CURRIE’S GC FIGHT
Trainer to fight Racing Queensland’s rejection in court
CONTROVERSIAL trainer Ben Currie has vowed to fight the latest ban imposed by Racing Queensland as uncertainty surrounds the future of his staff.
The lengthy battle between the trainer and the state’s racing administrators hit its peak following the decision by Racing Queensland to enact AR55 and reject Currie’s nominations for tomorrow’s meeting on the Gold Coast.
CONTROVERSIAL trainer Ben Currie has vowed to fight the latest ban imposed by Racing Queensland as uncertainty surrounds the future of his staff.
The lengthy battle between the Toowoomba trainer and the state’s racing administrators that began in April last year has hit its peak following the decision by Racing Queensland to enact AR55 and reject Currie’s nominations for tomorrow’s meeting on the Gold Coast.
It’s one of the biggest meetings of the year at the Coast track, with prizemoney for each of the nine races on the program ranging between $75,000 and $500,000.
Currie had several horses nominated, including stable star Mishani Hustler, who recently won the rich QTIS 3YO Jewel at Eagle Farm.
Currie was fierce in his response to the ban, currently only in place for the Gold Coast meeting and today’s meetings at Lockyer Valley and Sunshine Coast.
“We are going to the Supreme Court to appeal it,” Currie said.
“I don’t think they have jurisdiction for a start and obviously I think I’m innocent.
“My biggest disappointment comes with the owners this week. We are basically informed horses aren’t allowing to run this Saturday by not allowing the acceptances.
“It seems they are more worried about people outside of Queensland who aren’t even stakeholders rather than the actual owners who are already here.
“We have a lot of owners out of pocket for this weekend. That and the uncertainty it brings to my staff.
“I have a lot of staff here and a lot of them are on a minimum wage being stable hands and what not.
“To pull our horses out on acceptance day leaves everything up in the air. We have uncertainty whether we are going to be allowed to nominate going forward.”
“All we have asked for is due process and for this to be allowed to go through the proper legal procedures they have put in place.”
AR55 states: “All nominations are subject to the approval of a PRA (Principal Racing Authority) or stewards. Either may decline to receive or after receiving reject any nomination in their absolute discretion and without giving reasons for so doing.”
Gold Coast Turf Club officials have voiced their support of RQ’s decision.
Currie said he may have to lay some staff off as the battle to clear his name continues to affect his back pocket.
Currie said he had already spent upwards of $200,000 in legal fees since his battle began over 12 months ago, eased only by a win at court that had Queensland Racing Integrity Commission forced to pay around $100,000 of his fees.
“I’ve been a bit lucky that I don’t have dependents and the expenses and pressures that come with it,” Currie said.
“Also I’ve been a bit lucky with results go our way in the last 12 months.
“There is a misconception that I’m dragging things out. That is not the case at all. The longer it drags out the more my business suffers and more legal fees I pay.”
Currie believed he had been unfairly targeted after recording 135 winners already this season and 156 the season before that.
“The only reason my case is at the forefront is because we have still been winning throughout the time frame,” Currie said.
Separate to the RQ action, stewards from the QRIC are currently deliberating on two charges related to the alleged use of an electrical advice. Currie was due to make submissions on those charges by 4pm on Monday.
WE HAVE A LOT OF OWNERS OUT OF POCKET FOR THIS WEEKEND. THAT AND THE UNCERTAINTY IT BRINGS TO MY STAFF BEN CURRIE