RACING QUEENSLAND

STEWARDS REPORT


SUNSHINE COAST TURF CLUB – SUNDAY, 1 APRIL 2012

WEATHER – FINE TRACK RATING – HEAVY 8 RAIL – 4M


OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – J. Williamson
Stewards – N. Torpey, S. Kelly, C. Albrecht
Clerk of Scales – C. Fedrick
Judge – P. Chilton
Veterinarian – C. Johnstone
Swab attendants – K. Warwick, M. Johnston
Bookmakers Supervisor – W. Flynn
Starter – P. Briton, J. Holcombe
Stewards Secretary – P. Carey

Supplementary Report

As L. Cassidy, J. Wood, J. Taylor, B. Stewart were indisposed, riding changes were made as per the Stewards Summary Sheet .


Race 1: Contour Consulting Engineers Benchmark 75 H'cap – 2200m
1st – Raunchy’s Warrior 2nd – Bundeebear 3rd – Step Forward 4th – Grand Homme

BUNDEEBEAR (D. Browne) jumped away awkwardly.

When the pace slackened leaving the 1000m, DEGREE OF HONOUR (A. Spinks) shifted out to avoid the heels of GRAND HOMME (A. Pattillo) and in doing so forced STEP FORWARD (S. Apthorpe) wider. This caused both horses to become unbalanced until the 800m and resulted in STEP FORWARD racing wide from that point onwards.

A. Spinks reported that DEGREE OF HONOUR failed to handle the rain affected racing conditions.

Stewards questioned D. Browne, rider of BUNDEEBEAR, regarding the tactics adopted, particularly the reasons for riding forward during the middle stages to take up a position outside the leader. He advised he was not satisfied with the slow pace being set in the early stages and he therefore elected to improve to secure a position closer to the lead. Stewards accepted the explanation.




Race 2: Sky Racing QTIS 2yo Maiden H'cap – 1200m
1st – Utilism 2nd – Finality 3rd – Magic Twist 4th – Kristrom

MAGIC TWIST (E. Kehoe), UTILISM (T. Bell) and KRISTROM (P. Keane) were slow to begin.

SAMMY LOU (J. Kropp) jumped away awkwardly.

Near the 800m, MAGNIFY (T. Harrison) became awkward and lost ground when racing in restricted room to the inside of SAMMY LOU. MAGIC TWIST, which was following, had to be steadied to avoid the heels of MAGNIFY.

Stewards questioned K. Wharton regarding the tactics adopted on FACT OR FAKE, in particular his reasons for being positioned outside the lead, which was in contrast to the horse’s established racing pattern. K. Wharton stated he had not been given specific instructions, however he wished to be positive out of the barriers in order to obtain a competitive position. He added that after travelling a short distance it became apparent that he would be caught wide and he therefore elected to pressure the gelding again in an attempt to secure a position closer to the fence. This resulted in FACT OR FAKE overracing during the middle stages. Trainer R. Bradshaw confirmed these instructions, adding that in future starts it was anticipated that FACT OR FAKE will be ridden just off the speed if possible.

Stewards also questioned P. Keane, rider of KRISTROM, regarding the tactics adopted on the horse, which was ridden in a rearward position which was in contrast to its established racing pattern. P. Keane stated that he had been instructed to ride KRISTROM where it was comfortable, however after being slow to begin he elected to take up a position at the tail of the field in order to be closer to the fence. It was his view that with a more favourable draw, KRISTROM would be positioned more forward in the field.

B. Richardson was reprimanded for using her whip on SILENT DRIVE when the horse was out of contention.


Race 3: RCQ Maiden H'cap - 1400m
1st – Pain And Gain 2nd – River Dancing 3rd – Spring Queen 4th – Audacious Al

Trainer B. Robinson was reprimanded for failing to declare the addition of a tail chain to the gear of I’M GONE by the prescribed time.

The start of this race was delayed when MR MAGICIAN was examined by the veterinary surgeon. The horse was cleared to take its place in the field.

