QUEENSLAND TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT SAT. 20.01.01
STEWARDS PANEL: Mr A Reardon (Chairman), Mr C Clifford, Mr C McLune, Mr R Sanders, Mr P Gillard, Mr W Birch
WEATHER – FINE TRACK - GOOD RAIL – IN TRUE POSITION
GENERAL: As N Day was indisposed, the following riding replacements were approved:
Race 3 MIGHTY EEL J Byrne
Race 6 MOSES DRIVER J Stanley
RACE 1: ZEPHYR ZIP H'CAP - 1300M
AMENDS jumped away awkwardly and lost ground.
BLUEBIRD HILL was slow to begin.
When questioned, G Colless stated that he had been instructed to allow BLUEBIRD HILL to settle wherever comfortable, however after being slowly away and with little pace he was obliged to race three wide in the early stages, therefore he elected to allow the filly to stride forward and race outside the leader. He added that BLUEBIRD HILL had overraced slightly in the middle stages. A swab sample was taken from BLUEBIRD HILL.
IN OUR TIME bled after the event. As this was the first occasion on which the mare has bled, it will incur a mandatory three-month ban from racing. A swab sample was taken from IN OUR TIME.
RACE 2: COPPERAMA SUPER QRIS ADDED STAKES H'CAP - 1000M
Approaching the first turn MIGHTY STRONGHOLD had to be steadied to avoid the heels of DUTCH HARRY which shifted in. G Colless, the rider of DUTCH HARRY, was advised to exercise care in future when shifting ground. S Galloway reported that MIGHTY STRONGHOLD overreacted to this incident and as a result lost more ground than necessary.
Over the concluding stages CHAMPION OF DANES shifted in under pressure, taking MIGHTY STRONGHOLD in on to MARAUDING LASS.
RACE 3: REGAL ADVICE H'CAP - 2100M
JET SOON was slow to begin.
MUSIC VIDEO was hampered shortly after the start by MALTESE FAIR which shifted out.
Near the 1900m MIDNIGHT DEAL had to be steadied to avoid the heels of HONOURABLY which shifted in. C Reith, the rider of HONOURABLY, was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.
Approaching the 1800m MALTESE FAIR commenced to pull hard and had to be restrained off the heels of ACTRESS GRACE for some distance.
After leaving the 1800m MIDNIGHT DEAL raced fiercely and continued to do so until near the 1000m.
After leaving the crossing BEAR RAID had to be checked when attempting to improve its position between MALTESE FAIR and MIGHTY EEL which shifted in slightly.
The Club's veterinary surgeon reported that MALTESE FAIR sustained a laceration and bruising to the outside of the off hind cannon.
RACE 4: ROMANTIC DREAM H'CAP - 1200M
PEAT BOG was slow to begin.
When attempting to improve to the outside of the heels of CITICHY after entering the straight, PRINCE HAKEEM made contact with CHARLIE CHOPS and as a result had to be steadied. PRINCE HAKEEM then attempted a run between SUPER ESPION and CITICHY, and near the 200m was tightened by SUPER ESPION initially shifting out and then by CITICHY which shifted in under pressure near the 150m. S Katsidis, the rider of CITICHY, was reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in when not clear.
RACE 5: SCOMELD H'CAP - 1200M
AUSSIE PROSPECTOR was a late scratching at 2.56 p.m. when that gelding dislodged S Galloway during the preliminary. On the announcement of correct weight, stewards ordered that all monies invested on AUSSIE PROSPECTOR be refunded with no other alterations to betting. S Galloway was subsequently examined by the Club's medical officer and passed fit to fulfil his remaining engagements.
As the gates released, GOLDEN RUN put its head down resulting in that horse losing ground.
Near the 900m GLADMAC had to be restrained off the heels of PLAY IT SAFE and in doing so shifted out inconveniencing REGAL CLASS.
STREAMLINED bled during the event. As this was the second occasion on which STREAMLINED had bled, it will incur a lifetime ban from racing. A swab sample was taken from STREAMLINED.
RACE 6: ANCHOR IN SUPER QRIS ADDED STAKES H'CAP - 1800M
On return to scale G Colless, the rider of the winner ST. VIBES, was ill. Stewards declared correct weight in his absence. Upon examination G Colless was stood down from his remaining two engagements by the Club's medical officer and replaced as follows:
Race 7 ON VENTURA HIWAY M Cahill
Race 8 BOWLED C Reith
Approaching the 1000m, when racing three wide, AWESOME WARRIOR shifted in when not fully clear of ARTIQUE, resulting in that horse having to be steadied. S Seamer, the rider of AWESOME WARRIOR, was advised to ensure he is at least two lengths clear when shifting ground.
After passing the 1000m when the pace steadied, KIWI WARRIOR improved to the inside of ZINTA and as a result had to be checked.
Near the 200m BRAVE HAWK was tightened for running by BRAVE TATTLER which shifted in. BRAVE HAWK then was unable to obtain clear running from that stage.
Near the 50m STAR SENSATION had to be steadied when tightened for room between AWESOME WARRIOR and KIWI WARRIOR, both of which shifted ground.
G Colless was questioned as to his change in riding tactics on ST. VIBES compared with its previous start at the Gold Coast. G Colless stated that on that occasion, from its wide alley the connections had requested that the gelding be ridden back in the field, however he had suggested to trainer Mr Bailey today that, again from a wide barrier, he would endeavour to have the gelding mid-field if at all possible. He said after travelling some 300m ST. VIBES was fortunate to take up a position behind the leaders. His explanation was noted. Trainer A Bailey confirmed the instructions given to jockey Colless today, however was surprised that the horse was racing behind the leaders.
RACE 7: LUSKIN STAR H'CAP - 1600M
ROY BOY was slow to begin.
HICKEY PARK jumped out at the start taking PINK MOGUL out on to TRAVELLIN' MAN.
ROY BOY, ON VENTURA HIWAY and SILVER PAGE pulled hard in the early stages.
Near the 1300m, FUSTIAN improved inside the heels of INDY MAN, tightening the running of SILENT ASSASSIN which shifted in causing STARTELL to be checked. TOBOLSK, which was following, was inconvenienced in this incident.
Shortly after entering the straight SILENT ASSASSIN shifted in and tightened the running of PINK MOGUL.
Near the 300m PINK MOGUL again was tightened by SILENT ASSASSIN which shifted in and away from ANNALEA.
Near the 200m HICKEY PARK improved between ON VENTURA HIWAY and TOBOLSK where there was doubtful room and near the 100m had to be checked after making contact with the hind quarters of TOBOLSK.
Near the 100m SILENT ASSASSIN had to be restrained to avoid the heels of the tiring COUNTERSHOT.
RACE 8: ROYAL PAREE H'CAP - 1300M
FAIR PAY shifted out on jumping away, causing SEA HARVEY to be taken out on to the hind quarters of PEGUNNY STAR and having to be checked.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of PEGUNNY STAR, S Katsidis stated that the gelding never travelled throughout the event and was under pressure after leaving the crossing. The Club's veterinary surgeon reported that he could find no apparent abnormalities at the time of examination. A swab sample was taken from PEGUNNY STAR.
Inside the 200m FRONT ROW shifted in under pressure on two occasions, obliging its rider A Morrison to stop riding and straighten his mount.
ALL WINNERS, BLUEBIRD HILL, IN OUR TIME, STREAMLINED AND PEGUNNY STAR WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.
