Accused race doping trainers’ messages exposed

SECRET text exchanges show how racing figures doped champion horses in some of Australia’s biggest races - possibly including the Melbourne Cup. The texts show two Cup horses were targets in 2015.

RACING figures doped champion horses in some of Australia’s biggest races — possibly including the Melbourne Cup — according to explosive texts obtained by the Herald Sun.

Secret exchanges uncovered by integrity investigators indicate two Cup horses were doping targets in 2015, while up to six other horses in support races on the same day may have been illegally treated.

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The texts lift the lid on how a group of trainers and stable staff are alleged to have evaded Racing ­Victoria’s security network for years to dope horses with performance-enhancing sodium bicarbonate.

In one bombshell exchange, trainer Liam Birchley and stablehand Greg Nelligan discuss using “top-ups” — believed to be a reference to a slurry of bicarbonate and other substances often administered within minutes of competition.

The practice is an extreme violation of racing rules.

“Can u org a top up for tomorrow pls,” Birchley texts on Cup eve.

Nelligan responds “Roberts (top trainer Robert Smerdon) ordered 5, I’ll need a wheelbarrow to carry them all”, before Birchley quips “You’ve got deep pockets”.

Trainer Robert Smerdon studies his phone at Caulfield trackwork last October. He faces 115 charges relating to the doping scandal. Picture: Vince Caligiuri/Getty

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Nelligan then appears to reference doping two horses due to run in the Cup, texting: “I’ll be walking funny, got two cup horses as well. Don’t tell Robert.”

“Mercenary!” Birchley says, adding: “Which ones we backing.” Nelligan texts: “Robert had me do one for the guy with the cup horses a few years ago so it’s not out of the circle of trust but I still don’t tell him.”

The exchanges provide the first real insight into one of the biggest ­alleged scams in racing history.

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There is also evidence Smerdon’s VRC Oaks winner Mosheen was illegally treated on racecourses before contesting Group 1 races.

And Smerdon’s champion hurdler Black And Bent is under scrutiny after major race wins in 2011-12.

Both horses are named in text messages.

Black And Bent (blue) runs down Desert Master (grey) on his way to winning the Galleywood Hurdle.

The alleged conspirators even jokingly lament at one stage about how it is “hard to cheat” in Japan.

Smerdon, Birchley and Greg Nelligan, trainers Tony Vasil, Stuart Webb and Mornington’s Trent Pennuto, stable employee Danny Garland and office worker Denise Nelligan were last month charged with a total of 271 racing offences dating back to 2010 over the alleged scam.

All are charged with engaging “in a practice that was dishonest, corrupt or fraudulent” in that they were “party to the administration of alkalinising agents and/or medications to a horse or horses on race day”.

Sodium bicarbonate — also known in racing circles as “milkshakes” or bicarb — is the substance the accused are alleged to have illegally administered on race morning and again at the track.

Once on course, the horses were allegedly given “top-ups”.

It is illegal for horses to be treated one clear day before racing. The alleged doping was being carried out within an hour of competition.

Mosheen, ridden by jockey Danny Nikolic, wins the Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill Gardens in 2012.

In one text exchange between Smerdon and Greg Nelligan before 2011’s Group 1 Thousand Guineas, Smerdon appears to instruct Nelligan on timing and dosage.

“Does Mosheen have a guard?” Nelligan asks.

“No. Want to topup her and Stoneblack only,” Smerdon texts.

This prompts Nelligan to respond “Will do”, then “50 mins ok s Black.”

“Only if they’ve tested him otherwise wait until 40 when the previous is due to be run,” Smerdon says.

“No test will wait.” Nelligan confirms, before saying “Mosheen tested at 2 hours, go 40 again?”

“I’d say go whenever you like,” Smerdon concludes.

Mosheen finished second to filly Atlantic Jewel.

Mosheen and jockey Danny Nikolic return to scale after winning the Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill Gardens.

All of the accused have links, past or present, to Aquanita Racing, whose board currently includes businessman Peter Howell and Melbourne Racing Club chairman Mike Symons. There is no suggestion that either Howell or Symons had knowledge of any alleged doping.

The Aquanita inquiry stems from float driver Greg Nelligan’s alleged attempt to illegally treat Smerdon-trained mare Lovani at Flemington on October 7 last year.

Nelligan was caught allegedly administering a “top-up” to Lovani with a modified syringe as champion mare Winx paraded before the Turnbull Stakes.

Racing integrity officers claim those involved became so proficient at avoiding detection they were able to dope horses within 40 minutes of competition, despite the presence of integrity officials and CCTV.

They would then back the treated horses.

Smerdon, Webb, Danny Garland and Denise Nelligan voluntarily stood down from their roles last month as Aquanita Racing was rebranded Neerim Lodge.

Birchley and Vasil have been conditionally ­allowed to continue training.

Racing Victoria said it had no comment given that the investigation was continuing.

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