According to an article on theage.com, three EPO positives from a downunder standardbred has generated talk that there may be a link to an underworld presence in the Victorian racing industry
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The report states that the standardbred in question, Em MaGuane, produced three EPO positives in August, 2009.
According to the article, standardbred trainer/driver Gary Sargent was a co-owner of Em MaGuane -- through the Royal Flush Syndicate -- when the standardbred produced the three positive tests. The report goes on to state that Sargent was charged by the Australian Federal Police in connection to a drug importation on July 2, 2009.
The article states that another of Em MaGuane's owners, Paul Sequenzia -- brother-in-law of slain underworld figure Mark Moran and a close associate of the Moran family -- has owned "scores" of harness horses and thoroughbred and is a big punter.
The article goes on to say that by stating that in August of 2008, now-retired county court judge Gordon Lewis found that criminal activity in the sport was ''rampant.'' In light of Lewis' findings, reforms were pledged to be introduced, including a new integrity chief to oversee racing and liaise with police.
The report concludes by stating that much of the illegal activity Lewis referred to was uncovered by the Australian Crime Commission, but has yet to be acted on by racing authorities due to lack of access to commission information.
Click here to the read theage.com article in its entirety.
(With files from theage.com)