STEWARDS’ REPORT

GOLD COAST TURF CLUB

Tuesday, 22 August 2000

WEATHER: FINE TRACK: GOOD

RAIL: TRUE POSITION

STEWARDS’
PANEL: MR T. BAILEY (CHAIRMAN), MR J. GRAHAM, MR J. HAIGH,
MR D. TAPSALL AND MR D. HOOPER (CADET)



RACE 1 – ZEDITAVE MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1400 METRES

MOOLBONG was slow away.

TELUSTRE jumped very awkwardly and almost dislodged its rider K. POPE. As a result of this incident TELUSTRE made contact with the hind quarters of NEVER IN DOUBT which became unbalanced.

Due to the slow pace in the early and middle stages PHILIBE was restrained for some distance off the heels of CALLISTO.

Approaching the 300 metres PHILIBE was checked when disappointed for clear running between NEVER IN DOUBT and SOUTHAMPTON ROSE.

J. POLLARD (PHILIBE) was questioned regarding his apparent lack of vigour for a short distance approaching the 200 metres after being obliged to check his mount. He explained that he was endeavouring to balance his mount back up and also did have some concern as to whether SOUTHAMPTON ROSE was going to shift ground inwards and once again have his run impeded. Stewards noted J. POLLARD’S explanation however, he was advised that his lack of urgency approaching the 200 metres was of concern and to ensure at all times his mounts are ridden in such a manner that leaves no room for query.



RACE 2 – SOMMES SOUND (USA) MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1200 METRES

The start of this race was delayed slightly when ADACHI proved difficult to load in the barriers.

On jumping EXCLUSIVE SON shifted out crowding ADACHI.

Approaching the 800 metres BELLECKO had to be steadied to avoid the heels of KICKEDI which shifted out.



RACE 3 – ARCHITECTURAL COLUMNS MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1200 METRES

Inside the 200 metres J. POLLARD was dislodged from LUBERTUS. It was established that the reason for J. POLLARD being dislodged was that his off side stirrup leather had become detached from the saddle. J. POLLARD was taken to hospital for observations and Stewards permitted the following replacement riders:-


Race 5 METROPALIS A. BAKER
Race 6 SEMIFORMAL A. ERHART
Race 7 MR. LEVI A. GILLETT
Race 9 PIONEER A. ERHART



RACE 4 – VILLABOARD LINING HANDICAP – 1800 METRES

Approaching the first turn near the 1400 metres TANBRIDGE WAY which was inclined to overrace had to be checked to avoid the heels of KNATMEG.

TANBRIDGE WAY suffered a bleeding attack from both nostrils during the race and is now ineligible to race for a period of three(3) months.

Stewards questioned Trainer T. Whittington regarding the disappointing performance of PARIS MUSTANG today. He explained that in his view the gelding did not appreciate being ridden up outside the leader where it had a tendency to pull hard as it was his instructions to Jockey M. BENNETT to endeavour to get some cover. He also pointed out that PARIS MUSTANG had risen sharply in the weights. Jockey M. BENNETT conceded that whilst PARIS MUSTANG may not have benefited from being in a position racing outside the leader he indicated that there was not a great deal of early speed. He added that in his view PARIS MUSTANG was entitled to do more than it did as it was under pressure leaving the 600 metres. Their explanations were noted.


RACE 5 – PRIME LINE WEATHERBOARDS HANDICAP – 1300 METRES

Stewards considered an objection lodged by K. POPE the rider of PLAUSIBLE which finished third against SLANG (APP. R. PITTMAN) being declared the second placegetter on the grounds of alleged interference inside the final 200 metres. On the evidence the Stewards formed the view that leaving the 200 metres TONTO MURPHY had initially shifted out and made contact with the hind quarters of SLANG which was also shifting in under pressure. This resulted in crowding to TONTO MURPHY and PLAUSIBLE which was inconvenienced. The Stewards were of the opinion that the degree of interference suffered by PLAUSIBLE did not exceed the margin between the two horses at the finish and therefore they dismissed the objection.

At a later enquiry the Stewards decided not to take any direct action however, APP. R. PITTMAN (SLANG) was reprimanded for failing to stop riding and straighten his mount sooner than he had done on this occasion.

