“Since December,the stewards have conducted a comprehensive investigation involving interviews with multiple persons and analysis of a substantial volume of materials.”
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In detailing the corrupt conduct charges,stewards said:“Mr Weir was at all relevant times the licensed trainer of Red Cardinal,Tosen Basil and Yogi.
“On or about 30 October 2018,on each horse Mr Weir used an electric or electronic apparatus capable of affecting their performance in a race.
“Mr Weir applied the apparatus to Red Cardinal,Tosen Basil and Yogi with the intention of affecting their performance,and thereby affecting their results in future races.”
Kermond responded to the development,saying:“If the mental stress of the last five years wasn’t enough they want to take it further. I haven’t worked in racing for five years and have been a stock agent.”
Weir and McLean were also contacted for comment.
Weir – who has a desire to return to racing – is accused of using the jigger seven times on Red Cardinal,and nine times each on Yogi and Tosen Basil.
McLean and Kermond were also charged with corrupt conduct and for abetting Weir.
The trio will face the Victorian Racing Tribunal at a date to be fixed.
Weir is currently pre-training horses,but would be banned from working with horses if disqualified from racing a second time.
A host of Weir’s former clients told this masthead last November thatthey would be prepared to support Weir if he was granted another licence.
But stewards made it clear after the court case was finalised in December that they would renew their investigation.
“The original penalties related to the possession charges and that matter proceeded on the evidence that was available at that time,” Jamie Stier,Racing Victoria’s executive general manager of integrity services,said in December last year.
“Following yesterday’s open court hearing,there’s been further evidence come to light.
“In October 2019,the stewards actually opened an inquiry into the criminal charges laid by the police,so that inquiry has been sitting there open. The stewards have reactivated their inquiry now,and they will now consider any evidence that becomes available to them.”
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