Ben Currie inquiry set for mid-August

Stewards have set a mid-August date to resume an inquiry into the charges against Toowoomba trainer Ben Currie.

Queensland Racing Integrity Commission Commissioner Ross Barnett said the inquiry would resume on August 13.

Barnett also took the opportunity to clarify what had happened with prize money earned by Currie’s horses on April 7, the day Currie’s stables were raided.

Currie’s hearing at which he faced 31 charges was adjourned at his request on May 28 to prepare his defence.

He has since been training on a stay.

“The brief of evidence has now been presented to Mr Currie through his legal representatives and upon review stewards have discontinued three charges not relating to his alleged activities on March 24 and April 7,” Barnett told AAP.

“Mr Currie now has the opportunity to prepare his submissions, respond to the charges by July 27 and appear before the stewards for the scheduled resumption of the Inquiry on August 13.”

Barnett said he wished to clarify the public statements made by Currie in relation to prize money that was withheld after the Weetwood Day race meeting at Toowoomba on April 7.

“The Weetwood Day prize money has not been released to the connections of those horses that remain the subject of the continuing investigation into Mr Currie’s alleged activities,” Barnett said