RACING QUEENSLAND

STEWARDS REPORT


SUNSHINE COAST TURF CLUB – SUNDAY, 10 APRIL 2011

WEATHER – FINE TRACK RATING – CUSHION

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – J. Dart
Stewards – J. Williamson, K. Daly, R. Lawson
Clerk of Scales – C. Albrecht
Judge – P. Chilton
Veterinarian – C. Johnson
Swab attendants – A. Challen, B. Andrews
Bookmakers Supervisor – W. Flynn
Starter – M. Henderson, P. Briton
Stewards Secretary – W. Ostrofski

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT

From Doomben 9.4.11 – Race 8: Stewards questioned K. Wood, the trainer of SEEK AND FIND, regarding the seemingly improved performance of that gelding. Mr Wood stated that at its most recent start SEEK AND FIND had overraced and in his opinion this had resulted in the horse’s poor performance. He added that he had elected to remove the blinkers and lugging bit from the gelding’s gear and placed a ring bit on for this start and was of the opinion that this resulted in the horse being more tractable and settling better during the event. He further added that it had not been the stable’s intention to lead.

Race 1: GILLY UP MAIDEN PLATE - 1400m
1st – She’s Candy 2nd – Northern Traveller 3rd – Silver Trump 4th – Silvan Prince

Due to a misunderstanding with riding engagements, stewards permitted apprentice P. Schmidt to replace K. Wharton as the rider of SHE’S CANDY and K. Wharton to replace P. Schmidt as the rider of NUGGETS NOT ROCKS in Race 4.

SPANISH FIESTA (W. D'Avila) began awkwardly.

Apprentice C. Priest, the rider of NORTHERN TRAVELLER, which shifted out under pressure approaching the 100m, accidentally dropped her whip at that point.

Stewards questioned apprentice C. Priest, the rider of NORTHERN TRAVELLER, in relation to her tactics between the 600m and the 300m where it appeared there was an opportunity to improve her position. Ms Priest stated that her riding instructions were that the horse had only a short sprint and therefore she was not to pressure the horse into the race too early. Stewards noted her comments, however were of the view that she had erred in that when opportunity was afforded to her leaving the 600m to improve into the race, she should have allowed her mount to improve to a position closer to the lead to ensure she was able to take the run which was afforded to her between the leaders during the early stages of the straight. When considering this matter, stewards were mindful of the instructions issued and Ms Priest’s relative inexperience and therefore took no further action.

Race 2: PAT DUFF RACING STABLE CLASS 1 H’CAP - 1600m
1st – Lughaat 2nd – Grand Homme 3rd – Iron Red 4th – Fiery Cinder

FIERY CINDER (J. Holder) underwent a pre-race veterinary examination behind the barriers and was cleared to start.

At the start BUCKS POINT (W. D'Avila) was tightened and lost ground between GRANDE HOMME (P. Hammersley) and DEFY ALL ODDS (M. Speers).

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of DEFY ALL ODDS, apprentice M. Speers stated that the horse travelled well throughout in the lead, however when placed under pressure from the 500m the gelding failed to respond to his urgings and in his opinion was disappointing in finishing off the race. He further stated that in his opinion the horse did not run out a strong 1600m. Trainer B. Herne agreed with apprentice Speers’ assessment and indicated he would now drop the horse back in distance to 1400m and gave an undertaking to report anything that may come to light in subsequent days which may have affected the performance. A post-race veterinary examination of DEFY ALL ODDS revealed no abnormalities.

Stewards questioned jockey W. D’Avila in regard to the tactics adopted on BUCKS POINT, in particular during the early stages where he failed to secure a position behind the leaders, where it appeared an opportunity existed to do so, but instead elected to go forward to a position outside the lead. Furthermore, stewards questioned his reasons for remaining in a loose two-wide position which ultimately afforded LUGHAAT (D. Browne) an opportunity to improve around the leader DEFY ALL ODDS at a point near the 500m. Jockey D’Avila stated that his riding instructions were to lead, but after receiving some tightening at the start he considered positioning his mount behind the lead, however was mindful of his instructions and therefore elected to ride forward to the position outside the lead. Jockey D’Avila added that his reasons for staying in a loose position were that his mount was inclined to hang in and he was mindful to leave room for the leader in case his horse shifted in further. He further stated that at a point near the 500m LUGHAAT had established a run to his inside and he was, in his opinion, obliged to allow that runner sufficient racing room. Evidence was also taken from Trainer M. Mair who confirmed the instructions and added that he was not disappointed in the ride. Stewards accepted jockey D’Avila’s explanation for failing to position his horse behind the lead during the early stages, however were of the opinion that at a point leaving the 1000m he had erred in failing to secure a position one off the fence which would have resulted in his mount covering less ground and also LUGHAAT being unable to secure a run to his inside at a crucial stage of the event. Stewards reserved their right to revisit the matter should further evidence come to light.

