QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOOWOOMBA TURF CLUB
 
TOOWOOMBA – SATURDAY 27th FEBRUARY 2021
 
WEATHER – Fine  TRACK RATING – Good 4    RAIL – True Entire
PENETROMETER – 4.92
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – R Hitchener
Stewards – J Childs, B McErlean, K Daly
Clerk of Scales – A Cuckson
Judge – S Fahey, B Polestra
Veterinarian – Dr G Johnstone
Swab Attendants – D McDonald, R Burchmann
Starter – T Woodham

 
GENERAL
 
As G Goomany, N Tomizawa and A Allen were delayed due to Gold Coast race times being re-scheduled, riding changes were made as per the Race day summary sheet.
 
 
Race 1: QUEENSLAND COTTON BENCHMARK 62 Handicap 1200 metres
 
DANCING ANGEL – Near the 900 metres steadied from heels.
 
LAST EDITION – Near the 900 metres steadied from heels.
 
CHICAGO O'BRIEN – Tightened on jumping. Laid in near the 900 metres for a short distance and had to be steadied from heels. Trainer J Crompton advised the gelding would be sent for an immediate spell.
 
CRAB BOY – Near the 900 metres steadied from heels and then laid out for a short distance and as a consequence lost further ground.
 
KASITA – Slow to begin.
 
KOTA FLYER – Trainer B Gorman was fined $300 under LR67 for the late declaration of rider on that gelding. In assessing penalty Stewards took into account Mr Gorman’s recent poor record under this rule. Change of tactics, more forward if circumstances permit. Ridden accordingly.
 
MOSSFAIR – Became fractious after being loaded into the barriers. Began awkwardly.
 
 
 
Race 2: DREAMTIME GAMES DASH BENCHMARK 55 Handicap 1100 metres
 
REDZEB –Stewards questioned App. T Wheeler, in the presence of Apprentice advocate Mr B Saunders, in relation to his riding of the gelding particularly over the final 600m of the event. Of concern to Stewards was whether the was an opportunity for App. Wheeler to improve his position on the gelding sooner than he did during this section of the race. Apprentice Wheeler advised that his instructions were to ride the gelding towards the rear of the field, consistent with its established racing pattern. He added that after securing this position, when in a trailing position behind VINCIT, he shifted to the outside of that runner near the 600m to improve into the race. App. Wheeler went on to say that from the 400m, after being steadied to avoid the heels of LIVE MUSIC which shifted in, he then rode somewhat conservatively until straightening as from his previous experience when riding the gelding it is better suited when able to make a short sprint in it races. Further Mr Wheeler advised that when able to fully secure clear running passing the 150m the gelding ran on strongly. Having had the opportunity to review the patrol footage App. Wheeler agreed with the view of Stewards that from passing the 600m he erred in not placing his mount under greater pressure to improve his position at this point of the race. Apprentice Wheeler further agreed that from a point passing the 400m after easing from the heels of LIVE MUSIC, after initially improving his position slightly approaching this point, he erred in again not placing his mount under greater pressure to improve his position at this point of the race. Whilst critical of App. Wheeler’s riding at those stages of the event, Stewards did not however feel that his riding was culpable to the requisite standard to warrant a charge being issued against him, particularly given his relative inexperience as an Apprentice rider. Stewards did however advise App. Wheeler that this ride would referred the Racing Queensland apprentice department for their consideration.
 
 
HARRYANDTHETIGER – Laid in under pressure in the home straight. Raced ungenerously whilst being restrained in the early stages.
 
MAHUSSEY – Knuckled on jumping and lost ground. Held up rounding the home turn. When attempting to secure clear running in the early stages off the home straight shifted out bumping another runner resulting in the saddle shifting to the near side placing rider R Goltz in some difficulty for some distance. Following the event rider R Goltz reported he was suffering some discomfort in his right hand as a result of the horse knuckling at the start.
 