On return to scale, a protest was lodged by D. Green, rider of the 3rd placegetter RIVER DANCING, against SPRING QUEEN (A. Spinks) being declared 2nd, alleging interference over the final 50m. After taking evidence from the parties concerned and viewing the relevant patrol films, stewards established that over the final 100m of the event, SPRING QUEEN shifted out under pressure, which resulted in that horse making heavy contact with RIVER DANCING, causing RIVER DANCING to become unbalanced. Stewards were therefore satisfied that the nose margin between both horses and the interference sustained by RIVER DANCING was sufficient to uphold the objection, and the Judge’s placings were altered to read: No. 16 – PAIN AND GAIN – 1st No. 11 – RIVER DANCING – 2nd No. 10 – Spring Queen – 3rd No. 5 – Audacious Al – 4th. At a subsequent inquiry it was also established that in shifting out, SPRING QUEEN caused MR MAGICIAN (E. Wilkinson) to be steadied over the concluding stages. A. Spinks, rider of SPRING QUEEN, was therefore reprimanded for failing to stop riding and straighten his mount over the concluding stages.

MILITARISM (R. Hancock) was slow to begin.

RIVER DANCING (D. Green) jumped away awkwardly and made contact with OPEN HEART (T. Bell).

DAWN’S SNIP (D. Browne), PAIN AND GAIN (M. Vance) and ZERO SET (T. Harrison) raced wide throughout.

Stewards questioned jockey S. Galloway regarding the tactics adopted on BEAUVICTIS when rounding the home turn, particularly his reasons for shifting wider at that point which resulted in him being forced to steady from the heels of the tiring I’M GONE when it appeared he had opportunity to improve to the inside following SPRING QUEEN. Jockey Galloway stated that at that point of the race it was his opinion that the racing surface on the inside close to the fence was inferior to the racing surface 4 and 5 wide. He therefore elected to shift out rounding the home turn and it was not until he was at the heels of I’M GONE that he was aware that the horse was losing ground. He added that, in his opinion, this did not have a material effect on the overall performance as the horse, despite his urgings, did not finish the race off. Stewards noted his comments.


Race 4: Reed Property Group Class 2 H'cap – 1800m
1st – Cobbanvilla 2nd – Captain Fastbuck 3rd – Utmost Faith 4th – Spur Point

NOT A LADY (L. Finlay) was tightened for room at the start between HONOURDO (K. Wharton) and MR MOTO (E. Wilkinson), which was taken in by PATHI HARN (D. Griffin), which jumped away awkwardly.

SKYSTEP (S. Apthorpe) raced wide during the early stages.

Leaving the 1500m MR MOTO had to be steadied and raced with its head in the air for a short distance when tightened for room when racing to the inside of SKYSTEP (S. Apthorpe), which shifted in. S. Apthorpe, rider of SKYSTEP, was reprimanded.

Stewards afforded T. Bell the opportunity to comment on the performance of TOOLBAG. Apprentice Bell stated that after travelling well during the middle stages, the gelding was under pressure from the 600m and proved disappointing over the concluding stages.

Stewards questioned P. Hammersley regarding the tactics adopted on UTMOST FAITH, particularly the reasons for being positioned in the second half of the field, which was in contrast to the horse’s established racing pattern. P. Hammersley stated he had ridden vigorously in the early stages in an attempt to hold a forward position but was unable to muster early speed and was forced to steady near the 1600m to secure a position one off the fence. Stewards accepted the explanation.

A post-race veterinary examination of MR MOTO, which raced wide throughout, revealed the horse had bowed a tendon in the off foreleg. Connections were advised that a veterinary clearance would be required for MR MOTO prior to its next race start.


Race 5: XXXX Maiden Plate - 1000m
1st – Longshoreman 2nd – A Little Foxy 3rd – Get On 4th – Little Rip Snorter

KNIGHTS (R. Mason), LONGSHOREMAN (S. Galloway), BREAKSEA SPIT (G. Killen) and A LITTLE FOXY (T. Bell) were all slow to begin.

