Trainer Robert Smerdon banned for life for doping horses, faces 'crushing fine'
Updated
Prominent horse trainer Robert Smerdon has been banned for life for the "systematic doping" of more than 100 race horses.
Judge John Bowman said there was hierarchal ladder and Smerdon was at the top of it.
Racing Victoria has also asked Victoria's Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board to fine him $100,000.
Who did what at Aquanita:
- Leading trainer Robert Smerdon was a "driving force" behind the scheme; administered "top-ups" and provided instructions
- The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board (RAD) called Gregory Nelligan the "architect" and chief administer, who injected "almost always" on race days
- Nelligan's wife Denise Nelligan confessed but later tried to backtrack, RAD said. She relayed instructions and administered "top-ups"
- Trainer Tony Vasil was found guilty of requesting "top-ups" for his horses on race days via text message
- Trainer Stuart Webb was also implicated in text messages, advising and asking for "top-ups" to be given
- A driver at the stable, Daniel Garland, was found guilty of being complicit in the cover up and administering to horses
- Licensed trainer Trent Pennuto was acting as a foreman at the time and requested "top-ups" for horses under his care
- Registered as a visiting trainer, Liam Birchley worked for Aquanita and also independently. He requested "top-ups" for his horses
The board reserved its decision for 10 days in order to take financial submissions.
Smerdon's lawyer Tim McHenry said a $100,000 fine would be financially crushing.
He said the lifelong ban would also stop him "returning to an interview industry he's known and loved for nearly 50 years".
Racing Victoria's lawyer Jeff Gleeson described Smerdon as a trainer "of four decades' standing and one of the most prominent trainers".
Five horse trainers and three stablehands have also been found guilty of doping-related offences by Victoria's Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board, after an investigation into one of the biggest horseracing scandals in Australian history.
Trainers Stuart Webb, Tony Vasil, Trent Pennuto and Liam Birchley, and stablehand Daniel Garland had all pleaded not guilty.
Stablehands Greg and Denise Nelligan entered "no contest" pleas.
Together, they faced 271 charges.
Mr Gleeson said the group engaged in "systematic cheating" in relation to over 100 horses in a seven-year period.
"It has cast a shadow over thoroughbred racing," he said during submissions in the case.
He said innocent members of the public would never be compensated.
Mr Gleeson also sought a life ban for Mr Nelligan.
Topics: horse-racing, sport, doping-in-sports, melbourne-3000, vic
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