QUEENSLAND TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT SAT. 01.06.02
STEWARDS PANEL: Mr S Railton (Chairman), Mr A Reardon, Mr J Hackett, Mr C Clifford, Mr W Flynn, Mr C McLune, Mr W Birch
WEATHER – FINE TRACK – GOOD RAIL – IN TRUE POSITION
SHOWERY FROM RACE 6
RACE 1: TRANSCONTINENTAL HOTEL H'CAP – 1300M
GOLD BOLERO was slow to begin.
JUST THE DROP hung out during the event and shifted ground further on the home turn resulting in DONNADANE and MIGHTY STRONGHOLD being forced to cover extra ground. Trainer R. McCall was advised that a warning had been placed on JUST THE DROP in relation to its racing manners.
When placed under pressure at the entrance to the straight, JUST THE DROP shifted in resulting in GOLD BOLERO, which was attempting a run to the inside of that horse, having to be steadied. As a consequence of JUST THE DROP shifting in, SYDANEE was also cramped on to STYLISH COSSACK which also had to be restrained. Subsequent to this incident, both GOLD BOLERO and STYLISH COSSACK continued to be held up for some distance. While stewards accepted that his mount had proved difficult to ride during the event, J Babarovich, the rider of JUST THE DROP, was nonetheless reprimanded for failing to make more endeavour to keep his mount on a straight course.
STYLISH COSSACK was again held up over the concluding stages of the event.
At the finishing line STYLISH COSSACK shifted out off the heels of SYDANEE, forcing JUST THE DROP across the heels of GOLD BOLERO.
RACE 2: TRIPLE M'S HOMEGROWN BREAKFAST H'CAP – 2200M
GLENN began awkwardly and made contact with KING LEO.
At the winning post on the first occasion REGAL TYCOON had to be restrained to avoid the heels of AWESOME WEATHER which shifted in. A short distance later AWESOME WEATHER shifted in of its own accord and had to be steadied off the heels of KING LEO.
Approaching the 200m SAILOR'S LARK was impeded for a run between ALMIGHTY ALLIANCE and FEED THE METER.
RACE 3: TRIPLE M'S BLOOD, SWEAT 'N' BEERS H'CAP – 1300M
JUANMO jumped away awkwardly and shifted in abruptly, hampering FEELERS and HERE FOR GLORY.
When JUANMO shifted out to obtain clear running inside the 100m, PICHOLINE had to be steadied to avoid the heels of that mare and in turn was taken out on to PARIS HEARTBEAT which in turn was cramped on to FOSCAT. Whilst it was established that JUANMO was obliged to shift out further as a consequence of the tiring WEST WARD shifting ground in advance of it, G. Colless, the rider of JUANMO, was nonetheless cautioned and urged to exercise more care.
A veterinary examination of PICHOLINE, which performed disappointingly, failed to reveal any abnormality. A swab sample was taken from PICHOLINE. When questioned, S. King stated that PICHOLINE was genuinely disappointing and he was unable to offer any explanation for the mare's performance.
RACE 4: SIR EDWARD WILLIAMS H'CAP – 1500M
The start was delayed when AMAIZCAY required farrier attention.
AMAIZCAY and CHEIRON were slow to begin.
In the early stage of the straight DESK TOP LOVER was held up behind the tiring OSCA WARRIOR.
When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of BAILS, S. Baster stated that in his view the gelding raced too keenly with the blinkers today and the horse's failure to relax in the early and middle stages led to its compounding in the straight. A veterinary examination of BAILS failed to reveal any abnormality. A swab sample was taken from the gelding.
The Club's veterinary surgeon reported that HUGE DEMAND was galloped on on both heels on the off hind leg.
RACE 5: MULTIPLEX SIRES PRODUCE STAKES SUPER QRIS ADDED STAKES - 1400M
When B. Pengelly, the rider of KOOCHIE, attempted to settle that gelding approaching the 1200m, the horse got its head up and raced ungenerously and as a consequence shifted out abruptly resulting in HIGH MAINTENANCE being severely checked. CHICKENS and TOP ECHELON both had to be checked and BLUR and TIDE TURNER were also hampered as a consequence of KOOCHIE racing erratically.
Approaching the home turn TOP ECHELON ran up on to the heels of AIR OF GRACE and had to be restrained by its rider.
From the entrance to the straight until nearing the 200m, BLUR was impeded for a run between AIR OF GRACE and KOOCHIE.
When questioned, B. York stated that CHICKENS slipped at the start which resulted in the filly settling further back in the field than was intended. He added that whilst CHICKENS met with interference near the 1200m and was subsequently forced to race wide, the filly appeared to race flat today as compared to her last start performance. A veterinary examination of CHICKENS failed to reveal any abnormality.
The Club's veterinary surgeon reported that KOOCHIE sustained lacerations to both hocks.
RACE 6: FM 104 TRIPLE M QUEENSLAND OAKS SUPER QRIS ADDED STAKES - 2400M
As the start was effected NIGHT CHASER stood flat footed and lost ground.
QUAYS reared as the gates opened and also lost ground.
At the 2200m NIGHT CHASER shifted in and away from WAITAWHERO GOLD and bumped GUSSY GODIVA. At the same stage, FAIZA commenced to overrace at the heels of YORKSHIRE LASS and as a consequence had to be checked by its rider.
After being steadied off the heels of TAP TO IT at the winning post on the first occasion, MISS BUSSELL commenced to overrace and refused to settle for some distance.
Leaving the 800m VEGA SICILIA ran up on to the heels of TRAIL OF GOLD and then shifted out abruptly, forcing THE MIGHTY LIONS wider.
Over the final 200m MON MEKKI shifted out under pressure causing some inconvenience to QUAYS.
Apprentice P. Hammersley, the rider of the winner MON MEKKI, was fined $500 for making a celebratory gesture with his whip prior to the winning post.
RACE 7: STARLIGHT LOVE ME MELONS Q.T.C. CUP – 1200M
On jumping away MAITLAND GOLD lost a little ground when cramped for room between TREVISCAY and SUZY GREY which was taken in by PEMBLETON.
VLADIVOSTOK was slow to begin.
GOLD CLASS and CITICHY were both obliged to race wide during the event.
OUR BEEKAY was held up for clear running in the early stages of the straight.
JAR JAR BINKS was also unable to obtain clear running until nearing the 150m.
RACE 8: P.J. O'SHEA STAKES – 2400M
KREISLER MIRAGE jumped away awkwardly.
On the first turn KAAPSTAD WAY was tightened on to the running rail by HILL OF GRACE which shifted in momentarily.
G. Cooksley, the rider of PRIZED GEM, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, the careless riding being that he allowed his mount to shift out under pressure approaching the 200m at a stage when not clear of KREISLER MIRAGE, resulting in that horse being checked. G. Cooksley was suspended for a period of 7 meetings to commence at midnight on Wednesday, 5 June, and expire at midnight on Saturday, 15 June.
When struck with the whip, PRIZED GEM shifted out near the 100m causing some inconvenience to KAAPSTAD WAY. G. Cooksley was cautioned in relation to this incident.
D. Nikolic, the rider of HILL OF GRACE, stated that he would have preferred to have ridden HILL OF GRACE a little closer to the lead, however the mare did not begin that well. He added that HILL OF GRACE was beaten as far out as the 800m and that she appeared to race rather flat today as compared to her good performance last Saturday in the Doomben Cup.
A veterinary examination of EBONY HONOR, which compounded in the straight after being obliged to race wide, failed to reveal any abnormality.
ALL WINNERS, PICHOLINE AND BAILS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.
