RACING QUEENSLAND

STEWARDS REPORT


SUNSHINE COAST TURF CLUB – SUNDAY, 17 APRIL 2011

WEATHER – SHOWERY TRACK RATING – CUSHION

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – J. Williamson
Stewards – T. Quick, G. Palmer, R. Lawson
Clerk of Scales – C. Albrecht
Judge – P. Chilton
Veterinarian – C. Johnson
Swab attendants – K. Warwick, R. Ellsworthy
Bookmakers Supervisor – W. Flynn
Starter – J. Holcombe, R. Huxham
Stewards Secretary – W. Ostrofski

Race 1: THE BAYLISS FAMILY CLASS 3 PLATE - 2150m
1st – Cross Town Traffic 2nd – Toy Ruler 3rd – Kenny’s Magic 4th – Island Tycoon

CROSS TOWN TRAFFIC (D. Browne) jumped in the air as the start was effected.

Shortly after the start UNIVERSAL SEVENS (M. Gray) was tightened for room on the fence to the inside of NO SHACKLES (G. Geran), which shifted in.

Near the 1300m CROSS TOWN TRAFFIC shifted out to avoid the heels of KENNY’S MAGIC (K. Gates) and in doing so forced both TOY RULER (A. Spinks) and BACK TO ABILENE (T. Huxham), which was improving to the outside of TOY RULER, wider on the track. BACK TO ABILENE continued to race wide until obtaining a position outside the lead near the 800m.

NO SHACKLES raced wide from the 800m.

Stewards questioned apprentice K. Gates, the rider of KENNY’S MAGIC, regarding the tactics adopted between the 1600m and the 1200m, in particular the speed she set when leading which resulted in her slowing the tempo of the race to the extent that CROSS TOWN TRAFFIC, which was following, was forced to shift out to avoid her heels and improve past her at a point near the 1300m. Ms Gates stated that she had been instructed to allow the horse to stride forward and to attempt to have the horse settle during the middle stages as the horse had not started over 2150m prior to today and connections were concerned that the horse may not run out the distance. Trainer G. Harrison confirmed these instructions. Apprentice Gates agreed that in attempting to restrain the horse she may have reduced the speed excessively. Stewards advised apprentice Gates that in their opinion she had erred tactically in that after relinquishing the lead she was then obliged to remain at the heels of CROSS TOWN TRAFFIC which resulted in her being positioned in the second half of the field approaching the home turn. Given the circumstances and Ms Gates’ relative inexperience, stewards elected not to take any action against her other than to reprimand her under AR. 137(d) for excessively slowing the pace and causing interference to other runners.

R. Hancock, the rider of ISLAND TYCOON, pleaded guilty to a charge under AR. 137A(5)(a)(ii) in that he used the whip in a forehand manner on more than five occasions prior to the 100m and was fined $300.

Race 2: GREG GRANT SADDLERY MAIDEN PLATE - 2000m
1st – Degree Of Honour 2nd – Kasa Gold 3rd – Regal Mariner 4th – Hawky

HAWKY (R. Wiggins) blundered on jumping away.

DEGREE OF HONOUR (R. McMahon) was hampered on jumping away between HOLD ON TIGER (J. Kropp), which shifted out, and MORINGA’S SUNDANCE (M. Gray), which shifted in.

A post-race veterinary examination of HOLD ON TIGER, which hung out throughout the event and finished a distant last, found the gelding to be sore in the near foreleg. Trainer T. Miller was advised that he must produce a veterinary clearance for HOLD ON TIGER before it races again.

KASA GOLD (T. Huxham) overraced during the early stages.

Race 3: STATEWIDE TAXATION SERVICES PTY LTD CLASS 1 H’CAP - 1000m
1st – De Bois 2nd – Little Antics 3rd – Velvet Knight 4th – Weekend Liberties

Stewards accepted the explanation tendered by trainer P. Kings for the late declaration of G. Geran as the rider of LITTLE ANTICS.

