QUEENSLAND TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT SAT. 20.05.00
STEWARDS PANEL: Mr S Railton (Chairman), Mr A Reardon, Mr J Hackett, Mr C McLune, Mr R Sanders, Mr J Williamson (Cadet)
WEATHER – OVERCAST TRACK - FAST RAIL - OUT 6M ALL TRACK
GENERAL: Stewards today inquired into a report from Clerk of Scales Mr P Mullen that after Race 3 at the Q.T.C. meeting on 10.05.00, B Stewart had returned to scale half a kilogram above his declared weight on POWER OF EGO. B Stewart claimed that he did not return to scale overweight. B Stewart was given the benefit of the doubt in this matter, however was placed on notice that stewards would monitor his riding weight in the near future.
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Stewards today continued an inquiry into the reason for MYSTIC LADY falling at the 400m in Race 4 the Hamilton Hotel Doomben Bracelet on Saturday, 13 May 2000. Evidence was today taken from C Reith, the rider of MYSTIC LADY, who was unavailable on the day in question to give evidence due to injury. Further evidence was taken from J Taylor (ASDAAM), S Katsidis (SEA MIRAGE), J Byrne (SOPHIE’S GOLD), G Boss (KENA) and M Cahill (AVILDE). Subsequently J Byrne, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, the careless riding being that he allowed his mount to shift out around the heels of KENA approaching the 400m resulting in MYSTIC LADY being tightened on to ASDAAM. As a consequence of this tightening, MYSTIC LADY fell dislodging C Reith. J Byrne was suspended for a period to be covered by one calendar month to commence at midnight on Wednesday, 24 May 2000, and to expire at midnight on 23 June 2000.
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Riders’ agent T Lanskey was questioned regarding his betting activities on Race 4 the Owners’ Association Cup. After taking certain evidence the inquiry was adjourned to a date to be fixed.
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RACE 1: SURROUND SUPER QRIS ADDED STAKES H'CAP - 1400M
On the 1000m turn, ZEDSQUARE shifted out off the heels of ALL THE TRIMMINGS, making contact with STRANGE CONFLICT, resulting in that horse being forced wider.
Leaving the 100m S Seamer was obliged to stop riding and straighten YORUBA when that horse ran out under pressure.
RACE 2: OUR SOPHIA H'CAP - 1500M
CITIBEST was slow to begin.
After travelling 200m BORELLI’s off side rein broke which immediately placed its rider L Cassidy in considerable difficulty. Due to L Cassidy having no control of his mount, BORELLI shifted out at the 1100m resulting in NO OPTION being taken wider. BORELLI was rendered uncompetitive and completed the course near the outside running rail. The offending gear was examined immediately after the race by stewards who were satisfied that trainer C Jillings had presented BORELLI with good quality gear and that the breakage was due to an undetectable fault.
RACE 3: BALMERINO SUPER QRIS ADDED STAKES H'CAP - 1200M
Correct weight was delayed while stewards ascertained whether SUN SCREEN had been afforded a fair start. Just prior to the start being effected, SUN SCREEN reared which necessitated assistance from a barrier attendant. As the start was effected, SUN SCREEN had its head turned noticeably to the near side as the barrier attendant attempted to pacify that gelding. This resulted in SUN SCREEN missing the start by a considerable margin. Given the circumstances, stewards deemed SUN SCREEN had been denied a fair start and therefore ruled the horse to be a non-runner. On the announcement of correct weight, all monies invested on SUN SCREEN were ordered to be refunded with no other alterations to betting. Trainer T Miller was however advised that SUN SCREEN must pass a barrier test prior to its next race start.
MACHTIG MIHI PANIS jumped away awkwardly.
For some distance in the run to the first turn, CENTRE FORCE raced in restricted room inside ELITE TED. A Morrison, the rider of ELITE TED, was cautioned and urged to afford runners to his inside comfortable galloping room.
