QUEENSLAND RACING

STEWARDS REPORT


GOLD COAST TURF CLUB – WEDNESDAY, 21 OCTOBER 2009

WEATHER - FINE TRACK RATING – GOOD 3
RAIL – 7M 1400-1000, 9M 1000-400, 7M 400-WP, 4M WP to 1400M
PENETROMETER READINGS – 3.9
OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – J. Hackett
Stewards – D. Aurisch, S. Fletcher, M. Haigh, T. Quick
Clerk of Scales – S. Kelly
Judge – S McMahon
Veterinarian – M. Lenz
Swab attendants – K. Warwick, J. Clarke
Bookmakers Supervisor/Betting Steward – M. Sweeney
Starter – S Andrews
Stewards Secretary – P. Carey

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORTS:

From GCTC, 3.10.09

Race 3. Jockey C. Small was found guilty of a charge under AR137A(5)(a)(ii) in that he used his whip in excess of the permitted 5 strokes prior to the 100m. C. Small was fined $400.

Race 4. T. Pannell was reprimanded for using his whip on 6 occasions prior to the 100m.


From GCTC, 17.10.09 – Race 8
Jockey D. Griffin, rider of Chubby, was fined $200 for raising his whip above his shoulder on several occasions in the run to the finish.


As A. Spinks was indisposed, riding changes were made as per the stewards summary sheet.

As M. Hellyer was injured, riding changes were made as per the stewards summary sheet.

Race 1: Melbourne Cup Book Now Maiden Plate – 2200M
1st – Saffir Simpson 2nd – Lunar Belle 3rd – My Secret Act 4th – Interest

J. Byrne, rider of MY SECRET ACT, was dislodged from that horse when proceeding to the barriers. J. Byrne was subsequently cleared by paramedics to take his ride.

SEEBOHM (P. Hammersley) jumped in the air and shifted out at the start.

CHOPPARD (J. Taylor) jumped away awkwardly.

Rounding the first turn, SASSAFRAS BOY (G. Colless) shifted out from behind the heels of MY SECRET ACT (J. Byrne).

A. Taylor, rider of ROSY ROAD HOME, pleaded guilty to a charge under AR137A(3) of using her whip excessively on a horse out of contention. A. Taylor was fined $200.

G. Colless, rider of SASSAFRAS BOY, which performed poorly, explained that the gelding settled in a favourable position 4th one off the fence with cover, however after passing the 600m he attempted to improve around the heels of MY SECRET ACT and SASSAFRAS BOY failed to respond to his riding from that point. A post race veterinary examination of SASSAFRAS BOY revealed the gelding to be lame in the off foreleg. Trainer R. Heathcote informed stewards that the horse’s current preparation would be terminated and he was advised that he would be required to provide a veterinary clearance for SASSAFRAS BOY prior to its next race start.


Race 2: Spring Racing Book Now 3yo Fillies Maiden H’cap – 1200m
1st – Spinning Mira 2nd – Rare Subject 3rd – Woongarra 4th - Solysombra

ARC OF LIGHT (G. Colless) and SOLYSOMBRA (J. Byrne) both jumped away awkwardly and made heavy contact at the start.

SPINNING MIRA (B. Stewart) shifted out abruptly after jumping away.

ROMANCE WRITER (J. Taylor) got its head up and was inclined to overrace rounding the first turn.

On straightening, L. Cassidy, rider of PICCALI, was struck in the face by a clod of dirt.

Stewards questioned trainer J. Holcombe and rider S. Holcombe in relation to the disappointing performance of MISS BREANNA, which appeared to perform disappointing. Trainer J. Holcombe reported that the filly had worked well in preparation for today’s race and he was confident of the filly’s chances. Apprentice Holcombe felt that the horse failed to travel well at any stage in the race and was under pressure and beaten prior to straightening and, in his opinion, MISS BREANNA may be looking for future in its race. A post race veterinary examination of MISS BREANNA failed to reveal any abnormalities, and a swab sample was taken. Trainer J. Holcombe was advised to inform stewards of anything that may come to his attention in the days following the race that may have had a bearing on the disappointing run today.

Race 3: Uni Break Out 21 November 3yo C&G Maiden H’cap – 1200m
1st – Bustopher Jones 2nd – Haslington 3rd – Fifteen Carat 4th – Indigo Lad

TASTY TIDBIT (J. Byrne) jumped inwards at the start, making contact with HASLINGTON (L. Rolls), which jumped away awkwardly.

PREFECT OPTION (B. El-Issa) was slow to begin.

INDIGO LAD (L. Casidy) was tightened for room shortly after the start between BUCKET OF CASH (M. Hughes) and HENTIESBAAI (B. Stewart), which shifted out.

Shortly after the start, BUCKET OF CASH (M. Hughes) and INDIGO LAD were tightened for room when racing to the inside of HASLINGTON (L. Rolls). L. Rolls, rider of HASLINGTON, was cautioned and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

GOLDEN CASH attempted to buck and raced ungenerously for some distance after the start. Trainer M. Thexton was advised that GOLDEN CASH would be required to perform satisfactorily in 2 trials prior to its next race start.