Race 3: SACRED HEART SCHOOL SANDGATE OPEN H’CAP - 1100m
1st – Rovert 2nd – Ima Joker 3rd – Belletrist 4th – Lots Of Success

ROVERT (D. Browne) was slow to begin.

IMA JOKER (B. Richardson) raced wide throughout.

Race 4: BURGESS AUTO REPAIR MAIDEN H’CAP - 1000m
1st – Timeticker 2nd – Lady Gower 3rd – Nuggets Not Rocks 4th – Ceratodus

CERATODUS (J. Wood) was tightened on jumping away between LADY GOWER (C. Kearney) and NUGGETS NOT ROCKS (K. Wharton), both of which shifted ground.

LADY GOWER was inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight.

Race 5: HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAIME RYAN CLASS 1 H’CAP - 1100m
1st – Mossetarsi 2nd – Renezma 3rd – Path To Freedom 4th – Finagle

Connections advised that PATH TO FREEDOM (C. Munce) would be ridden in a handy position today if circumstances permit. The horse was ridden accordingly.

RENEZMA (D. Missen), which was a little slow to begin, shifted in making contact with CONYUEN (J. Taylor), which in turn shifted in making contact with PATH TO FREEDOM.

IN HIS IMAGE (S. Kennedy) was slow to begin.

CONNEMARA LAD (M. Heagney) blundered on jumping away.

CONNEMARA LAD and SIR EMLAND (B. Looker) raced wide throughout.

Leaving the 800m CARMENATOR (J. Wood) improved up on to the heels of MOSSETARSI (K. Wharton) and was steadied.

CARMENATOR was momentarily held up for clear running on entering the straight.

Stewards questioned S Kennedy the rider of IN HIS IMAGE regarding the performance of that gelding. Miss Kennedy stated that after being slow to begin the gelding raced ungenerously and appeared to resent the kick back from the other runners. Trainer Mr Alan Jones was of the view that the horse is more suited to races over longer distances and todays' distance was not suitable in that the race was shortened from 1200m and was of the view that had the race been originally 1100m he would not have nominated.

Stewards questioned apprentice J. Wood, the rider of CARMENATOR, regarding the reason why he elected to direct his mount out across the heels of FINAGLE (E. Wilkinson) to a position outside that horse approaching the 100m when there was a run forward of him and to the inside of that runner at that point. J. Wood stated that he was of the opinion that the better going was three or four horses off the fence and for that reason he elected to shift wider and persevere with a run at that point of the race. In considering this matter, stewards were of the view that apprentice Wood’s action did not affect the finishing position of CARMENATOR and therefore took no further action other than to advise him that he should ride in a manner that does not leave himself open to query.

D. Missen, the rider of RENEZMA, was reprimanded under AR. 137A for raising his whip hand above shoulder height.

Race 6: WATTO’S QTIS 3YO H’CAP - 1000m
1st – Eureka Dubai 2nd – Plazsni 3rd – Our Tom Cat 4th – Kialla

SOPHIES SISTER (M. Radecker) began awkwardly and shifted in making contact with KIALLA (D. Griffin).

PLAZSNI (E. Wilkinson) hung out rounding the 800m turn.

SOPHIES SISTER, which hung out rounding the home turn, raced greenly in the home straight, resulting in its rider being unable to fully test her mount.

Race 7: JIM MCKEERING REAL ESTATE CLASS 3 H’CAP - 1400m
1st – Star Of Ombra 2nd – Melanotis 3rd – Pride Of Poland 4th – Top Messiah

Near the 1200m RED ROCKER (N. Thomas) shifted out and in doing so forced PRINCEOFTHEPLAZA (B. Looker) wider on the track. A short distance later PRINCEOFTHEPLAZA commenced to overrace.

Rounding the home turn MELANOTIS (D. Missen) shifted out around the heels of PRINCEOFTHEPLAZA in order to improve and in doing so forced PRIDE OF POLAND (S. Arnold) wider on the track.

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 5. D. Missen – raise whip hand above shoulder height – AR. 137A

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, Northern Traveller, Grand Homme, Ima Joker, Renezma, Plazsni

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1. JAZU – R. Wiggins, SHE’S CANDY – P. Schmidt
Race 4. NUGGETS NOT ROCKS – K. Wharton
Race 5. SIR EMLAND – B. Looker
Race 7. PRINCEOFTHEPLAZA – B. Looker, RED ROCKER – N. Thomas



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