Authorities search for offshore bets in Darren Weir cash hunt

Authorities are hunting for bets made through illegal overseas bookies as part of their investigation into disgraced horse trainer Darren Weir.

Darren Weir is seen leaving Victorian Racing Club's headquarters. Picture: AAP Image/Daniel Pockett

Authorities are hunting for bets made through illegal overseas bookies as part of their investigation into disgraced trainer Darren Weir.

The Sunday Herald Sun has learned Racing Victoria sought information from Australian bookmakers about betting on horses trained by Weir.

WEIR’S INFLUENCE LINGERED AT CAULFIELD

MAHER TAKES OVER WEIR’S BALLARAT BASE

WEIR JOINS AUSTRALIAN RACING’S HALL OF SHAME

But Racing Victoria was only provided with a small number of Australian bets relating to Weir-trained horses, unlike the details of a large number of bets during their previous investigation into the Aquanita doping scandal.

Multiple sources say Victoria Police investigators have now turned their attention to whether bets on Weir-trained horses were placed with Philippines-based bookmaker Citibet.

Darren Weir remains under investigation by Victoria Police over obtaining financial advantage by deception. Picture: AAP

Those bets do not have to be reported to Australian authorities, making it difficult to detect whether there have been betting plunges on long shots who then have miraculous wins.

A racing insider has told the Sunday Herald Sun that authorities would be following the money in the Weir saga.

“This is about more than animal cruelty. If Racing Victoria only land a charge on Weir for using a jigger then it will be a wasted opportunity,” the insider said.

“The suspicion is that the betting has been going on overseas on Citibet.

“For 18 months they have had suspicions about the corruption of racing outcomes.

“If Racing Victoria thinks a public statement and four year suspension of a high profile figure is enough — they’re wrong.”

Citibet has been growing its influence in the Australian racing market, with estimates that up to $930m is punted on the platform each year.

That would account for 8 per cent of the turnover with licensed Australian bookmakers.

Citibet does not have the right to take bets on Australian racing and does not have to provide information to authorities like locally based bookmakers.

A Darren Weir-trained racehorse being loaded onto a float at Moonee Valley Racecourse. Picture: AAP Image/James Ross

Weir was banned from racing for four years’ this week after he was found to be in possession of jiggers, which can be used to shock horses during training to make them run faster in races.

He decided not to contest Racing Victoria charges against him after an 11-hour hearing at Flemington.

But Weir remains under investigation by Victoria Police over obtaining financial advantage by deception, engaging in conduct that corrupts a betting outcome and use of corrupt conduct information for betting purposes.

The Sunday Herald Sun is not suggesting Weir has been involved in overseas betting, only that overseas betting a line of inquiry for investigators.

Since his disqualification Darren Weir has spent most of his time at his Forest Lodge Ballarat stables organising his former staff and selling his horses.

Weir spent Wednesday afternoon in meetings with representatives of the Maher and Eustace stable, Ballarat Turf Club representatives and also Racing Victoria organising the sale of his Forest Lodge stables.

He’s also had to talk to Maher and Eustace about the 109 horses they have inherited from him.

Weir had 10 business days from the disqualification to end any connection he had with the industry.

Those close to Weir have been amazed and somewhat surprised by him being so stoic during this week.

They say his demeanour is surprisingly good but it’s been a hectic time as he needed to divest his interests.

Most of Weir’s staff is staying on including his stable foreman Shane McCartin.

Eustace said he had been impressed by the professionalism of Forest Lodge and also Weir during this tough transition period.