M. Hughes, rider of BUCKET OF CASH, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding, in that approaching the 800m he permitted his mount to shift in approaching the 800m, which resulted in GOLDEN CASH having to be checked and resulting in FIFTEEN CARAT (S. Katsidis), which was following, losing valuable ground. M. Hughes was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 7 meetings, to commence at midnight, 21 October and to expire at midnight, 30 October 2009.

TASTY TIDBIT (J. Byrne) overraced approaching and rounding the first turn.

FULL ON BY, which finished some distance from the bulk of the field and appeared to be short in its action, was found to be sore in both forelegs. Trainer R. Balcombe was advised he must provide a veterinary clearance for FULL ON BY prior to its next race start.

Stewards questioned jockey S. Katsidis and trainer H. Wilson in relation to the riding tactics adopted on FIFTEEN CARAT, which settled back in the field today. Mr Wilson stated he had instructed jockey Katsidis to have the horse travelling where it was comfortable and as the horse had overraced at its previous start, he removed the blinkers to have the horse settle in today’s race. S. Katsidis stated that from the wide draw today he allowed the horse to shift across behind runners rather than be caught wide and whilst the horse had travelled well to the first turn, it struck interference approaching the 800m, and this interference caused FIFTEEN CARAT to lose valuable ground at that point of the race. S. Katsidis added that as a result of suffering interference he was then obliged to commence a forward move leaving the 800m and on straightening the horse was travelling well and he elected to move the horse to the outside to gain a clear and uninterrupted run to the finish. When questioned regarding his moving FIFTEEN CARAT to the outside when there appeared to be an opportunity for a run between BUSTOPHER JONES and TASTY TIDBIT near the 300m, S. Katsidis felt that as the horse was travelling well he did not wish to risk the possibility of being held up if runners shifted ground forward of him and felt his best option at that point was to give the horse a clear run to the finish. In summing up S. Katsidis informed the inquiry that FIFTEEN CARAT was a victim of circumstances in that it suffered interference at a vital stage of the race. After taking into account all circumstances, his explanation was accepted.


Race 4: Heels & Holly Maiden H’cap – 1000m
1st – General Purple 2nd – Beautiful Day 3rd – Cape Chivas 4th – Wind Gusts

SHINKO’S REVENGE (C. McIver) missed the start.

EMSIXTEEN (J. Bowditch) was caught wide from its wide barrier and raced wide in the early stages.

EMSIXTEEN (J. Bowditch) had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the straight.

KBARIS (J. Byrne), SEA DREAM TWO (G. Colless) and GO CHLOE (J. Taylor) were caught wide in the early stages and raced wide for the majority of the race.

Race 5: Book Your Christmas Party At The GCTC CG&E Class 3 H’cap - 1400m
1st - General Purple 2nd – Beautiful Day 3rd – Cape Chivas 4th – Wind Gusts

WARBRIK (S. Katsidis) was held up for clear running in the early stages of the straight and was unable to get clear until the 200m.

Passing the 200m, LUCKY SPIN (M. Cahill) was held up on the heels of REASSURING (G. Baker).

BEAUTIFUL DAY (T. Pannell) was disappointed for a run between TYCOON KEN (L. Cheshire) and TURN AND BURN (A. Erhart) on straightening and from that point until near the 100m BEAUTIFUL DAY had difficulty obtaining clear running.

WIND GUSTS (D. Griffin) was inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight, proving difficult to test.

D. Barron, rider of HIKE, was fined $200 under Rule AR 137A(4)(c) for using his whip on that gelding over the final 300m when his mount was out of contention.

P. Hammersley, rider of OUR HAWK, was reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts right out to the finish line.

Race 6: Magic Millions Packages Now Available F&M Class 3 H’cap – 1400m
1st – Simian Express 2nd – Leica A lot 3rd – Shotime 4th – Little Pumpkin

SHOTIME (S. Katsidis) jumped away awkwardly and shifted out, making heavy contact with RIVER PERFUME (S. Drake), resulting in RIVER PERFUME losing ground.

Apprentice J. Letherby, rider of MY WORD, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding, in that near the 850m he permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of SIMIAN EXPRESS (L. Rolls), which resulted in that horse being taken in on to SHOTIME, causing S. Katsidis to have to take hold of SHOTIME at that point. J. Letherby was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 6 meetings, to commence at midnight, 24 October and to expire at midnight, 31 October. In assessing penalty, stewards took into account mitigating circumstances and J. Letherby’s good record.

SHOTIME was held up in the early stages of the straight before obtaining a run to the inside of GRAND LADY (L. Cassidy), which when weakening shifted out.

When questioned regarding the performance of RIVER PERFUME, S. Drake stated that the horse failed to travel in the early stages and only commenced to travel after straightening. She added that, in her opinion, the horse was looking for further in its races.

