STEWARDS’ REPORT

GOLD COAST TURF CLUB

Wednesday, 22nd August, 2001

WEATHER: FIND TRACK: GOOD

RAIL: TRUE

PENETROMETER 3.2

STEWARDS’ MR S. RAILTON (CHAIRMAN), MR C. MCLUNE, MR D. AURISCH,
PANEL: MR G. HARGRAVES, MR W. BIRCH, MR C. CLIFFORD



GENERAL: As C. Munce’s plane from Sydney was unavoidably delayed, he was obliged to forego his ridesin races 1 and 2 on MISS SMUGG and LADY TRICE and was replaced as follows: A. Cowie (MISS SMUGG) and S. Katsidis (LADY TRICE).


RACE 1 – THE BOATHOUSE TAVERN MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1300 METRES

As J. Piper’s arrival at the track was delayed, J. Taylor was substituted as the rider of SCOOBIE SNAX. Stewards accepted J. Taylor’s explanation for being late on course.

On return to scale, a protest was lodged by D. Griffin, rider of the 4th placegetter, PEDRO’S SUPREME, against EUROTEC being declared 3rd alleging interference approaching the finish line. Whilst it was established that EUROTEC did shift out and bump PEDRO’S SUPREME, stewards dismissed the objection when it was established that the incident in question occurred at the winning post.

MISS SMUGG was slow to begin.

Passing the 1000m., CASSIMIR shifted out to provide MISS SMUGG with racing room and as a consequence made contact with I COVET for some distance. CASSIMIR then tended to overrace following this incident.

MISS SMUGG was held up for clear running in the early stages of the straight.



RACE 2 – ZA’BA CASINO BAR FILLIES & MARES CLASS 3 HANDICAP – 1400METRES

After being steadied off the LUXURY RIDE, which shifted in at the 1200m., RARE REVIEW then commenced to overrace.

For some distance after leaving the 600m., RED COUNTESS had to be steadied off the heels of KEA LEAH when held up behind that horse which commenced to lose ground.

G. Colless, rider of RED COUNTESS, was severely reprimanded for attempting a run approaching the 200m. between MADAM FRENCH and PINUPSKI where there was insufficient room. As a consequence, RED COUNTESS made contact with the hind quarters of PINUPSKI, which resulted in that horse becoming unbalanced and shifting in, hampering both RED COUNTESS and MADAM FRENCH.

Near the 50m., MISKARIMA shifted out under pressure, resulting in RED COUNTESS once again being impeded and taken out on to PINUPSKI, which had to be steadied by its rider. Whilst stewards accepted that his mount had a tendency to run out under pressure, A. Cowie was nonetheless urged to make every endeavour to keep his mounts on a true course.

When questioned regarding the apparent improved performance of CULTURED PEARL in winning today’s event as compared to that mare’s first up performance at Toowoomba on 4 August, trainer R. Lipp stated that from its awkward alley, CULTURED PEARL was ridden back in the field. He added that the race in question was run at a slow pace in the early stages and developed into a sprint home, which did not suit the mare. Trainer Lipp’s explanation was accepted.



RACE 3 – SUGAR SHACK BAR & CAFÉ CLASS 5 HANDICAP – 1300 METRES

No racing incidents.

RACE 4 – BENOWA TAVERN FLYING HANDICAP – 900 METRES

As the start was effected, ROCKEFELLER began awkwardly and lost ground.

BLUE MARLOO jumped inwards at the start, hampering BLACKLOCK.

Over the concluding stages, PHANTOM’S BROTHER was inclined to hang out under pressure, inconveniencing CATAINER.

P. Hammersley was questioned regarding his ride on ROCKEFELLER, particularly from the 600m. and in the early stages of the straight. He indicated that he attempted to adhere to the instructions of trainer G. Ryan by allowing ROCKFELLER to settle back in the field as a great deal of pace was anticipated in the event. He further advised that he was instructed to bring the gelding to the outside in the straight to allow it to take advantage of its customary strong finish.

