Victorian stewards open inquiry into alleged raceday treatment

Brad Waters - Saturday October 7

Racing Victoria stewards have opened an inquiry into the alleged raceday treatment of a Robert Smerdon-trained runner in Saturday's Listed Paris Lane Handicap (1400m) at Flemington.

Advertisement
A Robert Smerdon-trained runner is at the centre of a stewards' inquiry into alleged raceday treatment Photo: Darryl Sherer

Stewards have begun interviewing Caulfield trainer Smerdon and the Aquanita Racing float driver after receiving a report from the Compliance Assurance team about Lovani.

RV chairman of stewards Terry Bailey said the alleged treatment was of an oral nature and not an injection.

Various samples have been taken from Lovani and stewards ordered the four-year-old mare be scratched from the race.

More to follow...

Advertisment
More Reading...
Saturday's Valley run not the grand final for Lovani
Lovani has been a slight mover in the market but trainer Robert Smerdon suggests a cautious approach from punters looking for a betting lead on Saturday’s Dr Sheahan Plate (1200m) at Moonee Valley.
G1 Placed Express Yourself for Sale on Gavelhouse
It’s a full circle moment for Group One performer Express Yourself this week, with the daughter of Shamexpress being offered once again on Gavelhouse.com.
Sires With Winners - Wednesday May 21
Here is the full list of 42 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Quality Weanling Colts Quartet from Vinery
The Magic Millions National Weanling Sale is on this Sunday and Vinery Stud aren’t wasting time bringing anything to the Gold Coast other than quality with a select draft of four that includes one of only two colts in the sale by champion sire Zoustar.
Plenty of Quality in NZB National Weanling Sale Catalogue
The National Weanling Sale will be staged at Karaka on Thursday 26 June and has a catalogue of 134 lots plus supplementaries to be announced.
Exceedance Filly Skips Through Mud
A heavy 10 at Warwick Farm on Wednesday led to an avalanche of scratchings and for those runners that remained to brave the conditions it was survival of the fittest with Exceedance posting a winning double.
Blueblood First Starters Battle It Out At Sandown
Off the back of three jump out victories, the Mark Walker trained Samudra (Snitzel), the first foal of dual Group 1 winner Pippie (Written Tycoon) defeated I'mateez, the Capitalist half-brother to ten-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) in Wednesday's Thoroughbred Club of Australia Handicap (1000m) on the Sandown Hillside track.
Winning Double Prized Icon - Back to Gooree Stud
Prized Icon has returned to his birthplace of Gooree Stud to stand the coming season this spring and posted a two state metro double on Wednesday in Sydney and Melbourne.
New 2YO Winner for Brutal
Promising young sire Brutal has had a flurry of winners since the start of May and added a new juvenile winner to the tally at Ipswich on Wednesday when the Kelly Schweida trained colt Brutal Glory saluted.
Hellbent Sprinter Salutes in NZ
Talented sprinter Lhasa was at the peak of his powers on the Cambridge Synthetic on Wednesday, schooling his rivals despite a hefty weight impost.