IMPERIAL SPIRIT (D. Griffin) jumped away awkwardly and shifted in, making contact with BELLA’S LULLABY (A. Spinks).

A short distance later, IMPERIAL SPIRIT shifted out and made contact with ROUGHEN (S. Wiseman), causing that horse to be steadied from the heels of NAVILLUS BLONDIE (M. Vance).

Leaving the 900m, ROUGHEN (S. Wiseman), which was racing greenly and overracing, clipped the heels of IMPERIAL SPIRIT and blundered when that horse was steadied when tightened for room between BELLA’S LULLABY and NAVILLUS BLONDIE (M. Vance), which shifted in. M. Vance, rider of NAVILLUS BLONDIE, was severely reprimanded for this incident.

M. Hellyer, rider of LITTLE RIP SNORTER, was charged with careless riding, in that when approaching the 800m he allowed his mount to shift in, making heavy contact with NAVILLUS BLONDIE, resulting in that horse shifting in, tightening the running of BELLA’S LULLABY (A. Spinks), which was racing between that horse and GET ON (A. Pattillo), resulting in A. Spinks having to take hold of BELLA’S LULLABY, which lost its rightful running. After taking submissions from M. Hellyer, he was found not guilty as it was established that LITTLE RIP SNORTER had shifted in despite jockey Hellyer’s efforts and that NAVILLUS BLONDIE had overreacted in this incident.

LITTLE RIP SNORTER (M. Hellyer), which raced wide throughout, was hampered near the 600m and forced wider on the track when ROUGHEN (S. Wiseman) hung out for a short distance.

LITTLE RIP SNORTER (M. Hellyer) raced wide throughout.

R. Hancock, rider of LITTLE MRS MURPHY, reported that, in his opinion, the mare did not handle the rain affected racing surface.

A post-race veterinary examination of NAVILLUS BLONDIE revealed it to be have been galloped on on the off hindleg.




Race 6: Yalumba Wines Benchmark 80 BM80 H'cap – 1200m
1st – Explore The World 2nd – Slice And Dice 3rd – Race The Shadow 4th – Issues

EXPLORE THE WORLD (G. Killen) jumped away awkwardly.

P. Hammersley reported that RACE THE SHADOW hung in near the 800m and again hung in when under pressure from the 400m onwards.

For a short distance leaving the 600m, RACE THE SHADOW (P. Hammersley), when attempting to shift out to improve, made contact with EXPLORE THE WORLD, causing both horses to become unbalanced for a short distance.

Leaving the 400m, RACE THE SHADOW laid in under pressure and had to be steadied from the heels of PATAPINDA (D. Browne).

Stewards questioned C. Munce regarding the tactics adopted on SLICE AND DICE, particularly the reason for being positioned in the second half of the field, which was contrary to the horse’s customary racing pattern, and furthermore his reason for positioning SLICE AND DICE 3 wide near the 800m when it appeared had had opportunity to position closer to the fence. C. Munce stated that despite riding vigorously during the first 200 metres of the event, SLICE AND DICE was unable to muster early speed, and near the 800m he took the opportunity to be positioned behind EXPLORE THE WORLD which, in his opinion, was travelling well and was also a chance in the event, adding that, in his opinion, racing off the fence was not detrimental given today’s rain affected conditions. He further added that, in his opinion, the horse may be better served racing over more ground.


Race 7: Hot 91.1 Class 1 H'cap - 1200m
1st – Show Of Strength 2nd – Diet 3rd – Rock To Rule 4th – Waranga

The start of this race was delayed after LEVERACTION became fractious and reared up in the barriers. As a result of injuries sustained by jockey D. Browne, and also acting on veterinary advice, LEVERACTON was declared a late scratching at 4.16 pm.

SHOW OF STRENGTH, which was in the adjoining stall to LEVERACTION, was examined by the veterinary surgeon at the barriers and cleared to start.

