QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
 
GOLD COAST TURF CLUB – 25 MARCH 2017  
 
WEATHER – OVERCAST
TRACK RATING –  HEAVY 10                
RAIL – +3M 1400-W/POST; +1M REMAINDER OF COURSE
PENETROMETER – 7
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – C Albrecht
Stewards – N Boyle, G Lane, B Connell
Betting Steward – G Daly
Clerk of Scales – J Robinson
Judge – S McMahon
Veterinarian – A Murdoch
Swab attendants – K Kilpatrick
Starter – S Andrews
Jockeys Advocate – D Tanti
Stewards Secretary – L Stokes
 
Supplementary
 
Stewards acted on a complaint by App. Michael Murphy following the running of Race 4 in that upon returning to the mounting yard, stable hand Suzanne Smith allegedly made inappropriate comments towards him.  After taking evidence from both stable hand Suzanne Smith and App. M Murphy, stewards reminded both App. Murphy and stable hand Suzanne Smith to act in a professional manner at all times and took no further action.
 
GENERAL
 
As a result of surface water down the chute at the time of inspection this morning, the distance of Race 3 and Race 5 were shortened to 1750m.
 
RACE 1: Marios Class 1 H’cap – 900m
1st: Navy Gal    2nd: It’ Wanted    3rd: Aqua Vite    4th:  Early Opener
 
MAGNETIC MISS – Slow to begin.  Stewards permitted App. J Woodhouse to only claim 2.5kg of his 3kg allowance.  App. Woodhouse was fined the sum of $200 for failing to claim his full allowance.
 
NAVY GIRL - Raced wide throughout.
 
IT’S WANTED - Shifted out under pressure in the home straight.  As a consequence near the 150m the rider was obliged to stop riding and straighten.
 
HERE’S TO LUXURY – Near the 400m steadied when crowded for room to the inside of PUDMARDELS which shifted in slightly.  Jockey J Oliver (PUDMARDELS) was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.  When questioned regarding the disappointing performance, Jockey S Galloway explained that the gelding showed good gate speed and was able to take up a forward position, however, passing the 600m the gelding commenced to lose ground despite his efforts to maintain his position.  He added that near the 400m when weakening, he elected to ease his mount as he was of the view the gelding was not handling the prevailing track conditions.  A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities at the time of examination.  Trainer G Flack expressed his disappointment in the performance and noted that despite the gelding showing some wet track form he was of the view that it failed to handle the heavy 10 track conditions and added that it would now be his intention to not start the gelding on similar track conditions.  Mr Flack undertook to report to stewards anything that may become apparent which may have had an effect on the horse’s performance in the days subsequent to the event.
 
RACE 2: Gemelli QTIS 2yo Maiden H’cap – 900m
1st: Keen Instinct    2nd: Sugar Star    3rd: Sally Sells Shells    4th:  Holbrook
 
KEEN INSTINCT - Began awkwardly and then bumped by AZTEC WARRIOR.
 
KISS MY CHOISIR - Slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly to have bled from both nostrils.  As this was the first occasion on which the fill has bled, Trainer L Kelly was advised that it would now incur a mandatory three months ban from racing under the provisions of AR53A.
 
FLAMIN’ SID – Commenced to hang out leaving the 600m until entering the home straight.  Trainer M Webb was advised that a warning would be placed on the colt’s racing manners.
 
SUGAR STAR – Raced wide and forced wider on the track rounding the home turn.
 
HOLBROOK – Inclined to lay out for the majority of the home straight.
 
RACE 3: Southport RSL Class 1 – Plate – 1750m
1st: Infinite Reign    2nd: Creationist    3rd: Mizaru    4th:  Elusive Element
 
CANTERBURY KING – Slow to begin.  When questioned regarding the tactics adopted Jockey Goold explained his instructions were to take up a forward position, however, after beginning only fairly he was of the view that he would have had to overly pressure his mount to improve around the field to obtain his position.  He therefore elected to maintain his position with cover as he was of the view that he would be able to improve into the race passing the 600m.  He added that once passing the 600m the gelding was unable to improve despite his efforts and proved disappointing.  He attributed this to the heavy track conditions and he was also of the belief that the gelding may have come to the end of its preparation. 
 
INFINITE REIGN - Over-raced during the early and middle stages.
 
NOBLE ETHICS - Raced wide during the early stages before obtaining a position outside the leader near the 1400m.
 
CREATIONIST – When questioned regarding the tactics adopted whereby the gelding led at today’s event which is in contrast to its racing pattern, App. Woodhouse stated that at its most recent starts he has ridden the horse in a rearward position and has been unable to improve into the race despite his efforts.  His instructions today were to be positive out of the barriers and take up a forward position.  Stewards noted his explanation.  Trainer L Garrett was questioned regarding the tactics adopted.  She stated that her instructions were to settle in a mid-field position if possible and not necessarily to lead.  She said she was surprised to see the gelding take up the lead, however, was not disappointed due to the slow tempo throughout the race.  Stewards reminded Ms Garrett of her obligations to notify Stewards before the race should the instructions change.  A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding after blood was present in its mouth, revealed the gelding to have a cut tongue.
 
App. J Woodhouse (CREATIONIST) was fined the sum of $200 for excessive use of the whip prior to the 100m.  In determining penalty Stewards took into account the total number of strikes throughout the race including 11 times prior to the 100m.
 
RACE 4:  Kurrawa Surf Club Maiden H’cap – 1300m  
1st: Sheza Lily    2nd: Good Catch    3rd: Kitty Ping    4th:  Sports Report
 
Stewards accepted Trainer P Facoory’s explanation as to the late declaration of App. M Shimodaira on DAISY WHEEL.
 
