Michelle Payne caught up in scandal surrounding Melbourne Cup win

Michelle Payne’s historic win in the 2015 Melbourne Cup is now under a cloud after shocking allegations were levelled at trainer Darren Weir.

Weir is Australia’s most successful trainer and prepared 2015 Cup winner Prince of Penzance, which was ridden by Payne, the first female jockey to win the famed race.

Payne issued a statement on Thursday night saying she had not been part of the Weir stable for more than 18 months and had never been aware of or witnessed any illegal activity.

Racing stewards have said the 2015 win is not part of their investigation into Weir, but the Herald Sun is reporting that there are concerns among a number of owners and trainers in the industry.

Victorian trainer Tom Dabernig said Prince Of Penzance’s Cup success should be looked at.

“Occasionally, long shots do get up though, it’s a very hard thing to accuse people,” he told the Herald Sun.

“But under these circumstances it would make you question some of the recent results over the last few years.”

The Coalition for the Protection of Race Horses also expressed concerns.

“This matter brings into questions the result of the 2015 Melbourne Cup,” said Elio Celotto of the coalition.

“The winner trained by Weir had quite an ordinary racing record by Cup standards leading into the Cup and certainly after.”

Investigation continues

Weir’s future should be made clearer on Friday with stewards at the governing body expected to provide an update after considering information and seeking legal advice.

Police raids on Weir’s Victorian properties allegedly found four taser-like devices, known as “jiggers” in the industry, sparking the investigation.

Trainer Jarrod McLean and licensed foreperson Tyson Kermond were quizzed at Racing Victoria’s offices on Thursday.

And Racing NSW says it has issued Weir a show cause notice, ordering him to explain why he should be allowed to keep racing in the state.

“The Show Cause Notice was issued in light of the seriousness of the reported allegations concerning Mr Weir and the responsibility of Racing NSW to protect the image, interests and integrity of racing, further noting that Mr Weir has nominated a number of horses for the Golden Slipper and nominations for The Championships are approaching,” Racing NSW said.

The trainer was arrested, questioned and released without charge on Wednesday after the police raids on properties at Ballarat and Warrnambool.

McLean and another man were taken into custody along with Weir and were also released without charge.

As well as the four taser-like devices, known as jiggers, police allegedly found an unregistered firearm and a small amount of suspected cocaine during the bust.

A jigger is usually a small electrical device used in conjunction with a whip to try to stimulate a horse to run faster. It is used in training and the action is then simulated on race day so the horse believes it is about to be shocked again.

It is possible the Weir matter may not progress to criminal charges and be referred back to Racing Victoria.

Racing Victoria chief Giles Thompson said on Thursday it was too early to say if Weir would be suspended from the sport.

with AAP