QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOOWOOMBA TURF CLUB – SATURDAY 29 FEBRUARY 2020
 
WEATHER – OVERCAST
TRACK RATING – GOOD 4
RAIL – 2M
PENETROMETER – 4.86
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – R. Hitchener
Stewards – J. Childs, T. Preston, T. White
Clerk of Scales – Club
Judge – S. Fahey, B. Poelstra
Veterinarian – Dr. E. Hamilton
Swab Attendants – R. Burchmann, E. Hodges
Starter – D. Hodgson
Stewards Secretary – M. Weir
 
Race 1: ROTARY BOWELSCAN QUEENSLAND BENCHMARK 65 H’CAP – 1200M
 
QUICK KETCH – Declared a late scratching at 7.28am for veterinary reasons.
 
OUR TOP SHELF – Bumped on jumping away.
 
BRIS VEGAS – Raced 3 wide without cover for the majority.
 
MASTER BAYLEE – A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding revealed a laceration to its off hind leg consistent with it being galloped on.
 
STAR ADELE – Bumped on jumping away.
 
Race 2: MAKTRANS BULK FUEL HAULAGE BENCHMARK 55 H’CAP – 1625M
 
The start of this race was initially delayed to enable the broadcast of an interstate event.
 
The start was further delayed to enable a gear adjustment to be made on SURFACE TO SURFACE behind the barriers.
 
Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards viewed the patrol footage to ascertain whether SURFACE TO SURFACE had been afforded a fair start. After viewing the films, Stewards found that SURFACE TO SURFACE had reared simultaneously with the start being effected and, as a result, lost considerable ground at the start and was ultimately retired out of the race by its rider. As Stewards were satisfied that the sole reason for the gelding missing the start was its own manners, the horse was declared a confirmed runner.  Stewards questioned jockey Beau Appo in relation to his decision to retire SURFACE TO SURFACE from the event in the early stages after it lost considerable ground at the start. Jockey Appo advised that after the gelding reared at the start and lost considerable ground he formed the view that his mount had lost all competitive chance in the event, and he therefore elected to retire the horse from the race. As Stewards were satisfied that jockey Appo’s actions were reasonable in the circumstances, they accepted his explanation in relation to this matter.
 
TYRES ARE CRUCIAL – Steadied when momentarily placed in restricted room to the inside of BRIDGET’S DIARY (J. Oliver) which shifted in when not completely clear. Jockey J. Oliver was reprimanded as a result of this incident.
 
WESTBROOK WARRIOR – Checked to avoid the heels of KATARINA near the 1400m when that runner was taken inwards by SHE LIKES A DRINK which shifted in. Apprentice M. Wishart, the rider of SHE LIKES A DRINK, subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR. 131(a) in that near the 1400m she permitted her mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of KATARINA (B. Ainsworth) which was taken inwards at that point resulting in WESTBROOK WARRIOR (B. Pengelly) having to be checked to avoid the heels of KATARINA. Apprentice Wishart’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 8 days to commence at midnight on Saturday 7 March 2020 and conclude at midnight on Sunday 15 March 2020. In determining penalty, Stewards took into consideration Apprentice Wishart’s guilty plea and her prior good record in relation to this rule.
 
BRIDGET’S DIARY – Laid out whilst rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the home straight before commencing to lay in over the concluding stages.
 
AMERICAN SUMMER – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
LOVE PUZZLE – Eased from heels near the 1400m. A post-race veterinary examination of the mare, which tailed off, revealed no apparent abnormalities. Stewards will contact trainer G. Cornish in the coming days in relation to the mare’s post-race recovery, before making a determination as to whether an embargo should be placed on the horse.
 
Race 3: ROTARY RIDE THE RANGE COLTS, GELDINGS AND ENTIRES CLASS 1 H’CAP – 1000M
 
Due to the delay prior to the start of Race 2, the start of this race was also delayed slightly.
 
APIDAE – Bumped on the hindquarters on jumping away and became unbalanced. Raced wide without cover throughout. On return to scale, jockey B. Pengelly advised that the gelding travelled strongly throughout and from the 500m he expected his mount to improve into the race as a possible winning chance. He added however that whilst rounding the home turn, the gelding commenced to hang out and felt awkward in its action in the home straight. As a veterinary examination of the gelding was unable to be carried out prior to it leaving the course, Stewards will contact trainer P. Kings in the coming days regarding the horse’s post-race recovery.
 
DUKATTI – Jumped in the air at the start. Steadied to avoid heels shortly after the start. Jockey L. Tilley was fined $400 under AR. 211 for returning to scale in excess of half a kilogram over the horse’s allocated weight. In determining penalty, Stewards were mindful that the gelding had placed 3rd in the race and that there had only been a 0.3 length margin between his mount and the 2nd placegetter at the conclusion of the race.
 
