QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
 
MONTO RACE CLUB INC
 
23 MARCH 2024
 
WEATHER – Fine            TRACK RATING – Good 4                    RAIL – True
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – H. Gillett
Stewards – S. Larkins
 
GENERAL
 
Prior to the running of race 1 stewards upgraded the track to a good 3 at 11:05am.
 
Overweights permitted as per the race day summary.
 
As Jockey A. Spinks was unable to ride after a fall at Townsville on 22/03/2023 replacement rider as per the race day summary.
 
As apprentice Tamara Noble was unable to attend due illness the replacements as per the race day summary. Ms Noble was advised she is required to provide a medical certificate prior riding again.
 
Trainer B. Gorman advised stewards that he had some transport difficulties and would not arrive on course by the prescribed time for BIZZ CLASS. Stewards accepted the reasoning and permitted BIZZ CLASS to take its place in the field. Subsequently Mr. Gorman was ordered to present BIZZ CLASS for a pre-race sample.
 
Due to a power source issue for the photo finish equipment the system was unable to be utilised for today’s meeting. Stewards, in conjunction with the appointed judges were able to utilise alternative cameras to assist with the manual judging of the races. Correct weight for each race was not declared until stewards and judges were satisfied with the finishing positions of all runners.
 
Race1: ALBERT HOTEL MONTO BENCHMARK 50 Handicap 1400m
 
WHAKAMIHARO – Slow to begin. Raced wide in the early stages.
 
DOUBLE BARRELL – Trailed the field by some distance in the early and middle stages. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
DIVINE HUNTER – Raced wide in the early stages.
 
LANOVA – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after trainer D. Rideout reported to stewards that the mare had been fractious when being transported to the course, was subsequently cleared to start. Slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination found the mare to be sore around on the near side hip area and was treated appropriately. Trainer D. Rideout was advised that LANOVA would require a veterinary certificate prior to racing again. Stewards spoke to Jockey M. Butler in relation to the vigour shown over the concluding stages, Mr. Butler was reminded of his obligation to ride his mount out for the entirety of the home straight after reducing his vigour for a few strides leaving the 100m.
 
LONERGY – Jockey A. Sewell was approved as the replacement rider for apprentice T. Noble as there were no other suitably experienced apprentices available.
 
MEDIA HYPE – Began awkwardly.
 
THE BRUMBY – Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
MUSSEL LINES – Jumped inwards at the start. Over raced in the early and middle stages and had to be momentarily restrained from the heels of other runners on numerous occasions. Jockey K. Gates was reprimanded under AR132(6)(c) for her use of the whip on numerous occasions when clearly out of contention.
 
 
Race 2: PATRONS QTIS Maiden Plate 1000m
 
FLAWLESS AMBITION – Over raced in the middle stages. Raced wide throughout.
 
LORD VADER – Bumped with ACTIVATED upon jumping.
 
JERIDAH – Raced wide throughout. Laid inwards under pressure in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
TIME TO TURN – Given the lateness of being engaged for the ride stewards permitted apprentice M. Goring to ride TIME TO TURN 0.5kg over his minimum riding weight which resulted in him only claiming 1kg of his allowance. Carried wider entering the home straight when CRAIGLEA MERIDA shifted out around the bend.  Apprentice M. Goring reported that his saddle slipped during the middle stages and placed him at some disadvantage over the concluding stages.
 
LITTLE MISS BELLE – Fractious prior to the start.
 
RUBY LAGO – Laid out around the home turn.
 
SPRESSI – Jockey M. Butler was approved as the replacement rider for T. Noble as there were no other apprentice available. Raced wide in the early stages. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
ACTIVATED – Began awkwardly bumping LORD VADER and subsequently slow to begin.
 
CRAIGLEA MERIDA – Shifted wider entering the home straight carrying TIME TO TURN wider on the track.
 
PERFECT OAK – Began awkwardly.
 
 
Race 3: HUTTON / RIDEOUT MEMORIAL Class B Handicap 1000m
 
BIZ CLASS – Shifted out when the gelding improved onto the heels of SEQUACIOUS.
 
WHEREDACRAWDADSING – Raced wide from the 800m. leaving the 200m switched to the inside to maintain clear running when BIZ CLASS shifted out off the heels of SEQUACIOUS. When questioned into the performance of the gelding jockey A. Butler stated that initially his mount did not travel on the bit so he took some restraint to allow the gelding to travel more comfortably, he went on to add that during the middle stages his mount travelled well but when asked for a response it failed to run on. Jockey Butler also stated that in his opinion the gelding would benefit from a step up in distance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
BET LUCY – Raced wide in the early stages. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
BALEXIA – Began awkwardly.
 
