Champion trainer Darren Weir looked shattered as the enormity of his position was made clear after the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board handed down a four-year disqualification, effective immediately.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Weir was found guilty on charges of possessing electronic equipment ("jiggers") that could be used on horses and of conduct prejudicial to the image of racing.
While Judge John Bowman and one vice chairman of the RAD board, Brian Forest, agreed with stewards that a four-year disqualification was appropriate, one other member of the panel, Joshua Bornstein, argued that the gravity of Weir's offences was such that the penalty should have been higher at five years.
The majority opinion on the three-man panel held sway.
Weir sat with head bowed as the verdict was read out to him along with accompanying remarks that detailed the severity of his offences and how poorly his possession of such ''cruel'' devices, known as jiggers, was regarded.
Weir had earlier said he would not be contesting the charges.
Chaired by Judge Bowman, the board heard arguments from Racing Victoria counsel Jeff Gleeson QC that the fact Weir possessed the jiggers, which could be used to stimulate racehorses' performances, had tarnished the image of racing in a way that called for a weighty penalty of four years' disqualification.
While there was no claim in the charges that Weir used the devices, the fact that they would be seen as ''cruel'' and were prohibited because their use could facilitate cheating would certainly constitute conduct prejudicial to the interests of racing.
Gleeson said the jiggers had been found in the master bedroom of Weir's Ballarat property, suggesting a desire to conceal them from stewards.
''They diminish the image of racing,'' said Gleeson, as he pointed out that Weir's status as a champion trainer who held sway over one of the biggest racing operations in the world ensured that there would be huge media and public interest in the case.
''The act of possessing these devices, the circumstances in which they were located and the inevitable media firestorm that followed the discovery of these items, the arrest of Mr Weir all contribute to the establishment of the fact that this was conduct prejudicial to the image of racing.
''He's one of the most substantial and significant trainers in Australian thoroughbred history ... he's a champion trainer of one of the biggest stables in the world.
''With reputation and privilege comes responsibility,'' said Gleeson.
''The devices were found in the master bedroom of his house, not in some shed or employee's bag.
''Locating these devices in a bedroom also suggests a desire to conceal these devices from the stewards.
''It might be thought less likely they would access and inspect a bedroom. Thirdly and significantly there is no explanation for possession of the devices.
''It is a significantly compounding factor that the sentence be appropriate ... there is no proffered explanation.
''There is no basis in which you can infer lack of knowledge of the items [or] ... confusion of the rules ... you can only reasonably infer that he was aware of the existence of these devices on the property, you can only reasonably infer he was aware of the existence of the rule, the gravity of the breach ... and the consequences of the image for him and racing if he was caught and convicted.''
He said that Weir's decision to co-operate with stewards and the speed with which he agreed to have the matter expedited were factors that needed to be taken into account.
Weir said nothing while his lawyer, Patrick Wheelahan, said little, initially advising that Weir's position - where he offered no contest to the charges - did not mean that he was in a position of agreement with Gleeson's submission.
The fact that Weir had not contested the charges was, said Judge Bowman, reminiscent of the Aquanita case as he pointed out that ''no contest'' - which was used in that case - was not a plea recognised in this jurisdiction.
''I think we would be more comfortable if we treat it as plea of not guilty,'' said Judge Bowman.
Weir's barrister Wheelahan said of the no contest position: ''I have nothing to say,'' stressing that on all charges ''Mr Weir pleads no contest, and there will be no evidence ... laid on his behalf''.
Weir was aware, the hearing was told, that if the case dragged on it could cost the industry even greater reputational damage and involve massive legal bills.
Gleeson pointed out that while the damage to the sport of racing was ''significant'' and ''damaging'' it was reparable.
Weir is also facing potential criminal charges.
Gleeson pointed out that while the damage to the sport of racing was ''significant'' and ''damaging'' it was reparable.
He said the four-year disqualification the stewards sought was appropriate.
''It shouldn't be more because it is a charge of possession and conduct prejudical, there is no charge of use. Its simply an offence of possession.
Weir's Warrnambool-based stable foreman Jarrod McLean did not appear at the hearing on Wednesday. McLean is contesting the charge against him.
Have you signed up to The Standard's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in the south-west.
