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On 30 May 2018, Racing NSW Stewards issued licensed Queensland trainer, Ben Currie, with notice that he was required to show cause as to why the provisions of AR50, to reject or decline to receive nominations of horses trained by him, should not be invoked, in response to numerous charges issued against Mr Currie under AR178E(1), AR175(a), AR178AA, AR64H, AR178AB(1), AR175(g), AR175(t), AR53(2) and AR68A by the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC).

Mr Currie was provided until 6 June 2018 to make submissions in response to the notice.

Racing NSW Stewards have carefully considered brief submissions made by Mr Currie on Wednesday, 30 May 2018 and Wednesday, 6 June 2018, relative to the notice.

Racing NSW Stewards are of the view that any hardship suffered by Mr Currie by the invoking the provisions of AR50, is outweighed by the prejudice to, and undermining of, the image, interests and integrity of racing in NSW if he was permitted to nominate (and race) horses in NSW while the serious charges issued against him are yet to be determined.

In those circumstances, the “balance of convenience” is against Mr Currie and, accordingly, Racing NSW Stewards rule that, acting under the provisions of AR50, nominations of horses trained by Mr Currie will be declined to be received and/or rejected until the charges issued by the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission as detailed above have been resolved.

Relevant Rule
AR 50. All nominations and entries are subject to approval, and the Committee of any Club, or the Stewards, may decline to receive, or at any time after having received, reject any nomination or entry without giving any reason for so doing. If any nomination or entry be rejected under this Rule, the fees paid in respect thereof shall be refunded.