JOY’S SPIRIT (S. Arnold) jumped away awkwardly, made contact with ROAD FROM HEAVEN (O. Turpin) and lost ground.

GREY MAMBO (K. Forrester) jumped away awkwardly, making contact with LITTLE ANTICS (G. Geran).

Near the 800m ROAD FROM HEAVEN was steadied when racing to the inside of DE BOIS (T. Huxham), which shifted in.

VELVET KNIGHT (J. Kropp), which raced wide for the majority of the event, then laid in under pressure from the 400m, resulting in the rider being unable to fully test his mount.

Stewards questioned apprentice T. Huxham, the rider of DE BOIS, regarding the tactics adopted, particularly his reasons for not riding the horse in a forward position which has been the horse’s customary racing pattern. Apprentice Huxham stated that he had been instructed to ride the horse in a forward position, however after beginning only fairly and when the horse failed to muster early speed despite his urgings, he elected to shift across into a trailing position just worse than midfield. Stable representative Ms P. Cox confirmed the instructions. Stewards accepted the explanation.


Race 4: BRYAN GUY RACING STABLES QTIS 3Y0 H’CAP - 1100m
1st – Devinardi 2nd – Eureka Dubai 3rd – Mallard 4th – Chief Ouray

GLOW HEART (N. Tomizawa), which was slow to begin, was hampered shortly afterwards when EUREKA DUBAI (R. Wiggins) shifted in.

DAWN RETURN (O. Turpin) raced wide throughout.

Stewards questioned D. Griffin, the rider of MALLARD, regarding the performance of that filly. Jockey Griffin stated that in his opinion the horse did not appreciate the cushion track surface and raced with its head in the air throughout the event. He added that after initially attempting to position his mount outside EUREKA DUBAI when approaching the 400m, he then elected to shift back to the inside of that runner when EUREKA DUBAI shifted out rounding the home turn. He further added that approaching the 200m MALLARD shifted in abruptly when struck with the whip, forcing him to stop riding and straighten. Stewards noted the comments.

Stewards questioned J. Byrne regarding the performance of CHIEF OURAY. He stated that he had been instructed to ride the horse where comfortable and elected during the early stages to ease to obtain a position closer to the fence behind another fancied runner, MALLARD. He stated that after obtaining this position the horse did not race comfortably and he was forced to niggle for the horse to hold its position from the 800m. He further stated that he intended shifting to the outside of MALLARD approaching the home turn, however when that horse shifted ground he elected to shift back to the inside as an opportunity to improve had presented itself. He further stated that he was forced to stop riding and straighten at a point near the 200m when his mount shifted in under pressure.

Race 5: HEINRICH BLOODSTOCK MAIDEN H’CAP - 1100m
1st – Macho Cat 2nd – Tradies Hope 3rd – Bourdon 4th – Moon Lady

The start of this race was delayed when MONEY AND GUNS (W. D'Avila) proved very difficult to load. Trainer M. Mair‘s representative, D. Boland, was advised that the filly must obtain 2 further barrier certificates prior to its next start.

Near the 900m LEO JET (N. Thomas) became awkward and lost ground when forced to race in restricted room between TRADIES HOPE (M. Heagney) and ZODIAC PRINCE (K. Forrester), which shifted in.

MONEY AND GUNS raced wide throughout.

BOURDON (J. Holder) had difficulty obtaining clear running rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the home straight.

R. Hancock, the rider of MACHO CAT, was reprimanded under AR. 137A(4)(a) for raising his whip arm above shoulder height.

Race 6: WHOLESALE SANDS & RECYCLING CLASS 2 H’CAP - 1100m
1st – Miss Barwang 2nd – Top Messiah 3rd – Fomal Princess 4th – Mystical Bel

KINGCUP (Michael Palmer) jumped awkwardly and lost ground.

Approaching the 900m SPECKLED SHINING (J. Byrne) shifted in making contact with the hind quarters of TOP MESSIAH (O. Turpin), resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced.

SPECKLED SHINING raced wide throughout.

