A western Queensland man has been charged over the alleged possession of a banned electrical device in the lead-up to this year's Birdsville races.
Police have charged a 34-year-old Barcaldine man under the Racing Integrity Act with one count of possessing a prohibited item at a licensed venue.
The man is due to appear in the Mount Isa Magistrates Court in November.
In the days leading up to September's race meeting, a photograph was circulated online that allegedly depicted a jockey holding an object in his hand that looked similar to a jigger.
A jigger is a small taser-like device that can be used to administer an electric shock to a horse to condition it to run faster.
The use of jiggers is banned in horse racing.
The Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC), assisted by the Racing Crime Squad, is investigating the alleged incident on August 30.
Two industry participants have had their licences suspended by racing authorities, pending an investigation.
"One of QRIC's key functions is to safeguard the welfare of any animal involved in racing, and we will take all steps necessary to protect animals involved in racing," racing integrity commissioner Shane Gillard said in August.
"If a licence is suspended, a participant cannot partake in any activity relevant to the licence category they hold."
Jiggers made headlines in 2019 when prominent horse trainer Darren Weir was banned for four years after police seized several devices from his stables near Ballarat and Warrnambool in Victoria.
