Melbourne — Five trainers and three stablehands face long bans after they were found guilty of doping horses on Tuesday in a case branded "probably the biggest scandal" to hit Australia’s thoroughbred racing industry. The eight, from the now-defunct Aquanita Racing stable, faced 271 charges and were part of a "long-running systematic conspiracy… to obtain an unfair advantage in well over a hundred races over seven years," Victoria state’s Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board said in its judgment. "There has been dishonest, corrupt or fraudulent, improper or dishonourable actions of the highest order," the board said. Trainers Robert Smerdon, Stuart Webb, Tony Vasil, Trent Pennuto and Liam Birchley, with stablehands Daniel Garland and Greg and Denise Nelligan, were party to the administration of "alkalinising agents and/or medications to a horse or horses on a raceday". The treatments included "top-ups" of sodium bicarbonate, which can enhance performance by reducing lactic acid, al...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.