ALL OF THE OFFICIAL DETAILS OF THE CHARGES LAID AFTER THE DARREN WEIR STABLE RAIDS

By Racing Victoria | Friday, February 1, 2019

STORY UPDATE: In the latest development in the Darren Weir stable drama Racing Victoria stewards have scratched all twenty seven horses from the Weir stable that were due to race at Moonee Valley, Caulfield and Kyneton in the next twenty-four hours. Stewards also scratched the only runner Warrnambool trainer Jarrod McLean planned to send out over this time.

Racing Victoria (RV) stewards have this afternoon issued charges under the Australian Rules of Racing (AR) against licensed trainers Darren Weir and Jarrod McLean and licensed foreperson Tyson Kermond following an inquiry at the RV offices on 31 January 2019.

The inquiry was opened following the execution of search warrants by Victoria Police on 30 January 2019 at properties in Ballarat and Warrnambool that saw three licensed participants arrested and later released without charge.

DARREN WEIR

Stewards have this afternoon issued six charges, of which two are in the alternative, against Mr Weir as follows:

Charge 1 – AR 175(hh)(ii) Possession of an electric or electronic apparatus capable of affecting the performance of a horse.

The summary of the particulars of the charge being that, on or about 30 January 2019, Mr Weir was in the possession, at a Miners Rest premises used in relation to the training or racing of horses, of an electric or electronic apparatus designed to deliver an electric shock.

Charge 2 – AR 175(hh)(ii) Possession of an electric or electronic apparatus capable of affecting the performance of a horse.

The summary of the particulars of the charge being that, on or about 30 January 2019, Mr Weir was in the possession, at a Miners Rest premises used in relation to the training or racing of horses, of a second electric or electronic apparatus designed to deliver an electric shock.

Charge 3 – AR 175(hh)(ii) Possession of an electric or electronic apparatus capable of affecting the performance of a horse.

The summary of the particulars of the charge being that, on or about 30 January 2019, Mr Weir was in the possession, at a Miners Rest premises used in relation to the training or racing of horses, of a third electric or electronic apparatus designed to deliver an electric shock.

Charge 4 – AR 175(f) Failure to give evidence at an inquiry.

The summary of the particulars being that during the course of an inquiry at the RV offices on 31 January 2019, Mr Weir refused and/or failed to give evidence in accordance with a direction and/or request of the stewards.

Charge 5 – AR175(p) Failure to comply with a direction of the stewards [Alternative to Charge 4].

The summary of the particulars being that Mr Weir refused and/or failed to comply with a direction of the stewards on 31 January 2019 to answer questions in relation to an inquiry.

Charge 6 – AR175A Conduct prejudicial to the image, interests or welfare of racing.

The summary of the particulars being that Mr Weir’s conduct in possessing three electric or electronic apparatus, which has been widely reported in the media, and his failure to proffer an explanation to the stewards, was prejudicial to the image, interests or welfare of racing.

The charges issued against Mr Weir will be heard by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board on a date to be fixed.

JARROD MCLEAN

Stewards have this afternoon issued four charges, of which two are in the alternative, against Mr McLean as follows:

Charge 1 – AR 175(hh)(ii) Possession of an electric or electronic apparatus capable of affecting the performance of a horse.

The summary of the particulars of the charge being that, on or about 30 January 2019, Mr McLean was in the possession at a Yangery property of an electric or electronic apparatus designed to deliver an electric shock.

Charge 2 – AR 175(f) Failure to give evidence at an inquiry.

The summary of the particulars being that during the course of an inquiry at the RV offices on 31 January 2019, Mr McLean refused and/or failed to give evidence in accordance with a direction and/or request of the stewards.

Charge 3 – AR175(p) Failure to comply with a direction of the stewards [Alternative to Charge 2].

The summary of the particulars being that Mr McLean refused and/or failed to comply with a direction of the stewards on 31 January 2019 to answer questions in relation to an inquiry.

Charge 4 – AR175A Conduct prejudicial to the image, interests or welfare of racing.

The summary of the particulars being that Mr McLean’s conduct in possessing an electric or electronic apparatus, which has been widely reported in the media, and his failure to proffer an explanation to the stewards was prejudicial to the image, interests or welfare of racing.

The charges issued against Mr McLean will be heard by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board on a date to be fixed.

TYSON KERMOND

Stewards have this afternoon issued two charges in the alternative against Mr Kermond as follows:

Charge 1 – AR 175(f) Failure to give evidence at an inquiry.

The summary of the particulars being that during the course of an inquiry at the RV offices on 31 January 2019, Mr Kermond refused and/or failed to give evidence in accordance with a direction and/or request of the stewards.

Charge 2 – AR175(p) Failure to comply with a direction of the stewards [Alternative to Charge 1].

The summary of the particulars being that Mr Kermond refused and/or failed to comply with a direction of the stewards on 31 January 2019 to answer questions in relation to an inquiry.

The charges issued against Mr Kermond will be heard by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary (RAD) Board on a date to be fixed.

SHOW CAUSE NOTICES

The stewards have also this afternoon issued Show Cause Notices to Mr Weir and Mr McLean requesting them to show cause why the stewards ought not exercise their powers:

a. pursuant to AR 8(z)(a), to suspend their licence to train;

b. pursuant to AR 8(z)(b), to prevent any horse owned (or part-owned) or leased by them from participating in any race or official trial;

c. pursuant to AR 8(z)(d), to decline to receive any nomination or entry for a horse trained by them; and

d. pursuant to AR 8(z)(d), in respect of the nominations or entries which have been received, to reject those nominations or entries,

pending the hearing and determination of the charges issued against them.

Mr Weir and Mr McLean have been invited to make submissions by telephone at 4pm today.

RV stewards will issue a further report today following the outcome of this hearing.