HIDDEN ACTION – Tightened badly on jumping away and lost ground. Disappointed for a run near the 250m and was eased.
 
PATRICK’S ME MATE – Bumped on jumping away. Bumped in the early stages of the home straight.
 
JACKO’S A NATURAL – Bumped on jumping away. Held up whilst rounding the home turn. Momentarily steadied near the 150m when a runner to the gelding’s outside was laying in.
 
STORM ANCHOR – Bumped on the hindquarters on jumping away and became unbalanced. Raced wide with cover throughout. Bumped in the early stages of the home straight.
 
LOGSPLITTER – Laid in whilst rounding the home turn and in the home straight.
 
Race 4: ROMAC FILLIES AND MARES CLASS 1 H’CAP – 1000M
 
GUNNOBE – Hung out rounding the home turn.
 
AMERICAN CROWN – Hampered on jumping away. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
PULLA SWIFTY – Had a tendency to hang in throughout, and proved difficult to ride in the home straight.
 
Race 5: ROTARY CLUB OF TOOWOOMBA EAST CLASS 4 H’CAP – 870M
 
PAPA JO – Hung out whilst rounding the home turn.
 
LILLI LIGHTS OUT – Tightened for room on jumping away.
 
ARROW EXPRESS – Tightened for room on jumping away.
 
SIN TAN – Steadied when placed in restricted room shortly after the start.
 
THE BUMBLEBEE – A post-race examination revealed a laceration to the mare’s off fore leg.
 
Race 6: BASE SERVICES MAIDEN PLATE – 1200M
 
SWIFT OVER, which reared over behind the barriers, underwent a veterinary examination and was passed fit to start.
 
LAZARO – Slow to begin.
 
THE HAND – When questioned by Stewards in relation to the seemingly improved performance, trainer M. Boland advised that the gelding had worked extremely well in the lead up to its first two race starts, however it had raced greenly and proved disappointing on both of those occasions. He added that following the horse’s most recent start, he had elected to trial the gelding where it was ultimately successful and ran a good time. He added that the gelding has continued its exceptional trackwork in the lead up to today’s race and, for this reason, he had expected an improved performance, particularly bearing in mind the gelding’s successful trial. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
RAGI MAC – Laid in whilst rounding the home turn.
 
SNOWY RIVER – Declared a late scratching at 1.50pm for veterinary reasons.
 
LEICABLE – Bumped whilst rounding the home turn.
 
MASSIE WHISPER – Raced wide without cover for the majority.
 
MISS CHARLEE LYN – Hung in whilst rounding the home turn.
 
SKYQUAKE – Raced ungenerously whilst being restrained in the early stages.
 
Race 7: ROTARY CLUB OF GARDEN CITY QTIS 3YO MAIDEN H’CAP – 1625M
 
DIVINE ASCOT – Held up and unable to improve for some distance passing the 500m. Disappointed for a run whilst rounding the home turn, before being shifted to the outside to secure clear running.
 
GREAT BRAVE – A post-race examination revealed a quarter crack to the gelding’s near fore hoof.
 
SARASUN – Raced in restricted room and was eased near the 450m when UNUSUAL AUNT (N. Evans) shifted out marginally and PRINCESS SPARKLES (R. Plumb) shifted in marginally. N. Evans and R. Plumb were both advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances in the future. Raced in restricted room and was eased near the 300m when UNUSUAL AUNT (N. Evans) shifted out marginally and ABSOLUTE GLORY (J. Oliver) shifted in marginally. N. Evans and J. Oliver were both advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances in the future.
 
UNUSUAL AUNT – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
ABSOLUTE GLORY – Slow to begin.
 
PORTLAND BILL – Overraced in the early and middle stages.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 2.  J. Oliver – careless riding – AR. 131(a)
 
Fines
Race 3.  L. Tilley – $400 – return to scale in excess of half kilogram over allocated weight – AR. 211

Suspensions
Race 2.  Apprentice M. Wishart – careless riding – 8 days (m/n 07.03.20 – 15.03.20) – AR. 131(a)
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
Stormy Grey, Surface to Surface, Westbrook Warrior
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, and the second placegetters in Races 1, 3, 5, 6 and 7
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 2.           KATARINA – Brooke Ainsworth
 
Late scratchings
Race 1.          QUICK KETCH – 7.58am – veterinary reasons
Race 6.          SNOWY RIVER – 1.50pm – veterinary reasons
 
Published subject to correction upon revision