S. Galloway reported that in his opinion FOMAL PRINCESS resented kickback from other runners and lost ground when reluctant to hold a forward position and as a result he was forced to place pressure on the horse from leaving the 800m.

Stewards questioned J. Holder regarding the below market expectation performance of SHEDABOSS. Jockey Holder stated that in his opinion the horse travelled well in a forward position and he was of the opinion during the event that with the good early speed which had been set he expected the horse to finish the race off well, however proved disappointing over the final 200m. Stable representative A. Parker could not offer any explanation for the performance and undertook that the stable would advise stewards of anything that may come to light in coming days which may have affected the performance.

Stewards questioned D. Browne, the rider of MYSTICAL BEL, regarding the performance of that filly. He stated that in his opinion the horse did not appreciate the kickback from the other runners and was of the opinion that the horse was doing its best work when able to shift wider at the top of the straight and obtain clear running. He further stated that the horse would perform better when stepped up over more distance. His comments were noted.

Race 7: JAN MCMILLIAN – JIM MCGILL MEMORIAL OPEN H’CAP - 1400m
1st – Helideck 2nd – Changing Eyes 3rd – Iluva Queenslander 4th – Irishkiwi

CRAIGLEA BLONDIE (K. Wharton) shifted in at the start and made contact with LEICA LION (C. Priest). A short distance later LEICA LION shifted out tightening CRAIGLEA BLONDIE on to the hind quarters of BEARTRACKER (A. Butler).

ILUVA QUEENSLANDER (K. Gates) raced wide throughout.

Leaving the 1000m IRISHKIWI (E. Wilkinson) shifted out around the heels of HELIDECK (J. Byrne), forcing CHANGING EYES (Matthew Palmer) wider on the track. CHANGING EYES raced wide from that point onwards.

Race 8: QUEENSLAND RACEHORSE OWNERS’ ASSOCIATION CLASS 1 H’CAP - 1400m
1st – Glare 2nd – Stand And Cheer 3rd – Mr Light Blue 4th – Flawless

On jumping away ZADANE (K. Wharton) was tightened for room and lost ground between PRINCE LIAM (J. Kropp) and GLARE (T. Huxham), which shifted in.

Approaching the 1200m VIVIR (W. D'Avila) was obliged to steady to avoid the heels of GLARE, which shifted in. Apprentice T. Huxham, the rider of GLARE, was reprimanded for this incident.

Jockey W. D’Avila reported that due to the lack of speed in the event VIVIR raced in a more forward position and overraced during the early and middle stages. He added that in his opinion the horse would be more suited to races over shorter distances where there is more speed, which would result in VIVIR being able to settle.

GLARE raced with its head in the air for a short distance approaching the 800m.

FLAWLESS (B. Wallace) and PRINCE LIAM raced wide throughout.

A post-race veterinary examination of GLARE revealed that the gelding had sustained a laceration to the off hind cannon, consistent with being galloped on.

Apprentice C. Priest was reprimanded under AR. 137A(3) for using her whip excessively in a backhand manner.



STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 1. App. K. Gates – excessively slowed the pace – AR. 137(d)
Race 5. R. Hancock – raise whip arm above shoulder height – AR. 137A(4)(a)
Race 8. App. T. Huxham – careless riding – AR. 137(a)
Race 8. App. C. Priest – excessive whip use – AR. 137A(3)

Fines
Race 1. R. Hancock - $300 – excessive whip use – AR. 137A(5)(a)(ii)

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
Toy Ruler, Universal Sevens, Hawky, Moringa’s Sundance, Craiglea Blondie, Leica Lion

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, Iluva Queenslander, Moon Lady, Kasa Gold

Warnings/bars
Race 2. HOLD ON TIGER – lame – veterinary clearance
Race 5. MONEY AND GUNS – very difficult to load – 2 barrier certs. – AR. 8(t)

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 3. LITTLE ANTICS – G. Geran, UPUPAWAY – C. Priest
Race 6. KINGCUP – Michael Palmer




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