SUNSHINE COAST TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT SUN. 15.5.04

STEWARDS PANEL: Mr C. Clifford (Chairman), Mr G. Ireland, Mr D. Collingwood, Mr W. Moore.

WEATHER - FINE TRACK - DEAD

RAIL - TRUE POSITION

GENERAL: As App. F. Okawa was indisposed, app. B. Thomson was substituted as the rider of SHOWOFF GIRL in race 4. App. B. Smith was also indisposed and was replaced by App. R. Mason as the rider of CRAIGLEA BUTCH in race 4, and by m. Mason as the rider of MR LISTER in race 6.


RACE 1: KEY BAR AND RESTAURANT MAIDEN PLATE - 2200M.

Stewards questioned trainer L. Anderson in regards to the improved performance of CATCH STEVE. L. Anderson stated that at its last start in Toowoomba on 8 May, the gelding was obliged to race wide early whilst progressing forward. L. Anderson added that this pattern of racing did not suit CATCH STEVE as the gelding was better suited racing back in the field. L. Anderson's comments were noted.


RACE 2: THE ORGANIC CAFE H'CAP - 1000M.

LITTLE MS GORGEOUS jumped away awkwardly and shifted out abruptly, hampering SWEEP CLEAR and KAITEKI DANCING.

PRIDE OF SIMBA was slow to jump and lost considerable ground.

On jumping, SEQUA D'OR was hampered between SANDWALKER and PICCOHI, which shifted out.

Approaching the 700m., KAITEKI DANCING raced in restricted room between SPLENDID SAILS and SWEEP CLEAR. At the same stage, FOND KISS shifted in and had to be steadied off the hind quarters of PICTURE PLAY.

SPLENDID SAILS was obliged to race wide in the early and middle stages of the event.

On entering the straight, LIGHTNING ANGEL and SUUBIRD made contact on 2 occasions.


RACE 3: RYAN GROUP QLD H'CAP - 1000M.

On return to scale a protest was lodged by K. Pope, rider of the 2nd placegetter, VIKING GROOM, against SEATTLE ZIP being declared the winner, alleging interference near the 100m.. After taking evidence from the parties concerned and viewing the stewards' patrol films, it was established that whilst VIKING GROOM had to be steadied and alter course approaching the 50m. when SEATTLE ZIP shifted in, stewards were not satisfied that the ground lost in this incident warranted a reversal of placings, and the protest was therefore dismissed, with the Judge's placings confirmed. At a subsequent inquiry, M. Bennett, rider of SEATTLE ZIP, was reprimanded and advised to exercise greater care when shifting ground.

MENINGA was slow to jump.

SHY HUNTER jumped outwards at the start.

GREY SANTA blundered on jumping away.

PRICELESS TIMES was slow to begin.

Shortly after the start, LOVE AND HONOUR shifted in when not clear of VIKING GROOM, resulting in VIKING GROOM having to be steadied.

PRICELESS TIMES was obliged to race wide in the early and middle stages.

MENINGA, which finished a distant last, was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon with no abnormalities detected.


RACE 4: KEY BAR AND RESTAURANT QTIS H'CAP - 1400M.

POWER LION, which was a little slow to begin, was hampered shortly after between CORRIENTE and SAAVANNAH ROAD, which shifted out. In this incident, POWER LION clipped the heels of SAVANNAH ROAD and blundered.

Passing the 800m., POWER LION, when overracing, had to be steadied off the heels of PRINGLE'S GIRL.

M. McDonald, rider of NINETY FIVE TIGER, accidentally dropped his whip inside the 100m..

Stable foreperson Ms K. Hall was questioned regarding the improved performance of NINETY FIVE TIGER as compared wtih the gelding's last of 11, beaten 12.8 lengths at Ipswich on Wednesday, 5 May. Ms Hall stated on that day she had instructed apprentice B. Smith to ride the horse back in the field due to its wide barrier, however NINETY FIVE TIGER refused to stretch out throughout the event and raced very disappontingly. Ms Hall added that in today's event she had instructed apprentice M. McDonald to drive the gelding out of the gates and take up a forward position if possible. Ms Hall added however she was at a complete loss to explain the much improved performance of NINETY FIVE TIGER.