SEQUACIOUS – Apprentice B. Moffatt replaced Apprentice T. Noble. Had to be momentarily restrained when racing in restricted room near the 800m.
 
 
Race 4: KEN & GORDON RUSSELL MEMORIAL OPEN Handicap 1200m
 
FRESH PRINCE – Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight. When questioned in relation to the performance of the gelding jockey A. Sewell reported that after being asked of an effort near the 800m FRESH PRINCE failed to respond, he also stated that the drop back in distance may not have suited the gelding today. Trainer J. Wehlow reported that he was disappointed in today’s performance and could offer no explanation other than the drop back in distance.
 
BUNDYANDCOKE – Raced wide in the early and middle stages.
 
GRAND DE LAGO – Slow to begin. Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
HOLIDAY DREAMS – Jockey D. Boutet replaced apprentice T. Noble as he was the only rider who was able to ride the gelding closest to the handicapped weight due to the lateness of the change. Jockey D. Boutet was also permitted to ride HOLIDAY DREAMS half a kilogram overweight.
 
MAGIC ON ICE – Began awkwardly and slow to begin as a result. Raced wide in the middle stages when attempting to improve.
 
APPLECROSS – Jockey M. Butler was reprimanded under AR190(3) for accepting a ride for which he was overweight. Stewards subsequently permitted jockey M. Butler to ride 0.5kg overweight as there no other riders available at the weight.
 
Race 5: REDLINE BRANGUS/BURNETT TO THE BEACH SERIES - HEAT - RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 Handicap 1200m
 
Correct weight was delayed to allow stewards to view the available footage and ascertain the correct placings for fourth and fifth. After doing so stewards and the judging staff were unanimous that they could not determine an appropriate identifiable margin between SETHLANS and CHILLI PALMER therefore declared a dead heat for fourth place.
 
SETHLANS – Jockey A. Sewell was approved as the replacement rider for apprentice T. Noble as there were no other suitably experienced apprentices available. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
DANTE ALIGHIERI – Raced wide in the early stages. Apprentice M. Goring reported that the gelding had travelled well until the 500m when DANTE ALIGHIERI put in an awkward stride and failed to run on from that point. A subsequent post-race failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
NINE CIGARS – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Jockey M. Butler reported that his saddle slipped shortly after the start and his mount proved difficult to ride throughout.
 
BLACK COUNTRY – Jockey K. Gates was questioned in relation to the tactics adopted in today’s event, she stated that her instructions were to find a forward position and that in recent starts had failed to lead. She also stated that it is always the intention to lead on the rig and performs best when able to find a forward position. Jockey K. Gates was reprimanded under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for her use of the whip 6 times prior to the 100m, 1 more than permitted.
 
KIRELLA SHORES – Blundered severely shortly after the start and lost ground. Jockey D. Boutet reported that he had lost his footing in his right iron after blundering for some distance after.
 
CANTOR – Slow into stride.
 
 
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
R1 – Kelly Gates – AR132(6)(c) – use of the whip when out of contention
R4 – Morgan Butler – AR190(3) – accepting ride when overweight
R5 – Kelly Gates – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Use of the whip 6 times prior to the 100m
 
Overweights
R4 – Tasha Chambers +0.5kg
R4 – Damien Boutet + 0.5kg
R4 – Morgan Butler +0.5kg
R5 – Tasha Chambers +0.5kg
 
Absent jockeys
 
Tamara Noble – Illness – Medical certificate required
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
R3 - BIZ CLASS
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
R1 – LENOVA – Veterinary certificate required
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
R1 – LONERGY – Adam Sewell
R2 – TIME TO TURN – App Mitch Goring
R2 – SPRESSI – Morgan Butler
R3 – SEQUACIOUS – App Brodie Moffatt
R4 – HOLIDAY DREAMS – Damien Boutet
R5 – SETHLANS – Adam Sewell
 
 
The matters contained within this Stewards report may be subject to external review. The Racing Appeals Panel manages external reviews and the Racing Appeals Panel publishes its decisions on its website.
 
This report and the Stewards Comments for this meeting may be amended at any time, at the sole discretion of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Stewards as races are reviewed.