RACING QUEENSLAND

STEWARDS REPORT


SUNSHINE COAST TURF CLUB – SUNDAY, 12 FEBRUARY 2012

WEATHER – FINE TRACK RATING – GOOD 3 RAIL – OUT 5M

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – J. Williamson (Races 1-5), I. Brown (Races 6-8)
Stewards – I. Brown, S. Kelly, C. Albrecht
Clerk of Scales – T. Quick
Judge – P. Chilton, P. Golley
Veterinarian –C. Johnson
Swab attendants – K. Warwick, M. Johnstone
Bookmakers Supervisor – W. Flynn
Starter – P. Briton, J. Holcombe
Stewards Secretary – W. Ostrofski

Race 1: GET WINES DIRECT MAIDEN H’CAP - 1600m
1st – Lady Carlson 2nd – Drag Queen 3rd – Lavish Lifestyle 4th – Von Baden

DANSHAN (D. Griffin) was buffeted on jumping away between LADY CARLSON (T. Harrison) and COMPADRE (N. Thomas), which jumped away awkwardly and shifted in.

DRAG QUEEN (K. Wharton) was slow to begin.

TOUGH TACTICS (K. Gates) became very awkward and lost ground shortly after the start. When questioned regarding the racing manners of TOUGH TACTICS, apprentice K. Gates informed stewards that it had been her intention to ride the gelding in a forward position, however after becoming awkward and losing ground shortly after the start she elected to take hold and assume a position in the second half of the field in order to obtain cover in a position closer to the fence. Trainer T. Thomas confirmed the stable’s intention had been to ride the horse in a forward position. Trainer T. Thomas was advised that a warning will be placed on that gelding.

DRAG QUEEN overraced during the middle stages.

TOUGH TACTICS (K. Gates) hung out rounding the home turn.

Stewards questioned trainer R. Bradshaw regarding the tactics adopted aboard DRAG QUEEN, in particular the reasons for the horse leading by a large margin during the middle stages, which is in contrast to the mare’s established racing pattern. Mr Bradshaw stated that as the horse has had a previous history of being slow to begin, he instructed jockey Wharton to ride vigorously out of the barriers to ensure the horse was positioned as close to the lead as possible. Mr Bradshaw stated that he had not anticipated DRAG QUEEN leading and certainly not by such a large margin. He added that the horse appeared to overrace in the middle stages and furthermore that it would also be the stable’s intention to continue to ride the horse in a forward position.

Race 2: AQUA BLUE PLUMBING CLASS 1 H’CAP - 1400m
1st – Red Royal 2nd – Feltham 3rd – Arctic 4th – Starlistic

MACHO CAT (N. Thomas) was slow to begin.

OUT OF CHARACTER (K. Wharton) hung out rounding the home turn and was then hampered shortly after passing the 400m when ARCTIC (R. McMahon) shifted out to improve.

Stewards sought an explanation from R. McMahon regarding the tactics adopted aboard ARCTIC, particularly from the 600m onwards. Stewards were concerned with R. McMahon’s apparent lack of vigour approaching the 500m and also asked him to explain his reasons for shifting outside the heels of FELTHAM (G. Colless) when it appeared he was afforded clear running to the inside of that horse. Jockey McMahon explained that the gelding has previously raced well when permitted to settle during the middle stages and not be pressured too early. He said that the horse was travelling well and still making ground approaching the 400m. He added that he considered taking the run to the inside of FELTHAM, however he was aware of STARLISTIC (T. Lovelock-Wiggins), which was racing to the inside, having an inclination to lay out and he was therefore reluctant to take this run. He further added that ARCTIC had commenced to lay out under pressure and he therefore allowed the horse to shift wider around the heels of FELTHAM, which afforded him clear running for the remainder of the event. Jockey McMahon explained that when placed under full pressure from the 300m, ARCTIC laid out badly, placing him at a disadvantage. He also noted that ARCTIC did not finish the race off as well as anticipated and in his opinion proved disappointing in the run to the line. Stewards noted the explanation.

Apprentice T. Lovelock-Wiggins (STARLISTIC) was fined $200 for using the whip in a forehand manner more than 5 times prior to the 100m.

Race 3: AFL SPORTSREADY CLASS 2 H’CAP - 1800m
1st – Attica 2nd – Funky Lady 3rd – Coco Dubawi 4th – Kesthin

FUNKY LADY (R. Wiggins) was slow to begin and then when the pace slackened approaching the 1300m shifted wider on the track and improved to take a position in the lead leaving the 1000m.

