QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
BIRDSVILLE RACE CLUB
BIRDSVILLE – FRIDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 2023
WEATHER – FINE TRACK RATING – DIRT RAIL – TRUE
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – E. Tickner
Stewards – D. Macklyn, R. Hanson and H. Gillett (Cadet Steward)
Clerk of Scales – G. Meek
Judge – B. Kleine
Veterinarian – Dr T. Kirby & Dr T. McClemont
Swab Attendants – Dr T. Kirby & Dr T. McClemont
Starter – L. Lewis
GENERAL
Stewards permitted the following overweight:
Race 5, No. 6 SAMMY – G. Geran +0.5kg at 56.5kg
Race 1: BIRDSVILLE RACES ROADIES BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP (800m)
The start of this race was marginally delayed when it was identified by Stewards that Apprentice Leslight and Apprentice Olzard had been incorrectly loaded into the opposite which required rectification. Starter L. Lewis was reminded of his obligations to ensure that he follows standard starting procedures to ensure incidents like this do not occur.
LITTLE TOWN BLUES – Hung-out rounding the home turn. Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
TORONASAURUS REX – Raced wide and without cover throughout the event.
LADY MOFEED – Laid-out rounding the home turn.
BUSH – Began awkwardly. Performed below market expectations. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in the near-foreleg which required treatment. Trainer R. Hay was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to racing again.
SEQUACIOUS – Began very awkwardly, causing Rider R. Faehr becoming unbalanced for several strides. Laid-out under pressure in the home straight.
Race 2: APPOINT RECRUIT QTIS MAIDEN PLATE (1200m)
DISPUTE – Approaching the 1000m, when attempting to obtain a more forward position, shifted in abruptly, tightening HAMMOON SUNSHINE onto SUMMER SIZZLING who was obliged to restrain when racing in restricted room. Rider J. Keating was reprimanded under AR131(a) for careless riding.
EXGAMES – Inside the 200m, commenced to lay out under pressure, before shifting out abruptly becoming awkwardly placed on the heels of SUMMER SIZZLING. Apprentice E. Lines was advised to exercise greater care and correct her mounts when they commence to shift ground abruptly.
MR EVANS – A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
PHILADELPHIA FREE – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
SUMMER SIZZLING – Approaching the 1000m, became tightened for room between HAMMOON SUNSHINE and the running rail, when DISPUTE shifted in abruptly to obtain a more forward position. Approaching the 900m, became awkwardly placed on the heels of HAMMOON SUNSHINE when that runner continued to shift in when insufficiently clear. Raced awkwardly on heels for a short distance thereafter.
HAMMOON SUNSHINE – Began awkwardly. Approaching the 1000m, tightened onto SUMMER SIZZLING, when DISPUTE shifted in abruptly when attempting to obtain a more forward position. Approaching the 900m, shifted in, tightening SUMMER SIZZLING onto the running rail, who was obliged to restrain. Rider A. Sweeney was reprimanded under AR131(a) for careless riding.
Race 3: TAB CLASS 5 HANDICAP (1200m)
Correct weight was delayed allowing Rider A. Sweeney (WARRAH FLASH) to view the photo for first. Once satisfied, correct weight was declared on the judge’s semaphored numbers.
THE SQUIRE – Laid out rounding the home turn. Blundered entering the home straight and became unbalanced for several strides.
SIZZLING SONATA – Performed below market expectations. A post-race veterinary examination revealed bilateral lameness in both forelegs. Trainer J. Morris was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to racing again.
HIGHGROUND – Began awkwardly.
WARRAH FLASH – Rider A. Sweeney was reprimanded under AR132(5) in that he did use his whip on 15 occasions in totality, one more than permitted in the event.
MERSEY GIRL – Rider J. Babarovich stated that the mare, did not appreciate racing in an anti-clockwise direction for the first time.
SCOUT’S HONOUR – Began awkwardly.
Race 4: NOT JUST HARDWARE CLASS 3 PLATE (1400m)
CRAIG AND HOFF – Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid-out rounding the home turn.
GREAT BOULDER – Was declared a late scratching on veterinary advice at 2:48pm when found to be lame in the near-foreleg. Trainer P. Cole was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to racing again.
VICTORY BAY (NZ) – Raced wide and without cover throughout the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
KYOGLE KID – Began awkwardly.
Race 5: LYNDHURST STUD OPEN HANDICAP (1200m)
VUNIVALU – Began awkwardly. Apprentice E. Lines was reprimanded under AR131(c) for a celebratory gesture prior to the winning post.
THE GENERAL (NZ) – Raced wide and without cover throughout the event. Approaching the 750m, bumped heavily with SAMMY, which was hanging out, became unbalanced and lost ground. Rider L. Tilley stated the gelding felt uncomfortable thereafter and he elected to ease the gelding down. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
LEGEND OF ZORRO – Began only fairly.
SAMMY – Hung-out throughout the event. Approaching the 750m, bumped heavily with THE GENERAL (NZ).
Race 6: BIRDSVILLE HOTEL CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1200m)
Correct weight was delayed to allow Stewards to view the photo finish in relation to MISSILES ARMED being originally declared as the third-placegetter. Upon viewing the photo and relevant films, and after consulting with the Judge, the official placings were amended to reflect FAMUS FELLA as the third-placegetter.
FUTURE IDEA (NZ) – Raced keenly in the early stages.
NANNU – Proved difficult to load. Performed below market expectations. Rider R. Bensley stated the gelding never travelled throughout the event and proved disappointing when placed under pressure. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
DREYFUS – Raced wide and without cover throughout the event. Laid-in under pressure in the home straight.
THE STONE MASON – Slow to begin.
FAMUS FELLA – Hung-out rounding the home turn and in the early part of the home straight. Laid-out under pressure over the concluding stages.
POWER SISTER – Laid-out under pressure in the home straight. Inside the 200m, bumped with MISSILES ARMED.
MISSILES ARMED – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start being effected. Inside the 200m, bumped with POWER SISTER.
MODERNA’S ARROW – When questioned regarding the improved performance, Trainer M. Hill stated that the gelding had a tendency to hang-out racing in a clockwise direction, and subsequently she had elected to make gear changes to reflect, in her opinion, the gelding’s preferred way of going, racing anti-clockwise as on this occasion. She further stated the gelding was advantaged by racing on the rail, which had proved to be the more advantageous pattern throughout the day. Stewards noted the explanation.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning licensees
Reprimands
Race 2 – J. Keating – Careless Riding (AR131a) – Reprimand
Race 2 – A. Sweeney – Careless Riding (AR131a) – Reprimand
Race 3 – A. Sweeney – Excessive Whip Use (AR132(5) – Reprimand
Race 5 – Apprentice E. Lines – Celebratory Gesture (AR131(c) - Reprimand
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses swabbed pre-race
I’M A LEGEND, VUNIVALU, THE SQUIRE, HAMMOON SUNSHINE, TORONOASAURAS REX, POWER SISTER
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 1 – BUSH – Veterinary Clearance – Lame near-foreleg
Race 2 – SIZZLING SONATA – Veterinary Clearance – Bilateral foreleg lameness
Race 5 – GREAT BOULDER – Veterinary Clearance – Lame near-foreleg
Late Scratchings
Race 5 – GREAT BOULDER – 2:48pm – Veterinary Advice
The matters contained within this Stewards report may be subject to external review. The Racing Appeals Panel manages external reviews and the Racing Appeals Panel publishes its decisions on its website.
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.