Back then, Weir’s use of a jigger on three horses in his care was not the actions of a fit and proper person.
But now, according to a source close to Weir who requested to remain anonymous to speak more freely, the ex-trainer is remorseful, understands his actions were unacceptable, and will not reoffend. He has, the source said, used the time of his banishment to rehabilitate himself.
“He was so ashamed of what he did he almost became a recluse because of the damage he caused to the industry and his entire staff,” the source said.
A precedent for how a second chance can deliver success has already been set.
Country trainer Paul Preusker served a four-year ban on charges relating to the use of a jigger, and has returned as a fit and proper person. He has a fancied runner, Torranzino, in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.
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Adding to Weir’s case for a return, the source said, were his more palatable actions of the past.
He was an early champion of rehoming retired racehorses, the source said. Fit and proper.
He would move on staff who mistreated horses at his stable, the source said. Fit and proper.
He would often pay for hay and feed for struggling fellow trainers and cover vet bills for sick horses when owners would not, the source said. Fit and proper.
So, Weir’s name will be omitted from 10-year anniversary speeches this week, but it can’t be overlooked forever.
When it comes time, Racing Victoria will be hard-pressed to deny his right to return to racing. Otherwise, why make him serve a six-year penalty when there was never an intention to let him back? To do so would make a mockery of their penalty system.
Don’t write off, Jenni
Colourful owner Tony Ottobre is never going to be one who says: “I don’t want to say I told you so.”
In fact, quite the opposite. He will always say, “I told you so.” A delighted Ottobre was quick to point out to doubters on Sunday that his “champion” mare Pride Of Jenni should never be written off.
How right he was. Pride Of Jenni and her partner in crime, jockey Declan Bates, made a mockery of a classy group one field at Flemington on Derby Day in an Empire Rose Stakes blitz.
Declan Bates and Pride Of Jenni win the Empire Rose Stakes on Derby Day.Credit: Getty Images
How could any punter, tipster or racegoer have ever doubted that she had lost her edge?
What were we thinking, believing that she was over the hill and the likes of Fangirl and Leica Lucy could beat her home?
Yes, Tony, we were wrong. And you definitely told us so.
There is still more to come. He is hoping that his Ciaron Maher-trained Pride Of Jenni recovers well this week and can renew hostilities with arch rival Mr Brightside in Saturday’s Champion Mile.
Mark Zahra gives a trademark fist pump as he returns to the mounting yard.Credit: Getty Images
But he is willing to concede that a Jenni/Brightside dogfight is a more difficult outcome to predict.
“That is one that if you get wrong, you’re entitled too,” he said.
No longer best against the best
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It is becoming a repetitive, tiresome theme, but once again it has to be said that racing fans were robbed.
The country’s two best jockeys – James McDonald and Mark Zahra – rode the lights out on Saturday.
Sadly, for the general racing public, they were doing so in different states.
Zahra rode four winners on the trot at Flemington, including victories in the premium group ones, the Coolmore Stud Stakes and the VRC Derby, while “JMac” booted home the country’s best horse, Autumn Glow, in the Golden Eagle at Randwick.
How good would have it been to see all three performing on the one stage at the one time?
As NSW continues to edge in on the traditional Melbourne spring by staging big-money races throughout October and November, the elite races are continually being diluted by the ongoing racing wars. Unfortunately, the best are not always competing against the best.
It is like having Carlos Alcaraz win the French Open at the same time Jannick Sinner is winning Wimbledon.
Thankfully, the Melbourne Cup continues to stand alone on the calendar, while Flemington’s Champions Day next Saturday continues to blossom as the country’s premier grand final race day. Long may that remain.
Passing the communications test
There has been a sense of ease among the trainers’ and owners’ ranks in the lead-up to this year’s Melbourne Cup, especially since all 24 runners have been passed fit to run.
The recent decision-making process has been in stark contrast to this time last year when five runners were scratched in the final eight days leading up to the first Tuesday in November, causing shattered connections to lose their cool.
As a result, Racing Victoria was hammered with negative feedback.
Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien referred to the Melbourne Cup safety protocols as “ridiculous”, Cranbourne duo Trent Busuttin and Nat Young said they were “perplexed” as to why two of their horses were ruled unfit to run and Sydney horseman John O’Shea claimed his galloper was “100 per cent healthy” despite being banned.
It took cool head and respected owner Terry Henderson to point out to the industry chiefs that the communication lines were down.
Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien.Credit: Paul Rovere
An ensuing reboot has gone a large way to resolving the problem.
The safety protocols haven’t changed, but the consultation process has. So far, everyone feels like they are being kept in the loop.
Begg to differ
Straight-shooting trainer Grahame Begg has come with a late run for jockey bake of the spring carnival.
Until the weekend, UK horsewoman Maureen Haggas had a 10-length lead for her less-than-complimentary appraisal of superstar Zac Purton’s effort on her husband’s horse, Lake Forest, in the King Charles Stakes at Randwick.
Trainer Grahame Begg.Credit: Racing Photos
“It was about the worst ride I’ve ever seen in my entire life. I was appalled, absolutely appalled,” she said, before admitting a few days later she might have gone a little bit over the top.
But don’t expect any backtracking from Begg who was highly critical of Hong Kong-based hoop Andrea Atzeni’s ride on his horse Royal Insignia at Caulfield last month.
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“He was given no hope by the interloper jockey who came in and cast himself upon Australia a couple of weeks ago,” Begg told RSN on Saturday morning.
“Let’s just hope they stamp his passport, ‘never to return’ because the display that he put on that day was less than satisfying from all counts. He can stay in Hong Kong for mine.”
It must have been an off day for the talented Italian Anzeni, who has been called upon to ride all around the world because of his ability in the saddle. He won last year’s Sydney Cup on Circle Of Fire.
