BRISBANE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT WED. 25.06.03

STEWARDS PANEL: Mr J. Hackett (Chairman), Mr A. Reardon, Mr G. Ireland, Mr C. McLune, Mr D. Collingwood, Mr C. Waller

WEATHER – OVERCAST TRACK – GOOD RAIL – OUT 9M

GENERAL: As J. Powell was indisposed, the following riding replacements were approved:

Race 1 MONTEPERTUSO S. Seamer
Race 3 FOCUSING Z. Purton
Race 4 MAGIC TUMBLE M. Rodd
Race 5 GEM OF THE SOUTH M. Rodd
Race 6 SUPERB MELODY J. Byrne
Race 7 TIMELY WATERS J. Byrne
Race 8 FINAL STORM J. Byrne

Trainer D. Duryea was fined $50 for nominating Volkman for a Class 4 handicap when the horse was ineligible.


RACE 1: GIANNI'S RESTAURANT H'CAP – 1110M

On return to scale J. Byrne, the rider of 5th placegetter TOWN PLAYER, protested against AFRICAN GREY (B. Stewart) being declared 4th, alleging interference near the 800m. After taking evidence from all parties and viewing the official video, stewards upheld the objection after being satisfied that the interference suffered by TOWN PLAYER at the 800m warranted a reversal of placings bearing in mind the margin between the two horses at the finish. At a subsequent inquiry B. Stewart, the rider of AFRICAN GREY, was severely reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in when not clear of TOWN PLAYER, resulting in that runner having to be checked and surrender its position.

HOOT'S VIEW was slow to begin.

SUPERSTAR LEO and TOWN PLAYER came together on jumping away.

AFRICAN GREY and PARTY EXPRESS jumped away awkwardly.

Near the 500m TRISTA LAD shifted out when racing greenly, hampering SPECIAL FORTUNE, NORTHICK and HOOT'S VIEW.

After being taken out by SAN FRANFRISCO shortly after entering the straight, TRISTA LAD shifted further, resulting in SPECIAL FORTUNE having to be steadied.

SUPERSTAR LEO was held up for clear running in the early stages of the straight.

ARCTIC FIRE was held up for clear running after leaving the 200m.

M. McDonald was fined $100 for returning to scale in excess of ½kg overweight on NORTHICK.

RACE 2: REWARD INSURANCE H'CAP – 1200M

GO SHEPPY GO and WILLO ROSE were slow to begin.

SIR MUKAFAST knuckled on jumping away.

IKEBANA was forced to race wide throughout.

At the entrance to the straight ROYAL SHIRAZ shifted out to improve and made contact with MACAROONS.

Near the 200m JAMELDEN shifted out under pressure and made contact with SIR MUKAFAST.

Stewards questioned D. Peoples, representative of trainer K. Lynch, in relation to the apparent improved performance of GO SHEPPY GO in winning today as compared to its previous start when 4th at Thangool. Mr Peoples stated that Mr Lynch had informed him that the horse, when having its first start for him at Thangool, took some time to recover after that run and he felt that the horse needed its track work increased. He also stated that he felt that the horse may be better suited over a shorter distance at this stage of its preparation. The explanation was noted.

RACE 3: HAMILTON HOTEL H'CAP – 1110M

EBONY FORCE jumped away awkwardly.

IVOR'S IMAGE and MAJOR MACKENZIE were slow to begin.

FOCUSING, which was restless in the stalls, jumped awkwardly and made contact with BERTHA.

N. Evans, the rider of GIMME SHELTER, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding in that near the 1000m he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of FOCUSING, resulting in that horse having to be checked. BERTHA was also inconvenienced in this incident. N. Evans' licence to ride was suspended for a period of 8 meetings, to commence at midnight on Saturday, 28 June, and expire at midnight on Saturday, 12 July 2003.

When being restrained off the heels of SAGAMANTHA approaching the first turn, DAME NOVA shifted out taking CRYSTAL LANE wider on the track. DAME NOVA continued to hang out despite the efforts of its rider B. Stewart, forcing VICTORY ROLL very wide on the track. SHEDAD'S PRINCESS, which was following, also had to be steadied near the 700m to avoid the heels of DAME NOVA. Trainer D. Gollan, who was representing his son Mr T. Gollan, was advised that DAME NOVA would have to officially barrier trial before starting again. A veterinary examination of DAME NOVA failed to reveal any abnormality. A swab sample was taken from DAME NOVA.