All monies invested on LEVERACTION were ordered to be refunded, with the following deductions applicable.

31 cents in the dollar for the winner SHOW OF STRENGTH
17 cents in the dollar for place of winner SHOW OF STRENGTH
23 cents in the dollar for 2nd place DIET
23 cents in the dollar for 3rd place ROCK TO RULE

SP bets were subject to deductions.

Trainer S. MacKinnon was advised that he would be required to provide 2 further barriers certificates for LEVERACTION, one of which to be obtained in an official trial, before the gelding would be permitted to start again.

JABIRU (D. Griffin) was tightened for room at the start between DIET (G. Killen) and ROCK TO RULE (R. Mason), which jumped away awkwardly and shifted in.

SAMMIE AMIE (R. Hurdle) jumped in the air as the start was effected and lost ground.

DIET laid in under pressure from the 400m.


Race 8: WWW.SCTC.Com.Au Class 3 H'cap - 1400m
1st – Darth 2nd – Ninth Duke 3rd – Will Impress 4th – Bustopher Jones

CONSTANT CRAVING (P. Hammersley) was slow to begin.

NINTH DUKE (C. Priest) hung out throughout the event.

CONSTANT CRAVING was held up rounding the home turn.

C. Priest, rider of NINTH DUKE, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding, in that in over the concluding stages she allowed her mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of AMINUTEMORE (D. Griffin), causing that horse to be restrained and lose its rightful running. C. Priest was suspended from riding in races for a period of 6 meetings, to commence at midnight, 10 April and to expire a midnight, 17 April.

Leaving the 200m, WILL IMPRESS (T. Harrison) shifted out under pressure, making contact with AMINUTEMORE (D. Griffin) and taking that horse out on to NINTH DUKE (C. Priest), causing all 3 horses to become unbalanced. T. Harrison, rider of WILL IMPRESS, was severely reprimanded for failing to stop riding and straighter her mount.

DARTH (D. Green) and NINTH DUKE (C. Priest) raced wide throughout.























STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning licensees
Reprimands
Race 2. Brooke Richardson – A/jockey – Use whip when out of contention - AR137A(1)(c)*
Race 3. Ben Robinson – Trainer – Late gear change – AR140B*
Andrew Spinks – Jockey – C/riding – AR137(a)*
Race 4. Shannon Apthorpe – Jockey – C/riding – AR137(a)*
Race 5. Maija Vance – A/jockey – C/riding – AR137(a)
Race 8. Tegan Harrison – A/jockey – Careless riding – Severe reprimand*

Suspensions
Race 8. Cassie Priest – A/jockey – C/riding – 6 mtgs – M/n 10.4.12 to 17.4.12 - AR137(a)*

Absent jockeys
L. Cassidy, B. Stewart, J. Wood – Illness – Cert. Required*
J. Taylor – Personal reasons*

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses swabbed pre-race
Step Forward, Raunchy’s Warrior, Collector, Mr Moto, Pathi Harn

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners and Bundebear, Raunchy’s Warrior, Utilism, Pain And Gain, Cobbanvilla, Get On, Longshoreman, Explore The World, Show Of Strength, Diet, Darth, Will Impress

Warnings/bars
Race 7. Leveraction – Barrier manners – 2 b/certs, 1 obtained in off.trial – AR8(t)

Protests
Race 3. 3rd (River Dancing) v. 2nd (Spring Queen) – Upheld.

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 3. Sniper’s Shot – D. Griffin
Zero Set – T. Harrison
Open Heart – T. Bell
Moringa’s Sundance – A. Allan
I’m Gone – C. Eaton
Race 4. Imperial Spirit – D. Griffin
Race 5. A Little Foxy – T. Bell
Bella’s Lullaby – A. Spinks
Race 7. Diet – G. Killen
Idle Joker – A. Pattillo
Race 8. Fragar – G. Killen
Kwila Sunrise – A. Allen
Late scratchings
Race 7. Leveraction – 4.16 pm