QRIC Stewards Report
 
MONTO RACE CLUB: 30th March 2019
Weather: Showery Track: Good 4 (8:00am), Soft 7 (1:00pm), Heavy 8 (after Race 1)
Rail: True
Stewards: K Daly (Chairman), D Macklyn
Starter: W Kelly 
Clerk of Scales: K Ball
Judge: B Mc Inally
Photo Finish Operator: A Little
Veterinarian: Dr C Marbach
 
General
 
As app L Dodds was not riding at the meeting, changes were made as per the race day summary sheet. 
 
Following steady rain which commenced approximately 30 minutes prior to the running of Race one, an inspection of an area near the 600 metres by Stewards and riders determined the track to be suitable for racing.  At this time the track rating was downgraded from a Good 4 to a Soft 7. 
 
 
 
Race 1: BENCHMARK 50 1000 Metres
 
Prior to the running of this race, D Evans, the declared rider of FORGOTTEN FEELING, indicated to Stewards he was not comfortable riding given the prevailing track conditions, and was replaced on the mare by M Heagney. Following the running of Race one jockey Evans  indicated he would fulfil his remaining engagements on the program.
 
LAST ROUND – slow to begin.
 
TIN’S POCKET – began awkwardly and lost ground.  Raced wide throughout.
 
AMELIA JANE – tightened on jumping and lost ground.
 
FORGOTTEN FEELING – raced wide throughout without cover.  Made the home-turn awkwardly.
 
SWIFT RESPONSE – raced wide throughout.
 
Following this event and after further rainfall, the track was downgraded to a Heavy 8.
 
 
Race 2: MAIDEN PLATE 1000 Metres
 
 
KISS ‘N’ WIN was declared a late scratching at 1.52 pm due to the downgrade of the track to a Heavy 8.  All wagers on KISS ‘N’ WIN were ordered to be refunded and deductions of 19 cents face value of all win tickets and 16 cents face value of all place tickets to apply.  
 
BUCK’S ME BOY – raced wide throughout. 
 
STASH THE SILVER – jumped out at the start and lost ground and was then unable to muster early speed resulting in the mare settling at the tail of the field.  Near the 100 metres faltered, became awkward in its action and was immediately restrained by its rider.  A post- race veterinary examination of STASH THE SILVER revealed an injury to the near fore sesamoid.  The mare was treated by the on-course Vet before being transported to the Oakey Veterinary Clinic.  Connections were advised STASH THE SILVER would require a Veterinary Certificate prior to its next race start.
 
KERLOO – rider R Faehr reported the gelding failed to handle the prevailing track conditions.
 
MISS NASTY – held up for clear running over the final stages of the event.
 
RAINBOW SPARKLES – raced wide throughout.
 
 
Race 3: CLASS B HDCP 1000 Metres
 
Following the running of Race two, which was run in steady rain, Stewards and riders inspected the track which revealed surface water near the 1300 metres.  This inspection also revealed a damaged section of the course proper near the 1000 metres, brought about by relocation of the barriers from the 1000 metres to the 1200 metres.  As these sections of the track were deemed unsafe for racing, Stewards, in consultation with club officials and trainers of horses engaged in races three and four, and acting under AR 21(f)(ii), altered the distances of these races from 1200 metres to 1000 metres.  Connections were given the opportunity to scratch, however none availed themselves of this opportunity.  Given that Race five was programmed as a 1400 metre race, and as the 1200 metre start was unavailable, Stewards under the circumstances deemed it inappropriate to alter the distance of this event to 1000 metres.  Consequently, Race five was abandoned at 2:30pm.
 
Prior to the running of this race, app S Gittos, the declared rider of SOMETHING UNKNOWN, indicated to Stewards he was not comfortable riding given the prevailing track conditions, and was replaced on the gelding by R Faehr.
 
The start of this event was delayed to allowed to allow QAS staff to attend to an on-course patron.
 
GRANOLA STATE - declared a late scratching at 1.52 pm due to the downgrade of the track to a Heavy 8.  As betting had not commenced on this race, no deductions were applicable.
 
MISTA MAYBE – shifted in approaching the 100 metres tightening WINDQUEST which had to be steadied. Rider N Evans was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.
 
TOM’S STAR – slow to begin.
 
WINDQUEST – lost its near hind plate in running.  Slow to begin.  Crowded for room and had to be steadied approaching the 100 metres.
 
BRILLIANT MISTAKE – raced wide throughout.
 
SOMETHING UNKNOWN – slow to begin.  Rider reported at scale the gelding failed to handle the prevailing heavy track conditions.
 
Race 4: OPEN HDCP 1000 Metres
 
SWINGAHINCH was declared a late scratching at 3:50pm due to track downgrade to Heavy 8.  As betting had not commenced deductions were not applicable
 
As app S Wilcock, declared rider of AL’S BRIEFS, and app S Gittos declared rider of LUCIFER’S ANGEL, both indicated to Stewards they were not comfortable given with the prevailing track conditions, they sought to be released from their respective engagements. Stewards therefore permitted M Heagney to ride AL’S BRIEFS and M Gray to ride LUCIFER’S ANGEL.
 
Prior to the declaration of correct weight, D Evans, rider of MISTA BUSY, requested to view the video replay of the start of the event to determine if he was afforded a fair start.  After the viewing the head-on vision it was evident that the near side barrier partition had swung back resulting in MISTA BUSY being hampered and missing the start by a considerable distance. As such, MISTA BUSY was declared a non-runner.  All wagers on MISTA BUSY were ordered to be refunded with deductions of 9 cents face value of win tickets and 10 cents face value of all place tickets applicable.  
 
As no other rider was available, permission was granted for M Gray to ride LUCIFER’S ANGEL 1kg over its allocated weight.
 
AL’S BRIEFS – raced wide in the early and middle stages of the event.
 
ALL HOST – laid out under pressure over the final 150 metres.
 
THE AMATEUR – began awkwardly and shifted out slightly after the start.
 
FINAL HOPE – raced wide throughout.
 
JOMAR’S ELEMENT – it was noted rider K Gates was accidently struck in the face when the gelding threw its head back on pulling up.
 
 

Race 5: BENCHMARK 55 HDCP 1400 Metres
 
Due to surface water near the 1300 metres and damage to the course proper near the 1000 metres, this event was abandoned by order of Stewards at 2:30pm.
 

 
RACE DAY SUMMARY REPORT:   MONTO RACE CLUB 30th March 2019
Summary of Actions concerning Licensees
Rider changes: 
Race 1: LAST ROUND - App S Gittos
              TIN’S POCKET – Jky M Milford
              FORGOTTEN FEELING – Jky M Heagney
Race 3:  SOMETHING UNKNOWN – Jky R Faehr
Race 4: AL’S BRIEFS – Jky M Heagney
              LUCIFER’S ANGEL – Jky M Gray
 
 
Summary of Actions concerning Horses
Late Scratchings:
Race 2: KISS ‘N’ WIN 1:52pm – due to track downgrade to Heavy 8; deductions 19 cents win, 16 cents place
Race 3: GRANOLA STATE 1:52pm - due to track downgrade to Heavy 8
Race 4:  SWINGAHINCH 3:50pm - due to track downgrade to Heavy 8
              MISTA BUSY – declared non-runner due to barrier non-function; deductions 9 cents win, 10 cents place.
 
Bars:
Race 2:  STASH THE SILVER – sesamoid injury near fore leg – Vet certificate
 
Swabs:  all winners.