RACING QUEENSLAND

STEWARDS REPORT


SUNSHINE COAST TURF CLUB – SUNDAY, 11 MARCH 2012

WEATHER – FINE TRACK RATING – SLOW 6/DEAD 5 (After Race 2)
RAIL – OUT 2M PENETROMETER – 6

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – J. Williamson (Races 1-4, 6 & 8)/ D. Aurisch (Races 5 & 7)
Stewards – D. Aurisch, I. Brown, T. Quick
Clerk of Scales – R. McCrae
Judge – I. Schultz
Veterinarian – C. Johnson
Swab attendants – K. Warwick, A. Challen
Bookmakers Supervisor – W. Flynn
Starter – P. Briton
Stewards Secretary – W. Ostrofski

SUPPLEMENTARY

From Rockhampton 8.3.12: L. Finlay was fined $100 for failing to fulfil his engagements on AFLEET ASSASSIN (Race 5) and TROPIC GEM (Race 5).

From Eagle Farm 3.3.12 – Race 1: Trainer M. Mair has today advised that a veterinary examination of GENERAL JACKSON in the days subsequent to this race revealed a bone chip in the gelding’s near fore knee and as a result surgery has been performed.

Race 1: WINDSOR ROAD CLASS 1 H’CAP – 1400M
1st – Mr Moto 2nd – Feltham 3rd – Soul Crusade 4th – Zaroxie

Stewards questioned apprentice A. Allen regarding the tactics adopted on HARISH, which led in today’s event, which is in contrast to its established racing pattern. Apprentice Allen stated that after being wide during the early stages it became apparent he was going to be unable to secure a position close to the fence, so he elected to allow HARISH to stride forward to the lead approaching the 900m. Apprentice Allen added that in his opinion this had a detrimental effect on the gelding’s overall performance as the horse was not comfortable racing in the lead.

C. Munce advised stewards that EMPLUS had a tendency to overrace in the early stages and added that this affected the capacity of the horse to finish the race off. Trainer B. Wakefield agreed with the comments of C. Munce and added that the horse had a slower than normal recovery rate following the race. Mr Wakefield further added that it is his intention to continue with the current preparation of the filly.

G. Colless advised stewards that PACK THE BAGS was unable to sprint when the pace of the race quickened approaching the 400m and raced very one-paced over the concluding stages, adding that gelding would be suited to races over a longer distance than today’s event, and given the circumstances he was not disappointed with the overall performance.

SOUL CRUSADE lost its near fore plate in running.

Race 2: BRIGHTER FUTURES CLASS 1 H’CAP – 1000M
1st – Settheworldonfire 2nd – Grey Mambo 3rd – Thrillers 4th – Santa Maura

CAPTAIN COOPER (L. Finlay) was slow to begin.

THRILLERS (D. Browne), which was slow to begin, was hampered between TERMS (T. Harrison) and ZARMARSKI (S. Galloway), both of which shifted ground.

SANTA MAURA (J. Johnson) and ST QUALO (J. Hoopert) both raced wide throughout.

GREY MAMBO (J. Taylor) laid in under pressure in the home straight.

Stewards questioned D. Browne regarding his riding of THRILLERS, in particular his reasons for, after positioning himself wider on the track near the 600m, electing to remain to the inside of ST QUALO which at the time was the widest runner. As a result of this decision THRILLERS was held up for clear running from approaching the 400m until leaving the 300m. Jockey Browne stated that at that point of the race he did not wish to position THRILLERS outside ST QUALO as he had observed GREY MAMBO commencing to shift out which would have forced him wider again on the track and resulted in him being forced to race extremely wide in the home straight, which in his opinion was an inferior part of the track. He added that in hindsight it may have been a better option to have remained on the fence at the 600m which would have enabled him to improve into the race behind SETTHEWORLDONFIRE (C. Munce) and shift to the outside of that runner in the home straight, allowing him to have an unimpeded run to the finish. Stewards accepted the explanation tendered.

J. Hoopert reported that in his opinion ST QUALO did not appreciate today’s softer racing surface.

Following the running of this event the track was upgraded to DEAD 5.