LIVE MUSIC – Slow to begin. Held up on heels of tiring runners over the concluding stages and went to the line without being fully tested.
 
AMUTHON – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
UNUSUAL AUNT – Began awkwardly. Raced three wide without cover throughout.
 
HEAD ON – Raced three wide with cover for the majority of the event.
 
 
Race 3: WESTERN TRUCK GROUP BENCHMARK 70 Handicap 1300 metres
 
Trainer M Boland was fined $100 for the late rider declaration of J Murphy on INCHING CLOSER.
The start of this event was delayed to hold for a Gold Coast thoroughbred race.
 
MURLESS – Slow to begin.
 
OKANAGAN MISS – Knuckled shortly after the start.  Compounded in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed lameness in the off foreleg. Trainer M Kropp was advised the mare would require a veterinary clearance prior to its next race start.
 
COUP – Raced three wide without cover throughout. Raced in restricted room for a short distance approaching the 1200 metres.
 
TONY'S DECREE – Laid in under pressure in the home straight before being disappointed for a run passing the 100 metres. A short distance later obliged to shift in to obtain clear running.
 
THE HAND – Began awkwardly.
 
ESKDALE GIRL – Slow to begin. Disappointed for a run passing the 100 metres and went to the line without being fully tested.
 
 
Race 4: BROOKSTEAD FARM GROUP BENCHMARK 60 Handicap 1850 metres
 
TEARS OF LOVE – Hung out rounding the home turn.
 
POLITICAL – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
STAR CENTRE – Momentarily steadied from heels near the 50 metres when placed in restricted room.
 
OVERFLOWING – Checked at the start. Steadied from heels near the 1400 metres.
 
PHOENIX FLYER – Jumped out at the start.
 
LEICABLE – Bumped heavily on jumping.
 
MUFASTA – For a considerable distance near the 1300 metres raced ungenerously when being restrained.
 
SPIRITUAL ROSE – Checked at the start. Raced wide in the middle stages. Trainer D Groves advised in light of its disappointing performance the mare would now be retired from racing. Stewards nonetheless advised Mr Groves that SPIRITUAL ROSE would be barred from TAB racing venues should these circumstances change.
 
 
 
Race 5: KUMMEROW HAULAGE BENCHMARK 60 Handicap 870 metres
 
ASK AUDREY – Raced three wide with cover for the majority of the event.
 
I'MTWENTYFOURSEVEN – Slow to begin.
 
GLOBAL VENTURE – Near the 500 metres raced with its head in the air when being restrained and lost ground. A post-race veterinary examination revealed lacerations to both the off fore leg and off hind leg. Trainer J Devine was advised GLOBAL VENTURE would require a veterinary clearance prior to its next race start.
 
BLUE HARMONY – Slow to begin. Rider A Patis reported after being slow to begin she elected to ride for luck rounding the home turn rather than circle the field and as a result became momentarily held up near the 200 metres. She added when BLUE HARMONY was shifted to the outside to secure clear running the filly, in her opinion, ran on only fairly and was disappointing.
 
ROOTS'N'ROCKS – Raced three wide without cover for the majority of the event.
 
 
 
 
Race 6: RAY WHITE PITTSWORTH QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Handicap 1050 metres
 
As rider L Tilley was struck in the head by his mount in the previous event he was stood down from his remaining engagements and replacements made as per the Race day summary sheet.
 
 
ALERT AND READY – Slow to begin. Near the 900m was forced to avoid the heels of BEAN DANCING which lost ground in advance of ALERT AND READY and as a consequence was obliged to shift to a 3 wide position. Raced ungenerously for some distance whist being restrained near the 700 metres. Raced wide for the remainder of the event.
 
BEAN DANCING – Near the 900 metres placed in restricted room and lost ground. Held up for a considerable distance in the home straight. Approaching the 150 metres tightened for room and checked across heels when FLAMING ASTEROID was taken wider by ATTA GAL which shifted out marginally.
 
