QUEENSLAND TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT MON.26.4.99

STEWARDS PANEL: Mr A. Reardon (Chairman); Mr S. Railton; Mr D. Griffiths; Mr J. Hackett; Mr C. McLune; Mr D. Hooper (Cadet).

WEATHER - FINE TRACK - GOOD/FAST AFTER R.1 RAIL - 9M ALL TRACK

GENERAL: FROM BTC MEETING, 24.4.99 - RACE 2

Trainer K. Schweida reported that ROADINSKY was showing signs of colic after competing at the above meeting.


RACE 1: XXXX GOLD H'CAP - 1500M.

TICK TICK and RARE REVIEW made contact on jumping away.

Near the 1300m.,LAVROS KNIGHT, which was pulling hard, shifted in, tightening the running of CHARIOT'S AYLA.

After leaving the 1200m., JETTING AWAY, which was also pulling hard, shifted out and away from the heels of SAY IT AGAIN. As a consequence, OUR LULLABY, which was following, shifted out, inconveniencing LAVROS KNIGHT.

Approaching the home turn, PORTLETHEN hung in, tightening the running of YOU'RE ALL ON.

Trainer P. Duff was questioned regarding the improved performance of OPAL WARRIOR as compared with its 8th of 9 runners at Ipswich on 14 April. Mr Duff stated that connections were reasonably confident of the gelding's chances at Ipswich, however due to the horse being balloted out of a Gold Coast Maiden, OPAL WARRIOR undertook the Ipswich assignment with a 3 week interval between runs and that this may have led to the horse being a little underdone for that race. He added that the same front running tactics were adopted today, and that OPAL WARRIOR may have been aided by the use of blinkers for the first time today.

A veterinary examination of LAVROS KNIGHT following the event failing to reveal any abnormality.

Following the event, the track rating was upgraded to fast.



RACE 2: XXXX LIGHT BITTER H'CAP - 1300M.

After being slowly away, LATIN QUARTER pulled hard in the early and middle stages.

G. O'Sullivan, rider of LATIN QUARTER, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that he permitted his mount to shift in near the 100m. when not clear of ON VENTURA HIWAY, which resulted in that gelding having to be checked. G. O'Sullivan was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 8 meetings, to commence at midnight, 28 April, and to expire at midnight, 9 May 1999.

Trainer B. Baldwin and L. Dittman were questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CARADE. L. Dittman stated that after jumping awkwardly the gelding became unbalanced and gave him the impression that it may have struck itself. He added that CARADE then gained momentum and travelled well to the 600m. crossing, but was under pressure from that point. Mr Baldwin could offer no explanation for the performance other than the gelding may not have appreciated being backed up so soon after its Eagle Farm run on 17 April. A veterinary examination of CARADE revealed 2 small lacerations to the off hind leg. A swab sample was taken from CARADE.

Following this event, J. Byrne was examined by the club's doctor and advised to forego his remaining engagements. M. Pelling was substituted as the rider of IN ORBIT (Race 4), B. Stanley as the rider of EXCELLING (Race 6), K. Mahoney as the rider of REGAL CHI CHI (Race 7) and K. Mahoney as the rider of ANOTHER MARAUDER (Race 8).


RACE 3: HAHN PREMIUM LIGHT H'CAP - 1300M.

IF YOU PLEASE jumped awkwardly, then shifted in, making contact with ROJAH AMBER, which was slowly away. ROJAH AMBER then shifted in, inconveniencing SAINT HALO.

For some distance in the early stages of the straight, SEPARATE and VERDICT made contact due to VERDICT shifting out to obtain clear running from behind the heels of PRIMED FOR VICTORY.

Over the concluding stages, ROJAH AMBER had difficulty obtaining clear running.

M. Pelling reported that PRIMED FOR VICTORY was inclined to hang out throughout the event. The racing manners of PRIMED FOR VICTORY will be brought to the attention of trainer W. Mitchell.


RACE 4: XXXX FILLIES H'CAP - 1200M.

IN ORBIT was slow to begin.

SUNDANCE GIRL jumped away awkwardly.

