‘It’s frustrating for all’
Ben Currie is the most controversial figure in Queensland racing today. He’s involved in a drawn-out legal battle with stewards over 39 charges, has been banned from Brisbane racetracks and raised the ire of rivals as he continues to train on a stay of proceedings. That anger is likely to escalate today if he trains a winner at the Gold Coast’s $1.5 million Jewel meeting. Currie speaks with the Bulletin’s Tom Boswell about his situation. Q This will be your first appearance at a city meeting since the Brisbane Racing Club banned you in mid-February. How did you feel about that?
A It is what it is. We have good staff here and by our results we have shown we haven’t missed a beat. Our Saturday runners are going well and my main role is to get the horses to win while taking the personal stuff out of it. I have to ensure I do the right thing by the horses and the owners.
Q
How do you feel about the current situation you have found yourself in with the charges? You have been very vocal on social media throughout the course of the past 12 months.
A It’s frustrating for everyone. I’d prefer not to be in this situation and I’ve got to be careful with what I say. I haven’t helped myself a few times on social media because I’ve let my emotions and frustrations get the better of me sometimes. The people making comments aren’t educated on the case or the system most of the time. My main goal is to do the right thing by the horses, no matter what is happening in the background. Our winning strike rate and city winners hasn’t dropped from last year which is something I am proud of considering what we have had to endure.
Q
There are some trainers who have spoken publicly about going up against you at races and their displeasure that you are still training. What is it like on race day when you are met with that dislike?
A I feel fine about it. The majority of those guys who have said things seem happy to talk to me at the track. It’s like keyboard warriors who say one thing in the comfort of their home and another to your face. I’ve had a lot of support from trainers, too. It’s a polarising topic and I understand people’s frustrations with the system. I tend to agree with them. It’s been nearly 12 months and my business suffers. I go to the yearling sales and the amount of new owners coming in has dropped compared to how it was. It’s not my fault the system has meant it’s dragged on. I’m prepared to defend myself and give myself the best chance to fight the charges. The system has to change in some regard, how I’m not sure but we could have it speed up.”
Q
Your horse Mishani Hustler is the $2.80 favourite for the $200,000 3YO Jewel. How is the colt looking?
A Very good. He has the runs on the board and has been strong in his last two runs. He didn’t have a lot of luck in the 2YO Jewel last year so we wanted to come back and get some revenge. He is one of the top-rated horses in the race and the best horse in the field in terms of prizemoney. I’m content with the bad gate (12). There is a lot of speed in the race but the horse is ready to go.
Q
You also have Soxagon going up against his stablemate but he is a bit of a mystery. How will he fare against the field?
A I have had a good opinion of him for a while and expected him to win in Toowoomba last start (on March 2) and he did. The way he ran was ominous. He took nearly half a second of Mr Marbellouz’s class record and I own the majority of him myself. He has drawn soft (barrier three) and I think he has good improvement in him still. He is different to Mishani Hustler in the sense he is on the way up and has some X-factor.