WEDNESDAY’S hearing of the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board has handed down a four-year disqualification to embattled trainer Darren Weir. Judge John Bowman heard that electric-shock devices or ‘jiggers’ had been found in Weir’s bedroom following the joint raid by Racing Victoria stewards and Victoria Police the previous Wednesday. “With reputation and privilege comes responsibility,” said Racing Victoria counsel Jeff Gleeson QC.

“The devices were found in the master bedroom of his house, not in some shed or employee’s bag.”

The 48-year-old Weir will not contest the penalty and offered no comment after the hearing. The penalty matches that sought by Racing Victoria stewards said Gleeson. “It shouldn’t be more because it is a charge of possession and conduct prejudicial, there is no charge of use. It’s simply an offence of possession.” A police investigation is still pending. Weir’s 93 metropolitan winners see him depart the training ranks 61 clear of his next rival, having won 265 races this season. Weir has won the past five Victorian Trainers’ Premierships.

UPHEAVAL

The conclusion of Wednesday’s hearing provides a punctuation mark to what has been eight days of immense upheaval, rivalling that of the systemic cheating that resulted in 271 charges laid against the ‘Aquanita eight’ just 12 months earlier.

“Personally, I have been shocked, then angry and frustrated, that we are again seeing headlines that detract from the amazing work that so many people do to make our industry great,” said Racing Victoria chairman Brian Kruger in a statement issued to over 50,000 racehorse owners following the hearing. “However, I can assure you that the Racing Victoria Board and management are more determined than ever to do whatever needs to be done to deliver the highest levels of integrity and the best possible animal welfare outcomes.”

A steady stream of horses have been leaving the stables of Darren Weir over the past week as staff struggle to deal with the fallout from of the scandal, in the interim Darren Weir Racing business manager Mick Leonard has been approved to take over the trainer’s role while support groups have emerged on Facebook as fears grow of the impact the unwinding of the State’s biggest stable will have on the regions of Ballarat and Warrnambool.

Co-accused Warrnambool trainer Jarrod McLean is going to contest the charges and will saddle up Trap For Fools in Group 3 Carlyon Cup at Caulfield on Saturday. In the interim McLean is allowed to train his horses till the RAD Board hears his case. Weir on the other hand must now divest any interest he has in the ownership of his horses before they are allowed to race again.