Always back the horse named self-interest, son. It'll be the only one trying
A Q&A with the boss of Queensland racing integrity, Kim Kelly. By Matt Nicholls: North-West Weekly, 30/10/2025 This is the full transcript between North West Weekly editor Matt Nicholls and Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) deputy commissioner Kim Kelly in response to criticism from the Outback racing industry about changes to the heat policy. You can read […]
Is was revealed today in the Racing Appeals Panel that the QRIC had cut a deal with trainer Todd Austin to reduce his disqualification over the Birdville Incident involving shocking a horse with jolts of electricity from jigger from 5 years down to 3. The question that must be answered by the QRIC is why? […]
Serious questions are being asked about the QRIC’s commitment to participant and horse’s safety in Central QLD following surprise drug testing of barrier staff yesterday morning at the Callaghan Park track. The first issue is the efficacy of the testing apparatus used, with some claiming certain barrier officials were ‘high as kites’ yet returned negative […]
We are back and the Panel is about to hand down its decision. Judge O’Brien delivers the verdict. First he steps us through the history of Todd Austin’s disqualification. We learn that Austin’s penalty was reduced from a 5-year DQ until a 3-year DQ after discussions between the parties, which appears a most unusual agreement […]
Jim Murdoch KC is not a quitter, even when handicapped by a cold, which the Magic Man sounds like he might be at the moment. He regroups, changes track, and tries again. Murdoch can’t remember the Price matter. That is because he didn’t write Price’s submissions, we did. It was a shy at the stumps, […]
It is Scott McLeod for the QRIC’s turn, and off he goes. McLeod focuses his attack on the Panel not having jurisdiction to hear the matter. The Judge interjects and draws attention to the Panel’s decision in the matter of Price. We are very familiar with that case. Price was one of the owners of […]
Murdoch KC shocks and astounds the world by comparing the QRIC to a totalitarian regime, one in which you have to confess or be jailed forever. What he is referring to is his claim that in the Stewards interview with Austin they hammered him trying to get him to reverse his long held denials of […]
Murdoch KC continues with his attempts to weave Austin’s appeal into the jurisdiction of the Racing Appeals Panel, arguing that the decision to refuse his license application flows directly from the Birdsville matters, and is therefore a racing decision. “The Birdsville Incident” the Judge wryly calls it. Aye aye Skipper, that’s the one. Murdoch for […]
Murdoch is seeming to be suggesting without saying that the decision on Austin’s license was pre-determined, and that his client was never given a fair go. He is zeroing in on the rejection letter sent to Todd Austin, and is grilling Elliott about her not putting her name to the letter. She says it is […]
Jim Murdoch KC appears for Todd Austin. He is instructed by solicitors Cardew Salmon. Barrister Scott McLeod appears for the QRIC. The big guns are out. Murdoch KC and 2 solicitors instructing him appear in person, however Austin appears via video conference from Western QLD where he lives. Austin is wearing his butchers uniform, so […]
