Disqualified trainers Robert Smerdon and Stuart Webb have lodged appeals against their bans with the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Have Your Say 🗣: Should they be given a lighter sentence? – Comment below
Both trainers were outed last month after being found guilty of charges of race day treatment in which eight licensed people connected to Aquanita Racing, currently or previously, were rubbed out.
Smerdon was disqualified for life and fined $90,000 while Webb was banned for four years by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board with both lodging appeals against their guilty verdicts and penalties.
Fellow trainers Tony Vasil, banned for three years, and Liam Birchley, one year, have lodged appeals with VCAT while last week Racing Victoria lodged an appeal against the leniency of Birchley’s disqualification.
RV was informed on Friday Smerdon and Webb had lodged the appeals with VCAT on June 7, within the 28 days allowed after their penalties were handed down on May 10.
“The integrity of Victorian racing is critical to its ongoing success and the confidence of customers and participants to invest in the sport,” an RV statement said.
“RV will again vigorously prosecute the charges laid against each of the four disqualified persons when their appeals are heard on a date to be fixed.
“Until such time, RV is not in a position to comment any further on the appeals.”
Aquanita stablehands Greg and Denise Nelligan were disqualified for life with trainer Trent Pennuto, two years, and stablehand Daniel Garland, one year, also banned.
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
What are you prepared to lose today?
Set a deposit limit.
We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...
The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...
Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...
Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...
Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...
Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...
Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...
July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...
Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...
Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...
We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...
The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...
Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...