Racing Queensland rejects Ben Currie’s horses from SEQ meetings

The Ben Currie saga continues to roll on after the trainer’s nominations to race horses this weekend were rejected by Racing Queensland.

Ben Currie’s nominations to race horses at meetings this weekend have been rejected by Racing Queensland.

The control body has enacted AR55 on Wednesday and rejected nominations from Currie for the showcase meeting at the Gold Coast on Saturday, in addition to meetings scheduled for Gatton and the Sunshine Coast on Friday.

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.”

Currie had several horses nominated for the Gold Coast meeting, including stable star Mishani Hustler, who recently won the rich QTIS 3YO Jewel at Eagle Farm.

Ben Currie on his way to a QCAT hearing. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

Racing Queensland issued a short statement on Wednesday.

“Racing Queensland is to manage and operate codes of racing in a way that ensures public confidence in the racing industry in Queensland.

“RQ has today rejected the nominations from Ben Currie under AR55 for the Lockyer Valley Turf Club (Gatton) meeting on Friday 3 May 2019, Sunshine Coast Turf Club meeting on Friday 3 May 2019 and the Gold Coast Turf Club meeting on Saturday 4 May 2019.

“In taking this action, RQ makes no judgment in relation to the allegations made by the independent Queensland Racing Integrity Commission against Mr Currie.

“RQ has not made any decision about other nominations Mr Currie might make in the future and they will be considered at the relevant time in the circumstances that prevail then.

“RQ will not be commenting further on this matter.”

Currie accepted with two runners for Thursday’s Kilcoy meeting before RQ enacted AR55.

The deadline to accept for weekend meetings at Ipswich, Caloundra and Toowoomba, where Currie has 11 horses entered, is Thursday morning.

Currie has consistently indicated he is not guilty at any of the charges levelled against him, since the investigation into his stable activities began in April last year.

Separate to the RQ action, stewards from the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission are currently deliberating on two charges related to the alleged use of an electrical advice.

Currie was due to make submissions on the charges by 4pm Monday.