QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
BIRDSVILLE RACE CLUB
 
BIRDSVILLE – SATURDAY 2 SEPTEMBER 2023
 
WEATHER – Fine  TRACK RATING –  Good (Dirt)   RAIL – True
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – R Hanson.
Stewards – E Tickner, G Meek, D Macklyn, H Gillett (Cadet).
Clerk of Scales – Stewards.
Judge – B Kleine.
Veterinarian – Dr T Kirby Dr T McClymont.
Swab Attendants – Dr T. Kirby & Dr T. McClymont.
Starter – L Lewis.
 
GENERAL
 
Some concern was raised by Stewards at yesterday’s race meeting regarding a section of track approximately between the 1620m and 1640m not having an inside running rail. After consulting with Birdsville Race Club committee members and Senior Jockeys, Stewards established that all of Birdsville’s race meetings have been conducted without this section of rail. The gap provides access to the inside of the track for vehicles, machinery and barriers etc. Due to there beingno racing in this section of the track and no materials available to the club for remedial work, jockeys had no concerns with the gap in the rail. Stewards directed the Club to position plastic marker bollards in the area of the missing running rail to define the line of the rail position when horses are pulling up after a race or travelling to the start. Stewards have also directed the Birdsville Race Club to have a permanent running rail erected in this section when suitable material can be obtained.
 
All runners competing at today’s meeting which raced at the Birdsville meeting yesterday (Friday 2/09/23) were examined by the Veterinary Surgeon prior to the commencement of today`s event and subsequently passed fit to start.
 
Stewards permitted the following overweight for today`s meeting:
Race 6: TORBECK – G. Geran - 56.5kg
 
Race 1: BIRDSVILLE RACES ROADIES RATINGS BAND 0 - 50 HANDICAP      1000 M
 
ELECTRIC SPIRIT – Attempted to buck shortly after the start and as a result lost considerable ground. Jockey P Hamblin reported that the geldings actions proved detrimental to ELECTRIC SPIRIT winning the race. Trainer C Dixon was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding for his racing manners.
 
CAMAROSA – Raced wide throughout.
 
SECRET TEARS – When questioned regarding the apparent improved performance, Trainer P Wickham could offer no reason for the performance other than the quick turnaround from racing yesterday and the gelding being suited by track conditions today. Stewards noted the explanation. Jockey G Geran was fined $400 pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that he did use his whip excessively on eight occasionsprior to the 100m. Three more than permitted.
 
LAYLAH'S WISH – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Hung out rounding the home turn.
 
ROOTS'N'ROCKS – Raced wide throughout.
 
SODBUSTER – Underwent a prerace veterinary check and was past fit to start. Fractious in the barriers. Began awkwardly and lost ground. Laid in under pressure in the home straight. Trainer P Cole was advised a warning would be placed on the mare for her barrier manners.

Race 2: BROOK PASTORAL COMPANY / FRED BROPHY BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP         1000 M
 
STOICAL – Apprentice Jockey N Olzard was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(b) for failing to ride STOICAL out to the end of the race.
 
THERESABEARINTHERE – Raced wide throughout.
 
SOLE HEIR – Hung out around the home turn. Put in an awkward stride at the top of the straight.
 
HURN COURT – Began awkwardly and bumped CYCLONITE.
 
I'M A LEGEND – Slow to begin.
 
NOT ANOTHER REIBY – Slow to begin. As Jockey D Ballard was to be overweight, he was replaced by Jockey L Tilley as the rider of the gelding. Jockey D Ballard was fined $100 pursuant to AR190(3) for accepting a ride when overweight.
 
NO DEBT – Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
CYCLONITE – Bumped on jumping.
 
COLHOUN – Raced wide throughout.
 
Race 3: NUTRIEN AG CLASS 3 PLATE        1000 M
 
KEENZAP – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
SPURCIFIC JOURNEY – Slow to begin. Prior to the declaration of correct weight Stewards considered an application from Jockey J Babarovich, rider of SPURCIFIC JOURNEY and Trainer M Bieri, for the gelding to be declared a non-runner on the grounds of being denied a fair start. After viewing the patrol footage and taking evidence from both Jockey J Babarovich and Starter L Lewis, Stewards found the barrier attendant assisting SPURCIFIC JOURNEY, which was restless in the barriers, was unable to release his hold as the start was affected and as a result the gelding missed the start by a significant margin and took no competitive part in the event. Consequently, SPURCIFIC JOURNEY was declared a non-runner pursuant to AR204(1)(c). On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets onSPURCIFIC JOURNEY be refunded with the following deductions to apply:
 
1st – KEENZAP:  6c win, 7c place
2nd – SOOPAT: 12c place
 
SOOPAT – Shifted out at the 200m to obtain clear running after KEENZAP shifted in under pressure.
 
ALBION SQUARE (GB) – Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
Race 4: AKUBRA QTIS CLASS 2 HANDICAP         1200 M
 
SPICY SONIC – Slow to begin. Hung out on the home turn. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
NOT ANOTHER – The start of the race was delayed when NOT ANOTHER refused to load into the barriers. The mare was subsequently declared a late scratching by order of the stewards at 2:44pm. As NOT ANOTHER has no recorded history of being difficult to load and was reported to be in season, Stewards advised Trainer K Clark-Peoples a warning would be placed on the mare’s barrier manners. Upon the declaration of correct weight stewards ordered that all bets on NOT ANOTHER be refunded with the following deductions to apply:
 
1st – LAST DESCEND:  31c win, 22c place.
2nd – SPICY SONIC: 24c place.
3rd – WITHOUT SHAME: 24c place.
 
