Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards have issued charges against former licensed trainer-driver Rodney Weightman under Australian Harness Racing Rule (AHRR) 187(1) for failing to attend three separate inquiries convened by HRV Stewards in 2008.
AHRR 187 states:
A person who is directed to do so by the stewards shall attend an inquiry or investigation convened or conducted by them.
HRV Stewards were inquiring into Mr Weightman’s alleged involvement into the supply of the prohibited substance Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) to licensed driver Clinton Hall in Western Australia. As a result of the possession of Aranesp and supply to Mr Hall, Mr Weightman has also been charged with breaches of AHRR 194 and 245.
AHRR 194 states:
A person who holds or controls drugs unlawfully or which are unlabelled or without a supporting prescription is, if those drugs are capable of being administered to a horse, guilty of an offence.
AHRR 245 states:
A person shall not direct, persuade, encourage or assist anyone to breach these rules or otherwise engage in an improper practice.
These charges will be heard by the Victorian Racing Tribunal on a date to be fixed.
