QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
 
MACKAY TURF CLUB, SATURDAY 29th APRIL 2017
 
WEATHER – Fine   TRACK RATING – Soft 5 upgraded to Good 4 @11:15 RAIL – True                PENETROMETER READING – 4.63
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – C. Albrecht
Stewards –  E. Barron, G. Meek, G. Wust
Betting Steward – Stewards
Clerk of Scales – A. Warry
Judge – L. Smyth, S. Bryant
Veterinarian – C. Harper
Swab attendant – N. Paull
Starter – P. Conway
Stewards Secretary – B. Palmer
 
GENERAL:
 
Due to a printing error blinkers were not displayed in the race book on BOMBER MISS, CHEERING, JEWELLERY THIEF and COVENTRY. A public announcement was made to this effect.
 
Race 1: CHANNEL 7 BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP  1050M 
 

HILLCREST – Began awkwardly and lost ground
 
FINAL HOPE – Near the 100m had to be steadied when tightened for room between FOUR EXCEL and TESTATIME, both of which shifted ground.
 
 
 
Race 2: URBAN KITCHEN QTIS THREE-YEARS-OLD HANDICAP 1200M
 
THREE HENRYS – Slow to begin.
 
PAR ONERI - When questioned regarding the tactics adopted and specifically as to why he elected to race in a three wide position outside the leaders in a small field. Jockey D’Avila explained that his instructions were to obtain the lead however, his mount failed to show sufficient speed to obtain this position as the runners to his inside had improved. He further added that he then attempted to obtain a position with cover behind FIRESTAR PHOENIX but he was mindful not to persist in restraining his mount as it can overrace fiercely. Stewards noted his comments.
 
SWEET SAVANNAH – When questioned regarding the disappointing performance.  App Summers stated that after obtaining the lead as instructed she was of the view that the filly failed to travel comfortably in the lead and was inclined to lay out throughout the event. Post-race veterinary examination revealed a slight laceration to the near fore.
 
 
 
 
Race 3: BROOKE LEE MODELLING BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1560M
 
HOT LOVE HIGHWAY – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Overraced in the early stages. Near the 1200m when overracing had to be restrained shifted in and bumped BEYOND and then had to be steadied from the heels of KHADIJA. Near the 800m had to be steadied when tightened for room between runners.
 
BEYOND– Slow into stride. Jockey J. Felix was reprimanded for failing to ride his mount out to the end of the race.
 
KHADIJA – Raced 3 wide throughout.
 
LA PRENSA - Forced wider on the track near the 600m. App Summers stated that she was advised to shift wider on the track at that stage. Stewards advised App. Summers to ensure that she sufficiently before doing so in future.
 
 
 
 
Race 4: HOLUS BOALUS BOUTIQUE BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1050M
 
IMPERIAL ATTITUDE -  Slow to begin raced ungenerously had to be restrained from heels.
 
COBUNGRA BOY - Near the 800m commenced to over race badly and had to be checked from heels. Then a short distance later near the 600m commenced to hang out and continued to do so until the 400m. Trainer O. Cairns was advised that a warning would be placed on the geldings racing manners. M. Haley was issued with a reprimand for use of whip. In determining penalty stewards took into account Jockey Haley’s good recent record.
 
BOMBER MISS -  Raced 3 wide without cover.
 
INSOLVENT  - Raced wide throughout. Steadied from heels over the concluding stages.
 
DASH OF WIZZARD - Raced wide throughout.
 
MOONLIT CLOUD – Held up entering the home straight until approaching the 200m.
 
CHEERING – When questioned regarding the performance. Jockey Grylls stated that the mare travelled well until the 400m and was then afforded clear running in the home straight however, the mare failed to quicken as expected. Post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal and significant abnormalities.
 
PRELUSIVE STRIKE – When questioned regarding the tactics, as to the reason why the gelding settled  in a more forward position then at its most recent starts. Jockey A. Butler stated that his instructions were the same as its previous start and that was to obtain a forward position however at its last start the gelding was slow away and settled further back than anticipated. He further added that the gelding began well today and was able to obtain a forward position.  Trainer O. Cairns confirmed these instructions. Stewards noted both explanations.
 
 
Race 5: THE NUDE LUNCH OPEN HANDICAP   1560M
 
RICHIE ROCKET - Began very awkwardly and made contact with the barrier patrician dislodging its rider. Jockey B. Grylls was subsequently examined by the ambulance officer and cleared fulfil her remaining engagement.  
 
HORACIO – Inconvenienced rounding the home turn by the riderless horse.
 
BOBCAT – Raced wide in the early stages before being allowed to improve to the lead near the 1200m.
 
ARTIBAI – When questioned regarding the performance. Jockey A. Coome stated that the gelding travelled well until entering the home straight where he placed his mount under pressure and the gelding failed to respond to his riding. He added as a result he elected not to continue to pressure his mount. A post-race veterinary  examination revealed  a poor recovery. Stewards will interview trainer J. Manzelmann in the light of today’s performance.
 
 
Race 6: STARCUT FLOWERS BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1300M
 
CLEANSING ALE -  Slow into stride.
 
YOU CAN’T FIND ME - When questioned regarding the tactics adopted. App. Krogh stated that from the wide barrier he was caught wide and unable to obtain cover he therefore elected to improve forward and obtain a position outside the leader near the 800m.  He added that as a result of being unable to obtain cover in his opinion this contributed to the mare not finishing the race off as expected.
 
GOT YOU DOUBLE – Near the 250m had to be steadied away from the heels of COVENTRY which shifted out to obtain clear running. Jockey S. Watkin was issued with a reprimand for this incident.
 
FLYING SAND – Stewards questioned jockey D. Evans regarding his riding of the gelding in the home straight. Of concern to stewards was that near the  250m Jockey Evans shifted out when there appeared to be a run between PEARLY AVENUE and YOU CAN’T FIND ME and then continued to shift wider on the track for the remainder of the event. Jockey Evans stated that his mount was under pressure rounding the home turn and failed to improve into the run which presented between PEARLY AVENUE and YOU CAN’T FIND ME. He was of the view that YOU CAN’T FIND ME was beginning to shift in under pressure, so he therefore elected to shift out around the heels of that runner and from that point his mount failed to quicken and take advantage of runs that presented. He further stated that over the concluding stages he was of the view that he was unable to improve his position any further. Stewards whilst noting his explanation advised jockey Evans that he should not leave himself open to question in future.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 4. M. Haley – whip use – AR137A (5)(a)(ii)
 
Race 6. S. Watkin – careless riding – AR137(a)
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed post race
All winners
 
Warnings
Race 4. COBUNGRA BOY – Hung out – Warning AR8(t)
 
Falls
Race 5. RICHIE ROCKET – B. Grylls – Cleared by QAS
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 3.         ZATOCHIO – M. Haley
                     KHADIJA – W. D’Avila
                    HOT LOVE HIGHWAY – B. Grylls
Race 4.         BOMBER MISS – Q. Krogh
                     MOONLIT CLOUD – Z. White
                     COBUNGRA BOY – M. Haley
Race 5.         KNOWING ME – W. D’Avila
Race 6.         SUSSEX STREET – M. Haley
                     PEARLY AVENUE – Z. White