Banned trainer Darren Weir’s influence lingered at Caulfield

Even in absentia, Darren Weir cast a massive shadow over Caulfield. In fittingly bleak weather, after a week racing would prefer to forget, the Weir influence lingered, writes Leo Schlink.

Trainer Darren Weir at the Silver Bowl Final series-Race 8 at Flemington. Saturday, July 9. 2016. Picture: David Crosling

EVEN in absentia, Darren Weir cast a massive shadow over Caulfield.

In fittingly bleak weather, after a week racing would prefer to forget, the Weir factor was omnipresent. And unavoidable.

Just three days after the most dominant figure in the sport had had been unceremoniously jettisoned into exile, Weir’s influence lingered.

WEIR REDUCED TO TEARS AS CAREER CRUMBLES

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With 16 of his former stable spring spread across several new yards, it was inevitable one runner – and likely more — would impact.

Horses he had famed – through fair methods or allegedly foul – were saddled by new trainers.

Yet the Weir association endured.

Yogi, now in the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace yard, won the first race for long-term backer Darren Dance’s Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock.

Former Darren Weir horse Yogi won the opening race at Caulfield for new trainer Ciaron Maher. Picture: Picture: AAP

Nature Strip snaffled Group 2 spoils in the Rubiton Stakes for Chris Waller.

Hawkshot destroyed his opponents in the Group 2 Autumn Stakes for Lindsay Park.

Group 1 heavyweights Brave Smash, Voodoo Lad and Land Of Plenty also provided a sense of context to Weir’s abiding sway.

But there was a jarring punctuation mark.

Sidelined for four years and possibly longer, Weir’s improbably swollen metrics have stalled.

Until the events of the past 10 days, Weir’s premiership leads would have grown.

Nature Strip made a winning start for new trainer Chris Waller. Picture: Getty Images

By numbers alone, he finishes – temporarily or not – with 3722 winners, 36 at Group 1 level and prize money earnings of almost $150 million.

Now unable to derive any income from racing, Weir’s pockets are burning.

The holes grew bigger at Caulfield where his former team amassed $472,850 in stakes.

Weir’s share would have been $47,285.

Instead, he got nothing as he contemplates a future raising cattle and, longer term, a possible return to racing.

Hawkshot is led away to the raceday stalls after winning the Autumn Stakes. Picture: Getty Images

Clustered among the platitudes at the Heath was a mix of Weir tributes – and notable silence.

Damian Lane lauded Weir after Nature Strip’s victory.

Dance was similarly grateful after Yogi.

Ben Hayes deflected credit to Hawkshot’s owner Sun Bloodstock.

Until 10 days ago, Weir would have been leaning on a rail above the mounting yard in his customary spot.

On the first Group 1 meeting of the year, Weir was nowhere to be seen. Whereabouts unknown. But his influence was palpable. For better, for worse.