Stable raids happening now!

I'm betting that the RVL penalty is the last of Weirs worries. 

Who was the journalist?

Edited by Gay3 - 05 Feb 2019 at 9:45am

Thats total speculation although for the sake of debate, anything in the system of these horses would/should have already cleared swabs.  If subsequent test do turn up positive results to previous unidentified substances then I'd think the current trainer would have a reasonable case to claim innocence.  

Edited by Gay3 - 05 Feb 2019 at 9:46am

djebel wrote: Seems a lot of trainers are very trusting taking on these horses. What assurances do they have, are they protected against what might be in their new horses systems ?

I was listening to non-sporting breakfast radio here this morning and they seem to be under the impression (and were sharing this with their audience) that horses were being tasered.

Edited by Gay3 - 05 Feb 2019 at 11:19am

In other words, PR disaster.

I think its time the top trainers got together, David Hayes, Waller, etc etc, and make a formal written pact to keep racing as clean as possible, and to never seek "differential advantage", nor become too big for their own good.

There sure is a lot to think about 😕

What a good idea that was...it just seems ironic, after all the bad publicity after the Melbourne Cup.

Authorities: “Let’s have us a raid. We’ll get the Feds and the media can come along and all...”

Three hours later: “Look what WE found!!!”

Public: “You people are monsters!!! BAN RACING!!”

Authorities: “W-w-wait, no....”

new caretaker trainer has been announced at Forest Lodge.

In an email to owners seen by The Courier on Tuesday morning, Darren Weir Racing business manager Mick Leonard revealed he had been approved by Racing Victoria stewards to take over the trainer's role in the interim.

Leonard said the person most likely to take over as full-time trainer of the operation is someone of "high regard in the industry".

Below is Leonard's email to owners:

A)     As an interim measure I, Mick Leonard, have been approved by RVL stewards as caretaker trainer for Forest Lodge.

B)      The stables are able to be used whilst we negotiate for a new trainer to take over the Forest Lodge operation. Discussions between Ballarat Turf Club and these trainers are well advanced and we hope for an announcement as soon as possible.

C)      The trainer most likely to take over is a person of high regard in the industry. Naturally, your option to subsequently select a different trainer of your choice is not affected by the interim arrangements.

D)     Any horse in the early and middle stages of its preparation will continue to be trained at Forest Lodge. Our existing staff will care for these horses with the same skill, knowledge and commitment that they have always demonstrated. In the interim we are not allowed to trial or race horses.

This is obviously a period of great duress for the stable and our staff in particular. We would very much appreciate our owners' continued support whilst we arrange the transfer of our premises to the incoming trainer. This support will ensure our staff are employed on an on-going basis, which is a major concern of myself, Darren and Racing Authorities.

Yours sincerely

Mick Leonard

Smerdon and the Aquacheater team will be over the moon that the spotlight is off them for a while.

Think I'm missing something here.

Who says the feds are investigating?
Vicpol have said they were only assisting with the raid.
Vicpol have an investigation ongoing but not the feds is my understanding