Stewards questioned D. Tanti in regards to his riding of SAVANNAH ROAD. D.Tanti stated that he was instructed to settle SAVANNAH ROAD off the pace without pushing the colt, however after being caught wide in the early stages, of the event, he elected to ease back, however SAVANNAH ROAD got back further than anticipated. D. Tanti further added that SAVANNAH ROAD was racing today with a cross-over noseband for the first time and, in his opinion, the colt resented that gear in the early stages when being restrained. D. Tanti added that SAVANNAH ROAD finished the race off reasonably well, and, in his opinion, was looking for distances longer than today's event. Stable foreperson Ms S. Adams confirmed the instructions issued to D. Tanti. The explanation was noted.


RACE 5: QRSE THE ORGANIC CAFE H'CAP - 1400M.

BRONCO ALF was declared a late scratching at 2.20 p.m. after being examined by the club's veterinary surgeon at the barrier and found to be lame in the near fore leg. Subsequent to the event all monies invested on BRONCO ALF were ordered to be refunded, with deductions of 8 cents in the dollar on the face value of win bets, 9 cents in the dollar on the face value of place bets, applicable to successful wagers placed prior to the withdrawal time.

Trainer H. Burgess was questioned in regards to the riding instructions given on MISS LEHAAR, which led in today's event, which was contrary to its previous starts when ridden back in the field. Miss Burgess stated that apprentice Mason was instructed not to restrain the mare as MISS LEHAAR tends to overrace ridden in that manner. Trainer H. Burgess further aded it was never the intention to lead, however as no other runner wished to go forward, MISS LEHAAR was left in front and then was not able to finish the race off as expected. Miss Burgess's comments were noted.

Stewards questioned M. Carson regarding the disappointing performance of JONABLE. He stated that he was obliged to ride the filly hard in the early and middle stages to hold his position. M. Carson added however that JONABLE never travelled well throughout, and, in his opinion, the filly felt flat and proved disappointing. JONABLE was examined by the club's veterinary surgeon with no abnormalites reported. A swab sample was takne from JONABLE.

RACE 6: RYAN GROUP QLD H'CAP - 1300M.

Apprentice D. Ballard was fined $100 for accepting engagements on OUR MR LORD and CALAIS BOUND. K. Pope was substituted as the rider of OUR MR LORD.

MISTER LISTER was slow to begin.

On jumping, ANGEL ANNIE shifted out and made contact with MISSION STATEMENT.

Shortly after the start, OUR MR LORD raced in restricted room between SABRE SONIC and OUR FUN.

RACE 7: KEY BAR AND RESTAURANT H'CAP - 1200M.

On jumping, KOBI COVE and CEDAR LODGE made contact.

Approaching the first turn, BANKA BUCK had to be steadied off the heels of PROPHET JEWEL and shifted out, resulting in TELEGRAND, which was racing to its outside, having to be steadied.


RACE 8: THE ORGANIC CAFE H'CAP - 1600M.

The start was delayed when IMPREGNABLE was presented to the enclosure with steel working shoes behind, necessitating that gelding having to be replated. Subsequently, stable foreman S. Yoemans was advised that a $200 fine would be imposed on trainer G. Ryan.

TAKE STRIKE jumped away awkwardly.


RACE 9: RYAN GROUP QLD H'CAP - 1000M.

COUNT IVOR and INTER THE FRAY both reared at the start and lost ground.

Approaching the 700m., EQUAL had a tendency to lay in and made contact with AERO BELLE.

A short distance later, LAMYANA, which was overracing, shifted in, resulting in EQUAL having to be steadied.

At the entrance to the straight, COUNT IVOR had to be steadied off the heels of EBO, which shifted in slightly.

Passing the 200m., INTER THE FRAY had to be steadied off the heels of the tiring HELLENIC WARRIOR.


All winners and JONABLE were sent to be swabbed.