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'Corrupt betting' probed after electric 'jiggers' seized in raid on Melbourne Cup-winning trainer

Victorian police will widen their investigation into irregular betting activity after dawn raids on the stables of Melbourne Cup-winning horse trainer Darren Weir.

Weir, who was released without charge after being arrested on Wednesday, was questioned as part of a police probe into betting and the use of electric shock devices known as "jiggers" to improve the performance of horses.

Police seized four jiggers, as well as an unregistered gun and a substance believed to be cocaine.

Weir, 48, won the 2015 Melbourne Cup with Prince of Penzance, ridden by Michelle Payne, who became the first female jockey to claim the prestigious trophy. He is one of the most high-profile trainers in the country and counts hundreds of horses as part of his stable.

Weir holds the Commonwealth training record for most number of wins in a season, first breaking it in season 2015/16 with 348 wins, and eclipsing it again each year since.

The police probe is understood to centre on potentially corrupt betting activity.

Victoria Police Assistant Commissioner Neil Paterson said the investigation "goes to the heart of the offences that relate to sporting integrity, so that is corrupting betting outcomes".

He could not confirm the existence of video showing horses being "jigged".

"I have heard that there may be footage in the public arena ... of jiggers being used," Mr Paterson said, and appealed for people with information to come forward.

Weir was arrested with two other men just before 6am on Wednesday after police swooped on stables in Miners Rest, near Ballarat, and Warrnambool, as well as residential properties in those towns.

The other two men arrested were stable foreman Jarrod McLean, 38, from Yangery, and a 26-year-old Warrnambool man. All three men were released without charge, pending further inquiries.

A Victoria Police spokeswoman said the men were interviewed over alleged sporting integrity matters including obtaining financial advantage by deception, engaging in conduct that corrupts or would corrupt a betting outcome, use of corrupt conduct information for betting purposes, and attempting to obtain financial advantage by deception, an indictable offence.

The use of an "jigger" in racing carries a minimum penalty of two years. Possessing a "jigger" does not demand a minimum penalty but it is a serious offence with charges heard by the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board.

There is no suggestion the allegations are true, only that they have been made.

Wednesday's raids mark another dramatic chapter for an industry reeling from the ongoing Aquanita scandal, in which trainers and stablehands were found guilty of doping-related offences.

Racing Victoria chief executive Giles Thompson admitted Wednesday's events were "not good for the image of racing".

Racing Victoria executive general manager of integrity Jamie Stier said the organisation had sought the support of Victoria Police's Sporting Integrity Intelligence Unit, which led to the police investigation.

Federal police reportedly visited Weir’s Ballarat stables some weeks ago and they may have seized an item central to an ongoing inquiry, which began in August last year.

Victorian Racing Minister Martin Pakula said any allegations of breaches were extremely disappointing.

"This investigation demonstrates that integrity officials of Racing Victoria will enforce the rules of racing without fear or favour," Mr Pakula said.

Weir, who has been training horses since 1995, had five runners due to race at Mornington on Wednesday. The stable told owners late on Wednesday it would be business as usual for his horses.

Born in Berriwillock, a small Mallee District town in Victoria, Weir left school aged 15 to work under experienced trainers.

He moved to Ballarat in 2001 and later acquired stables at Warrnambool to complement his Ballarat base.

Article courtesy of Nine and The Sydney Morning Herald

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