Stewards also considered an objection lodged by A. GILLETT (ICE PATROL) which finished fifth against TONTO MURPHY (L. HILL) being declared fourth placegetter on the grounds of alleged interference at the home turn. On the evidence it was established that TONTO MURPHY had shifted out rounding the home turn taking the rightful running of ICE PATROL causing that horse to be checked. The Stewards were of the opinion that the degree of interference suffered by ICE PATROL exceeded the margin between the two horses at the finish and therefore they upheld the objection and amended the placings to read:-

1st PYFO
2nd SLANG
3rd PLAUSIBLE
4th ICE PATROL
5th TONTO MURPHY

At a later enquiry L. HILL (TONTO MURPHY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR137(a) for allowing his mount to shift out to improve rounding the home turn when not clear of ICE PATROL causing that horse to be checked. L. HILL’S licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of seven (7) meetings to commence midnight 30th August, 2000 and to expire midnight Sunday 10th September, 2000. This suspension is to be served accumulatively with the suspension L. HILL incurred at the Queensland Turf Club meeting on Wednesday 16th August, 2000.

Near the 100 metre mark TONTO MURPHY shifted back out and made heavy contact with SLANG.



RACE 6 – PINERIDGE LINING HANDICAP – 1300 METRES

The start of this race was delayed slightly when GENTLE became fractious in the barriers. GENTLE was examined by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon and passed fit to start.

SANKARI was slow away and shortly afterwards was hampered by ROYAL COVET which shifted in momentarily.

APP. T. IKENUSHI (LADY SHERPA) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR137(a) for permitting his mount to shift in leaving the 1000 metres causing SANKARI to be checked and lose ground. APP. T. IKENUSHI’S licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of six(6) meetings to commence midnight 20th August, 2000 and to expire midnight Thursday 31st August, 2000.

Leaving the 400 metres until nearing the 200 metres AWESOME EDGE was unable to improve when disappointed for clear running on the fence and behind BUTTERSCOTCH BABE which was weakening.

ROYAL COVET was obliged to race wide throughout.

A Veterinary examination of SEMIFORMAL after the race revealed no obvious abnormalities however, it was noted that the mare’s off fore place had shifted.

Mrs S. Thompson the Stable representative for Trainer A. Bailey was questioned regarding BUTTERSCOTCH BABE’S disappointing performance today. She explained that the filly was not suited being ridden forward to the lead as it was obliged to do too much work early and therefore, was unable to finish off its race. Mrs Thompson indicated to the Stewards that Jockey L. Hill explained that he was obliged to go forward as he was going to be caught extremely wide approaching the first turn. A Veterinary examination of BUTTERSCOTCH BABE revealed a deep laceration to the front of the near hind coronet. BUTTERSCOTCH BABE was also sent to be swabbed. Stewards noted Mrs Thompson’s explanation.



RACE 7 – HARDITEX BASE SHEETS HANDICAP – 1300 METRES

Due to a clerical error K. BELL did not appear in the racebook as the rider of QUICK PRINCE.

CEDRICK jumped very awkwardly and lost considerable ground.

For a major part of the straight RENAZZO was unable to obtain clear running and subsequently went to the post not fully tested.

Inside the 200 metres PROUD SULTAN commenced to weaken under pressure and near the 100 metres shifted in and made heavy contact with the hind quarters of MR. LEVI. APP. M. ALLEN (PROUD SULTAN) was reminded of her obligations when allowing her mounts to shift ground.

Inside the final 200 metres PACEMAKER was unable to obtain clear running.

K. BELL (QUICK PRINCE) was issued with a reprimand for returning to scale in excess of one-half kilo over his declared weight.



RACE 8 – HARDIBRACE BRACING HANDICAP – 1200 METRES

Trainer J. Wade was fined $50.00 for failing to declare a rider for GLENNAL by the prescribed time.

After leaving the 600 metres MINSTRELLA raced very wide.

NADALAK suffered a bleeding attack during the race and is now ineligible to race for a period of three(3) months.



RACE 9 – HARDIFLEX EAVES LINING WELTER – 900 METRES

BRILLIANCE jumped awkwardly.

Near the 600 metres SIGNBAH shifted in and made contact with INCH.

L. HARRIS (SIGNBAH) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under AR137(a) in that approaching the 200 metres he allowed his mount to shift out whilst riding along with the whip when not clear of GOLDEN PEAK causing that horse to be checked. L. HARRIS’S licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of seven(7) meetings to commence midnight 19th August, 2000 and to expire midnight 31st August, 2000.

APP. D. WHEELER (PHANTOM’S BROTHER) was issued with a reprimand for shifting out abruptly leaving the 200 metres hampering SIGNBAH and OUR BERNIE.

PIONEER was obliged to race very wide throughout.


NINE WINNERS PLUS BUTTERSCOTCH BABE, TANBRIDGE WAY AND NADALAK WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED