Extra week for hearing into Currie

THE Queensland stewards hearing into two charges around alleged uses of a jigger against Ben Currie will head into a second week after the matter was adjourned following evidence provided by the trainer from abroad yesterday.

It is understood more witnesses could be called when the hearing resumes, possibly next week, pending their availability among the Easter Monday and Anzac Day (Thursday) public holidays.

After legal arguments on Monday and Tuesday, stewards dropped the alternative charges of AR175(n) and elected to proceed only with AR175(a) which says stewards may penalise “any person who, in their opinion, has been guilty of any dishonest, corrupt, fraudulent, improper or dishonourable action or practice in connection with racing”.

The charges remaining on the table still pertain to text messages where stewards allege that Currie refers to the use of a jigger or electrical device in relation to two of his horses.

The case now switches to QCAT today where Currie is seeking a stay on the suspension of his licence.

He is again expected to provide evidence via the phone.