Approaching the 800m PRINCE STARLIGHT raced fiercely and shifted out resulting in MACHTIG MIHI PANIS being checked. Soon after, PRINCE STARLIGHT clipped the heels of CENTRE FORCE and blundered.
Passing the 800m ELITE TED was reluctant to hold its position inside CHOKWE and lost ground. ELITE TED continued to race ungenerously for some distance. When ELITE TED lost ground, MR. VELOCHEE, which was following, had to be steadied.
When attempting a run to the inside of the tiring SNOW CHARIOT at the 200m, ELITE TED had to be checked when that filly drifted in slightly.
C Maund, the rider of CENTRE FORCE, accidentally dropped his whip near the 150m.
The Club's veterinary surgeon reported that ELITE TED had sustained a small laceration to the inside of the off hind pastern. A swab sample was taken from ELITE TED.
The Club's veterinary surgeon reported that MR. VELOCHEE pulled up lame in the off hind leg.
RACE 4: OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION CUP - 1600M
TYPHOON BARNEY was badly held up for a run until the 150m.
RACE 5: Q.T.C. METROPOLITAN H'CAP - 2200M
NO INCIDENTS
RACE 6: THE GRAND PRIX STAKES SUPER QRIS ADDED STAKES - 2200M
AT the 1900m MR. NADIR SHAH, which was pulling hard, shifted out abruptly, hampering STARTELL, MAGNIFIER and CITI HABIT.
RACE 7: MERCEDES-BENZ TRIPLE CROWN H'CAP - 1200M
GALLOPINI was a late withdrawal at 8.15 a.m.
As D Craven was to be excessively overweight, A Morrison was substituted as the rider of BROOKLET BOY. A Morrison was permitted to ride that gelding 1kg overweight. D Craven was fined the sum of $100.
VALLEY WARRIOR jumped inwards at the start, inconveniencing NARWONG.
Soon after the start LADY OF ARAGON received tightening from ASTIG which shifted out after blundering.
CLAYTONS also received tightening at the start between ANTIQUITY and LANDSIGHTING.
At the first turn NARWONG got its head up and raced ungenerously when being steadied by its rider G Duffy.
For some distance approaching the 800m VALLEY WARRIOR tended to overrace when being steadied off the heels of COUP DE GRACE which shifted in. MAJOR VICTORY, which was following, also had to be restrained.
When questioned regarding the performance of ASTIG, G Boss stated that when receiving instructions he was advised to be alert to the horse’s inclination to dwell at the start. He stated that as a consequence he livened the horse up in the barrier, which resulted in the horse jumping well, however ASTIG overraced quite badly throughout the early and middle stages and made contact with VALLEY WARRIOR on a number of occasions. G Boss concluded that in hindsight ASTIG did not have an opportunity to relax in the race and this may have been the major reason for its failure to run on as it normally does. A veterinary examination of ASTIG failed to reveal any abnormality. A swab sample was taken from that gelding.
Matthew Cahill was also questioned regarding the performance of NORMAL PRACTICE. He stated that the horse, which was dropping back in distance, failed to show any pace in the early stages and whilst it ran on fairly, it failed to show its customary acceleration. He added that the horse gave the impression that it was looking for a longer distance.
RACE 8: STARGAZER H'CAP - 1600M
J Stanley, the rider of the 3rd placegetter INDY MAN, and M Cahill, the rider of the 5th placegetter LORD COVENTRY, were fined $100 and $200 respectively for weighing in in excess of half a kilogram over their declared weight.
INDY MAN jumped out at the start inconveniencing INVESTMENT TRUST.
INVESTMENT TRUST tended to overrace when leading in the middle stages.
A veterinary examination of ZACUSHLA, which compounded badly in the straight, revealed that filly to be suffering from a heart arrhythmia. A swab sample was taken from that filly. Trainer P Moody was advised that prior to racing again ZACUSHLA must perform satisfactorily in an official barrier trial, undergo a thorough veterinary examination and provide stewards with the results of an ECG test.
ALL WINNERS, ELITE TED, ASTIG AND ZACUSHLA WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.