Stewards considered an objection lodged by Shannon Doyle the rider of GOOD CATCH which finished 2nd against SHEZA LILY (R Plumb) being declared the winner on the grounds of alleged interference over the concluding stages.  On the evidence it was established that near the 50m SHEZA LILY shifted out abruptly under pressure inconveniencing GOOD CATCH.  As stewards were mindful of the proximity of the interference and the ¾ length margin, they were not satisfied that a reversal of the placings was warranted and therefore dismissed the objection and declared correct weight.   
 
GOOD CATCH - Began awkwardly and shifted out.  Near the 900m restrained after improving onto heels. 
 
SUAVADO - Buffeted at the start between runners. Raced wide throughout. Near the 900m tightened for room and clipped the heels of LIGHTNING MELD which shifted in when not clear.  App. Woodhouse (LIGHTNING MELD) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR137(a) in that near the 900m he shifted in when insufficiently clear resulting in SUAVADO being tightened for room, clipping the heels of LIGHTNING MELD and blundered. App. Woodhouse was suspended from riding in races for a period of 9 days to commence midnight 27/03/2017 and to expire midnight 5/04/2017. A post-race veterinary examination of the filly which was uncompetitive revealed soreness over the back and rump areas.  Trainer P Balzen was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required for the filly prior to racing again.  Mr Balzen indicated to Stewards that the filly would now be sent for an immediate spell and they would then consider the filly’s racing future.
 
KITTY PING - Bumped at the start.
 
DAISY WHEEL - Shifted in at the start and bumped another runner. Raced greenly in the home straight and near the 200m shifted in abruptly resulting in the rider having to stop and straighten.
 
SPORTS REPORT - Shortly after the start checked and lost ground.
 
DRAGON RACER - Shorty after the start became awkward on the heels of NED’S ROUND which shifted out and had to be steadied.
 
NED’S ROUND - Crowded for room near the 1000m to the inside of DAISY WHEEL which shifted in when not fully clear.  App. M Shimodaira (DAISY WHEEL) was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.
 
LIGHTNING MELD – Near the 1200m commenced to over-race when being restrained to obtain cover, however, was unable to do so and then raced 3 wide without cover throughout.
 
RACE 5: Royal Pines QTIS 3yo Class 3 Plate – 1400m  
1st: Halfeti    2nd: Royal Script    3rd: Balboa Rocks    4th:  Excalibrator
 
As N Tomizawa was not riding at today’s event, Stewards permitted Jockey J Taylor to replace him on HALFETI.
 
LEFKAS ISLAND – Began awkwardly. Jockey D Griffin reported at scale that his mount failed to handle the prevailing track conditions.
 
EXCALIBRATOR – When questioned regarding the disappointing performance, Jockey J Morris stated that the gelding was able to lead as expected, however, failed to quicken when placed under pressure and he attributed this to today’s prevailing track conditions. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have suffered a minor laceration to its off hind cannon.
 
Jockey J Taylor (HALFETI) was fined the sum of $200 for excessive use of the whip prior to the 100m.  In determining penalty Stewards considered total use of the whip throughout the race.
 
RACE 6:  4 Hearts Brewing Class 4 H’cap - 1750m
1st: Planet America   2nd: Coastal Gem    3rd: Bold and Groovy
 
BOLD AND GROOVY – When afforded the opportunity to comment on the performance, Jockey N Thomas stated that the gelding travelled well throughout the race until a point passing the 600m when the gelding failed to respond to his riding and proved disappointing.  A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities at the time of examination.
 
RACE 7: Café D Bar Class 4 H’cap – 1200m
1st: Mystical Renegade    2nd: Snapper    3rd: Marlene Adele    4th:  Redsson
 
THE MONK – Began awkwardly and bumped LOFN.
 
LOFN – Bumped at the start.
 
RACE 8: PM’s Cup 6th May Class 2 H’cap – 1400m
1st: American Diva    2nd: Coomera    3rd: Same Old    4th:  Fogoso
 
Trainer A Plumb was fined the sum of $100 for the late declaration of App. M Murphy on SPUR ME UP.
 
AMERICAN DIVA - Slow to begin.
 
GODS ‘N’ WARRIOR - Raced keenly when racing outside the leader.
 
COOMERA - Approaching the 400m steadied when placed in restricted room to the inside of SPUR ME UP.  App. M Murphy (SPUR ME UP) was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.  Held up for a short distance entering the home straight. Near the 300m shifted out and bumped RED OCHRE.
 
SPUR ME UP – A post-race veterinary examination of the mare which weakened in the home straight failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities at the time of examination.
 
 
 

 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 8 – App. M Murphy, careless riding [AR137(a)]
 
Suspensions
Race 4 – App. J Woodhouse, careless riding - 9 days, mid. 27/03/17 to mid. 05/04/2017 [AR137(a)]
 
Fines
Race 1 – App. J Woodhouse, failure to claim full allowance - $200 [AR92(12)]
Race 3 – App. J Woodhouse, excessive use of whip, 11 times - $200 [AR137A(5)(a)(ii)]
Rae 5 – Jockey J Taylor, excessive use of whip, 8 times - $200 [AR137A(5)(a)(ii)]
Race 8 – Trainer A Plumb, late rider notification - $100 [LR67]
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Bars/Warnings
Race 2 – Flamin’ Sid, hung out – warning, racing manners [AR8(t)]
Race 4 – Suavado, Vet. Certificate of Fitness [AR8(t)]
 
Bleeders
Race 2 – Kiss My Choisir, bled both nostrils – 3 months ban & 1000m gallop [AR53A]
 
Protests
Race 4 – Protest – 2nd v 1st - dismissed
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 4 – Daisy Wheel – M Shimodaira
Race 5 – Halfeti – J Taylor
Race 8 – Spur Me Up – M Murphy
 
 
 
Published subject to correction upon revision