STEWARDS REPORT - GOLD COAST TURF CLUB - 18 OCT 2003

STEWARDS PANEL: Mr G Hargreaves (Chairman), Mr J Graham, Mr D Tapsall,
Mr C Waller and Mr C Harris (Cadet)

WEATHER: FINE TRACK: SLOW (After Race 2 track upgraded to "DEAD")

RAIL: OUT 5 1/2M 800 - 400; OUT 4M FOR REMAINDER
(ORIGINAL TRACK)

RACE 1: SIMPLE SOLUTIONS H'CAP (THREE-YEARS-OLD CLASS 2) - 1100M

On several occasions approaching the first turn, KEEP A DREAM ALIVE shifted out and brushed ACTIVE COMBAT inconveniencing that horse.

M Bennett the rider of THRONE OF GOLD was reprimanded for allowing his mount to shift in approaching the 700m which resulted in HEAD FOR COVER being tightened for room and having to be steadied.

RACE 2: WEALTH CREATION H'CAP (CLASS 3) - 1100M

NATTIE jumped away awkwardly.

Near the 700m KID DE LAGO which was inclined to lay out had to be steadied off the heels of SOUL SURFER.

D Gay (NATTIE) was reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts out fully to the finish.

When questioned regarding the performance of NATTIE today, Jockey D Gay stated that he was at a loss to explain the horse's poor performance. He stated that NATTIE was under pressure a long way from home and failed to finish the race off.

RACE 3: PROSPERITY H'CAP (OPEN) - 1100M

ON THE LIST jumped in and made contact with ROYAL ENTOURAGE.

Near the 1000m ROYAL ENTOURAGE which was over-racing dipped when placed in restricted room.

Rounding the home turm, when attempting to force a run between PLANAGRAM and ON THE LIST, FLOWER GEM blundered. Also in this incident ON THE LIST became unbalanced.

When questioned over the performance of ON THE LIST, App. R Hurley stated that the horse never travelled well at any stage and upon pulling up felt amiss in its action. A post race veterinary examination of ON THE LIST failed to reveal any abnormality.

RACE 4: GK FINANCIAL GROUP H'CAP (THREE-YEARS-0LD MAIDEN) - 1200M

MANHATTAN EAGLE jumped in at the start taking DARKWOOD LODGE in on to BANNER GIRL which was forced on to the hind quarters of COME TO THE EDGE which became very unbalanced.

Approaching the first turn LITTLE DAB which was over-racing had to be steadied off the heels of MANHATTAN EAGLE.

COME TO THE EDGE hung out rounding the first turn.

After being tightened for room inside MANHATTAN EAGLE which was taken in by LITTLE DAB (D Gay) approaching the home turn, COME TO THE EDGE had to be checked off the heels of GOOD ASSOCIATION which had struck the running rail and became unbalanced. In this incident D Gay was cautioned and advised to allow sufficient room to runners to his inside.

Following the running of this event, A Abrahams was stood down by the Club's Doctor. He was replaced in Race 7 by S Thurlow as the rider of BUCK'S OWN.

BANNER GIRL ran wide on the home turn.

When questioned regarding the performance of BANNER GIRL today, Jockey D Craven stated that the filly hung out throughout and in his opinion resented the tongue control bit which it wore for the first time today. His comments were noted. A post race veterinary examiantion of BANNER GIRL failed to reveal any abnormality and the filly was sent to be swabbed.

RACE 5: TREACHER & ASSOCIATES H'CAP (CLASS 4) - 2000M

MIDNIGHT MOON which suffered a laceration to the forehead on 17 October 2003, was inspected by the club's veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start.

EBONY WOOD blundered on jumping.

RACE 6: FINANCIAL SOLUTIONS PLATE (MAIDEN) - 2000M

After being slowly away SOVEREIGN SMILE had to be checked off the heels of CLASE BOY after being taken in by TOLOCIN.

When questioned regarding his ride on SOVEREIGN SMILE, App. D Gay stated that after being slowly away, the gelding refused to stretch out in the early stages and lost considerable ground. He added that the gelding was reluctant to race for the remainder of the event. When questioned as to why he did not use the whip on SOVEREIGN SMILE in the early stages to urge it to improve its position he stated that he was instructed not to use the whip on the gelding if possible as it resents this. These instructions were confirmed by stable representative Ms. S Plant. Whilst stewards were concerned with D Gay's lack of vigour in the early and middle stages, they accepted his explanation and advised him that in future he ride in a manner so as not to leave himself open to query. Stable representative, Ms. S Plant was advised that SOVEREIGN SMILE would have to pass an official barrier trial prior to its next race start. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

When questioned regarding the riding tactics employed on PARABOLA, D Craven stated that it was always his intention to go forward but after being crossed by the outside horses soon after jumping PARABOLA refused to settle and raced very fiercely after passing the winning post on the first occasion and as a result he had no option but to allow the horse to stride forward. D Craven's comments were noted. PARABOLA continued to pull hard for the remainder of the event.

RACE 7: MONEYWISE H'CAP (COLTS, GELDINGS AND ENTIRES CLASS 1) - 1200M

A warning was placed on CRAIGLEA KNIGHT in relation to its pre-race manners.

KINBEACHIE blundered on jumping away.

SET FOR STARDOM jumped away awkwardly and soon after had to be checked off the heels of GOLDLANI which shifted out.

Leaving the 1000m AGITATOR had to be checked off the heels of CRAIGLEA KNIGHT.

SET FOR STARDOM raced fiercely in the early stages and when being restrained off the heels of BUCK'S OWN near the 800m shifted out taking GOLDLANI out on to AGITATOR which was forced wider.

Rounding the home turn KINBEACHIE was momentarily tightened between HEADMANN and AGITATOR.

RACE 8: LEXMARK INDY 300 H'CAP (FILLIES AND MARES CLASS 1) - 1200M

PERUGINE STAR was a late scratching at 8.15 am on vet's advice.

COURTLY JESTER blundered at the start and made heavy contact with VELVET MAMA which jumped out.

MILLIBACI jumped away awkwardly.

FASHION STAR raced very greenly throughout.

Rounding the first turn FOREVER MAD shifted out taking PARIS TYCOON out on to MILLIBACI which had to be steadied. STAR OF MIDNIGHT which was following was taken wider on the track. Soon after STAR OF MIDNIGHT shifted back in resulting in COURTLY JESTER having to be steadied.

Near the 600m ICENI had to be checked after improving up on to the heels of JHANSI KI RANI which resulted in VELVET MAMA which was following having to be steadied.

Over the concluding stages VELVET MAMA was momentarily held up for clear running.

ALL WINNERS & BANNER GIRL WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.