QLD TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT SAT.4.12.99

STEWARDS PANEL: Mr S. Railton; Mr A. Reardon; Mr D. Griffiths; Mr C. Clifford; Mr C. McLune; Mr W. Flynn; Mr M. Tutt (Cadet).

WEATHER - FINE TRACK - GOOD/FAST AFTER RACE 1 RAIL - OUT 2.5M ALL
TRACK

GENERAL:

At the QPC offices on Wednesday, 1 December 1999, stewards continued their inquiry into the handling of KING'S LODE at the QTC meeting on Saturday, 20.11.99. Further evidence was taken from D. Spriggs and traner J. Nikolic. After assessing all the evidence, particularly that relating to KING'S LODE'S previous performances and racing pattern, D. Spriggs was given the benefit of the doubt as to whether his ride conformed to the Rules of Racing, particularly with respect to the degree of vigour he used on KING'S LODE in the straight. . Trainer J. Nikolic was admonished for failing to report a condition which may have affected the horse's performance. Evidence was presented that KING'S LODE had only recently overcome the effects of a viral infection. No further action was taken.


RACE 1: TATTERSALL'S H'CAP - 1200M.

TAJ was slow to begin.

LADENDA jumped away awkwardly and made contact with BERN RETURN.

LADENDA hung out in the middle stages, forcing TOASTED GOLD wider on the track.

When questioned, M. Paget stated that TAJ and MALLET made contact on the point of the home turn as he attempted to place MALLET in a pocket. He added that following this contact, TAJ seemed to lose concentration and subsequently failed to finish the race off.

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


RACE 2: FRANKLINS FRESH H'CAP - 2215M.

On the first turn, PIERMONT had to be steadied off the heels of GAGARIN, which shifted in. B. Stewart, rider of GAGARIN, was reminded of his obligations to provide 2 lengths clearance when shifting ground.


RACE 3: MITIVITE H'CAP - 1300M.

At the 150m., ALFRED THE GREAT was inconvenienced when cramped for room between CAPE DANCE and GARUDA PRINCE.




When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of GARUDA PRINCE, S. Killen stated from the outset the gelding commenced to lay out and continued to race awkwardly throughout the event. S. Killen added GARUDA PRINCE raced in a fashion which led him to believe something was amiss with the horse. A veterinary examination of GARUDA PRINCE subsequent to the event however failed to reveal any significant abnormality other than the gelding had quartered the outside of its near hind heel, and dislodged the plate. A swab sample was taken from GARUDA PRINCE. Trainer L. Bryant undertook to report back to stewards on Monday should any abnormality become apparent with the gelding.


RACE 4: FRANKLINS NO FRILLS SUPER QRIS ADDED STAKES H'CAP - 1000M.

A warning was placed on ESELKAY, which proved difficult to load.

OMBRA DELLA SERA jumped away awkwardly, losing ground.

WESTERLY also jumped away awkwardly and then raced ungenerously in the early stages.

STAR SENSATION shifted out shortly after the start, making heavy contact with GOLD SEQUENCE, which resulted in GOLD SEQUENCE having to be checked.

OMBRA DELLA SERA commenced to hang out approaching the 600m. crossing, forcing DISTINCT DANGER wider on the track. Approaching the home turn, DISTINCT DANGER then hung off severely of its own accord and ran to the outside fence. Trainer H. Page was advised that DISTINCT DANGER must perform satisfactorily in an official trial prior to its next race start.

The club's veterinary surgeon reported that ESELKAY, GOLD SEQUENCE and WESTERLY all pulled up shin sore.


RACE 5: FOSTER'S COUNTRY CUP - 1200M.

RIVER PRINCE jumped outwards at the start, inconveniencing ANCIENT ROAD.

JAVA HEART began awkwardly.

HARVEY'S REPORT was obliged to race wide throughout the event.

When brushed by PACKY'S PLOT near the 500m., RIVER PRINCE overreacted and ran out abruptly.

S. Seamer reported that ELITE SCORE was inclined to lay out from the 600m..

M. Paget, rider of SHALARKO, purposely discarded his whip near the 150m. due to the whip being broken.

M. Paget, rider of SHALARKO, was fined $200 for using his whip in an improper manner by striking the horse on the head on 2 occasions during its preliminary to the barriers.



RACE 6: TATTERSALL'S GOLDEN GARTER CLASSIC - 1400M.