RACE 4: HOTEL L.A. H'CAP – 2240M

As M. Williamson was indisposed due to injury, J. Byrne was substituted as the rider of COEUR DE LION.

OUR SIAM was obliged to race wide for the majority of the event.

Approaching the 400m NATURAL LIL shifted out to the outside of the tiring OUR SIAM and as a result RUN A MUK had to be steadied to avoid that runner's heels.

SUPER BELLE shifted out to improve rounding the home turn and made heavy contact with NUMERO on several occasions. J. Stanley, the rider of SUPER BELLE, was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground.

RACE 5: HARDY BROTHERS JEWELLERS H'CAP – 1110M

INFECTIOUS was slow to jump.

OODLES 'N' BOODLES jumped away awkwardly, making heavy contact with the barrier partition. OODLES 'N' BOODLES then continued to shift in, making heavy contact with GRACE'S ROSES, forcing D. Tanti, the rider of GRACE'S ROSES, to become unbalanced in the saddle.

HILDA CHOICE was crowded on jumping away between COTTON BRAE and JUST THE BEST which shifted in. As a result of making contact with HILDA CHOICE, COTTON BRAE then was inclined to shift out and after travelling approximately 50 metres HILDA CHOICE had to surrender its position as a result of racing in restricted room between COTTON BRAE and JUST THE BEST which was momentarily taken in by FLYING SHOES.

INFECTIOUS commenced to overrace after leaving the 800m and refused to settle.

GEM OF THE SOUTH was forced to race in a three-deep position from after leaving the 800m until after entering the straight.

Approaching the 100m HILDA CHOICE, when shifting out to improve, brushed GABIETTE. Z. Purton, the rider of HILDA CHOICE, was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground.

RACE 6: VELVET CIGAR CLUB H'CAP – 1650M

PRINCE ADDAMA and SHE'S A DISH were slow to begin.

S. Katsidis, the rider of MR. CONNOLLY, was charged with careless riding in that rounding the first turn he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of HELLO POSSUMS, resulting in that horse having to be checked and making contact with the hind legs of MR. CONNOLLY. After taking evidence and viewing the official video, the matter was adjourned to a time and date to be fixed. In this incident, SHE'S A DISH, which was following, had to be checked off the heels off HELLO POSSUMS.

THRONG raced wide throughout the event.

Rounding the home turn HELLO POSSUMS had to be checked when tightened for room by POKER PLAYER, which shifted in slightly, and MR. CONNOLLY, which shifted out to avoid the heels of the tiring GAELIC PRINCE. S. Katsidis, the rider of MR. CONNOLLY, was reprimanded for this incident and advised that he must be fully clear when shifting ground in future. As a result of being checked, HELLO POSSUMS became unbalanced and shifted in and a short distance later again had to be checked off the heels of PRINCE ADDAMA.

RACE 7: LONGINES DOOMBEN DASH H'CAP – 1030M

Apprentice R. Hurley was reprimanded for failing to claim his full allowance on MELREBEM LAD.

TIMELY WATERS was slow to begin.

TIMELY WATERS then raced wide throughout the event.

When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of MELREBEM LAD, trainer T. Hurley stated that it was his belief that MELREBEM LAD had come to the end of its preparation and would be spelled immediately. MELREBEM LAD was examined by the Club's veterinary surgeon who reported that he could find no abnormality.

RACE 8: HOLDEN H'CAP – 1200M

RYTHMIC CHIEF reared as the gates were released and lost considerable ground.

NICE AND TIDY, MERKABA and GO CRAZY were all slow to begin.

Rounding the 800m turn DIOGENES had to be steadied to avoid the heels of DIDNEDA which was inclined to lay in.

Approaching the 200m NICE AND TIDY was held up for clear running for a short distance.

ALL WINNERS AND DAME NOVA WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.