VRT handed down findings on charges against former leading trainer

The Victorian Racing Tribunal has found Darren Weir not guilty of attempting to corrupt the outcome of races, one of which included the 2018 Melbourne Cup.

Weir, Jarrod McLean and Tyson Kermond, who faced similar charges of dishonest and corrupt conduct, learned of the VRT's findings on Wednesday morning.

Speaking on behalf of the VRT panel, Judge John Bowman said the panel could not comfortably be satisfied that the use of a jigger on three horses – Red Cardinal, Tosen Basil and Yogi – could affect the outcome of races in which the horses were entered.

The jigger use related to video shown in the lead-up to the 2018 Melbourne Cup. Neither Tosen Basil or Yogi started in that race, while Red Cardinal finished second-last.

Weir, McLean and Kermond had previously pleaded guilty to animal cruelty and welfare charges and will next week be the subject of a directions hearing relating to penalty submissions on those charges.

Weir has not trained since January 2019 after which he served a four-year disqualification for possession of a jigger.