SUNSHINE COAST TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT SUN.13.4.03
STEWARDS PANEL: Mr J Hackett (Chairman), Mr C McLune, Mr D Collingwood, Mr P Gillard, Mr S Hurford (Cadet)
WEATHER - FINE TRACK -GOOD
GENERAL: As jockey A. Russell was indisposed, he was replaced as follows:
Race 2 DARK TOPAZE S Galloway
Race 3 LOADED VICE C Reith
Race 8 COOLAYETI C Reith
RACE 1: OPAT MAINTENANCE HANDICAP – 1400M
ERBOURNE and GO GAZZA were both slow to begin.
Near the 1100 metres MRS CROMWELL got its head up and was inclined to race ungenerously and when eased off the heels of DUST IN TIME, shifted in forcing DECKED IN DIAMONDS in on to FREEWILL which had to be checked.
A post race Veterinary examination of DUST IN TIME revealed the filly had sustained severe lacerations to the near hind.
An inquiry was opened into the riding of GO GAZZA, in particular in the early and middle stages. After taking evidence from trainer Trevor Thomas and jockey Mark Dale the inquiry was adjourned until 11am on Thursday 17 April 2003 at the Queensland Racing Stewards Office.
When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of MEEK, trainer J. Hawkes representative Mr D Brown explained that the filly had been somewhat agitated prior to the event and he felt that MEEK had pulled up rather distressed. Jockey S. Galloway stated that whilst MEEK had travelled reasonably well in the running, it failed to accelerate when asked for an effort and did not finish the race off as expected. Mr. Brown was requested to notify Stewards of anything he may notice in the days after the race that may have had an effect on the performance of MEEK.
RACE 2: B.U.G.T. MANAGEMENT PLATE – 1000M
WICKED INSTINCT was declared a late scratching at 12.59pm when the gelding broke through the barriers and galloped riderless for some distance. On the announcement of correct weight, all monies invested on WICKED INSTINCT were ordered to be refunded with deductions of 6 cents in the dollar on the face value of win bits and 7 cents in the dollar on the face value of place bets being applicable.
Stewards questioned apprentice D. Ballard, rider of WICKED INSTINCT, and starter R. Huxham as to whether D. Ballard was mounted on the gelding in the barriers at the time it broke through. D. Ballard explained that WICKED INSTINCT had become unsettled when other horses were fractious and had lunged forward at a time when he was out of the saddle holding on to the barrier partition. Stewards gave D. Ballard the benefit of the doubt in that he had reason to dismount in the barriers, however he was reminded of the policy that unless without good reason no rider shall dismount in the barriers.
RHYTHMIC PHANTOM and REACH FOR A STAR were both slow to begin.
RACE 3: XXXX HANDICAP – 1200M
As jockey M. Williamson was indisposed, he was replaced on POTENTIATE by jockey N. Jolly, however as N. Jolly was unable to arrive on time to fulfil his engagement, he was replaced by D. Craven.
TEGEA, OUR SHADOW and WEDDING BAND were all slow to begin.
FRENCH TERROR jumped in at the start and made contact with the hind quarters of POTENTIATE. A short distance later FRENCH TERROR shifted out and made heavy contact with LOADED VICE.
When pulling hard near the 900 metres POTENTIATE had to be eased to avoid the heels of ROJAH LADY.
Approaching the first turn WEDDING BAND was cramped for room between GEE GEE MACGREGOR and CERAUNO which was taken out by PARANOIA.
ROJAH LADY made heavy contact with the running rail approaching the 800 metres.
FRENCH TERROR was inclined to over race when in restricted room leaving the 700 metres.
OUR SHADOW and WEDDING BAND made contact near the 600 metres.
Leaving the 100 metres, ROJAH LADY had to be checked when taking a run in restricted room between GEE GEE MACGREGOR and LOADED VICE which shifted out. C. Reith rider of LOADED VICE was cautioned and reminded of his obligation to keep his mount on a straight course.
It was noted that WEDDING BAND was obliged to race extremely wide for the majority of the event.
When questioned concerning the performance of TEGEA, jockey S. Seamer explained that the colt appeared awkward in its action in the early stages despite his urgings and in an effort to have TEGEA travel, he elected not to bustle it. S. Seamer added that after leaving the 800 metres, the colt commenced to travel better and ran home well over the concluding stages of the race. He also indicated that the colt appears to be looking for races over a longer distance.