Race 3: PEMBLETON QTIS 2YO MAIDEN PLATE – 1200M
1st – Fantisha 2nd – Abbalac 3rd – Platinum Peaks 4th – Default

Trainer T. Edmonds was fined $200 for failing to submit a gear change for LINVILLE by the prescribed time.

AVERIL'S BLESSING (E. Wilkinson) was slow to begin.

LINVILLE (J. Hull) and DEFAULT (R. Jamieson) raced wide throughout.

BUDDY ROCKS (L. Finlay) became awkward after passing the 900m when the saddle on that gelding slipped back, placing its rider at a disadvantage for the remainder of the event.

FANTISHA (R. Wiggins) raced greenly when placed under pressure after leaving the 400m and then laid in under pressure from that point onwards.

I DON’T CARE (J. Brown) broke down after passing 300m before taking some time to be restrained and was euthanased on humane grounds. The veterinary surgeon reported post-race that the horse had fractured both sesamoid bones.

A post-race veterinary examination of ANOTHER SAINT (S. Galloway), which was slow to begin and finished at the tail of the field, revealed no abnormalities.

L. Finlay, the rider of 5th placegetter BUDDY ROCKS, was fined $200 for failing to ride his mount out to the end of the race. In assessing penalty, stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that L. Finlay’s actions had a material effect on the overall placings.

Race 4: JEFFERIES MAIDEN PLATE – 1200M
1st – Mystic Mahal 2nd – Rattler’s Lad 3rd – Farmerwantsawife 4th – Crystal Warrior

THROBBING was a late scratching at 9 a.m. on veterinary advice.

AUDACIOUS AL (D. Browne) was presented to race without blinkers and a tongue tie, which is part of that horse’s racing gear. After gaining an assurance from trainer G. Harrison that AUDACIOUS AL did not carry this gear at tis most recent start, stewards allowed the gelding to race without this gear and made the relevant announcements. It was subsequently established that AUDACIOUS AL had carried blinkers at its most recent start and Ms Harrison was fined $300 under AR. 140A. In considering penalty, stewards were mindful of the undertaking that Ms Harrison gave prior to the race.

Near the 1100m SNIPER'S SHOT (S. Wiseman) shifted in when being restrained and made contact with MAJOR GENERAL (S. Drake), causing both horses to become unbalanced for a short distance.

MAJOR GENERAL, SNIPER'S SHOT and OPEN HEART (S. Galloway) all raced wide throughout.

Leaving the 700m RATTLER'S LAD (G. Colless) shifted out to improve and as a result raced wide from that point onwards.

OPEN HEART was held up for a short distance rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the home straight.

SO IN DEED (L. Finlay) compounded badly over the final 400m. Connections reported that post-race the horse was stepping short in its off foreleg and were advised that a veterinary clearance must be produced prior to its next start.

Apprentice D. McWhinney reported to stewards that it had been his intention to ride CRYSTAL WARRIOR in a midfield position, however the gelding was unable to muster early speed and despite being ridden vigorously was forced to take up a position at the tail of the field. Apprentice McWhinney added that CRYSTAL WARRIOR finished the race off strongly and he was satisfied with the overall performance.

G. Colless advised stewards that it had been his intention to ride RATTLER'S LAD in a midfield position, however from the wide alley he elected during the early stages to take hold to take up a position at the tail of the field. This caused him to be forced to pressure the horse earlier than he would have liked and given the circumstances he added that he was pleased with the overall performance.




Race 5: SCOTT MAIDEN H’CAP – 1600M
1st – Booboisie 2nd – Maginnis Magee 3rd – Moratorio 4th – Excalibre

Connections advised that apprentice T. Harrison will be instructed to ride DANA PRINCE in a more forward position if circumstances permit.

Trainer R. Bradshaw advised that K. Wharton will be instructed to ride DRAG QUEEN, which has led at its previous two starts, in a position just behind the lead.

DRAG QUEEN (K. Wharton), which was found to have sustained a laceration to its stifle, was declared a late scratching at 2.50 p.m. Stewards ordered that all monies invested on DRAG QUEEN be refunded, with the following deductions to successful wagers to apply:

5 cents in the dollar for the Win #12 – BOOBOISIE
11 cents in the dollar for place of winner #12 – BOOBOISIE
9 cents in the dollar for 2nd place #15 - MAGINNIS MAGEE
7 cents in the dollar for 3rd place #3 – MORATORIO

Trainer R. Bradshaw was advised that he must produce a veterinary clearance for DRAG QUEEN prior to its next start.