On return to scale, a protest was lodged by K. Mahoney, rider of the 5th placegetter, FRENCH TILT, against CEREMONIAL DANCER being declared the 3rd, alleging interference approaching the 100m.. It was established near the 200m., when attempting a run between SULTAN'S GOLD and CEREMONIAL DANCER, FRENCH TILT had to be checked and alter course to the outside when CEREMONIAL DANCER shifted in under pressure. The protest was upheld and Judge's placings amended to read: 1st. No.4 - STRANGE AURA; 2nd. No.1 - ANNALEA; 3rd. No.2 - ANNUNCIATION - 3rd; 4th. No.8 - FRENCH TILT - 4th; No.12 - CEREMONIAL DANCER - 5th. At a subsequent inquiry, J. Stanley, rider of CEREMONIAL DANCER, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that he permitted his mount to shift in, causing interference to FRENCH TILT. J. Stanley was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 8 meetings, to commence at midnight, 8 December, and to expire at midnight, 16 December 1999. In assessing penalty, stewards took into account J. Stanley's previous good record and also the fact that CEREMONIAL DANCER had proved difficulty to ride in the straight.

Shortly after the start, BONGO QUEEN shifted out, taking FRENCH TILT out on to MINGAMOO.

SHAHNE TARTAN was also cramped for room on jumping away between BOLD BABE and CEROMONIAL DANCER, which was taken out by ANNALEA.

Approaching the 200m., IDEAL WATERS was disappointed for a run between BONGO QUEEN and SHAHNE TARTAN.


RACE 7: RECOGNITION STAKES - 1600M.

Passing the 1400m., NARWONG, whilst racing fiercely, shifted in despite the efforts of its rider, R. Griffiths, resulting in BRIGHTER SCENE and POCKET MY PRIDE both being hampered.

At the 1300m., when steadied off ALL COLOURS, NARWONG, which continued to overrace, shifted out, forcing BRIGHTER SCENE, which was trailing, into a 3 wide position.

Nearing the 1300m., CHAMPAGNE SPRING shifted in, resulting in MASTER RAIDER and BAGOLINO being crowded for room.

MALTESE SPEED STAR shifted in and made contact with ALL COLOURS at the 1200m..

BAGOLINO was again cramped at the 1100m. by CHAMPAGNE SPRING, which was taken in momentarily by BRIGHTER SCENE.

MASTER RAIDER had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the straight.

M. Paget, rider of BRIGHTER SCENE, was fined $100 for negligently retiring to the jockeys' room without weighing in. M. Paget was subsequently recalled to the scales and weighed in to the stewards' satisfaction.










RACE 8: CITY ROWERS SUPER QRIS ADDED STAKES H'CAP - 1200M.

S. Katsidis, who became indisposed after riding PAUL'S FOLLY in race 7, was replaced by M. Lister as the rider of MALTESE POWER

ROMANZA was was withdrawn at 4.58 p.m. acting on veterinary advice when it was noted that the horse was bleeding from the off nostril. s withdrawn by stewards at 4.58 p.m.. Subsequent to the event, all monies invested on ROMANZA were ordered to be refunded, with deductions of 21 cents in the dollar on the face value of win bets, 17 cents in the dollar on the face value of place bets, applicable to successful wagers placed prior to the withdrawal time.

MIGHT AND GOLD, which was kicked on the off hock, whilst parading behind the barriers, was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start.

On return to scale, a protest was lodged by M. Pelling, rider of the 2nd placegetter, MIGHT AND GOLD, against SWIRLER being declared the the winner, alleging interference at the 1100m.. Whilst it was established that S. Morris, rider of SWIRLER, had allowed his mount to shijft in at the 1100m., taking TRI MIRACLE in on to MIGHT AND GOLD, causing MIGHT AND GOLD to be steadied, given the margin which separated both horses at the finish, stewards dismissed the objection. S. Morris was however severely reprimanded for his lack of care when shifting ground in the early stages.

MIGHT AND GOLD and BOLDALERO jumped awkwardly.

After travelling a short distance, HURRY HURRY had to be steadied off the heels of TRI MIRACLE, which was taken in by SWIRLER.

B. Stewart was questioned regarding the riding tactics adopted today on BOLDALERO. B. Stewart stated that the horse had previously led in weaker company, and from today's awkward draw he had anticipated taking up a position midfield, however when caught wide in the run to the first turn, he was obliged to steady his mount further to take up a position on the fence. He added that BOLDALERO subsequently settled further back in the field than was anticipated.



ALL WINNERS AND GARUDA PRINCE WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.