LE WEASEL – Began awkwardly.
 
WITHOUT SHAME – Shifted out in the straight to obtain clear running.
 
DREYFUS – After racing in yesterday`s Birdsville meeting underwent a pre-race Veterinary inspection and was reported as being lame in the off foreleg. DREYFUS was declared a late scratching on Vets advice at 9.52am. Trainer P Cole was advised the gelding would require a Veterinary certificate before racing again.  
 
Race 5: ANNANDALE TRADING CO BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP    1600 M
 
OUR SPIDER – Forced wider on the track shortly after jumping.
 
KYOGLE KID – Restrained at the 1400m to gain cover on the rail.
 
BOULT – Shifted in down the home straight.
 
FLYING ARION – Forced wider on the track shortly after jumping.
 
DEDORS LAD – Jumped out at the start and forced OUR SPIDER and FLYING ARION wider on the track.
 
SCOUT'S HONOUR – The gelding received a 1.5kg penalty from his win in race 3 at Birdsville yesterday. Jumped outwards at the start and bumped ALBERT THE ROCKET. Momentarily became unbalanced and lost ground.
 
ALBERT THE ROCKET – Jumped in at the start and bumped SCOUT'S HONOUR.
 
Race 6: TAB BIRDSVILLE CUP OPEN HANDICAP         1600 M
 
FACTORY WARRIOR – Blundered at the start causing it`s rider to become unbalanced and lost considerable ground.
 
BURDEN – Approaching the 1400m had to be checked from the heels of CENTAUR.At a subsequent inquiry it was established that after TORBRECK(G Geran), which was travelling in a four wide position improved to the outside of WAITAKERE(App L Sykes) which was three wide, the gelding began to over race and despite the efforts of Apprentice Sykes, shifted in forcing CENTAUR(App N Olzard) in on to the rail where BURDEN(E Bell) had to be checked from heels. After viewing the available patrol footage and taking evidence from Stewards and all riders involved in the incident, Stewards could not attribute the cause of the incident to any one rider. Stewards took no direct action other than advise all riders to exercise care in similar circumstances.
 
TORBRECK – Began awkwardly and bumped VILLADEN.
 
CENTAUR – Steadied off heels when the pace slackened passing the 1200m.
 
TRUMPSTA – Bumped on jumping.
 
SALAZAR – Slow to begin.
 
WAITAKERE – Began awkwardly and bumped TRUMPSTA. Raced wide throughout. As Apprentice L Sykes was unable to claim his full allowance of 2kg when weighing out and as there were no other Apprentices available to ride WAITAKERE, Stewards acceded to a request by Trainer P Edwards for Apprentice Sykes to ride the gelding using 0.5kg of his claim. After a report from the Stewards in charge of scales, an inquiry was opened into an alleged incident involving Apprentice L Sykes weighing out for the race and the transfer of the riding equipment to Trainer P Edwards. After taking submissions from Stewards, Apprentice L Sykes and Trainer P Edwards, Stewards adjourned the inquiry to a date and time to be advised.
 
LEGEND OF ZORRO – Checked off heels shortly after the start and lost ground.
 
STAMPEDE WARRIOR – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Obliged to shift wide in the straight to obtain clear running.
 
VILLADEN (NZ) – Shortly after the start, shifted wider on the track causing LEGEND OF ZORRO to be checked off heels.
 
 
Race 7: RFDS BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1400 M
 
 
RANGI TOA (NZ) – Slow to begin. Raced wide throughout.
 
GALACTIC EXPRESS – Slow to begin.
 
MOPAR – Raced wide throughout.
 
LORD SMEDLEY – Slow to begin.
 
CAITLIN'S ANGEL – A pre-race Veterinary inspection revealed the mare to have visible signs of lacerations which had not fully healed after a transport incident and was declared a late scratching at 9.39am on Vets advice. CAITLIN'S ANGEL will undergo a pre-race veterinary inspection before starting again. Trainer K Healy was advised of his obligations to advise Stewards of any incidents that may affect a horse’s performance.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 2: Apprentice N Olzard – AR131(b) – Failing to ride her horse out to the end of the race.
 
Fines
Race 1: G Geran – Excessive whip use – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – 8 times before the 100m - $400
Race 2: D Ballard – Overweight – AR190(3) - $100

Adjourned inquiries         
Race 6: WAITAKERE – Transfer of gear incident.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
SODBUSTER, NOT ANOTHER REIBY, MODERNA`S ARROW, FACTORY WARRIOR,BURDEN, GALACTIC EXPRESS.
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 1: ELECTRIC SPIRIT – Bucked after the start – Warning.
SODBUSTER – Barrier manners – Warning.
Race 4: NOT ANOTHER – Barrier manners – Warning.
              DREYFUS – Lame off fore – Vet certificate.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 2: NOT ANOTHER REIBY – L Tilley.
 
Late scratchings
 
Race 3: SPURCIFIC JOURNEY - AR204(1)(c) – Declared a non-runner – Denied a fair start.
Race 4: NOT ANOTHER – Refused to load.
              DREYFUS – Vets advice.
Race 7: CAITLIN'S ANGEL - Vets advice.
 
The matters contained within this Stewards report may be subject to external review.  The Racing Appeals Panel manages external reviews and the Racing Appeals Panel publishes its decisions on its website.
 
This report and the Stewards Comments for this meeting may be amended at any time, at the sole discretion of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Stewards as races are reviewed.