Wait on QCAT appeal
Currie stable to seek stay on race ban
RACING: The immediate future of gallopers from the stable of Toowoomba trainer Ben Currie — including Queensland Winter Carnival hopeful Honey Toast — is expected to be decided this week by the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT).
Currie on Monday was slapped with 31 racing rule breach charges at a reconvened Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) steward’s inquiry.
The charges related to raceday horse treatment and therapy, providing false evidence and obstruction of the steward’s investigation.
Currie pleaded not guilty to all charges and sought an inquiry adjournment to allow him to prepare his defence.
But stewards said due to the serious nature of the charges they had ordered any nomination or acceptance under Currie’s name would be rejected until the inquiry concluded.
Currie indicated he would seek an urgent stay of proceedings on the suspension of his licence in an appeal this week to QCAT.
“Really disappointed in today’s verdict. Feeling very let down by the current system and people in charge. I have pleaded not guilty to all charges and I will be appealing. In the meantime, a stay application has been put in and my lawyers expect it to be granted tomorrow,” he relayed via social media on Monday night.
Currie has 12 horses nominated for Sunday’s Clifford Park meeting and and four entered for Saturday’s Gatton Cup program at Burgess Park.
Ipswich and Caloundra Cup candidate Honey Toast is also scheduled to resume racing for Currie at Ipswich today following his second placing in the Toowoomba Cup on April 7.
Currie set a Clifford Park training record last season on his way to claiming the premiership with more than 70 winners.
He leads this season’s title on 66 wins with two months of the racing year remaining.
The Currie stable also took out last year’s Queensland trainer’s premiership with 1031⁄2 wins and leads this season with 129 wins.