MONDAY MONDAY – Rider J Stanley reported his mount hung out from the 400 metres until the finishing line. Lost the near fore plate in running. When asked to comment on the apparent improved performance Trainer P Nolan stated the horse raced wide at its most recent start at Ipswich over 800 metres and was not entirely disappointing with its performance on that occasion. He added that with the benefit of race experience a forward showing was expected tonight however he was somewhat surprised the colt was able to win tonight’s event
 
FLAMING ASTEROID – Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Raced three wide without cover for majority of the event.
 
LADY FEY – Near the 200 metres steadied when MERIMEE shifted in. S Bogenhuber, rider of MERIMEE, was advised to exercise greater care.
 
MERIMEE – Momentarily held up rounding the home turn.
 
 
 
Race 7: FARMHAUL PTY LTD Maiden Handicap 1000 metres
 
After being loaded into the barriers STELLA ARDENS became fractious, was removed, underwent a veterinary examination and was subsequently declared a late scratching at 8:51pm. On declaration of correct weight Stewards ordered all bets on STELLA ARDENS be refunded with the following deductions to apply:
 
1st CHEMICAL EX        - 3 cents win, 2 cents place
2nd THE FAIRYTALE    - 5 cents
3rd MY BOY DRAGON - 5 cents
 
The trainer’s representative for Mr B Ahrens was advised STELLA ARDENS would require a further barrier certificate prior to its next race start.
 
SPLASHING ROSSA – Tightened for room at the start. Raced four wide for majority of the event.
 
THE FAIRYTALE – Rider M Wishart reported her mount raced greenly throughout.

MY BOY DRAGON – Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure in the home straight proving difficult to ride out.
 
SUFFICE – On arrival on course underwent a veterinary inspection at the request of trainer P Sexton and was cleared to start. Disappointed for a run rounding the home turn. Held up passing the 200 metres and went to the line without being fully tested. 
 
HISGRACE – Bumped at the start. Raced three wide without cover for the majority of the event.
 
CHEMICAL EX – Bumped at the start. Raced wide with cover.
 
GRACIOUS KNIGHT – Momentarily held up rounding the home turn.
 
MONTEREY LAD – Tightened for room at the start and lost ground. Raced wide with cover.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Fines
Race 1: Trainer B Gorman – Late rider declaration KOTA FLYER - $300 – LR67 
Race 3: Trainer M Boland – Late rider declaration INCHING CLOSER - $100 – LR67 
 

Race day injuries/illness
Jockey Les Tilley – injured – medical clearance before next race ride.
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
CHICAGO O’BRIEN, EXCEED ROCK, HALCYON DAYS, TONY’S DECREE, ESKDALE GIRL
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners plus second placegetters in race 2-7
 
Warnings/bars
Race 3: OKANAGON MISS – Lame off foreleg – Vet Cert AR20(e)
Race 4: SPIRITUAL ROSE – Poor performance - barred TAB events AR20(e)
Race 5: GLOBAL VENTURE – Lame near fore and off fore legs – Vet cert AR20(e)
Race 7: STELLA ARDENS – Fractious barriers L/S – barrier cert AR20(e)
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 1: LAST EDITION – L Tilley
Race 1: KOTA FLYER – T Wheeler
Race 2: HEAD ON – D McGilvray
Race 3: INCING CLOSER – J Murphy
Race 4: SPIRITUAL ROSE – T Townsend
Race 5: I’MTWENTYFOURSEVEN – S Bogenhuber
Race 6: MERRIMEE – S Bogenhuber
Race 6: MONDAY MONDAY – J Stanley
Race 7: STELLA ARDENS – S Bogenhuber
Race 7: SUFFICE – G Cartwright
 
Late scratchings
 
Race 7: STELLA ARDENS – 8:51pm – Vets advice.
 
 
 
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.