Currie barrage after ban

Trainer left furious after copping four-year disqualification

OUTLAWED trainer Ben Currie has branded QRIC officials as “fools” after being disqualified for four years yesterday.

The disqualification given by Queensland Racing Integrity Commission stewards is the first penalty handed to the trainer since inquiries into his stable’s actions began 13 months ago.

He was sentenced to a twoyear disqualification on each of two charges, with the penalties to be served cumulatively.

Four years is the same disqualification given to Australia’s premier trainer Darren Weir over the discovery of jiggers on his property this year.

Last week stewards found Currie guilty of two charges under AR175(a) in that he engaged in an improper action relating to “the intention to use an electronic apparatus capable of affecting the performance of two horses”.

The charges emanated from a protracted investigation into text messages sent by Currie and relates to the horses Massive Attack in 2015 and Said Written in 2016.

These were the third set of charges issued against Currie since the investigation began in April last year, but are the first to be finalised by stewards.

Currie launched a string of tweets following the penalty, claiming the charges came from text messages that were meant to be jokes with friends.

“2 years for sending a text message. That will do me. Cannot wait for an independent court and embarrassing these fools,” he wrote. “TIP OF THE DAY for anyone in the racing industry. Don’t TEXT or joke around with your mates, via group chat or text – you could get banned for years.

“Imagine no possession, no evidence not 1 worker/rider in my years of training say I have used a jigger - & they have interviews (sic) EVERYONE – and some how get 4 years for messages between mates (sic). World gone mad.”

Currie is certain to lodge an internal review appealing the ruling and remains on the outer, with Racing Queensland refusing his nominations under AR55 (separate to yesterday’s penalty).

News of Currie’s punishment prompted Gold Coast’s Aquis Farm to lift its boycott on Queensland Racing.

The Canungra-based racing and breeding powerhouse had boycotted all Queensland meets last month, due to a number of integrity issues.