Racing Victoria stewards hit trainer Jarrod McLean with fresh charges

Horse trainer Jarrod McLean’s charge sheet has grown again with another four charges by Racing Victoria stewards, lifting the total to 22 alleged offences.

Jarrod McLean has been issued with four more charges by Racing Victoria stewards based on information provided by Victoria Police stemming from January’s stable raids.

Indefinitely stood down from training pending the outcome of 16 alleged criminal offences including animal cruelty, conspiracy and drug possession, McLean also faces two other racing charges.

Stream over 50 sports live & anytime on your TV or favourite device with KAYO SPORTS. The biggest Aussie sports and the best from overseas. Just $25/month. No lock-in contract. Get your 14 day free trial

In total, the Group 1-winning trainer has been charged with 22 alleged offences, including some in the alternative, based on evidence from the January 30 police raids.

McLean last week unsuccessfully challenged the right of RV stewards to use police evidence gathered under a Magistrates Court warrant against him.

RV’s latest round of charges relate to the use of banned EPO, or recombinant human erythropoietin, on Perth Cup winner Cats Fun.

Police uncovered six syringes in McLean’s bedside drawer in January, along with a jigger hidden in a sunglasses case and a small amount of cocaine.

Cats Fun’s DNA was found on the syringes. The horse retired in 2014 and died in a paddock accident soon after.

Jarrod McLean finds himself in hot water after charges stemming from police stable raids in January.

Stewards have charged McLean with:

Administration of a prohibited substance to affect race performance.

Corruption, dishonesty or misleading behaviour.

Conduct prejudicial to the image, interests, integrity or welfare of racing.

Possession of a prohibited substance.

The charges against McLean will be heard by the Victorian Racing Tribunal on a date to be fixed.

McLean already faces two other racing charges — possessing an electronic apparatus, known as a jigger, and conduct prejudicial to racing.

Those charges will be heard by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board at a date to be fixed.

McLean last week appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court charged with 16 offences relating to animal cruelty and cruelty.

The case has been adjourned until February 14, 2020.

Police allege McLean, disqualified trainer Darren Weir and stablehand Tyson Kermond were party to “torturing” horses by striking them with jiggers.

McLean (second left) and stable employee William Hernan (second right) attend a Racing Victoria hearing this month.

MORE NEWS

Meech returns fires in feud: ‘I hope he gets beat’

McLean charges: Trainer could face historical doping charges

McLean and Kermond are alleged to have belted top horses with plastic pipe while they worked on treadmills.

Police allege McLean, Weir and Kermond illegally handled racehorses Red Cardinal, Yogi and Tosen Basil during the 2018 spring carnival.

It was claimed in court, the three horses were exercised on treadmills while wearing blinkers, struck with jiggers and pipe.