Robert Craddock: Where is the outrage over Darren Weir?

The most deeply shocking thing about the Darren Weir story is that it did not seem to deeply shock anyone and the silence in the racing industry is interesting, writes ROBERT CRADDOCK.

The most deeply shocking thing about the Darren Weir story is that it did not seem to deeply shock anyone.

Or at least no one I spoke to.

About a dozen of them in all, racing people from licensees to those in the media and just normal punters with a forensic interest in the game.

Not once were ideas offered like: “I couldn’t believe it when I heard it. Jiggers … for crying out loud! And from Darren Weir of all people.”

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Instead, there was a stream of lines like, “this has been coming for a long time” and “there’s more to come in this one”, or simply, “what have you heard?”

Some people are saying racing acted admirably and quickly to effectively shut down Weir’s stable within seven days of the police raid.

Really? What about the $144 million in prizemoney his runners accumulated before the curtain fell.

What about the 3542 sets of owners who ran second when he won races?

The damage of the Weir affair will stretch the length and breadth of Australia. It has to.

Darren Weir is all smiles after winning the Victoria Derby last spring with Extra Brut. Picture: Getty Images

Racing people love to whinge about lack of government support – particularly in Queensland – but the fact that Weir has been exposed in such a brutal way must cast a pall over future support.

Governments now have the ultimate rebuttal card.

Why would you bother supporting an industry whose leading performer has behaved so disgracefully – and it took them a decade or more to catch him?

At least if you fund a hospital, you don’t have to be in a hospital to appreciate the merit of the decision.

Yet if you are not involved in racing, you’d certainly prefer government funds directed to the sport go elsewhere.

Meanwhile, in Queensland, Toowoomba trainer Ben Currie is surprisingly allowed to train on despite 28 charges laid against him in a raid on his property in April last year and another four positive swab charges yet to be heard.

How many charges do you need before you stand someone down in the interests of the game?

Given the scolding criticism Steve Smith and David Warner copped for cheating in the ball tampering affair, I’m surprised Weir did not cop more abuse from within his industry.

Many strong voices have fallen near-silent in the racing industry over the Weir affair.

That in itself is interesting.

Weir’s performance at the hearing at which he was sentenced was a let-down in every way. He did not plead guilty, nor innocent. He pleaded no contest.

So there was no contrition. No apology. No public confession.

Darren Weir leaves the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board hearing after he was handed a four-year disqualification. Picture: Getty Images

The tears he shed were not of remorse, but because he had been caught and ejected from the industry.

It appears he was acting on legal advice not to say anything because there may be further action ahead, but he does not deserve any sympathy.

My heart goes out to trainers who lost horses to him and saw them improve substantially, and occasionally snatch Group 1 victories.

It must have been deflating, embarrassing and heart-breaking.

These trainers now have their self-esteem back. Sadly, the horses and the trophies are gone for good.