MAREEBA TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT MONDAY 10/06/02

STEWARDS PANEL: D. GRIFFITHS (CHAIRMAN), S. ABELL, and A. GREEN (CADET)

WEATHER - FINE TRACK - GOOD RAIL - IN TRUE POSITION

RACE 1: SUPER QRIS TWO-YEAR-OLD CLASS 2 HANDICAP - 1010 METRES

Stewards considered an objection lodged by J. Stopps, the rider of HANNAH'S GOLD, which finished third, against RAW KING (S. Morris) being declared second, alleging interference rounding the home turn. After taking evidence from the parties involved it was established that making the home turn SIT HERE DEAR had to be checked and lost ground when tightened for room by RAW KING, which shifted in, and that HANNAH'S GOLD, which was following had to shift marginally wider on the track. However, having regard to the margin between the two horses at the finish, stewards dismissed the protest and ordered that the placings stand. Subsequently S. Morris was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under AR. 137(a), in that he allowed RAW KING to shift in at the 300 metres when not clear of SIT HERE DEAR. S. Morris was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on 15th June 2002 up to and including 22nd June 2002 (3 meetings).

RACE 2: MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1123 METRES

TIN MAG began awkwardly, resulting in CAPELYN being checked and taken out onto EDGE OF VICTORY.

Making the home turn BUTTERS, which had raced wide, ran wider on the track.

Rounding the home turn TIN MAG hung out, obliging GODSEND GOLD to race wider.

RACE 3: CLASS 2 HANDICAP - 1210 METRES

After being placed in the barriers OL' WINEMAKER reared, dislodging its rider, L. Nelson. OL' WINEMAKER was examined by the veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start. Trainer Mr T. Smith was advised that a warning was issued concerning the barrier manners of OL' WINEMAKER.

At the 700 metres VARMINT hung in and thereafter raced greenly.

On straightening WARRIOR ROSE became unbalanced, shifted in momentarily and hampered OHKAY.

At the 200 metres SEA LEGEND was disappointed for a run between TANTALISED and LEAVITA, which shifted in marginally.

At an inquiry into the reason for WARRIOR ROSE and OL' WINEMAKER being checked at the 150 metres evidence was taken from Apprentice D. Crossland (WARRIOR ROSE), L. Nelson (OL' WINEMAKER), R. Ryan (LEAVITA), R. Hall (BARON LAD) and K. Brady (OHKAY). It was established that near the 150 metres WARRIOR ROSE was checked when OHKAY shifted out to improve around the heels of the tiring LEAVITA. Simultaneously, BARON LAD shifted in and tightened OL' WINEMAKER in onto WARRIOR ROSE. After considering all the evidence stewards severely reprimanded R. Hall (BARON LAD) and K. Brady (OHKAY) for allowing their mounts to shift ground when not sufficiently clear. They were advised that whilst the incident had resulted from a combination of both riders permitting their mounts to shift in, serious consideration had been given to charging both riders with careless riding.

RACE 4: WEIGHT-FOR-AGE - 1210 METRES

As T. Ball was indisposed, S. Ball was substituted as the rider of SEARCHLIGHT. Jockey T. Ball will be required to furnish a medical clearance before he will be permitted to ride again.

As Apprentice C. Lee was to be overweight, Apprentice K. Penrose was substituted as the rider of AUSSIE PROSPECTOR. In the special circumstances outlined by Apprentice Lee, stewards did not impose a penalty, however he was given a clear direction that he must not accept rides unless he was confident that he could make the allotted weight.

On jumping SEARCHLIGHT shifted out and bumped SAINTLY SPY.

At the 1100 metres BENTLEY BAY, which was pulling hard, shifted out and brushed SAINTLY SPY, which returned to scale with a laceration to the nearside coronet band.

RACE 5: MAREEBA CUP OPEN HANDICAP - 1800 METRES

As S. Morris, the declared rider for BUNBURRA BOBBY, was to be overweight, J. Lewis was substituted. S. Morris was fined $50 for being overweight (AR. 120(b)).

Prior to the event trainer Mr G. Doolan advised stewards that BUNDALEER had been cast in its box during the previous night and had sustained superficial lacerations to both hind legs. The gelding was examined by the Club veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start.

Shortly after the start PRETTY FOX (R. Ryan) shifted in, taking NADIR SHAH in onto BUNDALEER, which had to be steadied. Jockey R. Ryan was reprimanded for dictating the line of NADIR SHAH.

At the winning post the first time PRETTY FOX (R. Ryan) shifted in and crowded KENFLOW. A short distance later PRETTY FOX had to be steadied away from the heels of KOSICE (T. Kowald), which shifted in. R. Ryan and T. Kowald were cautioned and advised that they must allow sufficient clearance when crossing. Shortly after this incident PRETTY FOX got its head up and overraced.

RACE 6: THREE-YEAR-OLD CLASS 6 PLATE - 1210 METRES

No racing incidents.

ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.