Trainer G. Ryan confirmed these instructions and indicated that whilst at first glance ROCKEFELLER could have been a little closer approaching the home turn, he had indicated to apprentice Hammersley to keep the horse balanced at that section of the race. Mr Ryan did however offer some mild criticism of apprentice Hammersley for his failure to ease the gelding the outside sooner than he had in the straight. Whilst no action was taken, stewards indicated to P. Hammersley that in their view he had erred by failing to switch to the outside prior to the 200m., even though his mount may have had a slight inclination to lay in.


RACE 5 – NOBLE PARK STUD CLASSIC SUPER QRIS ADDED STAKES THREE-YEARS-OLD FILLIES – 1200 METRES

As M. Aspinall was indisposed, A. Cowie was substituted as the rider for GROOVY MISS.

REAL CHIC, which threw itself down in the enclosure, was examined by the club’s veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start.

TIME’S PRECIOUS and REAL CHIC bumped at the start.

When questioned regarding the performance of MISS MARTINDALE, M. Rodd stated that the filly led as expected and travelled well, however when RAPID WOMAN assumed a position outside MISS MARTINDALE in the middle stages, the filly shifted in and made contact with the running rail of its own accord. He could offer no further excuse for MISS MARTINDALE, which compounded badly in the straight. Stable foreman Mr S. Lowe stated that MISS MARTINDALE had obviously been disappointing today despite the fact that the filly had risen significantly in the weights from its last start win at Doomben on 4 August. He further indicated that MISS MARTINDALE had endured a long campaign and it was now likely that the filly would be sent for a spell. A veterinary examination of MISS MARTINDALE failed to reveal any abnormality. A swab sample was taken from MISS MARTINDALE.


RACE 6 – HINTERLAND HOTEL CLASS 4 HANDICAP – 1800 METRES

The saddle on IDEALISTIC shifted forward in the middle stages, which placed its rider, Z. Purton in considerable difficulty for the remainder of the event, resulting in IDEALISTIC being eased down in the straight.

RACE 7 – CARLTON DRAUGHT GOLDMARKET QUALITY HANDICAP – 1400 METRES

On return to scale, a protest was lodged by M. Cahill, rider of the 2nd placetter, BANFF CONNECTION, against DASHING IMAGE being declared the winner, alleging interference near the 100m., and in particular that his mount BANFF CONNECTION was accidentally struck across the head on one occasion by the whip of G. Colless, rider of DASHING IMAGE. It was established that near the 50m., BANFF CONNECTION was indeed struck on the nose by the whip of G. Colless, however only as a consequence of BANFF CONNECTION shifting in under pressure. In the circumstances, stewards dismissed the objection.

After being restless in the stalls, JACK LIVES HERE blundered as the start was effected, resulting in its rider, G. Birney, being dislodged.

On the home turn, KING KEITEL was hampered when tightened for room inside DASHING IMAGE, which in turn raced tight inside MAY ROYAL. D. Griffin, rider of MAY ROYAL, was cautioned and reminded of his obligations to provide comfortable racing room to runners to his inside.

Over the concluding stages of the event, MAJOR VICTORY was severely inconvenienced by the riderless JACK LIVES HERE.

RACE 8 – RQ’S BAR & GRILL COLTS, GELDINGS AND ENTIRES CLASS 3 HANDICAP – 1400 METRES

EMPYREAN was slow to begin.

At the 1200m., SPLENDIDO had to be steadied when tightened for room by CHAR AZTEK, which after being inclined to shift in and away from STRIDERITE, was taken in slightly by that gelding. G. Geran, rider of STRIDERITE, was cautioned.

Near the 1100m., CHAR AZTEK was also hampered when cramped for room by FRENCH GENTLEMAN, which in turn was taken in by CLASSIC FRONTIER. D. Griffin, rider of CLASSIC FRONTIER, was reprimanded.

Approaching the 1000m. when the pace slackened, FRENCH GENTLEMAN had to be checked off the heels of HOT ASH SLAY. MAGIC STRIDE, which was following, shifted out, inconveniencing CHAR AZTEK and SADDLE BOY.

On the home turn, EMPYREAN and CLASSIC FRONTIER made contact, which resulted in EMPYREAN becoming unbalanced.

Rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the straight, STRIDERITE was held up for clear running.

STRIDERITE was again held up over the concluding stages.









EIGHT WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED AS WELL AS EUROTEC, LUXURY RIDE, CATAINER, MISS MARTINDALE AND BANFF CONNECTION