The start was further delayed when MORATORIO (R. McMahon) required farrier attention.

YAMERTON (R. Jamieson) and MAGINNIS MAGEE (S. Drake) were both slow to begin.

MAGINNIS MAGEE overraced during the early stages.

EIGHT CARAT QUEEN (A. Allen) was caught wide during the early stages before being ridden forward to the position outside the lead leaving the 800m.

MAGINNIS MAGEE and EXCALIBRE (A. Spinks) both shifted wider leaving the 700m and raced wide from that point onwards.

Race 6: MAKING A DIFFERENCE CLASS 3 H’CAP – 1600M
1st – Taira 2nd – Phoeb’s Flyer 3rd – Ze Choice 4th – Galaxy King

PHOEB'S FLYER (E. Wilkinson) and TAIRA (L. Cassidy) were both slow to begin.

PHOEB'S FLYER overraced during the early stages and at a point near the 1300m had to be steadied from the heels of TAIRA.

Leaving the 400m DIEHARD TRYING (J. Stanley) was tightened for room between RED CENTURION (K. Wharton), which shifted in marginally, and TAIRA, which shifted out to secure clear running around the heels of SKALATONIC (G. Colless). As a result, DIEHARD TRYING became very unbalanced, making heavy contact with the hind quarters of TAIRA, forcing that horse to shift in, making contact with the hind quarters of SKALATONIC. TAIRA then shifted back out and this resulted in DIEHARD TRYING being checked and losing ground.

L. Cassidy, the rider of TAIRA, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR. 137(a) in that near the 100m he directed his mount out around the heels of ZE CHOICE (K. Pope), which resulted in RED CENTURION being tightened for room between TAIRA and VISONA ROSE (E. Wilkinson), resulting in RED CENTURION having to be checked to avoid the heels of TAIRA. L. Cassidy’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 6 meetings, to commence at midnight on Wednesday, 14 March, and expire at midnight on Friday, 23 March 2012.

G. Colless reported that SKALATONIC was disappointing and he was forced to place the gelding under heavy pressure leaving the 600m. He added that the performance could perhaps be explained by the improved class of today’s event and also that the horse’s most recent good form has been on heavy racing surfaces.

Stewards questioned R. Wiggins regarding the tactics adopted on FUNKY LADY, in particular his reasons for leading today which is in contrast to its most recent starts and also the pace set by him during the middle stages. Jockey Wiggins stated that when racing over longer distances the horse has settled in a forward position in the past and in his opinion races best when allowed to stride forward and not be restrained heavily during the middle stages. He added that in his opinion the pace set was not detrimental to the horse’s overall performance and was satisfied with the way the mare finished the race off. Trainer S. O’dea agreed with jockey Wiggins’ assessment, was satisfied with the ride and advised stewards that he would continue with the current preparation and step the mare up over longer distances if possible.

Race 7: SUNSHINE COAST CHILDREN’S THERAPY CENTRE CLASS 4 H’CAP – 1300M
1st – Bitasilk 2nd – Bustopher Jones 3rd – Just About Ready 4th – Visona Rose

Trainer R. Heathcote was fined $100 for the late declaration of apprentice T. Bell as the rider of SLICK IMAGE.

Trainer L. Treloar advised that L. Cassidy will be instructed to ride FOR MIA, which has been leading in previous starts, in a position with cover just behind the lead if possible in an attempt to have the horse settle better. The horse was ridden accordingly.

The start of this race was delayed when DULACCA JET (C. Munce) had to be resaddled after arriving at the barriers and ANDY SAID (L. Finlay) was examined by the veterinary surgeon and cleared to race.

DULACCA JET was slow to begin.

KNOX (A. Allen), FOR MIA and JUST ABOUT READY (Michael Palmer) raced wide throughout.

Leaving the 500m VISONA ROSE (E. Wilkinson) shifted in in an attempt to secure clear running and in doing so inconvenienced DULACCA JET, which had to be steadied and shift out across that horse’s heels.

