Suspended trainer Jarrod McLean is appealing a court decision allowing racing authorities to charge him based on evidence seized during a police raid.
It comes after the Supreme Court of Victoria in October ruled police had acted lawfully when it gave the state’s racing body information about evidence seized in January at Yangery, near Warrnambool.
The former assistant to disqualified trainer Darren Weir had sought to stop Racing Victoria charging him with further offences based on the evidence, or relying on it in any disciplinary proceedings.
The Supreme Court on Friday confirmed McLean had filed an appeal against Justice Melinda Richards’ decision.
It comes as the suspended trainer faces 16 criminal charges for allegations including corrupt betting, and the use of poly pipes and electric shock devices on horses including 2018 Melbourne Cup runner Red Cardinal during last year’s spring racing carnival.
McLean, Weir, and stablehands William Hernan and Tyson Kermond together face 34 charges ranging from betting corruption to conspiring to deceive stewards and animal torture involving Red Cardinal, as well as Cup hopefuls Yogi and Tosen Basil.
Weir was previously banned from racing for four years following the raids, while McLean, Kermond and Hernan are all suspended while the criminal charges against them are finalised.
No date as been set down for McLean’s Court of Appeal hearing involving Racing Victoria.
