Racing Victoria stewards yesterday announced that there would not be any charges laid against former AFL footballer and form analyst Mark Hunter in the long-running Damien Oliver betting case.
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Hunter, after a phone call from Oliver, wagered $10,000 on Miss Octopussy at Moonee Valley in 2010.
After a protracted hearing Oliver was disqualified for eight months and suspended for a further two months after it was revealed the leading jockey had phoned Hunter to place the wager.
Hunter admitted to having the wager for Oliver, who was also riding in the same race, at the odds of $2.20.
The proceeds of that successful wager was passed on from Hunter to leading trainer Robert Smerdon who in turn gave the money to the Hall of Fame jockey.
Earlier last month Smerdon was charged with bringing racing into disrepute and that charge will be heard on February 7.
Fairfax Media understand that Hunter was given indemnity for information surrounding the Oliver case.
As well as Hunter, veteran Queensland bookmaker Laurie Bricknell who laid the bet on Miss Octopussy will also not be charged over the affair.
Last Friday, Hunter complied with RVL steward Rob Montgomery by supplying phone records and other information.
Montgomery said that the Oliver case was now closed apart from the February 7 hearing of Smerdon.
Montgomery also said that Smerdon had informed RVL stewards that he would not be represented by barrister Tim McHenry in early February as was earlier reported.
