QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
BOWENTURF CLUB
BOWEN – SATURDAY 8TH OCTOBER 2022
WEATHER – FINE TRACK RATING – GOOD 4 RAIL – TRUE ENTIRE COURSE
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – D. Griffiths
Stewards – K. Dean (Cadet)
Clerk of Scales – Stewards
Judge – D. O’Connell
Veterinarian – Dr D. Viero
Swab Attendants – Dr D. Viero
Starter – D. Bannister
Race 1: TROPICAL PACKAGING BENCHMARK 45 HANDICAP 1000m
JUST FRANK – Reared in the air as the start was affected, App. Jockey S. Nielson was dislodged as a result. Completed the race riderless and underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no abnormalities. App. Jockey S. Nielson declared herself free of injury and able to fulfil the rest of her riding engagements.
BONES – Shifted out under pressure over the final 100m.
FINAL CRIME – Hampered on the turn out of the back straight by the riderless horse and hampered again on the turn onto the front straight.
FRAZZLED – Due to racing at Townsville on 6th October 2022, the mare underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was passed fit to start in the event. Raced wide.
YABULU PRINCESS – Raced wide.
RIVERINA DEMAND – Raced wide.
Immediately following the declaration of correct weight starter Mr D Bannister approached Stewards and reported that the four runners drawn to the outside had started from incorrect barriers.
Stewards immediately opened an inquiry into the matter. They questioned the Starter, Mr D. Bannister, Jockey J. Felix (RIVERINA DEMAND), Jockey N. Summers (FRAZZLED), Jockey A. Holt (BONES), and App. Jockey B. Johnson (FINAL CRIME) concerning barriers occupied by those runners at the start and the specific reason they took up such barriers. Head-on Stewards patrol footage was viewed.
Jockeys J. Felix (Barrier 10), A. Holt (Barrier 12) and N. Summers (Barrier 11) advised that they had all endeavoured to take up their correct barriers when called forward by the Starter however were instructed by the Starter to enter the following barriers where their mounts jumped from - Jockeys J. Felix (Barrier 11), A. Holt (Barrier 9) and N. Summers (Barrier 12).
It was also noted that App. Jockey B. Johnson (FINAL CRIME) jumped from Barrier 10 when her allocated barrier was Barrier 9.
Given that correct weight had already been announced, Stewards took no further action under the provisions of AR198(2).
Stewards accepted the explanation of Jockeys Felix, Holt and Summers that they had made all reasonable endeavours to occupy their drawn barriers and had then complied with the direction of the Starter.
App. Jockey B. Johnson (FINAL CRIME) was reprimanded under AR198(1) because she failed to ensure that her mount occupied its allocated barrier.
The Starter Mr D. Bannister was admonished for the error, and a further report to the QRIC will be furnished.
Race 2: BOWEN TYRE & MECHANICAL QTIS MAIDEN PLATE 1200m
QUE CEE SPADE – Due to racing at Townsville on 6th October 2022, the gelding underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was passed fit to start in the event.
JESTER STATEMENT – Slow to begin.Clipped heels at the 600 metres and blundered, resulting in Jockey D. Smith being dislodged. Jockey D. Smith declared himself free of injury at that stage and able to fulfil the rest of his riding engagements. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
An inquiry was opened into the above matter, and Jockey B. Thomson (MISHANI CAPTIVE) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR131(a) in that she allowed her mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of Jockey D. Smith (JESTER STATEMENT) at the 600 metres. Jockey B. Thomson’s licence to ride in races was suspended for 28 days to commence midnight on 15 October 2022 and expire midnight on 12 November 2022.
Race 3: LIBERTY FUEL BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP 1200m
YUAN FEN – Raced wide in the early stages. Hung out on the home turn and had to be balanced in the early stages of the straight before being ridden to the finishing line.
SCHATZI – Slow to begin.
VIKING CLAP – Raced wide in the early stages.
Race 4: WE3 GROUP OPEN HANDICAP 1280m
BOOM GATE – Reared as the start was affected and lost ground.
FOCUS – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
HIT SNOOZE – Reared as the start was affected and lost ground. When the whip was applied at the 200 metres the horse shifted out momentarily under pressure while tiring.
Race 5: HILLERY GROUP BOWEN CUP BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1810m
SPRINGTHORPE – Raced wide for the majority and tired over the concluding stages. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination that revealed no abnormalities.
ELLE A WALKING – Slow to begin.
WISE DRAGON – Hung in for the majority of the back straight. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination that revealed the right hind plate had shifted after the race, and the gelding showed signs of lameness. Trainer S Bush was advised that a veterinary certificate of fitness will be required before the gelding races.
HE WILL ACHEEV – Began awkwardly.
BATTLE – Began awkwardly.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning licensees
Reprimands
Race 1 – App. Jockey B. Johnson - AR198(1) – Starting from an incorrect barrier.
Suspensions
Race 2- Jockey B. Thomson – 28 Days AR131(a) – Careless Riding
Race day injuries/illness
Race 2 – Jockey D. Smith – reported after the running of the final race that he was suffering some discomfort in his right ankle. He advised that he would be seeking further medical attention and will be required to provide a medical clearance before riding again.
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Falls
Race 1 – App. Jockey S. Nielson (JUST FRANK).
Race 2 – Jockey D. Smith (JESTER STATEMENT)
The matters contained within this Stewards report may be subject to an internal or external review. The outcome of any internal review is published on the Commission’s website immediately after the release of the internal review decision to the Applicant. External reviews are managed by QCAT and are not published on the Commission’s 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.