Leading racing administrator embroiled in Racing Victoria doping probe

A LEADING racing administrator is the latest figure to be embroiled in a sensational Racing Victoria investigation into alleged widespread doping.

A LEADING racing administrator is the latest figure to be embroiled in a sensational Racing Victoria investigation into alleged widespread doping.

As many as seven trainers are believed to have been grilled by stewards in a complex probe stemming from the alleged race day treatment of Robert Smerdon’s Lovani with an unknown substance at the Turnbull Stakes meeting at Flemington last month.

Chief steward Terry Bailey won’t comment on the case.

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But information extracted from confiscated mobile phones belonging to Aquanita Racing personnel has led to several high-profile figures being interviewed.

The Herald Sun understands directors of the Aquanita board, including Melbourne Racing Club chairman Mike Symons, could be interviewed. There is no suggestion Symons or any director is involved.

Racing Victoria Chief Steward Terry Bailey will not comment on the case. Picture: Paul Rovere/Getty Images

Melbourne Racing Club chairman Mike Symons. Picture: Mark Dadswell

Smerdon and other members of his staff, including float driver Greg Nelligan, are among a growing band of ­licensed operators to be formally interviewed.

Nelligan was observed allegedly attempting to orally administer a paste to Lovani with a plunger shortly before she was due to race. Nelligan was monitored by members of RV’s Compliance Assurance team after he allegedly took the mare behind closed doors into a swabbing stall. The float driver’s mobile phone was confiscated.

The paste has been sent to a laboratory for drug analysis. The results of those tests are not yet known.

Stewards interviewed Smerdon, Nelligan and ­registered stablehands Jim Cook and Danny Garland at Flemington on October 7.

The investigation is expected to take several weeks.

The Herald Sun was told charges were not imminent given the complexity of the case.

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