THE immediate racing future of one-time leading trainer Ben Currie could well be decided when he fronts the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal this afternoon (Tuesday).
Currie is appealing the decision of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission NOT to renew his stablehand’s licence reportedly for ‘disciplinary reasons’.
The fact that QCAT – an organisation that deals mostly with noisy dogs, busted fences and neighborhood disputes will hear his appeal and not the Queensland Racing Appeals Panel, is in his favour.
It could be argued that QCAT – unlike QRAP – are certainly not ‘rocket scientists’ when it comes to racing and that has to be to Currie’s advantage.
No doubt Rob Anderson KC for QRIC will argue about Currie’s disciplinary record which has seen him sidelined in recent years. Returning serve, Jim Mudoch KC, will no doubt point out that Currie has served his time and deserves the right as a family man to work again in the industry that he loves.
The fact that a group of trainers have protested that Currie – as a stablehand – was allegedly the ‘de facto’ trainer for stables where he was working may not have a bearing on the outcome.
The tip from LGHR is that Currie will have the QRIC decision to refuse to renew his stablehand’s license overturned and that he will soon be back in business.
There is still the hurdle with QRIC of the investigation involving the contents of mobile phones seized in recent raids, including those of Ben Currie, some of his supposed associates and the trainer he parted company with after a short-lived partnership.
That outcome will not be known for some time and well after Deputy Commissioner Kim Kelly has departed. It is the controversial opinion of others – LGHR is staying out of this debate – that if Wade Birch or Kym Daly were to replace Kelly it would be more advantageous for Currie.
Time will tell!
