QLD TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT WED.1.10.03

STEWARDS PANEL: Mr D. Hensler (Chairman), Mr J. Hackett, Mr G. Hargraves, Mr J. Graham, Mr C. Waller (Cadet).

WEATHER - OVERCAST TRACK - GOOD RAIL - 5M. ALL TRACK

GENERAL: As S. Katsidis was indisposed through illness and G. Colless through injury, the following riding substitutions were permitted:

S. Katsidis: Race 1. PRINCE EMPIRE - N. Day. Race 2. SNEAK A KISS - N. day. Race 3. GRAMODALE GOLD - A. Pattillo. Race 4. ABOVE CLASS - S. Galloway. Race 5. WILD BY NATURE - M. Pelling. Race 7. VALIANT DANE - M. Pelling. Race 8. ADILLO ADILLO - A. Pattillo.

G. Colless: Race 7. CHIMING MILL - D. Brown.

RACE 1: GETTING' SQUARE H'CAP - 1000M.

DREAM 'N' SCHEME jumped away awkwardly.

GOLD EYE knuckled over and lost ground at the start.

From rounding the home turn until inside the 200m., LION SAFARI was held up for clear running.

Inside the 200m., PRINCE EMPIRE was momentarily hampered between BELLESCAY, which shifted in, and GOLD EYE, which shifted out under pressure.

A veterinary examination of SPORTS CLASS following the event revealed the gelding to have sustained an abrasion to the off hind bumper and a small laceration to the inside of the near hind pastern.


RACE 2: JOVIAL PRINCE H'CAP - 1300M.

EL DINO jumped away awkwardly.

AXIAL was slow to begin.

Rounding the first turn, FRENCH DAGGER was obliged to steady off the heels of TARAPELLO, which shifted out.

Rounding the home turn, SNEAK A KISS had to be steadied after hanging out across the heels of EL DINO.

D. Tanti, rider of PEDRO HENRY, accidentally dropped his whip at the 300m..






RACE 3: NATIVE DAWN H'CAP - 1200M.

No racing incidents.


RACE 4: IMPOSSIBLE MISSION H'CAP - 1000M.

WISHING WIND reared as the gates opened and lost considerable ground at the start.

NEDIYM'S SHADOW was slow to begin.

Shortly after the start, ABOVE CLASS was tightened for room between CLAMOROUS and SHORE, which was taken out by LOST PROPERTY.

Approaching the 500m., CROWNED GEM had to be steadied after shifting out across the heels of SURESCAY.


RACE 5: DIAGO H'CAP - 1600M.

IDEAL WAY jumped away awkwardly.

BUSKING was slow to begin.

WHAT'S TO COME commenced to race fiercely in the early stages and as a result its rider allowed the gelding to slide forward.


RACE 6: INSECURE H'CAP - 1826M.

RUFUS raced fiercely in the early stages and leaving the 1500m., shifted out from behind the heels of HYSTERICAL BOSS and in doing so forced RAGNAR wider on the track.

Leaving the 1000m., MCLAREN VALE, when being steadied off the heels of REGENT STREET, shifted out and hampered MIDNIGHT WARRIOR.


RACE 7: NOEL'S WISH H'CAP - 1600M.

When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of CHIMING MILL, R. Heathcote stated that his instructions to D. Brown were to ride the gelding back in the field if possible as in the past CHIMING MILL had a tendency to overrace in the early stages of its races. He added that whilst the horse had been successful leading recently at Doomben, it had also won well when ridden back in the field, and as it was intended to race CHIMING MILL over longer distances in the near future, he wanted the horse to settle in its races. Trainer Heathcote advised he will issue similar instructions in future. During a post-race veterinary examination, the gelding coughed on a number of occasions, which may indicate the on-set of a respiratory condition.



RACE 8: SMART ALEX H'CAP - 1500M.

Apprentice D. Ballard was fined the sum of $200 for a breach of AR 118A, in that he changed his boots after weighing out for this event. D. Ballard was further fined the sum of $100 for weighing in in excess of half a kilogram over his allotted riding weight.

Leaving the 900m., SMALL PROMISE laid in and made contact with ADILLO ADILLO, which in turn shifted in and hampered LUCKY TOWN.

When questioned, D. Craven was at a loss to explain the disappointing performance of ANTARES, and reported that the gelding at no stage raced on the bit during the event. Trainer W. Naoum was also at a loss to explain the disappointing performance and undertook to report to stewards anything that may come to light in the next 48 hours that may have had a bearing on today's race. A post race veterinary examination of ANTARES failed to reveal any abnormality.

When questioned regarding the improved performance of FOLLOW THE MAESTRO, trainer N. Petersen advised that as he envisaged no pace in the race he instructed the rider to go forward if possible from the wide alley, bearing in mind the benefit of the 3 kilogram claim. He added that he could offer no tangible explanation for the recent disappointing performances, however did indicate that this was the gelding's 4th run back from a spell. This explanation was noted.


ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.