Leaving the 1200m GALAXY KING (D. Griffin), which improved on to the heels of JUSSA WOMANN (S. Wiseman), had to be checked and shifted wider on the track and then raced wide for the majority of the event.

When R. Wiggins, the rider of FUNKY LADY, steadied the pace approaching the 800m, WILL’N’GUS (G. Colless) had to be steadied from the heels of that runner and shifted out making contact with the hind quarters of KESTHIN (E. Wilkinson). RUSTY TRAWLER (N. Thomas), which was following, also had to be checked. R. Wiggins was reprimanded for this incident.

JUSSA WOMANN raced wide from the 800m onwards.

ATTICA (R. McMahon) was held up after improving on to the heels of KESTHIN approaching the 400m until a point leaving the 300m.

Stewards sought an explanation from G. Colless regarding the below market expectation performance of WILL’N’GUS. Jockey Colless stated that the horse travelled well throughout until asked to improve around heels leaving the 600m and failed to respond to his riding. He added that the horse raced with its head on the side over the concluding stages and weakened badly in the straight. Trainer R. McCall confirmed his disappointment in the performance, adding that the horse races best when permitted to lead unchallenged during the middle stages. Mr McCall said that in light of today’s performance it will be his intention to send the horse for an immediate spell.

Race 4: SUNCOAST FITNESS MAIDEN PLATE - 1200m
1st – Laud Bentley 2nd – Rains 3rd – Push Forward 4th – Rockin Party

TERMS was a late scratching at 1.30 p.m. Trainer T. Crane was fined $200 for failing to scratch TERMS by the prescribed time.

CRYSTAL WARRIOR (S. Arnold) was slow to begin.

EIGHT CARAT QUEEN (N. Thomas) overraced during the early and middle stages and had to be steadied from heels leaving the 800m.

Apprentice S. Arnold reported that CRYSTAL WARRIOR was inclined to hang out throughout the event and at a point near the 700m improved on to heels and had to be checked.

Stewards afforded G. Colless the opportunity to comment on the performance of PUSH FORWARD. Jockey Colless stated that after travelling strongly throughout until the 200m the gelding failed to respond and shortened stride when ridden vigorously at that point, proving very disappointing over the final 200m. A post-race veterinary examination of PUSH FORWARD revealed the gelding to have pulled up sore in the near foreleg. Trainer L. Birchley was advised that he must produce a veterinary clearance for PUSH FORWARD prior to its next start.

Race 5: HOT 91.1 QTIS 3YO MAIDEN H’CAP - 1200m
1st – Flying Indy 2nd – Chief Bright Star 3rd – Cuddlesome 4th – Raunchy’s Warrior

The start of this race was delayed when CUDDLESOME (D. Missen), which was fractious in the barriers, was removed, underwent a veterinary inspection and was cleared to start.

PRECIOUS SHADOW (R. Wiggins), which was slow to begin, was hampered shortly after the start by RAUNCHY'S WARRIOR (D. Griffin), which jumped away awkwardly.

CUDDLESOME, which was slow to begin, became awkward and shifted out and away from LUCK’S ON OUR SIDE (J. Kropp), which jumped away awkwardly.

Leaving the 900m OUTBACK FORTUNE (T. Harrison) was steadied when forced to race in restricted room between VEICO and CUDDLESOME which shifted in.

LUCK’S ON OUR SIDE raced three wide throughout.

Near the 300m CUDDLESOME shifted out under pressure forcing OUTBACK FORTUNE wider on the track. This in turn forced R. Mason, the rider of OPEN HEART, to stop riding and shift out to secure clear running.

Jockey C. Munce reported that the saddle on VEICO slipped back shortly after the start and then slipped further back after he placed pressure on the filly approaching the 400m. Jockey Munce advised stewards that this affected both the overall performance of VEICO and also his riding of the filly over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination of VEICO revealed no abnormalities and a swab sample was taken.

Stewards questioned trainer D. Peoples regarding the seemingly improved performance of FLYING INDY (A. Spinks). Mr Peoples stated that at the gelding’s most recent start FLYING INDY had proved more tractable than in previous starts as it has previously had a tendency to overrace. He also stated that the addition of a tongue tie at its last start resulted in an improved performance and he was not surprised by today’s forward showing. Stewards noted the comments.

Race 6: DUPORTH TAVERN CLASS 1 H’CAP - 1000m
1st – Shady Outfit 2nd – Misty Warrior 3rd – Solebid 4th – Restless Heart

The start was delayed when the girth on SHADY OUTFIT (J. Byrne) had to be replaced behind the barriers.

SOLEBID (M. Hellyer) jumped away awkwardly and made contact with TWO NIPS (B. Wallace).