Approaching the first turn, NEARLY A STAR raced in restricted room between NO DOCTOR FOR ME and GAY REVENGER, which was taken in slightly by SPANISH ACCENT.

In the early stages of the straight, BLUSHING BLONDE shifted in under pressure, inconveniencing TRUE BLUE KINGDOM.

A veterinary examination of BLUSHING BLONDE following the event failed to reveal any abnormality.

A veterinary examination of GAY REVENGER revealed the filly to be suffering from thumps.




RACE 5: XXXX COLTS H'CAP - 1846M.

Near the 700m., CHOSEN WARRIOR was hampered when tightened for room between TOUGH AS TEAK and CHAPPEL DANCER, which improved quickly to CHOSEN WARRIOR'S outside.

M. Lister, rider of 5th placegetter GIVE US A GO, was spoken to regarding the amount of whip used on that gelding in the straight. Stewards advised him of the provisions of Rule 137A(1). M. Lister was further advised that his use of the whip would be monitored in future.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CHOSEN WARRIOR, C.Reith stated after being unable to lead due to the fast early pace set by ALATA LAD, he elected to settle the gelding behind that runner. He added that he was of the opinion that CHOSEN WARRIOR did not appear to be suited to this pattern or racing as opposed the horse's previous start where the gelding was able lead in a slowly run race. A veterinary examination of CHOSEN WARRIOR following the event failed to reveal any abnormality. A swab sample was taken from CHOSEN WARRIOR.


RACE 6: XXXX COLTS & FILLIES CUP - 1200M.

Trainer T. Edmonds was fined $50 for failing to declare a rider for EXCELLING by the required time.

KING SALIERI and MCRAVE came together on jumping away.

Approaching the first turn, MANA shifted in, tightening the running of SIREC and MCRAVE.

After leaving the 1000m., VAIN NOREBO also had to be restrained to avoid the heels of MANA, which shifted in.

Shortly after entering the straight, MCRAVE was tightened for room by VAIN NOREBO, which shifted in slightly.

In the early stages of the straight both OUR BANKER and I'M POPEYE had difficulty obtaining clear running.

B. Stanley was dislodged from EXCELLING approaching the 150m.. He explained that when attempting to angle out to gain clear running, the gelding dipped slightly, which resulted in him (Stanley) losing balance. He added that his right foot then slipped from the stirrup iron, which caused him to be dislodged.


RACE 7: HAHN PREMIUM H'CAP - 1600M.

Trainer G. Ryan was fined $50 for failing to declare a rider for GASOLINE by the required time.

When questioned, G. Colless could offer no excuse for the disappointing performance of KHYRAAT, adding that the horse was under pressure from the 700m. when racing behind GASOLINE. He stated that KHYRAAT has in the past shown a preference to racing on rain affected tracks.


RACE 8: XXXX BITTER H'CAP - 1400M.

As P. Wolfgram incurred a suspension at Toowoomba Turf Club on Saturday, 24 April, A. Erhart was substituted as the rider of CAPTAIN ROBINSON.

G. O'Sullivan, rider of GOLDEN SON, was reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in approaching the 1100m., causing MARAUDING ROGUE, BRILLIANT SPY and LE PORTE to be tightened for room. MILL TYCOON, which was following BRILLIANT SPY, shifted out and made heavy contact with DARK CHARIOT, causing that horse to become unbalanced.

D. Spriggs, rider of BLACKLOCK, was charged with careless riding, in that he permitted his mount to shift out near the 100m. when not clear of CAPTAIN ROBINSON, resulting in that gelding being checked. After hearing further submissions from D. Spriggs, stewards did not proceed with the charge, however he was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

R. Barone, rider of BRILLIANT SPY, accidentally dropped his whip near the 100m..

The club's veterinary surgeon reported that DARK CHARIOT had sustained a laceration to the front of both hind coronets and to the inside of the near hind cannon.

A veterinary examination of MY SWAGMAN revealed a deep laceration to the outside of the near hind pastern and coronet.

ALL WINNERS, CARADE AND CHOSEN WARRIOR WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.