ATHERTON TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT SATURDAY 25/9/04

STEWARDS PANEL: W.A.L. ABELL (Chairman), H WARREN

WEATHER: Fine TRACK: Good

RAIL: True

RACE 1: QTIL MAIDEN PLATE – 1100 Metres – 8 Starters.
MOVE EASY which had evidence of blood in its mouth, was examined by the Veterinary Officer and pronounced fit to run.

EBONY LACE (M Elliott) broke through the gates, but was quickly restrained and was replaced in the starting stalls.

FINAL THOUGHT (G Kliese) was slow into galloping action, threw its head in the air at the 700 metre position, and raced greenly.

RACE 2: CLASS B HANDICAP – 1100 Metres – 11 Starters
CAPE ROCKET (F Edwards) slipped when the gates opened and raced wide at the 700 metre position.

As the gates opened SCADAKA (I Toward) jumped in, making contact with CHAKA MAKAKA (K Penrose).

RACE 3: CLASS 3 PLATE – 1200 Metres – 12 Starters
RED DYNASTY kicked the starting stall rear gates which sprung open allowing the Mare to back out awkwardly, injuring rider R Ryan.

RED DYNASTY was withdrawn by order of the Stewards. All best on RED DYNASTY were ordered to be refunded and all winning bets ordered to be paid less 17c W and 15c P. on the face value of the successful wagers. Mr G Strickland, trainer of RED DYNASTY, was instructed to improve the mare’s barrier behaviour before starting again.
A Protest was lodged by App L Buckingham, rider of BLITZ, placed 4th by the Judges, against ZEDAFFAIRS (J Stopps) being awarded 3rd place, alleging interference in the straight.
After taking evidence from both parties, viewing the video patrol film of the race and acting on their observations, the Stewards UPHELD the Protest, holding the opinion that the movement of ZEDAFFAIRS was sufficient to prevent App Buckingham applying appropriate pressure to her mount. In arriving at this decision, the Stewards took into consideration the margin of a ½ head which separated the two horses. For some considerable distance after 700 metre position SNAADEE WARRIOR (P D’Addona) which was racing fiercely, had to be restrained off the heels of horses ahead. In consequence, SNAADEE WARRIOR was denied a clear run from the 400 metre position until well into the straight.

RACE 4: WEIGHT FOR AGE – 1000 Metres – 7 Starters.
Jockey D Dean replaced R Ryan as rider of CHOKWE.
Shortly after entering the straight, SILVER PATRIOT (M Elliott) eased off the heels of COPRAKHAN (F Edwards) when attempting to take a run on the inside of that horse. The Stewards informed Rider M Elliott that in their opinion, the decision to attempt the run was extremely unjudicial. JUNKETS move in down the straight, rider D Crossland was instructed by the Stewards to keep his mounts straight.




RACE 5: CLASS 6 PLATE – 1200 Metres – 6 Starters
D Dean replaced R Ryan as rider of MAPS.
UNDENIED (D Crossland) broke through the starting stalls, but was quickly restrained and replaced in the Barrier.


RACE 6: ATHERTON CUP OPEN HANDICAP – 2000 Metres – 8 Starters
D Dean replaced R Ryan as the rider of BARKER BOY.
As the gates opened, BARKER BOY which was laying on the side of the starting stall, jumped awkwardly and out, making contact with SILVER GHOST (I Toward.)


ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED




SUPPLEMENTARY:
Race 4 – Weight For Age – 1000 Metres.
During pre-race checking, the Stewards noted that neither the Race Book, or the Queensland Racing Calendar stated that this was a non-claiming apprentice race.

The Stewards held the opinion that whilst LR59 now states that Apprentices may claim in “all races”, this fact had never been sufficiently promulgated, and that the Atherton Turf Club had programmed the race intending it to be a non-claiming event.

In consequence, the Stewards exercised their powers under AR8(a) and ran the race as a non-claiming event. Their decision was confirmed after contact with Queensland Racing.

W.A.L. Abell.