NATURAL VELOCITY (D. Sparks) was slow to begin.

RESTLESS HEART (G. Killen) raced wide throughout.

MISTY WARRIOR (T. Harrison) shifted out under pressure in the home straight, causing its rider to be unable to fully test her mount and forcing SHADY OUTFIT wider on the track.

Race 7: FORTY WINKS – KAWANA CLASS 4 H’CAP - 1000m
1st – Flying Shadow 2nd – Lady Selene 3rd – Expressway 4th – Zekeza

OPAL OMBRA (J. Kropp) raced wide throughout.

Leaving the 450m ANDY SAID (B. Richardson), which was tiring, was tightened for room and had to be steadied between OPAL OMBRA and FLYING SHADOW (T. Harrison), which shifted out in an attempt to obtain clear running. Apprentice T. Harrison was reprimanded for this incident.

FLYING SHADOW had difficulty obtaining clear running rounding the home turn and into the early stages of the home straight.

ZEKEZA (N. Thomas) laid out under pressure over the final 200m and became unbalanced at the hind quarters of EXPRESSWAY (D. Griffin) over the concluding stages.

OPAL OMBRA lost its off hind plate in running.

D. Sparks (BATIZTA) was fined $200 for using the whip in a forehand manner more than 5 times prior to the 100m.

Race 8: RAPID PAIN RELIEF @ ZAPHOUSE.COM CLASS 3 H’CAP - 1400m
1st – Manicero 2nd – Bustopher Jones/Love That Chick 4th – So Dominant

LOVE THAT CHICK (J. Byrne) was slow to begin.

TAIL AND ALL (T. Lovelock-Wiggins) jumped away awkwardly, making contact with BUSTOPHER JONES (M. Hellyer), causing both horses to become unbalanced.

LOVE THAT CHICK overraced during the early stages.

AZZURRA BAY (A. Badger) raced wide throughout.

Near the 600m MANICERO (R. Wiggins) shifted out around the heels of FORBIDDEN FRUIT (E. Wilkinson) to improve, forcing EDDIE (J. Kropp) wider on the track. MANICERO was then forced wider again approaching the 400m when FORBIDDEN FRUIT shifted out. This resulted in R. Wiggins taking hold and shifted his mount back to the inside to obtain clear running.

Stewards afforded jockey E. Wilkinson the opportunity to comment on the performance of FORBIDDEN FRUIT. Jockey Wilkinson stated he was forced to allow the horse to stride forward to the lead when during the early stages he was caught wide and unable to secure a position closer to the fence with cover. He added that in his opinion this had a detrimental effect on the overall performance as, despite travelling well throughout, the mare compounded badly in the straight and raced awkwardly over the final 200m. Trainer J. McLachlan advised stewards that it would be his intention, in light of today’s performance, to drop the mare back to a shorter distance where the potential increase in the early speed would allow the mare to obtain cover. A post-race veterinary examination of FORBIDDEN FRUIT revealed the mare to have a slower than normal post-race recovery rate.

R. Wiggins (MANICERO) was reprimanded for using the whip in a forehand manner more than 5 times prior to the 100m.

Apprentice T. Lovelock-Wiggins (TAIL AND ALL) was fined $200 for using the whip in a forehand manner more than 5 times prior to the 100m.

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 3. R. Wiggins – excessively slowed pace – AR. 137(d)
Race 7. App. T. Harrison – careless riding – AR. 137(a)
Race 8. R. Wiggins – use whip forehand more than 5 times prior to 100m – AR. 137A(5)(a)(ii)


Fines
Race 2. App. T. Lovelock-Wiggins – $200 – use whip forehand more than 5 times prior to 100m – AR. 137A(5)(a)(ii)
Race 4. Tnr. T. Crane - $200 – late scratching – AR. 114
Race 7. D. Sparks – $200 – use whip forehand more than 5 times prior to 100m – AR. 137A(5)(a)(ii)
Race 8. App. T. Lovelock-Wiggins – $200 – use whip forehand more than 5 times prior to 100m – AR. 137A(5)(a)(ii)

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
Drag Queen, Out of Character, Attica, Jussa Womann, Eight Carat Queen

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, Push Forward, Veico, Lady Selene

Warnings/bars
Race 1. TOUGH TACTICS – became very awkward and lost ground shortly after the start – warning
Race 4. PUSH FORWARD – lame near foreleg – veterinary clearance – AR. 8(t)

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications

Race 5. PRECIOUS SHADOW – R. Wiggins

Late scratchings

Race 4. TERMS – 1.30 p.m.




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