A host of disqualified racehorse trainer Darren Weir’s former clients are ready to support the Melbourne Cup winner’s return to racing, should Racing Victoria grant him a new licence in 2023, including multiple group 1 winner Nature Strip’s owner Rod Lyons.

But Racing Victoria’s stringent character testremains in the way of Weir’s return.

Late last month, conspiracy charges against Weir and co-accused Jarrod McLean were dropped by prosecutors as part of a plea deal which saw allegations of animal cruelty and corrupt betting downgraded, to be heard next month in the Warrnambool Magistrates Court.

A source close to the case said Weir is expected to plead guilty to using a “jigger” on gallopers Yogi, Red Cardinal and Tosen Basil while they ran on a treadmill at his Warrnambool stables just days out from the 2018 Melbourne Cup carnival.

Weir’s four-year disqualification from racing for possession of electric shock devices expires on February 6, 2023, by which point Weir will be allowed to reapply for his licence.

Weir’s lawyer Tony Hargreaves told The Age that the 2015 Melbourne Cup-winning trainer “hopes to return to horse racing” once next month’s court proceedings have concluded.

“Training racehorses has been a very important part of Darren’s life, and he’s very keen to resume it,” Hargreaves said.

But Weir will have to pass Racing Victoria’s strict character test, which will determine whether the 52-year-old is a fit and proper person to hold a training licence.

The closest precedent to Weir’s case is that of Horsham trainer Paul Preusker, who was ousted from racing in 2007 for four years for possessing and being party to the use of a jigger. Preusker has since returned to racing, and trained the group 1 win of Lunar Fox in last year’s Australian Guineas.

But judge John Bowman, who handed down Weir’s four-year ban in 2019 in the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary board, said of that precedent at the time of Weir’s ban: “The emphasis on animal welfare is now even greater than it may have been 12 years ago.

“When dealing with Mr Paul Preusker, licensed trainer, on a charge of both possessing and using a jigger back in early 2007, the Board referred to the practice, possession and use of jiggers as being abhorrent, and a practice that tarnishes the image of the racing industry,” judge Bowman said.

“It is still abhorrent.”

Racing Victoria did not have its character test in place when Preusker regained his licence.

Racing Victoria has since declined licence applications from former Aquanita trainer Stuart Webb, as well as former trainer Mark Riley, who had been disqualified for three years for TCO2 doping and had a history littered with prior racing offences. Former jockey Danny Nikolic has also had licensing applications rejected by Racing Victoria under the policy.

The character test considers an applicant’s record of compliance with the Rules of Racing, whether an applicant has been candid and cooperative in all dealings with racing authorities and whether they had been the subject of an adverse finding by a judge in any civil proceedings.

Weir did not contest the Racing Victoria charges, and those close to him say he’s extremely remorseful, and has been intent on maintaining a low profile throughout his disqualification.

Respected trainer Mick Price said his peers could be split on whether the four-year ban was sufficient for Weir’s actions.

“I would think it’s up to racing admin to measure the application [when it’s submitted],” Price said.

“There is definitely a thing which says, ‘you do the crime, you do the time’, and I suppose it’ll be a matter of opinion whether the time was enough or not. I would think four years on the outer for a bloke like Darren Weir is severe.”

Weir has a host of owners willing to help him re-establish his training business if Racing Victoria were to grant him a new licence.

They include Australian Bloodstock’s Jamie Lovett, OTI Racing’s Terry Henderson, and Lyons, whose star sprinter Nature Strip was trained by Weir at the time of his suspension.

“He’s done his time, he did the wrong thing, he’s made no big song and dance and like anybody, when your time’s over you’re entitled to have another chance and our syndicate would have no hesitation in sending him horses, and we would send him horses if he got his licence back,” Lyons said.

Henderson echoed Lyons’ sentiments.

“Darren is one of the best horsemen I’ve ever known, and I would welcome his return to training,” he said.

Weir had more than 600 horses on his books when his suspension was handed down in 2019, and employed 150 staff in his stables. His best horses included Nature Strip and Verry Elleegant, who both turned out to be champions under Chris Waller, and Everest winner Yes Yes Yes.

Damien Ratcliffe

Racenet/SMH