STEWARDS REPORT - GOLD COAST TURF CLUB - 6/12/2003

STEWARDS PANEL: MR J HACKETT (Chairman), MR J GRAHAM,
MR J HAIGH, MR C WALLER and MR S HURFORD (Cadet)

Weather: Showery Track: Dead
(Downgraded to "slow" at 10.50 am)
(Downgraded to "heavy" after Race 2)

Rail: Out 3m 1000m to Winning Post, Remainder Normal

GENERAL:

As J Galea was indisposed, stewards permitted the following riding replacements:

Race 2 SUGAR ANGEL M Bennett
Race 5 RECHARIA'S GIRL M Bennett

RACE 1: TAYLEX QUEENSLAND PTY LTD H'CAP (THREE-YEARS-OLD MAIDEN) - 1800M

TIVOLI THEATRE jumped away awkwardly.

AVIEMORE and LA QUALITY came together at the start.

Shortly after jumping TRILLIONS was unbalanced.

RACE 2: COASTLINE WALLS & CEILINGS H'CAP (FILLIES AND MARES MAIDEN) - 1300M

CHERRY LODGE jumped in at the start and made contact with ANNIE THE BRAVE.

Near the 600m GOOD LUCK MARY had to be checked when racing between SUGAR ANGEL and ANNIE THE BRAVE which shifted out slightly. A Erhart the rider of ANNIE THE BRAVE was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

M Traecey (BELLE OF MONACO) reported that his saddle shifted during the race.

The club's veterinary surgeon reported that BALLYHAZE sustained a laceration to the off hind fetlock in running.

RACE 3: LEDA DEVELOPMENTS PTY LTD H'CAP (COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES MAIDEN) - 1300M

Trainer B Bowditch was fined $50 for failing to notify D Tanti as the rider of MR VALDARNO by the prescribed time.

LANTIEF was a late scratching at 10.50 am on veterinary advice.

App. L Fitzsimmons was permitted to ride STORM GUARD 1/2 kg over his allotted weight as there was no other apprentice available to ride the horse. L Fitzsimmons was fined the sum of $50.

MCGIRK was slowly away.

Approaching the first turn TURBO DRIVE had to be eased to avoid the heels of STORM GUARD which crossed to the rails. EBO which was trailing was also inconvenienced in this incident. L Fitzsimmons the rider of STORM GUARD was subsequently reprimanded for failing to allow sufficient clearance when crossing and was advised of the requirements to be two lengths clear when crossing.

After being checked off the heels of STORM GUARD, TURBO DRIVE then shifted out crowding MCGIRK and MR VALDARNO. MR VALDARNO hung out after rounding the first turn and continued to hang out and was eased out of the race in the straight. A veterinary examination of MR VALDARNO revealed that the horse had sustained lacerations to its mouth. The connections were advised that MR VALDARNO will be required to barrier trial to the stewards' satisfaction prior to its next race start.

RACE 4: GOLD COAST UNIQUE HOMES H'CAP (CLASS 4) - 1700M

No report.

RACE 5: RITZ CARE CENTRE & SANCTUARY MANORS H'CAP (FILLIES & MARES CLASS 1) - 1400M

PARIS TYCOON blundered on jumping away.

Near the 600m GYPSY MINX had to be eased away from the heels of DREAM TRAP.

When questioned in relation to the poor performance of SHE'S VIVACIOUS, C Whiteley indicated that the horse travelled satisfactorily until the 800m, however, after being placed under pressure the horse failed to respond to his riding and in his opinion did not handle the heavy track. Trainer A Bailey's Stable foreperson, Ms S Thompson, confirmed that on a previous occasion, whilst being placed, SHE'S VIVACIOUS had not been comfortable in the wet conditions. A veterinary examination of SHE'S VIVACIOUS revealed no abnormalities and swab sample was taken.

App. L Fitzsimmons rider of MAHOGANY DANCER was questioned in relation to his riding tactics, particularly approaching the 600m when he elected to take a tight run to the inside of VITESSE DE POINTE. Trainer J Wallace advised stewards that he had instructed L Fitzsimmons to ride the horse quietly in the early and m iddle stages and with the track being rain affected to bring the horse to the outside. L Fitzsimmons agreed that he had not complied with the instructions however, near the 600m he felt the horse was travelling well and elected to take a run and improve inside VITESSE DE POINTE. L Fitzsimmons also stated that he felt at the time he may not have the opportunity to get to the outside. Whilst the stewards noted App. Fitzsimmons' explanation, he was nonetheless cautioned and instructed to make a greater effort to adhere to the connections instructions. App. Fitzsimmons was also reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts out to the finishing line.

RACE 6: KEN IRVINE MEMORIAL CLASSIC H'CAP (CLASS 3) - 1300M

BARA'S THUNDER which compounded was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon who reported that the horse had bled from both nostrils. As it was the first occasion, the mare will incur a mandatory three month ban from racing. A swab sample was taken from BARA'S THUNDER.

RACE 7: LEUKAEMIA FOUNDATION GOLD COAST BRANCH H'CAP (COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES CLASS 1) - 1400M

App. D Gay was fined $100 for failing to claim his full allowance on TOPLAYER.

The start was delayed whilst TOPLAYER received attention from the farrier.

TOPLAYER blundered badly on jumping away and lost considerable ground at the start. App. D Gay stated that when the horse almost fell he lost the use of his off side iron which resulted in his losing ground in the early stages while attempting to gain the use of the iron.

SILVERZAM jumped away awkwardly.

Stewards opened an inquiry into Jockey A Pattillo's handling of SOVEREIGH SPUR in the early and middle stages. He stated that connections had instructed him to ride the horse quietly in the early stages and from the outside barrier he restrained the horse to take a trail at the rear of the field. When questioned in relation to SOVEREIGN SPUR losing ground between the 600m and 400m, A Pattillo stated that leaving the 800m the horse slipped in the heavy going and was not comfortable when placed under pressure as it seemed to resent mud being thrown back. A Pattillo added that on straightening he moved the horse to the inside and it made good ground in the run to the finish when placed under pressure. Evidence was taken from Trainer Ms G Heinrich who confirmed the instrutions and also indicated that the horse had been supported by the stable. After viewing the film and taking note of SOVEREIGN SPUR's reluctance to travel in the heavy going between the 600m and 400m, A Pattillo's explanation was accepted.

RACE 8: TERRY PAGE RACING H'CAP (CLASS 2) - 1700M

OBI WAN was inclined to race fiercely in the early and middle stages.

Shortly after entering the straight PHILLY JOE JOE was cramped when attempting a run between RATIO and DIHADDAPAN which shifted out.

Leaving the 200m PHILLY JOE JOE again was disappointed for a run between DIHADDAPAN and RATIO which shifted in slightly. Shortly after this incident PHILLY JOE JOE baulked at RATIO's whip.


EIGHT WINNERS ALONG WITH SHE'S VIVACIOUS AND BARA'S THUNDER WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.