The decision in an appeal by disqualified trainer Ben Currie into his convictions for bringing racing into disrepute has been reserved.
Currie is serving a six-year and three-month disqualification for various breaches and Wednesday’s hearing resulted from his convictions and subsequent failure in an internal review of two charges.
He was found guilty of engaging in an improper action following an investigation of text messages relating to the intention to use an electronic apparatus, known as a jigger, which is capable of affecting the performances of two horses.
The breaches relate to the horses Massive Attack in 2015 and Said Written in 2016.
Stewards found he was guilty of breaching AR 175 (A), which covers conduct prejudicial to the image, or interests and or welfare of racing.
Currie was disqualified for four years on those charges but on internal review had the penalty reduced to 2-1/2 years.
Currie’s barrister, Jim Murdoch QC, argued Currie was found guilty of having the intent to bring racing into disrepute, which was not a proper basis to convict him under the rule.
He also argued Currie was sentenced using precedents of trainers who were actually found with jiggers.
Lawyers for the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission made submissions that stewards and the internal reviewer had been correct in interpreting the rule.
Member Ann Fitzpatrick reserved her decision to be handed down at a date to be fixed.
