Victoria
South Australia
Victoria Police have this morning carried out pre-dawn raids at the stables of Australia's premier trainer, Darren Weir.
It is believed Weir's stables at both Ballarat and Warrnambool were raided simultaneously, and it is understood Weir was present one of those locations and is cooperating with investigators.
Herald Sun journalists Leo Schlink and Mark Buttler broke the story on Wednesday morning, and Schlink joined SEN Breakfast to discuss the matter.
"I believe this has been in the works for some time," Schlink said.
"It's a culmination raid, I believe between a couple of separate arms of the police force, one being the sports integrity unit… there are suggestions the Australian federal police might also have been involved, along with Racing Victoria's integrity unit."
It is understood Weir arrived home from the Karaka Yearling Sales in New Zealand last night.
Racing Victoria (RV) Executive General Manager – Integrity, Jamie Stier, issued the following statement:
“Racing Victoria’s Integrity Services team has been conducting an investigation into the activities of licensed persons in the Warrnambool and Ballarat areas. During the course of our investigation we sought the support of Victoria Police’s Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit on the matter, instigating their investigation.
“The Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit this morning executed warrants at properties in Warrnambool and Ballarat where they arrested three licensed persons for questioning. Members of the Racing Victoria Integrity Services team attended licensed stables to assist Victoria Police and to investigate potential offences against the Rules of Racing.
“As the matters are the subject of on-going investigations by Victoria Police and Racing Victoria we are not at liberty at this time to disclose the identities of the persons arrested nor the details of the investigations.
“Racing Victoria is committed to maintaining the highest integrity standards in our sport and, where appropriate, we will continue to work with Victoria Police on those investigations.”
The news comes in the wake of the Aquanita doping scandal, which rocked the racing industry after five trainers - including leading trainer Robert Smerdon - and three stablehands were found guilty of doping-related offences by Victoria's Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board,
More to come…
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