QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
MACKAY TURF CLUB
 
MACKAY – TUESDAY 9 FEBRUARY 2021
 
WEATHER – Showers      TRACK RATING –  Good 4 – Soft 6 (races 2-7)           RAIL – True
PENETROMETER – n/a
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – J. Adams
Stewards – C. Allison, E. Suli (Cadet)
Clerk of Scales – A. Warry
Judge – S. Bryant
Veterinarian – Dr B. Pullen
Swab Attendants – N. Paull
Starter – P. Conway
 
 
GENERAL
The following runners who all started in the past seven days underwent a prerace veterinary examination and were passed fit to start;
Race 1.         Combattant De Rue.
                     Notoriety
Race 2.         Brad
                     Rockette Rocket
                     Dutch Rocket
Race 5.         Exelant Mosh
Race 6.         Myzaboom
                     Cider Apple
                     Mishani Patriot
Race 7.         Whosday
 
Race 1: TAB LONG MAY WE PLAY Class 3 Plate 1560 metres
 
Correct weight was delayed to allow Jockey J Stanley, rider of 2nd placegetter PLANET WARRIOR, to view the photo finish. After J Stanley was satisfied with the margin, correct weight was declared on the judge’s numbers.
 
COMBATTANT DE RUE – Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
ARZANI – Overraced in the early and middle stages.
 
 
Race 2: PINK LADIES OPEN Handicap 1050 metres
 
BRAD – Following its win at Townsville on 5th February 2021, was rehandicapped 1.5kg to carry 59kgs.
 
DURIF - Underwent a pre race veterinary examination after not competing in the past 12 months and was passed fit to start.
 
ROCKETTE ROCKET – Slow to begin.
 
DUTCH ROCKET – Overraced in the early and middle stages. Shortly after jumping away, had to be steadied to avoid the heels of OUR BOY PENDLES, which shifted in when insufficiently clear. Jockey M Haley, rider of OUR BOY PENDLES was reminded of his obligation to be clear when shifting ground in future. Laid out when placed under pressure rounding the home turn and in the straight.
 
Following the running of the event stewards downgraded the track to a Soft 6.
 
Race 3: SMART STATE RENTALS Maiden Plate 1050 metres
 
NOT A SINGLE DAY – Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
ZIEDRICH – Underwent a pre race veterinary examination after not competing in the past 12 months and was passed fit to start. Held up for clear running on entering the home straight. Laid out when placed under pressure in the straight.
 
MAXI – Held up for clear running for a number of strides on entering the home straight.
 
SNEAKY GAL – Shortly after jumping away had to take evasive action to avoid the heels of GRAND TRICK that commenced to buck. Jockey J Stanley stated that after being inconvenienced shortly after jumping, the Mare took a number of strides to gain momentum but was pleased in how his mount finished off in the straight.
 
GRAND TRICK – Bucked shortly after jumping away and as a result was pulled up approaching the 800m and failed to finish. Trainer J Doolan was advised GRAND TRICK would be required to pass an official trial prior to accepting for a race.
 
Race 4: JOIN OUR 100 CLUB BENCHMARK 55 Handicap 1100 metres
 
DOUBLE EM – A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. Trainer T Cook advised that the Mare resents racing in the rain.
 
CELEBRATION DAY – Slow to begin. When questioned in relation to the performance of the Gelding, Jockey D Smith stated that his mount failed to respond to his riding throughout the event. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
 
HAVANNAH SUNSET – Rider C Whiteley was reprimanded for excessive use of the whip under AR132(5) for using his whip on 15 occasions in total.
 
 
Race 5: BOOK YOUR NEXT FUNCTION WITH US RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap 1300 metres
 
FORGIVE ME – Slow to begin.
 
SCENT OF FEAR – Raced wide in the early stages.
 
SENDING LOVE – Jumped away awkwardly. Held up for clear running inside the 100m on the heels of GRACIOUS GARCON and had to shift out to improve into clear running
 
DIP DYE – A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
 
WREN PLUCKED – Hampered on jumping away. Overraced in the early and middle stages.
 
