[AusRace] Weir's online betting activity investigated by police

[L.B.Loveday]

Trainer Darren Weir's online betting activity investigated by police


Former horse trainer Darren Weir's fall from grace has hit a new low after
an investigation into his betting accounts - and those held by his
associates. Find out what police uncovered. 

Leo Schlink and Mark Buttler, Sunday Herald Sun

Subscriber only

| 

November 30, 2019 8:10pm

 

Embattled trainer Darren Weir is suspected of using secret betting accounts
to place bets of almost $10,000 a race before his training empire ended with
the infamous jigger scandal.

Victoria Police and racing authorities analysed Weir's betting accounts -
and those held by associates - from 2001-19, and suspect the former trainer
often backed longer-priced runners over his own stable favourite.

But while his average bet size through his TAB account was $845,
investigators found bets he may have made through other accounts was more
than $1800.

He is suspected of placing $9200 on Peaceful State to beat more fancied
stablemate Cliffs Edge in the Group 1 Australian Guineas through an account
held by a close friend.

Peaceful State, which started at $8.50, finished second. Cliff's Edge, a
$4.60 favourite, ran seventh.

Authorities are believed to have dissected various elements surrounding 80
races.

Weir, assistant trainer Jarrod McLean and former Weir employee Tyson Kermond
face a string of alleged animal cruelty charges after they were allegedly
caught by police using jiggers.

The trio will return to court in February to answer accusations they used
the banned devices on Yogi, Red Cardinal and Tosen Basil.

McLean, who could potentially face a life ban after performance-enhancing
EPO was allegedly found in his bedroom during the January police raids, and
Kermond are also alleged to have struck horses with lengths of plastic pipe.

Weir, 49, is due to reappear in court on February 14 to answer six counts of
alleged animal cruelty against racehorses.

Trainer Jarrod McLean. Picture: AAP Image/Vince Caligiuri

Particulars of the charges include "engaging in the torturing, abusing,
overworking and terrifying" of a thoroughbred racehorse and three counts of
"causing unreasonable pain or suffering" to a racehorse.

He is also charged with possession of an unregistered firearm and conspiracy
to defraud RV stewards.

While it is not illegal for trainers to bet, authorities are concerned over
the motivation for Weir's suspected deception.

According to analysis seen by the Sunday Herald Sun, Weir tended to wait
until horses were at least four runs into their preparation and were nearing
peak fitness.

He would often apply blinkers - a habit police suspect was directly linked
to the use of jiggers on horses wearing the headgear while exercising on
treadmills.

The race-day application of blinkers is designed to remind the horse of
being struck with jiggers, a barbaric practice frowned upon by most
participants.

Investigators found Weir's confidence levels in horses contesting their
fourth race into a preparation, wearing blinkers and ridden by a "favoured
jockey" were higher than normal.

They also discovered the true owners of the suspect accounts bet far less
than Weir.

In one case, the account owner would bet between $1 and $5. One of Weir's
suspected wagers was for $4600 eachway through the same account.

Another account user would bet between $50 and $100. At times when Weir is
thought to have accessed the accounts, the bets would increase "tenfold."

Investigators say the motive was likely to be to hide the true identity of
the bettor.

 

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