Racing Victoria’s quandary – does Darren Weir deserve a way back?

COMMENT: As Darren Weir slipped the legal net set by Racing Victoria stewards regarding allegations of corrupting some of Australia’s biggest races, there was an abiding sense that the momentum had shifted for Berriwillock’s most famous and infamous export.

For a man used to winning a lot, Weir had been on a losing streak of his own making. Firstly, he was banned for four years following the stable raids in 2019 which brought his racing kingdom tumbling down. 

He then went through a much-publicised court case, where he was fined $36,000 over animal abuse charges after footage showed him using ‘jiggers’ on several horses. That a conviction wasn’t recorded was only small consolation as his reputation, rightly, was in tatters.

In light of that court case, and the video evidence produced, Racing Victoria stewards came calling again, with 10 more charges. Three were for use of the jigger, three for animal cruelty and one for improper and dishonourable conduct. Given the court case result, Weir had little option but to plead guilty to those charges.

The other three charges were for engaging in conduct to affect the outcome of a race, essentially alleging that Weir, assistant trainer Jarrod McLean, and stablehand Tyson Kermond had used the ‘jigger’ to impact the outcome of races.

Judge John Bowman of the Victorian Racing Tribunal said the three-person panel believed the charges were not proven.

“The bottom line is we are not satisfied comfortably or otherwise that charges one, two, and three have been made out,” Bowman said.

“Particularly we are not comfortably satisfied that the required component of ‘likely to affect the outcome of any race’ has been proven.”

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A Victorian Racing Tribunal hearing involving former leading trainer Darren Weir and two stable employees has ended.

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For a trainer who made winning an extraordinary habit when he was licensed, it was back to old ways for Weir, who must now feel that a return to the training ranks is within his grasp.

However, Racing Victoria remains determined to prevent that from happening. It has given every indication that it will consider its appeal options.

“RV Stewards will now take the time to review the VRT’s written judgement in detail when published and carefully consider their options noting the significance of the case,” a statement from RV read.

It also made it clear it would seek significant further punishment for Weir, who has been sidelined for more than five years, for the seven offences he pleaded guilty to.

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“RV Stewards’ submissions will reflect the gravity of the offending and seek commensurate penalties for Mr Weir, Mr McLean and Mr Kermond related to the use of a jigger, acts of cruelty to horses, and improper or dishonourable conduct,” RV said.

“As these serious offence charges still remain before the VRT for determination on penalty, RV does not intend to make any further comment at this time.”

RV’s response, on behalf of the stewards, was resolute. It did not feel that Weir had ‘done his time’ as some have suggested and it wanted to send a message that his offending had no place within its racing industry.  

Many involved in racing believe that Weir’s re-admission to the training ranks would be a bad look for a sport battling challenges on the score of social licence.

In the hair-trigger world of social media, the video of Weir and his associates using jiggers on horses which landed him in legal trouble, will no doubt do the rounds again, something that would damage racing’s image for an endless time during what has been a sordid saga.

Weir’s profile as Australia’s most prolific trainer before his suspension exacerbates this issue. This is not some dodgy, out-of-the-way horseman, detached from the realities of modern life. This was a man whose Melbourne Cup victory was so famous they made a movie out of it.

But how much is enough? Does Weir, who has been pre-training for some of the country’s biggest trainers in the past 12 months, deserve a way back? He is already working with thoroughbreds and showcasing that his skill extends far beyond his command of electrified means of persuasion.

Redemption can only come when the punishment has been served and until Racing Victoria’s process is finished, that journey can not begin. The question the industry must face is whether Weir gets a chance for that redemption.

Darren Weir celebrates his 54th birthday next Thursday. Marking milestones in the first week of May became de rigueur for Weir during his heyday when he dominated Warrnambool carnivals to the point that he won cars and the crowds donned ‘Weiry’ masks en masse.

It was a bizarre cult, with its own ‘Back weir, drink beer’ mantra driving a near fanatical following. Those baptised at the foot of ‘St Darren’ still sing his praises and curse those who have ‘persecuted’ him.

The Weiry ‘truthers’ persist, insisting that conspiracies brought him down – not his own clumsiness.

But at some point, when Weir has served all the time that can be thrown his way, there is a good chance they will have their moment. At some point, assuming he wants to, Weir will return, be it in the next six months or the next five years. 

Racing, a refuge for reformed scoundrels and cheats, has always abided a comeback.

At some point, Racing Victoria and its keen sense for justice will have to come to terms with that.