Harness Racing Victoria stewards have concluded, in part, an inquiry which was originally opened on June 30, 2008 involving disqualified person Mr Rodney Weightman.
The inquiry related to the alleged involvement of Mr Weightman in the supply of the prohibited substance Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) to Racing and Wagering Western Australia (RWWA) licensed trainer Mr Clinton Hall in June 2007.
Mr Weightman had been provided with two opportunities to appear before the stewards regarding this matter and had failed to attend.
Subsequently three charges were issued against Mr Weightman as follows under Rules 187 (1), 194 and 245:
Charge (1) – Under Australian Rule of Harness Racing 187 (1), which states: “A person who is directed to do so by the stewards shall attend an inquiry or investigation convened or conducted by them.”
The particulars: After being directed in a letter dated July 18, 2008 to attend an inquiry on August 4, 2008 by the HRV stewards, Mr Weightman failed to comply with that direction.
Charge (2) - Under Australian Rule of Harness Racing 194, which 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.”
The particulars: In effecting the delivery of a parcel by Express Post in June 2007 to Mr Hall, Mr Weightman held and controlled the prohibited substance Aranesp (darbepoetin alfa) both without a supporting prescription and unlawfully.
Charge (3) - Under Australian Rule of Harness Racing 245, which states: “A person shall not direct, persuade, encourage or assist anyone to breach these rules or otherwise engage in an improper practice.”
The particulars: In effecting the delivery of a parcel by Express Post in June 2007 to Mr Hall, Mr Weightman assisted Mr Hall to commit a breach of Rule 194 of the Australian Rules of Harness Racing.
Mr Weightman was called to answer these charges on October 27 and again failed to attend.
The panel proceeded in the absence of Mr Weightman finding him guilty of charge one under Rule 187(1) for failing to attend the stewards inquiry on August 4 and subsequently directed that he be warned off.
It was ordered that this period of warning off remain current until such time as Mr Weightman appears before HRV stewards to answer charges two and three with respect to the possession and supply of EPO and assisting Mr Hall in breaching the rules of Australian Harness Racing.
As a result of Mr Weightman’s failure to attend on October 27, a further charge under the provisions of Rule 187(1) for failing to attend the inquiry on this date was issued.
Mr Weightman was found guilty of this charge however no finding of penalty was made with respect to this matter.