Shortly after entering the home straight, PATAPINDA (D. Browne) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of KNOX, which shifted in under pressure. Apprentice A. Allen (KNOX) was reprimanded for this incident.

A post race veterinary examination of DAI KON revealed the gelding to be making an abnormal respiratory noise and trainer J Maclachlan was advised that an endospopic examination would be required to be performed on DAI KON prior to next start.

Apprentice A. Allen reported that KNOX, when placed under pressure entering the home straight, laid in and shortened stride. He was of the opinion that the horse may have been feeling some soreness in the off foreleg. Trainer P. Messara’s representative, Mr E. Petrie, will be advised that a veterinary clearance will be required prior to its next start. A post-race veterinary examination of KNOX revealed no significant findings.

Race 8: WELCOME TO HOLLAND CLASS 2 H’CAP – 1200M
1st – Kar Ketch Me 2nd – Blissful Belle 3rd – Kahui 4th – Zaha Secret

LADY GOWER (D. McWhinney) was slow to begin and then overraced during the early stages before being positioned wide on the track and raced wide from the 800m onwards.

LEONCINO (T. Harrison) was slow to begin.

DAMALO (R. Mason) was tightened for room at the start between LOVE THAT CHICK (R. Hancock) and BLISSFUL BELLE (R. Wiggins), which jumped away awkwardly.

LOVE THAT CHICK overraced during the early stages at the heels of BLISSFUL BELLE.

CAR THREE (L. Cheshire) overraced during the early stages.

MITAYDEN (S. Galloway) raced wide throughout.

LEONCINO, which laid in under pressure over the concluding stages, improved on to the heels of PATH TO FREEDOM (C. Munce) at a point near the 150m, obliging its rider to stop riding and straighten, and then again when leaving the 100m improved on to the heels of MITAYDEN and was forced to stop riding and shift out to avoid that runner’s heels.

Stewards questioned apprentice L. Rolls and trainer T. Harden regarding the tactics adopted on KAR KETCH ME, in particular the horse leading today which is in contrast to its most recent starts. Apprentice Rolls stated that he had been instructed to ride the horse positively out of the barriers, however the horse has had a tendency to be slow to begin in the past. Trainer T. Harden confirmed the instructions which had been consistent with those given in previous starts, but the circumstances in those races with the gelding being slow to begin had not allowed this to occur. He added that the extra distance from the horse’s most recent start contributed to the forward showing and also in his opinion the gelding failed to handle the synthetic surface at its most recent start.


STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 7. App. A. Allen – careless riding – AR. 137(a)

Suspensions
Race 6. L. Cassidy – careless riding – 6 mtgs (14.3.12-23.3.12) – AR. 137(a)

Fines
From Rockhampton 8.3.12 – $100 – fail to fulfil 2 engagements – AR. 85B
Race 3. Tnr. T. Edmonds - $200 – late gear change – AR. 140B
Race 3. Tnr. G. Harrison - $300 – present horse with incorrect gear – AR. 140A
Race 3. L. Finlay - $200 – fail to ride mount out to end of race – AR. 137(b)
Race 7. Tnr. R. Heathcote - $100 – late rider – LR. 67

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
Eight Carat Queen, Phoeb’s Flyer

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, Soul Crusade, Thrillers, Galaxy King, Zaha Secret

Warnings/bars
Race 4. THROBBING – late scratching on veterinary advice – vet inspection next start
Race 4. SO IN DEED – stepping short in front – veterinary clearance – AR. 8(t)
Race 5. DRAG QUEEN – injured, late scratching – veterinary clearance – AR. 8(t)
Race 7. KNOX – veterinary clearance – AR. 8(t)

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 5. ZAROXIE – D. Browne
Race 4. SNIPER'S SHOT – S. Wisemann, OPEN HEART – S. Galloway
Race 5. STARSPUN – L. Rolls
Race 7. SLICK IMAGE – T. Bell, HAWK HUNTER – J. Stanley, PRIDE OF POLAND – L. Rolls
Race 8. MITAYDEN – S. Galloway

Late scratchings

Race 4. THROBBING – 9 a.m. – vet advice
Race 5. DRAG QUEEN – 2.50 p.m. – injured


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