Racing Victoria disqualifies 72 horses embroiled in Aquanita scandal but owners won’t be forced to repay prizemoney

Racing Victoria stewards have disqualified 72 horses implicated in the Aquanita Racing scandal but affected owners won’t have to repay more than $1 million in prizemoney.

Aquanita Racing trainers Robert Smerdon, Stuart Webb and Tony Vasil were disqualified along with four stablehands for engaging in improper or dishonourable actions in connection with racing at the end of a long saga in 2018 and 2019.

RV stewards asked the managing owners of 81 starters to show cause why their horses should not have been disqualified from their respective races.

Only nine runners escaped disqualification, including the 2015 Group 1 Myer Classic winner Politeness.

Those disqualified include the Smerdon-trained Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes winner (2400m) Shewan.

Former star jumper Black And Bent, also trained by Smerdon, was disqualified from the 2011 Grand National Hurdle and a hurdle at Sandown in 2012.

Black And Bent’s former stablemate Brungle Cry was stripped of her win in the 2012 Grand National Hurdle.

The 2015 Myer Classic winner Politeness escaped disqualification in the Aquanita Racing investigation. Picture: Michael KleinSource:News Corp Australia

The placings of the affected races will be amended and prizemoney paid to other runners “as though the disqualified horse had not started in the race”.

“Having considered all the facts and the numerous and extensive responses to show cause notices, the Stewards determined that 72 starters were the subject of a prohibited administration, and that the appropriate course of action is to disqualify them,” RV chief executive Giles Thompson said.

“The Aquanita case has been a long and challenging chapter where the systematic cheating of a small group of individuals cast a poor light over Victorian racing and the many honest, hardworking people within.”

Racing Victoria will pay the balance of any prizemoney owing, based on the amended placings, to the owners, trainers and jockeys of horses that finished behind the disqualified runners.

Racing Victoria will demand Robert Smerdon repay prizemoney from races in which his horses were disqualified. Picture: AAPSource:AAP

Racing Victoria has budgeted that amount in its finances since 2018.

However, Racing Victoria will send letters to Smerdon, Vasil and Webb demanding repayment of prizemoney they received from any of the 72 starters they trained.

RV chairman Brian Kruger said the Board faced a difficult decision on the repayment of prizemoney but decided against recouping money from owners.

“This was a difficult decision for the Board to make knowing that there were pros and cons with the various options available to it,” Kruger said in a statement.

“In making its determination, the Board was ultimately guided by the principle of what is in the best overall interests of Victorian racing and a desire to apply a consistent determination for owners across all disqualified starters.”

Originally published asAquanita saga finish line in sight after 72 horses disqualified

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