TAKEN ON CHANCE – Raced in restricted room in the early stages inside the heels of SCENT OF FEAR which was attempting to shift in and obtain cover. Approaching the 850m had to be restrained to avoid the heels of SCENT OF FEAR which shifted in. Jockey A Sewell, rider of SECENT OF FEAR, was reminded of his obligation to be clear when shifting ground in future.
 
 
Race 6: FAMILY RACE DAY 20TH FEBRUARY Class 6 Handicap 1300 metres
 
ORNATE – Overraced in the early and middle stages.
 
Race 7: BECOME A MTC MEMBER QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 60 Handicap 1560 metres
 
KOTABHARU – Slow to begin.
 
REAL ANA – Laid out throughout the event..
 
IMALI – Slow to begin.
 
AMOREM – Overraced in the early and middle stages.
 
BOLD ADVANCE – Late scratching at 8.25am due to no available rider.
 
SHE'S OUR EMPRESS – Slow to begin.
 
WHOSDAY – Underwent a pre race veterinary behind the barriers and was passed fit to start. Slow to begin. Trainer J Manzelmann was advised that WHOSDAY would be required to trial satisfactorily prior to accepting for a future race and would be restricted to racing at NON TAB venues until it can find competitive form.
 
General
 
Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) stewards inquired into an incident which occurred prior to the running of race 7, the Become a MTC Member QTIS Three-Year-Old Benchmark 60 Handicap, on 9 February 2021 at the Mackay Turf Club on 9 February 2021. Evidence was taken from Jockey Nathan Thomas.
 
After considering all the evidence, Jockey Thomas was issued with a charge under the provisions of AR228(b), which reads:
A person must not engage in misconduct, improper conduct or unseemly behaviour.
 
The specifics of the charge being that Nathan Thomas, a licenced jockey with the Queensland Racing and Integrity Commission, did prior to the running of race 7, the Become a MTC Member QTIS Three-Year-Old Benchmark 60 Handicap, on 9 February 2021 at the Mackay Turf Club, conducted himself in an improper manner; during the loading process, after being dislodged, forcibly stuck WHOSDAY with his whip in the region of the shoulder.
 
Jockey Thomas plead guilty to the charge.
 
When considering an appropriate penalty, Stewards view breaches of this kind very seriously as any behaviour involving the mistreatment of a thoroughbred racehorse must meet with a significant penalty. The penalty must not only deter Mr Thomas but must also illustrate to the entire racing industry that these actions cannot be condoned. Stewards also considered previous penalties for breaches of this rule.
 
Stewards imposed a two week suspension of Jockey Thomas’ license to ride in races to commence midnight 13th February 2021 till midnight 27th February 2021.
 
Jockey Thomas was advised of his rights of appeal.
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 4.            Chris Whiteley - Excessive use of whip – 15 times - AR132(5)
 
Fines
Nil.

Suspensions
Race 7.         Nathan Thomas – Jockey – AR228(b) – Improper Conduct – struck horse with whip while being dismounted – from m/night 13.2.21 to m/night 27.2.21.
 
Race day injuries/illness
Nil.
 
Absent jockeys
Nil.
 
Adjourned inquiries         
Nil.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
Race 2.         Our Boy Pendles.
Race 3.         Starsonic.
Race 5.         With Trust.
Race 7.         Imali.
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 3.         Grand Trick – Bucked – to trial – AR20(e).
Race 7.         Whosday – Barred to NON TAB venues – uncompetitive – AR20(e).
Race 7.         Whosday – Pre race manners – to trial – AR20(e).
 
Bleeders
Nil.
 
Falls
Nil.
 
Adjourned inquiries
Nil.
 
Protests
Nil.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 3.         The Girl Is Wild – Cody Collis.
 
Late scratchings
Race 7.         Bold Advance – No available rider – 8.25am.
 
 
 
 
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.