Dabernig would “be most surprised” if Weir is training after Friday
LINDSAY Park co-trainer Tom Dabernig believes champion Victorian trainer Darren Weir should be stood down following Wednesday’s raids on his Ballarat and Warrnambool properties.
Daberning, who heads the racing operation alongside David and Ben Hayes, told 3AW’s Neil Mitchell on Friday morning that Weir’s accomplishments to date could come into question.
“It’s hard to say, I mean clearly the ongoing investigation are of things that have come to light recently,” the co-trainer said.
“But, Darren Weir over several years has broken all the records and he’s become our premiership-winning trainer.
“Now, in light of what we’ve seen one would have to question some of those successes.”
While admitting its ‘not a call for (him) to be making’, Dabernig said Weir should be stood down with participant trust in jeopardy.
“The racing body, stewards are doing an incredible job but my view is that he (Weir) should be stood down and not have runners until it’s looked into, I don’t think it’s fair on the participants and the general public.”
Racing Victoria has the power to stand down Weir alongside Jarrod McLean and Tyson Kermond. A decision is likely to be made later today on the trio’s immediate future, with the ramifications potentially enormous heading into the weekend.
Among Weir’s leading chances is boom sprinter Nature Strip, which is a $1.45 favourite with the online bookmakers in the W.J. Adams Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
When asked if he thinks Weir will be training by the end of the day Dabernig said it is unlikely.
Dabernig was also asked if he thought Weir would still be training by the end of the day on Friday.
“It’s hard to say. If the allegations are true, and clearly there have been breaches already through what they’ve found with electrical devices, I’d be most surprised if he was (still training by the end of the day.”
An official announcement from Racing Victoria on the ongoing inquiry is expected later today.