QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOOWOOMBA TURF CLUB – SUNDAY 31 DECEMBER 2017
 
WEATHER – OVERCAST
TRACK RATING – GOOD 4
RAIL – 2M
PENETROMETER – 4.83
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – R. Hitchener
Stewards – E. Barron, J. Childs, T. Reed
Betting Steward – Club
Clerk of Scales – Club
Judge – Club
Veterinarian – F. Viljoen
Swab Attendants – E. Hodges, M. Nixon
Starter – P. Brennan
Stewards Secretary – M. Weir
 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
From Toowoomba 16.12.17 – Race 4: In the days following the event, Stewards received notification from trainer Mr. T. Sears that he wished to make submissions with respect to the embargo placed on his runner, THE REAL BOSS, which was found to have bled from one nostril following its win at Toowoomba on 16 December 2017. Stewards therefore opened an inquiry to enable all of the relevant parties to provide evidence, including Mr. Sears’ stable staff and the race day veterinarian who reported the blood being found in the horse’s nostril. After hearing all of the evidence, Stewards advised Mr. Sears that the embargo on the horse will stand, and confirmed that the horse will be required to satisfactorily gallop 1000m in the presence of Stewards prior to racing again.
 
Race 1: WIMMERS QTIS 2YO H’CAP – 1000M
 
As Apprentice H. English was injured and unable to ride at the Toowoomba meeting today, Apprentice B. Nothdurft was substituted as the rider of NORTHERN HAYES.
 
The start of this race was initially delayed to allow the broadcast of an interstate event. The start was further delayed when MISHANI VALENTINO proved difficult to load.
 
The declaration of correct weight was delayed slightly to enable jockey N. Tomizawa, the rider of MISHANI RULER, the second placegetter, to view the photo finish print. After viewing the print, jockey N. Tomizawa was satisfied with the Judge’s semaphored numbers.
 
MISHANI RULER – Slow to begin.
 
MISHANI VALENTINO – Began awkwardly.
 
SPIRIT’S PRIDE – Stewards questioned trainer Mr. M. Nolan in relation to the improved performance of the horse which was beaten 21.6 lengths at its first start. Mr. Nolan advised that the colt had always shown promise, and he had expected a forward showing at its first start at the Gold Coast on 23 December 2107. He added that on that occasion the colt began awkwardly, lost ground at the start, and in the early stages made contact with the running rail and, as a consequence, it lost contact with the main body of the field over the 900m journey of that event before being eased down by its rider in the home straight. Mr. Nolan went on to say that as the horse pulled up well following that event, and in light of the horse’s first start performance, he placed it in a jumpout in which the colt was successful. Mr. Nolan added that, based on the colt’s previous trackwork, the jumpout during the week, and the addition of blinkers to the horse’s gear, he had expected a forward showing today. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
SUPERSONIC BOOM – Raced greenly throughout the event, and as a result raced wide without cover for the majority. Laid in under pressure in the home straight and proved difficult to ride out.
 
ROSE OF BISCAY – Slow to begin. Steadied from heels shortly after the start.
 
MYSTIC MIST – Slow to begin.
 
Race 2: WINNING EDGE CLASS 3 PLATE – 1050M
 
QUICK KETCH – Momentarily steadied from heels at the 400m.
 
WIRNPA – Stewards accepted the explanation provided by trainers P. & W. Hulbert regarding the late scratching of the gelding at 7.35am.
 
ROYAL MYTH – Stewards acceded to a request from trainer B. Lunney to allow the filly to race without the nasal strip today as this gear was unable to be fitted when saddling the horse. Dipped on jumping away. Hung out rounding the home turn, and also in the home straight.
 
Race 3: K&R PLUMBING SUPPLIES FILLIES AND MARES BENCHMARK 60 H’CAP – 1200M
 
After viewing the Stewards’ patrol footage, S. Bogenhuber, the rider of CASSE BLEU, placed 2nd by the Judge, lodged an objection against GIVUS A CUDDLE being declared the winner, alleging interference over the concluding stages. After taking evidence from all parties and viewing the videos, Stewards found that whilst GIVUS A CUDDLE did lay in over the concluding stages which may have prevented jockey S. Bogenhuber from riding her mount out with her normal vigour, they were not of the view that the inconvenience suffered was sufficient to uphold the protest, and therefore dismissed the objection and declared correct weight on the Judge’s placings.
 
MANDELA DREAMING – When questioned by Stewards regarding the performance, Apprentice J. Murphy advised that the mare travelled well in the run until a point near the 700m, where he felt that his mount came off the bit. He added that when placed under pressure in the home straight, the horse failed to respond to his riding and proved disappointing. Trainer Mr. L. Hatch advised that in light of today’s performance the mare will be spelled immediately. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
EXPLOSIVE EVIE – Bumped heavily at the start when tightened for room, and as a result lost ground. Apprentice S. Sweeney was reprimanded for using the whip on more than 5 occasions and in consecutive strides prior to the 100m. In determining penalty, Stewards took into account Apprentice Sweeney’s previous good record in relation to this rule.
 
