Young driver Jayden Brewin under investigation by Harness Racing Victoria stewards over bets
Promising Victorian reinsman Jayden Brewin is under investigation for allegedly placing bets on his own drives in select races.
Brewin was stood down by Harness Racing Victoria Stewards at Mildura last Friday after a tip-off to the alleged illegal betting activity.
His mobile phone was seized pending further analysis.
News Corp Australia has confirmed rumours about phone taps and Federal Police involvement are incorrect.
HRV integrity chief Brent Fisher said the investigation is ongoing.
“We’ll review the betting data as well as the phone,” Fisher said.
“If it proceeds to charges, they will be issued in due course.”
Fisher commended Brewin for co-operating fully with stewards at the earliest opportunity.
“As per his Facebook post, he’s been quite cooperative, forthright and remorseful,” Fisher said.
Should stewards elect to lay charges the matter will be heard by the Victorian Racing Tribunal on a date to be fixed.
Brewin posted a heartfelt apology on Facebook on Wednesday.
“I’m not sure how to write this and I’m not sure how people will take this but this is reality,” Brewin’s statement read.
“I’m sure by now most people know what has happened and I’m sure there are a million different stories being told.
“On Friday at Mildura I was taken of my horses due to a very silly decision on my behalf I backed my own horses to win.
“Now people can sit here reading this in two minds, either I’m trying extra hard on your horses or I’m pulling them up, think what you want but you have my word I go out there and give it my all.”
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE BREWIN’S STATEMENT IN FULL
Brewin conceded “this saga” will result in him losing “a lot of drives” in the future.
The young drive apologised for letting his family and trainers down.
“The last few days have been very challenging I don’t know how to react to it all but once again I done it to myself so I am the only one to blame,” Brewin said.
“There is not many positives out of this but it is a very big wake up call to myself.”
Brewin has driven 257 winners across six seasons.
Meanwhile, the VRT on Wednesday imposed a three-month ban on driver Michael Bellman for a conduct-related charge.
Bellman, who pleaded guilty, allegedly approached a female driver from behind in the stabling area at Geelong on October 9 and “flicked his whip between her thighs” and said “where’s your face mask”.
Covid-19 restrictions were in place at the time requiring participants to wear masks and socially distance.
“By your actions, you caused considerable distress to the female driver,” the VRT decision read.
“It is relevant that you committed this act at her workplace and in circumstances where she had every right and expectation that she would be treated properly by you.
“Your actions were more than just stupid. They were completely wrong.
“In our opinion, during the relevant period you made only a qualified apology to the female driver for your behaviour.”
The panel dismissed a notion – made on behalf of Bellman – the victim being female has no relevance.
“We are of the opinion that it does have relevance,” the VRT said.
“Putting a whip between a female’s thighs from behind and using it in a flicking motion is totally unacceptable.
“The purpose of the rule is to protect those working in the harness racing industry.
“It is also important that women of all ages are encouraged to participate in the industry without having to deal with improper interference.
BREWIN’S FACEBOOK POST IN FULL
“I’m not sure how to write this and I’m not sure how people will take this but this is reality.
“I’m sure by now most people know what has happened and I’m sure there are a million different stories being told
“On Friday at Mildura I was taken of my horses due to a very silly decision on my behalf I backed my own horses to win.
“Now people can sit here reading this in two minds either I’m trying extra hard on your horses or I’m pulling them up think what you want but you have my word I go out there and give it my all
“I’m going to lose myself a lot of drives over this saga and by all means I can’t get sh-tty over it because it something I have done
“The last few days have been very challenging I don’t know how to react to it all but once again I done it to myself so I am the only one to blame
“There is not many positives out of this but it is a very big wake up call to myself
“If anyone has tried ringing me or messaging me the stewards have had my phone since Friday
“I’m very sorry to everyone I have let down my family and especially the trainers who give me a chance
“It can only get better from here
“So I hope I can gain everyone’s trust again and punch home a few winners ❤️”
Originally published asHarness driver under investigation over bets
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