whilst its not definitely confirmed yet, the indications from the stewards are that transfer should take place prior to acceptance time if, and I stress if, Mr Weir and Mr McLean are in a position not to be listed as the horses trainer on race day.”
Vast numbers of Weir horses have left the trainer in recent days including Nature Strip and Extra Brut who were due to resume at Caulfield on Saturday.
RV has been discussing putting on an extra trial at Cranbourne on Monday for those horses affected by their scratching at the weekend.
“We would work out what that appetite was,” Stier said.
“We thought it was a good opportunity to provide those horses an opportunity in continuing with their preparation.”
Stier said RV had reached out to stable staff affected by the police and RV raids at Warrnambool and Ballarat.
“Kirra Fitzgerald, our participant well-being manager, reached out to the stables yesterday (Friday),” Stier said.
“It was to let them know RV had mechanisms in place and then Kirra and the team emailed each of the registered staff as a polite measure.
“We have in place a line, stableline, independent of RV. Its their to offer assistance and to help ensure the well-being of the racing participants, not just Mr Weir and Mr McLean’s staff, that feel under pressure or requiring assistance.”
Stier couldn’t shed any light on timeframe for Weir, McLean and registered stable foreman Tyson Kermond, charged with failing to give evidence, to appear before the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board.
“That will become clearer during the week,” he said.
“The charges relate to the evidence that is available to the stewards up to this point.
“If there was further, or different evidence, that came to light which they wish to consider, they’ll be free to do so.”
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