http://www.racingnetwork.com.au/stewards-amend-charge-against-smerdon/tabid/83/newsid/11621/default.aspx

RACING Victoria stewards have amended the charge issued against Robert Smerdon, who faces the Racing Appeals & Disciplinary Board on Thursday.

Smerdon faces a charge of allegedly acting in a manner prejudicial to the image, interest and welfare of racing when he acted as a courier in the Damien Oliver betting scandal.

The Caulfield-based trainer was asked by professional punter Mark Hunter to deliver to Oliver about $11,000 - the proceeds of a winning bet on Miss Octo**** that Oliver asked Hunter to place for him.

In the initial particulars of the charge, stewards allege that Smerdon did not “at any relevant time ask Hunter or Oliver or take any step to determine the reason or purpose for the payment from Hunter to Oliver.”

RV steward Rob Montgomery, who chaired the investigation into the Oliver bet scandal, told Racing Network the charge had been amended to include greater detail.

Included in the amended charge is that Smerdon had knowledge that Hunter was a professional punter as well as the knowledge that Hunter placed substantial bets on behalf of other people.

Also, another addition to the particulars is that Smerdon’s alleged actions “undermined the integrity of thoroughbred racing in Victoria by facilitating illegitimate betting”

Montgomery said another additional particular of the charge related to Smerdon’s alleged conduct which had the potential to “undermine public confidence in the integrity of thoroughbred racing in Victoria.”

David Grace will appear for Smerdon at the hearing of the RAD Board, which will be chaired by Judge Brian Forrest.

Oliver will just give him the envelope back..sorted!

this $10k seems to have been around the block that many times that it probably now qualifies for a Turnover Tax impost   

MICHELLE Payne is one of three jockeys who will face a steward’s inquiry next week over bets they allegedly placed.



Payne, Michael Walker and Anthony Darmanin will be asked to explain a series of bets in accounts under their resctive names.



Racing Victoria uncovered the three jockey’s alleged bets during a routine audit of wagering service providers accounts last year.



Late tonight Racing Victoria issued a press statement where it noted that all three jockeys would appear before a steward’s inquiry next Tuesday.



Payne had three bets, totalling $450 in an account bearing her name with Sportsbet.com.au.



Included among Payne’s bets was doubles revolving around Presvis in the Singapore International Cup and So You Think in the Irish Tatts Cup.



She also had a multi bet where she parlayed So You Think, NBA club Miami Heat and four Premier League soccer games.



All bets were unsuccessful.



Darmanin also placed two bets, worth a total of $100, in a Sportsbet.com.au account on multi bets including jockey challenges, including one at Cranbourne where he had two rides.



His bets were unsuccessful.



Walker outlayed a total of $57 in four bets in a Tatts Bet account under his name. They included a $50 win bet, two $3 box Trifectas and a $1 Trifecta.



He did not ride at any of the venues where he placed bets.

Michelle has fired off this tweet tonight.

I think they should have at least waited until the enquiry was held before they release the story#notwhatracingneeds