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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-AU link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><h1>Trainer Darren Weir’s online betting activity investigated by police<o:p></o:p></h1><p class=standfirst-content>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. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><b>Leo Schlink and Mark Buttler</b>, Sunday Herald Sun<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Subscriber only<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>| <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>November 30, 2019 8:10pm<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p><p>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Peaceful State, which started at $8.50, finished second. Cliff’s Edge, a $4.60 favourite, ran seventh.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Authorities are believed to have dissected various elements surrounding 80 races.<o:p></o:p></p><p>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p>The trio will return to court in February to answer accusations they used the banned devices on Yogi, Red Cardinal and Tosen Basil.<o:p></o:p></p><p>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p>Weir, 49, is due to reappear in court on February 14 to answer six counts of alleged animal cruelty against racehorses.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal>Trainer Jarrod McLean. Picture: AAP Image/Vince Caligiuri<o:p></o:p></p><p>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p>He is also charged with possession of an unregistered firearm and conspiracy to defraud RV stewards.<o:p></o:p></p><p>While it is not illegal for trainers to bet, authorities are concerned over the motivation for Weir’s suspected deception.<o:p></o:p></p><p>According to analysis seen by the <em><span style='font-family:"Calibri",sans-serif'>Sunday Herald Sun</span></em>, Weir tended to wait until horses were at least four runs into their preparation and were nearing peak fitness.<o:p></o:p></p><p>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p>They also discovered the true owners of the suspect accounts bet far less than Weir.<o:p></o:p></p><p>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.<o:p></o:p></p><p>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.”<o:p></o:p></p><p>Investigators say the motive was likely to be to hide the true identity of the bettor.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:black'><o:p> </o:p></span></p></div></body></html>