QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
ST GEORGE JOCKEY CLUB
 
SATURDAY 5 MARCH 2022
 
WEATHER – FINE/ HOT   TRACK RATING –  GOOD 3- DIRT/SAND            RAIL – TRUE
 
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – T Preston
Stewards – P Jenkins
Clerk of Scales – Stewards
Judge – G Wipple, D Avery
Veterinarian – Dr M Crammey, Dr T Grimmer.
Swab Attendants – Veterinarians
Starter – S Crouchley
Photo finish Operator- J Moody
 
 
 
 
GENERAL
 
 
The starting times of Races 5 and 6 were brought forward due to the possibility of storms in the area. The amended starting time for Race 5 was 3.55pm and Race 6 was 4.30pm.
 
 
Race 1: SUNSHINE MITRE 10 BENCHMARK 55 Handicap 1400 METRES
 
 
RINVIATA- began awkwardly.
 
OAKFIELD TARGET- was slow to begin then travelled in a three- wide position with no cover for the majority of the event. Established a leading position from the 400m when entering the home straight did lay out over the final stages. Stewards questioned Trainer W Louden regarding the seemingly improved performance of his horse today. He advised a major gear change by putting the blinkers back on had improved him significantly and it had been working well and settled in his stable since it arrived. Stewards noted the explanation of Mr Louden.
 
MAXIMUM HUSTLE- was slow to begin
 
PARANGAS- was slow to begin, Jockey B Richardson advised Stewards that the horse was not suited by the conditions today and appeared to resent the kickback.
 
RINGSIDE- began awkwardly.
 
SHINING BLUE- travelled in a three-wide position with no cover middle stages of the event.
 
 
The declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow Jockey N Fazackerley an opportunity to view the photo finish image. He was satisfied that the Judges placings were correct, and stewards subsequently declared correct weight on the Judges numbers as semaphored.
 
 
Race 2: ADAMA BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1150 METRES
 
 
BUZZER BEATER- bumped another runner shortly after the start, laid out from the 180m despite the best efforts of the rider.
 
AT THE HELM- was awkward in beginning and then bumped by BUZZER BEATER shortly after the start
 
PERSIAN KING- Jockey J Oliver advised stewards that his mount didn’t appear to be comfortable with the track conditions today and it did hang in for the majority and once he entered the home straight, the gelding seemed to be on the “wrong leg”. Stewards noted J Oliver’s comments.
 
AIRWING- travelled wide with no cover during the early and middle stages of the event. At the 180m- 150m point had to be eased off the heels of BUZZER BEATER and raced in restricted room for a short distance.
 
FOR LOVE- began to shift out from the 180m for a short distance.
 
 
Race 3:  GARY CODRINGTON CLASS B HANDICAP 1150 METRES
 
 
MR STACK- Appr Jockey S Stephan reported to stewards that her mount had lost a plate between the 800m and 700m point and during the race felt awkward in its action from that point. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer S McEwan reported to stewards the Gelding had lost 3 x plates in running.
 
KNIGHT ENARMOURED- was declared a late scratching by Stewards at 12.45pm acting on vet advice. No deductions applied as the scratching was affected prior to the commencement of betting on this event.
 
BARLEY HUNTER- began awkwardly and bumped GEKKO shortly after the start. Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
JOLEN JOLEN- Stewards questioned Trainer B Shepherd as to why the Mare hadn’t raced or trialled in eighteen months prior to today’s start. Mr Shepherd advised that there was nothing physically wrong with his horse, he decided to leave her in the paddock to mature. He said the horse has worked well at his home track but had not jumped out or officially trialled. A Veterinary examination was performed with no abnormalities found and passed fit to race. Stewards noted Mr Shepherd’s explanation.
 
 
Race 4: SAFEWAY EXCAVATIONS/ RON IRWIN BUILDERS QTIS CLASS 2 HANDICAP 1000 METRES
 
 
ARATULA- travelled three- wide with no cover for the majority of the event.
 
MORE THAN LIKELY- stood flat footed at the start and lost ground. At the 800m point the rider elected to travel extremely wide in an attempt to avoid the kickback. Stewards spoke with Trainer W Baker and advised a warning would be placed on the horse for standing flat footed at the start despite the urgings of the rider. Jockey L Miller was fined $500 by Stewards for excessive use of the whip. That being on nine occasions prior to the 100m, four than permitted.
 
 
Race 5: ROY STANDFAST MAIDEN PLATE 1000 METRES
 
 
FIGHT IN THE DOG- began awkwardly
 
JUNGLELAND- was slow to begin, became tightened between runners shortly after the start when HEDWICK jumped out and bumped the gelding. Approaching the 600m point the gelding travelled wide with no cover and became tailed off from the 400m of the race.
 
HEDWICK- bumped another runner shortly after the start. Stewards observed that HEDWICK was racing with pre-race earmuffs on. Stewards spoke with with Jockey T Banks, Trainer Mr J Banks and Starter S Crouchley and determined the situation should not have occurred. The gelding was declared a runner, Stewards have subsequently amended the Starters Report for the horse indicating the use of Pre-race earmuffs in an effort to prevent this situation from reoccurring in the future.
 
DELTA MISS- laid out for some distance after entering the home straight.
 
 
Race 6 STICK MAN CONSTRUCTIONS OPEN PLATE 1000 METRES.
 
 
HANOVER SQUARE- slow to begin and then travelled wide with no cover from the 600m point.
 
MOSCINI- hung out during the early stages for a short distance. Travelled wide with no cover during the middle stage, when entering the home straight the horse continued to hang out for a short distance.
 
PURPLE CUP- reared in the gates prior to the start being affected, then knuckled shortly after the start. Raced in restricted room at the 900m point between VERTICAL and MOSCINI for a short distance.
 
PARTNERS- over raced for a short distance during the early stages of the event.
 
PHIONAIX- began awkwardly, when leaving the 800m point did lose ground.
 
VERTICAL- was awkward to begin and jumped with his head in the air.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
 
Nil
 
Fines
 
Race 4- Jockey L Miller- $500- AR132(7)(a)(ii)- excessive use of the whip on nine occasions prior to the 100m, four more than permitted.

Suspensions
 
Nil
 
Race day injuries/illness
 
Nil
 
Absent jockeys
 
Nil
 
Adjourned inquiries         
 
Nil
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
 
Nil
 
Horses swabbed post-race
 
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
 
Race 4- MORE THAN LIKELY- stood fat footed- Warning
 
Veterinary Certificates
 
Race 3- KNIGHT ENAMOURED- injury- Vet Certificate required prior to racing again. AR 75(2)(b)
 
Bleeders
 
Nil
 
Falls
 
Nil
 
Adjourned inquiries
 
Nil
 
Protests
 
Nil
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
 
Race-1- RINGSIDE- J Rudd
 
Race 4- JOEY JAWS- Appr O Kendall replaced G Geran.
 
Race 4- ZUMA- G Geran replaced Appr O Kendall
 
Race 6- PHIONAIX- G Steele.
 
Race 6- VERTICAL- G Geran.
 
Late Scratchings
 
Race 3- KNIGHT ENAMOURED-declared a late scratching at 12.45 by order of Stewards acting on Vet advice.
 
 
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.