L. Cassidy was questioned regarding the performance of GRAND LADY. He explained that GRAND LADY did not travel as well as she had done at its most recent starts, and when he applied pressure to GRAND LADY after passing the 600m, the mare did not respond to his riding and did not feel entirely comfortable in her action. A post race veterinary examination of GRAND LADY, which compounded, failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Race 7: Skyline Gold Premium Restaurant Dining Class 5 H’cap – 1800m
1st – Ken And Kim 2nd – Costa Mucho 3rd – Warrior Within 4th – Rockaria

HE’S SOME EAGLE (R. Wiggins) jumped away awkwardly.

TUSCADEMUS (A. Merritt) made the crossing awkwardly near the 1600m awkwardly and hung out on the first turn.

Near the 250m, ROCKARIA (L. Cassidy) attempted to take a run between DERRY CITY (J. Byrne) and HE’S SOME EAGLE (R. Wiggins) where there was insufficient room and had to be eased back behind the heels of HE’S SOME EAGLE (R. Wiggins) in an effort to obtain clear running.

WARRIOR WITHIN (P. Hammersley) was caught 3 wide after the start and was obliged to race 3 wide for the majority of the race.

GAZE ON (M. Hughes) laid out under pressure in the straight.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of JUST A CLASSIC, S. Katsidis stated that the horse did not travel well today and was under pressure from the 500m and he felt that the horse may not have fully recovered since its hard run at Doomben on 3 October 2009. Trainer’s representative Mrs Kalonoski advised that the trainer indicated JUST A CLASSIC may be given a short spell.

G. Colless, rider of COSTA MUCHO was fined $200 under Rule AR137A(5)(i) for using his whip on at least 7 consecutive occasions between the 400m and 100m. G. Colless was also reprimanded for using his whip in excess of 5 occasions prior to the 100m. AR137(5)(ii).

Race 8: GCTC Functions 7 Days A Week Class 4 H’cap – 1300m
1st – Tightrope 2nd – Embank 3rd – Another Speights 4th – Monashee Prince*

HOW BRAVE (B. Pengelly) was slow to begin.

OGLES (J. Byrne) jumped inwards at the start and bumped RADETSKY (L. Rolls).

FIELDING (A. Merritt) was inclined to overrace in the early stages.

On straightening RADESKY (L. Rolls) shifted out to improve and bumped TIGHTROPE (L. Cassidy).

ANOTHER SPEIGHTS (S. Katsidis) was held up for clear running until leaving the 200m.

L. Cassidy, rider of TIGHTROPE, was severely reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in near the 50m, tightening RADETSKY (L. Rolls). ANOTHER SPEIGHTS and OIGLES, which were racing to the inside, bumped as a result of this tightening.

Stewards questioned G. Colless and trainer A. Bailey regarding the disappointing performance of STARSPLASH. G. Colless stated that the horse was under pressure from the 500m and despite working well in preparation for today’s race, the horse was disappointing. Mr Bailey agreed that the performance was disappointing and indicated he would give consideration to reviewing the horse’s current racing program. A post race veterinary examination of STARSPLASH failed to reveal any abnormalities.


STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 7 Glen Colless – jockey – Use whip on 7 occasions prior to 100m – AR137A(5)(a)(ii)

From GCTC, 3.10.09
Race 4. Tod Pannell – jockey – Use whip on 6 occasions prior to 100m – AR137A(5)(a)(ii)


Fines
Race 1. Amy Taylor – Jockey – Use whip on horse out of contention – AR137A(3) - $200
Race 5. Donald Barron – Use whip when out of contention - $200 – AR137A(4)(c)
Race 7. Glen Colless – Jockey – Consecutive stokes prior to 100m – AR137A(5)(a)(i) - $200

From GCTC, 3.10.09
Race 3. Cyril Small – Jockey – Use whip more than 5 strokes prior to 100m – AR137A(5)(a)(ii) - $400


From GCTC, 17.10.09
Daniel Griffin – Jockey – Raise whip above shoulder on several occasions in run to finish – AR137A(4)(b) - $200
Suspensions
Race 3. Michael Hughes – Jockey - C/riding – AR137(a) – 7 mtgs – M/n 21.10.09 to m/n 30.10.09
Race 6. Jason Letherby – A/jockey – C/riding – AR137(a) – 6 mtgs – M/n 24.10.09 to m/n 31.10.09

Absent jockeys
Andrew Spinks – Personal reasons
Michael Hellyer – Injured – Medical required.

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Pre-Race Horses swabbed
Saffir Simpson, Seebohm, Warbrik, Leica Alot, Ken And Kim, Just A Classic

Post- Race Horses swabbed
All winners, Miss Breanna, Starsplash, Haslington, Sassafras Boy

Warnings/bars
Race 1. Sassafras Boy – Lame off fore – Vet. clearance – LR36(b)
Race 3. Golden Cash – 2 Off. Trials – LR36(b)
Full On By – Sore both forelegs – Vet. clearance – LR36(b)

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1. Choppard – J. Taylor
Sasso – E. Kehoe
Race 4. Shinko’s Revenge – C. McIvor
Race 7. Gaze On – M. Hughes
Race 8. Monashee Prince – A. Pattillo