D-Day for controversial racing identity Ben Currie – and a huge moment for Queensland’s fledgling Racing Appeals Panel (RAP) – arrives on Tuesday.
Currie is appealing his 18-month disqualification for his role in the cocaine horse disqualification saga involving his father Mark’s horse End Assembly.
Mark Currie has already had his penalty for the same matter reduced on appeal from a $15,000 fine to a $10,000 fine.
There is a huge disparity between the Currie father and son penalties over the same matter.
Mark Currie was 400km away on the day in question with his daughter in Taroom, while Ben Currie was on track at Eagle Farm and had a restricted stablehand license to work for his father.
On the face of it, Ben Currie’s ban seems incredibly severe and especially when compared to the financial sanction imposed on his father.
But stewards clearly also took into account Ben Currie’s chequered disciplinary record when they imposed the 18-month ban.
Ben Currie’s future in racing now hangs in the balance as, if the long ban stands, it could virtually spell the end of his hopes of being reintegrated into the industry.
Most racing insiders say they seem to get a fair hearing at the RAP.
And in its short tenure, the RAP has already slashed several penalties and have quashed others entirely.
It will be fascinating to see how the Ben Currie matter plays out.
Meanwhile, on an unrelated matter, Mark Currie has been fined $8000 by stewards after his horse Turboart tested positive to the prohibited substance Meloxicam after winning at Chinchilla in March.
Mark Currie pleaded guilty to the charge.
BIG PLANS FOR DEEPOUR
Emerging trainer Adam Campton has eyes on next month’s $200,000 Ramornie Handicap at Grafton for explosive Ipswich winner Deepour.
Deepour continued his startling upward trajectory when he defied a betting drift to storm over the top of a hot pace and win with authority in the $120,000 Class Six Handicap (1100m).
At some point, Campton might even head further south than Grafton with excitement machine Deepour.
“I think the Ramornie is a good race for him and in time I wouldn’t mind seeing him go down the straight in Melbourne,” Campton said.
“He’s versatile and has got an electric turn of foot.”
Exciting Adam Campton-trained galloper Deepour wins on Ipswich Cup day. Picture: Grant Peters-Trackside Photography
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
Tony Gollan will mull over a potential tilt at the Group 3 Winx Guineas for impressive three-year-old Ipswich winner Chairman.
Chairman was sent out an easing $14 chance in the TL Cooney (1350m) but rounded them up late despite still doing a bit wrong.
A crack at the Guineas over 1600m on the Sunshine Coast on July 1 could be on the cards.
“The way he ran to the line today, there’s no reason why he couldn’t get a mile at the Sunny Coast in the Winx Guineas in two weeks,” Gollan said.