Trainer Robert Smerdon, who currently faces 115 charges related to race day bicarb doping as part of the Aquanita Racing scandal, has told Racenet.com.au he is retiring from training. Smerdon, as well as float driver Greg Nelligan, a central figure in the case accused of distributing the doping agents, have said they will not take part in the upcoming hearing that will deal with 271 total charges against Aquanita trainers and employees when it resumes on Apr. 30.
“It just seems the right time to retire,” Smerdon told Racenet. “Following the commencement of the current inquiry, I voluntarily stood down from training which I believed was in the best interests of the industry. A consequence of standing down was that my entire racing infrastructure has been dispersed–training facilities, staff, horses and clients have all been designated to other trainers. I realise that none of these lost resources could readily be recouped, be it now or at some point in the future. I am 63 and the thought of possibly starting again from scratch seems an unrealistic prospect so the decision has been taken that it is time for me to move on.”
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