Four men accused of torturing horses and corrupt betting, including Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Darren Weir, will face a two-day contested committal hearing in September.
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Weir's fellow trainer Jarrod McLean and stable hands William Hernan and Tyson Kermond's cases were listed at the Ballarat Magistrates Court on Tuesday.
The cases were adjourned to September 8 and 9 due to COVID-19 restrictions on court operations.
The Ballarat Magistrates' Court has continued operating throughout the pandemic, but all contested committal hearings are being adjourned to reduce the number of people gathering in court rooms.
The men, including Weir, face a combined 34 charges.
Charge sheets show Weir is accused of using a conducted energy device on Cup hopeful Yogi while it was running on a treadmill and wearing blinkers at Warrnambool on October 30, 2018, causing the horse 'unreasonable pain or suffering'.
It states Weir was allegedly engaged in the 'torturing, abusing, overworking, and terrifying' of Yogi.
Charge sheets show Weir allegedly committed the same acts of animal cruelty on racehorses Red Cardinal and Tosen Basil on the same day.
Weir is also accused of using a controlled weapon without legal excuse and possessing two unregistered longarms.
Fellow trainer McLean is facing 16 charges, including conspiring to 'cheat and defraud' Racing Victoria and using a conducted energy device on the three racehorses, charged with the same animal cruelty offences as Weir.
In addition, he is accused of corrupting a betting outcome by engaging in an 'illicit covert training regime' with Red Cardinal and Yogi in October and November 2018, with the intention of gaining financial advantage by betting on the horse.
It is alleged the training regime was designed to deceive stewards and Racing Victoria by psychologically conditioning the horses using a conducted energy device, blinkers, poly pipe and whistling while training on a treadmill.
The charge sheet states McLean allegedly told William Hernan and Colin Cannon about his 'illicit covert training regime' with Yogi, knowing they would, or would be likely to bet on the horse.
McLean is also accused of placing a $100 multi bet on Yogi and two other horses to potentially win $2750, a $60 quinella bet including Yogi and another $100 each way bet on Yogi to potentially win $1540 on November 2, 2018.
He also allegedly bet $100 each way on Red Cardinal on November 6, 2018 to potentially win $5200, knowing about the horse's 'illicit' training regime.
McLean is also charged with possessing cocaine in January 2019.
Stable hand Kermond is charged for his involvement in Weir and McLean's illicit training regime of the three racehorses.
Stable hand Hernan is charged with using corrupt conduct information from McLean to place a bet on Yogi.
At the September contested committal hearing, the evidence against the four accused will be tested and the magistrate will determine whether it should go to trial in the County Court.
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Rochelle Kirkham
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
Rochelle covers court and has a particular interest in social issues including homelessness, food security and family violence.
