STEWARDS’ REPORT

GOLD COAST TURF CLUB

SATURDAY 24 JULY 1999

WEATHER: OVERCAST TRACK: GOOD – downgraded to “DEAD” at 10:25 a.m.
Downgraded to “SLOW” at 1:30 p.m.
Downgraded to “HEAVY” at 3:30 p.m.

RAIL: OUT 5 METRES FROM 1,800 TO 1,400 METRES
OUT 7 METRES FROM 1,400 TO 1,000 METRES
OUT 9 METRES FROM 1,000 TO 1,800 METRES

STEWARDS’ MR T BAILEY (CHAIRMAN), MR J HACKETT, MR J HAIGH, MR J GRAHAM
PANEL: MS. S GILLESPIE (CADET)


RACE 1 – ROMANINO MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1,400 METRES

SOON A KING was slowly away.

Shortly after the start GENTLE NATIVE which was racing in restricted room between MORINGA’S HERO and OGO POGO eventually had to be steadied to avoid the heels of OGO POGO which shifted in.

Rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the home straight SOON A KING was disappointed for clear running between HAVE A SAY and GENTLE NATIVE.

NOBLE OPTIONS suffered a bleeding attack from both nostrils during the race and subsequently will be ineligible to race for a period of 3 months.

RACE 2 – JUSTINCASE SUPER QRIS ADDED STAKES (TWO-YEARS-OLD) MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1,200 METRES

WASTED EFFORT was a late withdrawal at 9:10 a.m. on veterinary advice that the filly was suffering from a respiratory infection.

The start of this race was delayed several minutes due to a number of factors. Firstly MARCEAU ROAD which refused to complete its preliminary eventually made it to the barriers after the blinkers were removed. Trainer K DOUGHTY was instructed that if it was her intention to race MARCEAU ROAD in blinkers in the future the gelding must barrier trial to the satisfaction of the stewards before such permission would be granted. Both IONIAN and MIGHTY CRAFTY proved difficult to place in the barriers.

RACE 3 – KING CAPRI SUPER QRIS ADDED STAKES (TWO YEARS OLD) HANDICAP – 1,200 METRES

After considering submissions by Trainer T NOONAN to have EXTRINSIC withdrawn due to the “dead” track grading, stewards in all the circumstances denied his request.

Trainer D GRAHAM was fined $50 for failing to declare a rider for THUNDER ROAD by the prescribed time.

For a major part of the race FIRE IT UP was inclined to hang out and nearing the 700 metres had to be checked to avoid the heels of CIRCLE OF WHITE.

When questioned regarding the manner in which THUNDER ROAD was ridden today, Jockey G BAKER explained that his mount failed to display any early speed and soon after the start was crowded for room between SHADOW SHOOTER and MELDIYM. He added that after this incident he commenced to ride his mount along and nearing the 700 metres had to steady his mount to avoid the heels of FIRE IT UP which was hanging and from that point his mount commenced to improve and found the line strongly. His explanation was noted.

After the running of this race the track was downgraded to “SLOW” at 1:30 p.m.

Due to the abandonment of the Eagle Farm race meeting the remaining starting times were altered to read as follows to allow some uniformity for the Sky Channel coverage:

RACE 4 2:06 p.m.
RACE 5 2:42 p.m.
RACE 6 3:18 p.m.
RACE 7 3:55 p.m.
RACE 8 4:35 p.m.
RACE 9 5:00 p.m. (unchanged)

RACE 4 – CHARLTON BOY SUPER QRIS ADDED STAKES (TWO-YEARS-OLD) MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1,200 METRES

On jumping SAHARA DIGGER was crowded for room between THE KILDARE KID and REALITY’S DREAM which shifted out abruptly.

RACE 5 – MARRIOTT SURFERS PARADISE RESORT (CLASS 2) HANDICAP – 900 METRES

No report

RACE 6 – BLUE’S FINITO (FILLIES AND MARES CLASS 1) HANDICAP – 1,400 METRES

After the running of this race the track was downgraded to “HEAVY” at 3:30 p.m.

RACE 7 – IMA SHADOW (COLTS, GELDINGS AND ENTIRES CLASS 1) HANDICAP – 1,400 METRES

Approaching the 400 metres GOLD THUNDER had to be eased when crowded for room between GREAT RELATIONS and SINGING STORY which shifted out to improve.

Near the 300 metres M BENNETT (THOMAS JOHN) dropped his whip.

RACE 8 –BRISBANE MARRIOTT (CLASS 2) HANDICAP – 1,800 METRES

L HARRIS replaced A ERHART (unconfirmed) as the rider of DESERT THRILL.

SIR APITI was a late withdrawal at 1:32 p.m. due to the track being downgraded to “slow”.

EMOTIONAL GIRL was also a late withdrawal at 1:44 p.m. due to the track being downgraded to “slow”.

TOP TORQUE was a late withdrawal at 3:40 p.m. due to the track being downgraded to “heavy”.

Near the 300 metres and again near the 100 metres IT’S A KIA had to be eased to avoid the heels of OPAL WARRIOR which was continuing to shift ground outwards under pressure.
THE QUILL suffered a bleeding attack from both nostrils during the race and subsequently will be ineligible to race for a period of 3 months.

RACE 9 – SWIFT FOX (CLASS 6) HANDICAP – 1,200 METRES

CAPTAIN TURF was a late withdrawal at 1:47 p.m. due to the track being downgraded to “slow”.

AVIGNON was also a late withdrawal at 2:37 p.m. due to the track being downgraded to “slow”.

The club’s veterinary surgeon inspected SECRET SOUND prior to the race and the mare was subsequently passed fit to start.


GENERAL

Licensed bookmaker’s clerk, Mr ANDREW ROLLS, was issued with a reprimand under LR118A for using a mobile phone during the course of today’s race meeting.


NINE WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED ALONG WITH NOBLE OPTIONS, THE QUILL, YALLAKAZAAN and MARCEAU ROAD