0IPSWICH TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT WED.24.12.03

STEWARDS PANEL: Mr C. Clifford (Chairman), Mr A. Reardon, Mr G. Ireland, Mr G. Hargraves.

WEATHER - OVERCAST TRACK - GOOD RAIL - 8M. ALL TRACK

GENERAL: Trainer J. Wilcock pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 178, in that he had in his race day bag a syringe containing an electrolyte paste. Mr Wilcock was fined the sum of $100. In assessing penalty, stewards took into account Mr Wilcock's unblemished record.

RACE 1: SEASONS GREETINGS H'CAP

JAHCINE was slow to begin.

CROWN WARRIOR, which was slow to begin, had to be eased off the heels of CAPTAIN PICARD shortly after when that gelding shifted out.

At the entrance to the straight, CROWN WARRIOR had to be steadied off the heels of PRINCESS REALE, which shifted out.


RACE 2: SANTA CLAUS H'CAP - 1200M.

MAGGIE O'MINE fell 50 metres after the winning post, dislodging M. Crawford. WELCOME NEDIYM was unable to avoid the fallen horse and blundered. M. Crawford was transported to hospital by ambulance and will be interviewed at a time and date to be fixed. Trainer A. Cowell was advised that he must produce to the stewards the results of a scoping and ECG on the filly, and that MAGGIE O'MINE must pass a series of barrier trials prior to its next race start..

TIS HOPEFUL jumped away awkwardly and made contact with the side petition and became unbalanced.

SIERRA SAL also jumped awkwardly.

OBVIOUSLY NORTH was slow to begin.

Approaching the 800m., MAGGIE O'MINE shifted in, making contact with SHARP CHARIOT, which in turn made contact with the rail, shifted out, taking MAGGIE O'MINE out on to OBVIOUSLY NORTH. A short distance later, SIERRA SAL had to be steadied off the heels of MAGGIE O'MINE.

Nearing the 400m., THAMAKAN had to be checked off the tiring MAGGIE O'MINE, which resulted in THAMAKAN shifting in and tightening SIERRA SAL on to SHARP CHARIOT, resulting in SIERRA SAL having to be checked.

Approaching the home turn, SIERRA SAL, when improving to the inside of the tiring MAGGIE O'MINE, made contact with SHARP CHARIOT.

THAMAKAN shifted out to improve approaching the 300m. and made contact with WELCOME NEDIYM.

A charge of careless riding has been issued against A. Best, rider of LOS ALTOS, in that over the concluding stages he failed to make sufficient effort to keep his mount in a straight course, which resulted in TIS HOPEFUL having to be checked and make contact with the running rail. The inquiry has been adjourned to Friday, 26 December at Eagle Farm to allow his master, Mr B. Guy, to be present.


RACE 3: REDBANK PLAINS CRICKET WICKET SOILS H'CAP - 1100M.

Apprentice T. Willan was replaced on NORTHICK by apprentice A. Best when he was unable to claim his full allowance. T. Willan was reprimanded in relation to this matter.

NOTHIN LEICA DREAM was slow to jump and lost considerable ground.

MINDINI and EAGLE ISLE made contact at the start.

Nearing the home turn, EAGLE ISLE shifted out from behind the tiring ZEMPHETH, taking NORTHICK out on to LOCH LASS, which had to be steadied and shift out, forcing SHE'S VICTORIOUS wider on the track. R. Pittman, rider of EAGLE ISLE, was reprimanded and reminded of his obligations when shifting ground.

Approaching the home turn, MINDINI was held up for clear running behind the tiring ZEMPHETH.

SHE'S VICTORIOUS was obliged to race wide for the majority of the event.

RACE 4: STEPHEN BOOTHBY H'CAP - 1100M.

ROSE BONBON and NEGATE were slow to begin.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of THY KINGDOM COME, Z. Purton stated that he was instructed to ride the horse in a handy position, and between the 900m. and 700m., the horse raced in restricted room to the inside of GOLD BOLERO, where, in his opinion, THY KINGDOM COME was never comfortable. Z. Purton further added that THY KINGDOM COME had a tendency to hang in when placed under pressure in the straight. A veterinary examination of THY KINGDOM COME failed to reveal any abnormality. Z. Purton's comments were noted

K. Pope, rider of the ROSE BONBON, was reprimanded for failing to weigh in 5th on that mare.


RACE 5: DARRYL DAVIS H'CAP - 1350M.

S. Apthorpe replaced the indisposed D. Lockwood on LUSKIN WARRIOR.

UNDARA and EXTRA LOOSE were slow to begin.

EXTRA LOOSE, which finished a distant last, was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon, who reported that the gelding had suffered a laceration to the near fore leg.




RACE 6: STEVEN HAMPSON - H'CAP - 1700M.

UNATTAINABLE was slow to begin.

J. McKinnon, rider of PALACE JEST, reported that his saddle shifted forward after passing the 1400m.,which placed him at a disadvantage until approaching the home turn, when he believed his saddle shifted back into position.

Approaching the first turn, PALACE JEST commenced to race ungenerously and had to be steadied off the heels of HIGH POWER.

Near the 900m., PALACE JEST shifted in of its own accord and made contact with the running rail on a number of occasions.

TEGEA was obliged to race wide from approaching the 600m. to the home turn.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of AXLETREE, M. Rodd stated that the gelding travelled well to the 600m., however from that point was reluctant to improve until straightening, and, in his opinion, only ran on fairly. M. Rodd's comments were noted. A veterinary examination of AXLETREE failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Apprentice M. Spriggs, rider of PRINCE LONSDALE, was charged under Rule 135(b)(c), in that he failed to improve his position from the 600m. until approaching the home turn when he had clear opportunity to do so to ensure his horse was given full opportunity to win or to obtain the best possible place in the field. M. Spriggs reserved his plea, and stewards acceded to a request from trainer L. Bryant, who represented M. Spriggs at the inquiry, for the matter to be adjourned in order that apprentice Spriggs' master could be present.

A veterinary examination PRINCE LONSDALE following the event failed to reveal any abnormalities.


RACE 7: REDBANK PLAINS RAIDERS CRICKET CLUB H'CAP - 2150M.

PARDON SIR jumped away awkwardly and made heavy contact with the partition.

JANEY JEAN was slow to begin.

RACE 8: MERRY CHRISTMAS H'CAP - 1100M.

M. Rodd reported that he was unable to ride PARDON SIR out in the straight as a result of an injury he received to his left knee when the gelding jumped away awkwardly and made heavy contact with the partition. M. Rodd stated that he was in extreme discomfort throughout the race.



ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.