When questioned regarding the seemingly improved performance of TWIGMOSITY, trainer Gregory Hayden stated that the filly had suffered interference at the start at the Gold Coast on 29 March 2003 and had over raced and he attributed this aspect to the performance on that day.
RACE 4: YALUMBA WINES HANDICAP – 1600M
MY DIAMOND LIL which jumped away awkwardly was hampered shortly after the start by MICKEY BLUE EYES which shifted out.
MY DIAMOND LIL was caught wide and race three wide for the majority of the event.
RACE 5: OPAT PAINTING HANDICAP – 1200M
Trainer M. Mair was fined the sum of $25 for presenting DANGER SPICE to the enclosure without blinkers.
CAPANNELLE was slow to begin.
CAPANNELLE became unbalance and was inclined to hang out across the heels of LADY DEMOSEL approaching the 800 metres.
Jockey Matthew Bennett rider of SPACE RECRUIT was fined the sum of $50 for failing to weigh in as 4th placegetter.
RACE 6: BODY CORPORATE PROFESSIONALS HANDICAP – 1400M
AWESOME EDGE was slow to jump.
RACE 7: OPAT SUNSHINE COAST HANDICAP – 1000M
GOLD EYE and PLATINUM CLASS jumped away awkwardly and lost ground at the start.
MANDINO jumped away awkwardly and shifted out hampering IN THE JUNGLE.
Approaching the 800 metres FAIR RALEIGH was tightened between CALL THE HUNTER and QUIET SMYTZER when both horses shifted ground slightly.
Leaving the 800 metres CALL THE HUNTER, DYNAMIC DANCING, MANDINO and OODLES ‘N’ BOODLES were all crowded and raced in restricted room as a result of KOSA shifting in. D. Green, rider of KOSA, was cautioned and advised to exercise more care in future.
Near the 200 metres CALL THE HUNTER and MANDINO were tightened by PLATINUM CLASS which was taken in by DYNAMIC DANCING which shifted ground under pressure.
NO MORE DREAMS was caught wide and raced extremely wide rounding the home turn.
When questioned concerning the seemingly disappointing performance of PLATINUM CLASS jockey S. Seamer stated that after being slow to begin the gelding travelled reasonably well until straightening, however when placed under pressure PLATINUM CLASS failed to respond to his riding. A post race veterinary examination of PLATINUM CLASS failed to reveal any abnormality.
RACE 8: STEWART, SILVER, KING & BURNS HANDICAP – 1200M
STRAVAIN LADY was declared a late scratching at 8.30am. Tony Gollan was fined the sum of $100 for failing to withdraw STRAVAIN LADY by the prescribed time.
Trainer S. Batten was advised that SISTER ACE which refused to jump losing considerable ground at the start will be declared ineligible until it passes an official trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards.
COOLAYETI, OUTBACK OPUS, TAYLA’S GOLD and BE NICE were all slow to begin.
Jockey J. Powell rider of TAYLA’S GOLD was found guilty of a charge of careless riding in that near the 100 metres he permitted his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of EYE GEE AYE causing that gelding to be checked and blunder. J. Powell was suspended for a period of 7 meetings to commence immediately and to expire at midnight on Friday 25th April 2003.
Stewards considered a complaint from trainer Lyn Paton in relation to D. Evans rider of REGAL TALLY failing to comply with riding instructions. L. Paton explained she had instructed D. Evans to have the filly positioned in the first five runners however stated she did not wish for the filly to lead. D. Evans stated that whilst being aware of the instructions he was caught four wide shortly after the start despite restraining REGAL TALLY after jumping away. He further stated that when caught four wide and with no pace on the race he had not other alternative other than go forward and take up a position near the rails rather than race four wide throughout. After considering the explanation of D. Evans and also the instructions of trainer L. Paton, Stewards were of the opinion that D. Evans was the victim of circumstances due to REGAL TALLY being caught wide and due to the lack of pace in the race. After having the opportunity to view the film, and considering the explanation of D. Evans, trainer L. Paton accepted the evidence submitted by apprentice D. Evans.
ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.
FROM SCTC 06.04.03
Trainer B. Sinclair was fined $100 for withdrawing “Radoma” after the scratching deadline.
FROM GCTC 29.03.03
Trainer B. Laming was fined $100 for failing to notify that “Arctic Silver” would be racing in blinkers.
