Currie loses licence review
BEN Currie will seek an extension of a stay so he can continue training after an internal review reaffirmed a decision to stand him down pending an inquiry into jigger charges against him.
Queensland’s leading trainer, Currie, who trained five winners at the weekend to take him to 118 for the season, was stood down from training after stewards charged him with seven offences including use of a jigger.
He sought an internal review of the decision and he went to the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) seeking a stay.
On February 20, the Toowoomba-based Currie was granted a stay which was to remain in place for five days after the internal review was determined.
Queensland Racing Integrity Commission deputy chairman Mark Ainsworth confirmed yesterday the internal review had ruled against Currie and the order to stand him down from training would be reinstated.
Currie will now seek an extension of the stay order in QCAT, probably later this week.
In an 11-page judgment, internal reviewer Kane Ashby said he agreed all matters should be judged on their merits.
He paid particular attention to the text messages which formed the basis of the charges and noted in one Currie had used the term “harped up”.
“The reviewer acknowledges the seriousness of the charges, in particular the alleged use or instruction to use an electric or electronic apparatus to a horse which is designed to deliver an electric shock,” Ashby said.
“Notwithstanding, the reviewer acknowledges such charges are yet to be proven and the subject review is particular to the decision to suspend Currie’s trainer’s licence.”
Currie has also been training for nine months on a separate QCAT order arising from a series of other charges.
A decision on all charges is expected late in April.