RACING Victoria stewards sent shockwaves through the industry on Tuesday afternoon, laying 271 charges against five trainers and three stablehands.

Robert Smerdon, a multiple Group 1-winning trainer and currently in the top five in the State, is facing 115 charges relating to the alleged administration of alkalising agents to horses in a seven-year period between 2010 and 2017 and stablehand/float driver Greg Nelligan is facing 123 charges over the same period.