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Eight people have been found guilty of taking part in a doping “conspiracy” that is being called the biggest of its kind in the history of Australian racing.
The five trainers and three stable hands were found guilty of being part of the doping ring that used sodium bicarbonate or other alkalizing agents to “top up” horses before racing. It is widely believed that the agents provide horses with a 1% edge.
The former director of Aquanita, Robert Smerdon, was among those found guilty.
“The Aquanita case represents one of the darkest and longest chapters in the history of the Australian turf,” the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board said. “There is a litany of brazen attempts to cheat and to obtain an unfair advantage over many years by a well-organised team.”
- Jagajeet Chiba, Gambling911.com
