AN interesting update on the situation involving Ben Currie and yesterday’s report that a number of trainers were angry and calling on the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission to take some action provoked a volley of response.
Sadly, for Ben, who obviously loves racing and wants to be involved, none of the feedback was positive. In fact the majority are calling for him to be ‘warned off’ racetracks or anything to do with the training of horses.
LGHR has received an unconfirmed report that the QRIC has not renewed Ben Currie’s stabling license. We are awaiting a response on this and other issues involving Ben when QRIC Deputy Commissioner Kim Kelly returns from holidays.
A source close to the coalface told us:
‘Looks like more work for the Perry Mason of racing. With all due respects, he might be a gun for hire but as a trainer I feel by getting some of the identities that he does out of trouble, he is threatening the livelihood of myself and some of his own colleagues.’
One would assume that Ben Currie will challenge the refusal to license him as a stablehand if that news is correct on the basis of a restriction of trade. The argument will be that he is a young man with a family, entitled to earn a living and is being denied that right.
The QRIC will no doubt argue that he prejudiced that right by what has allegedly happened during his time as a stablehand and that he has overstepped the mark. Time will tell.