AKUA – Began awkwardly and made heavy contact with another runner. Improved onto heels near the 1000m, and was steadied by its rider.
 
Race 4: AUDI CENTRE TOOWOOMBA BENCHMARK 75 H’CAP – 1625M
 
WAR BABY – Steadied from heels and shifted wider on the track near the 1200m and, as a result, was obliged to race wide without cover for the remainder of the event.
 
UNIQUE MISTIQUE – Held up for clear running approaching and rounding the home turn.
 
Race 5: UBET MAIDEN PLATE – 1000M
 
YOU’RE SO VAIN – Steadied from heels at the 700m.
 
ARCHIE’S SON – Began awkwardly and bumped another runner.
 
TOO HARD TO RATTLE – Bumped at the start. Forced to steady to avoid heels approaching the 600m.
 
AVASA – Began awkwardly. Commenced to hang out after crossing to the lead passing the 800m and, as a result, was steadied by its rider and then continued to hang out for the majority of the event.
 
DREAM OF FRANCE – Raced 4 wide without cover for the majority.
 
MY RUBY ROSE – Slow to begin.
 
PLUCKANI – Improved onto heels and checked at the 700m.
 
TOORAK COMEDY – Steadied from heels at the 700m.
 
Race 6: BUNDABERG RUM CLASS 1 H’CAP – 1625M
 
The declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow jockey K. Yoshida, the rider of 2nd placegetter CROSSING THE TEE, to view the Stewards' patrol footage near the 900m to ascertain whether he had grounds to lodge an objection against 1st placegetter OCCHILUPO. After viewing the film, jockey Yoshida indicated that he did not wish to proceed.
 
The declaration of correct weight was further delayed as it had been observed by Stewards that during the running of the event the saddle had shifted forward on SAINT ELEMENT (App. J. Murphy) which placed its rider at a disadvantage. It was further observed by Stewards that, as a result, packing was lost from under the saddle of the mare at the 800m and again at the 500m. Immediately following the event, Stewards advised the race broadcaster to make an announcement to hold all tickets. On return to scale, Apprentice J. Murphy was found to have weighed in 1.6 kilograms underweight and therefore, in accordance with AR. 143(a), the mare was disqualified from its 4th placing in the event for weighing in in excess of ½ kilogram under its allotted weight as prescribed under the Rules. Accordingly, the placings were amended as follows: 1st OCCHILUPO, 2nd CROSSING THE TEE, 3rd WESTBROOK WARRIOR and 4th SHEZA GOOD GIRL. Correct weight was declared on the amended numbers.
 
STUDLY ROOSTER – Bumped by another runner near the 500m.
 
VIDARR – When questioned by Stewards, jockey Beau Appo advised that he was instructed to ride the horse third or fourth if possible however, after being caught wide, he was forced to settle further back in the field than he had anticipated. He added that the horse travelled reasonably throughout the event, however when placed under pressure from the 700m the gelding immediately commenced to weaken and lost ground. He went on to say that as he was concerned that something was amiss with the horse, he eased it down over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Stewards will interview Trainer D. Forster in relation to the horse’s performance and its post-race recovery at a later date.
 
SHEZA GOOD GIRL – Slow to begin.
 
SCRIPTS – Began awkwardly, and then commenced to overrace in the early and middle stages and proved difficult to restrain. Bumped by another runner near the 500m.
 
I FOUND SOMEONE – Slow to begin.
 
Race 7: TOOWOOMBA REGION NYE COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES BENCHMARK 60 H’CAP – 1200M
 
TRY ‘N’ CATCH ME – Stewards accepted the explanation provided by trainer M. Kropp regarding the late declaration of Beau Appo as rider.
 
BRAX – Slow to begin. Overraced during the middle stages of the event.
 
MAN OVERBOARD – Overraced during the middle stages of the event.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 3. App. S. Sweeney – use whip 8 times and in consecutive strides prior to 100m – AR.137A(5)(a)(i) & (ii)
 
Absent jockeys
App. H. English – injured.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners and a number of second placegetters.
 
Protests
Race 3. CASSE BLEU (2nd) v. GIVUS A CUDDLE (1st) – alleged interference over concluding stages – dismissed.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1.          NORTHERN HAYES – App. B. Nothdurft
Race 3.          DAZZY’S DAY – N. Tomizawa
Race 4.          BENICO’S PRINCE – Beau Appo
Race 6.          VIDARR – Beau Appo
Race 7.          REVELIO – N. Tomizawa
TRY ’N’ CATCH ME – Beau Appo
 
Late scratchings
Race 2.          WIRNPA – 7.35am
 
Published subject to correction upon revision