Stewards agree to adjourn Currie inquiry until criminal charge is resolved

The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) has agreed to a request from legal representatives for disqualified Toowoomba Trainer Ben Currie to adjourn its inquiry into seven alleged breaches of the rules of racing until after the resolution of a criminal charge he is now facing.

Stewards were scheduled to commence their inquiry today into the seven alleged breaches.

The Queensland Racing Crime Squad charged the disqualified trainer on 25 June 2019 with alleged systematic fraudulent behaviour over a period from November 2016 to March 2019 where he allegedly sourced and administered unregulated horse supplements designed to enhance race performance in a manner to circumvent current testing methodology in Queensland thoroughbred racing.

Mr Currie was bailed to appear in the Toowoomba Magistrates Court on 15 July 2019.

An internal review decision into the 20 May 2019 Steward’s guilty verdict and penalty of two year’s disqualification for 12 breaches of the rules of racing, issued on 28 May 2018 has confirmed the original decision and amended Mr Currie’s penalty to 18 months disqualification.

This reduces Mr Currie’s current cumulative disqualification period to seven years; three years for five prohibited substance charges, two and a half years after he was found guilty of two charges of improper action following an investigation into text messages relating to the intention to use an electronic apparatus capable of affecting the performance of two horses and 18 months for 12 breaches of the rules of racing.

A date is yet to be set for a further Stewards inquiry into 14 alleged breaches of the rules of racing issued on 28 May 2018.

ENDS.

Media contact: Vincene Overs Vincene.overs@qric.qld.gov.au 0472 842 346