Ben Currie inquiry faces further delay

Cases against trainer Ben Currie face further delays with his lawyers seeking representation.

A stewards inquiry set down for next week into allegations against Toowoomba trainer Ben Currie could be further delayed after his lawyers returned to the Supreme Court.

Currie was listed to appear at a Queensland Racing Integrity Commission stewards inquiry on Monday to face 28 charges from a raid on his stables last April.

His lawyers had sought a judicial review the previous Friday week to clear up whether they could attend Monday’s inquiry with Currie.

After the judgment QRIC wrote to Currie’s lawyers saying one of them would be admitted with Currie but there would be restrictions on what part they could play in the hearing.

Currie’s lawyers filed an application in the Supreme Court in Brisbane on Tuesday afternoon seeking another judicial review in which they will argue the restrictions are overly oppressive.

QRIC commissioner Ross Barnett confirmed the commission had received legal documents from Currie’s lawyers on Tuesday afternoon.

“We are considering our response,” he said.

The review could be heard late this week but there is a backlog of cases in the Supreme Court which means there could be a date set next week which in effect could also delay the stewards hearing.

Currie is also listed to face inquiries regarding other offences next Wednesday which could also be delayed.

Meanwhile, QRIC has again ruled the media will not be allowed to attend Currie’s inquiries.