RACING QUEENSLAND

STEWARDS REPORT


SUNSHINE COAST TURF CLUB – SUNDAY 26 AUGUST 2012

WEATHER – FINE TRACK RATING – GOOD 3 RAIL – OUT 8M

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – P. Gillard
Stewards – S. Kelly, C. Albrecht, T. Quick
Clerk of Scales – G. Palmer
Judge – P. Chilton, P. Golley
Veterinarian – S. du Preez
Swab attendants – K. Warwick, A. Challen
Bookmakers Supervisor – W. Flynn
Starter – P. Briton, J. Holcombe
Stewards Secretary – W. Ostrofski

GENERAL

As S. Galloway was indisposed, riding changes were made as per the Stewards Race Day Summary.

Race 1: COTTON TREE MEATS CLASS 1 H’CAP - 1400m
1st – Toy With Me 2nd – Starlistic 3rd – Not A Lady 4th – Barely A Fib

Trainer R. Bradshaw advised stewards it is his intention that MAY (T. Bell) be ridden in a mid to back position. The horse was ridden accordingly.

NOT A LADY (B. Richardson) was slow to begin.

When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of BARELY A FIB, jockey J. Byrne stated that he was at a loss to explain today’s performance. He added that the horse travelled comfortably throughout the race, however failed to let down as expected and proved very disappointing. Trainer R. Heathcote stated whilst he was mindful that the horse was having its first run back from a short ease-up, he was disappointed with today’s performance but also expected the horse to benefit from today’s outing. Mr Heathcote undertook to report to stewards anything that comes to light in coming days which may have had an effect on the performance.

When questioned regarding the poor performance of SPLASH AND DASH, jockey J. Stanley stated that in his opinion the horse may have struggled to run out a strong 1400m and further that he feels the gelding is more suited to rain-affected surfaces. Trainer J. Johnston stated that in his opinion the horse may have come to the end of its current preparation and in view of today’s performance it is his intention that the gelding be sent for an immediate spell. A post-race veterinary examination of SPLASH AND DASH failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Race 2: SPECIALIST EXPORT SERVICES CLASS 3 PLATE - 1600m
1st – Higher Order 2nd – Mightysui 3rd – Loupets 4th – Chubby Chipmunk

The start was delayed slightly when both T. Bell (MIGHTYSUI) and K. Wharton (ROYAL CRUSADER) required their respective mounts to be resaddled.

MIGHTYSUI (T. Bell) was slow to begin.

A post-race veterinary examination of CHUBBY CHIPMUNK (R. Jamieson) revealed the gelding to have minor lacerations on the gums and lips.

T. Bell (MIGHTYSUI) pleaded guilty to a charge under AR. 137A(5)(a)(ii) in that he used the whip on more than 5 occasions in a forehand manner prior to the 100m. T. Bell was fined the sum of $700. In considering penalty, stewards took into account T. Bell’s poor record regarding breaches of this rule and advised him that further breaches may result in the imposition of a suspension of his licence to ride in races.

Race 3: ST CLAIR SHEETMETAL MAIDEN H’CAP - 1600m
1st – King’s Romance 2nd – Default 3rd – Golden Maharaja 4th – Every Line A Gem

Trainer D. Newham advised stewards that the riding tactics on EVERY LINE A GEM (J. Byrne) today would be similar to those adopted at the horse’s previous start, with the horse to be ridden back in the field if circumstances permit. The horse was ridden accordingly.

Approaching the 1400m GOLDEN MAHARAJA (T. Bell) appeared to resent racing to the inside of KING’S ROMANCE (D. Browne) and became very awkward in its action.

Leaving the 1400m KING’S ROMANCE commenced to overrace and near the 1200m was shifted out and allowed to improve forward and assume the lead approaching the 800m.

EVERY LINE A GEM, RUTHLESS BABE (K. Wharton) and IDLE MINDS (G. Cooksley) began awkwardly.

Race 4: FINZ SWIMWEAR MAIDEN PLATE - 1200m
1st – Heart Of Texas 2nd – Storm 3rd – Light In The Field 4th – Bundu Boy

The start of this race was delayed when J. Byrne, the rider of IT’S ON THE POCKET, was hit in the face by that horse. J. Byrne was examined by the ambulance officers and cleared to fulfil his engagement.

BUNDU BOY (M. Hellyer) and STALWART TYCOON (C. Kearney) were slow to begin.

COUNTRY CHARM (K. Wharton) was tightened for room at the start between PEDIMENT (A. Spinks) and IT’S ON THE POCKET (J. Byrne), which shifted out.

JUST DANDY (A. Taylor) began awkwardly and shifted out, making contact with the hind quarters of LIGHT IN THE FIELD (J. Stanley) and as a consequence lost ground.

COUNTRY CHARM and SIR KNOX (D. McWhinney) raced greenly for a short distance after the start.

STORM (G. Cooksley) overraced in the early stages and near the 800m was crowded for room when racing to the inside of HEART OF TEXAS (G. Killen).

COUNTRY CHARM raced wide for the majority of the event.

Approaching the 100m SIR KNOX (D. McWhinney) improved sharply in attempting a run where there was doubtful room to the inside of IT’S ON THE POCKET, which a short distance later shifted in slightly, resulting in SIR KNOX having to be checked, clipping the heels of IT’S ON THE POCKET and blundering. Whilst stewards could attribute no blame to any one rider, no further action was taken other than to advise both jockey J. Byrne and apprentice D. McWhinney to show greater care in similar circumstances.

Race 5: BRAD READ DESIGN GROUP CLASS 2 H’CAP - 1200m
1st –Hi Jo Silver 2nd – Tail And All 3rd – Jersey Shore 4th – Skeeter

Connections advised that it would be the intention to have JERSEY SHORE (D. Browne) ridden in a forward position if circumstances permit. As the horse was slow to begin, it settled at the tail of the field.

The start of this race was delayed when HI JO SILVER (T. Bell) became fractious in the barriers and broke a piece of its gear, namely the cheekers. As this gear was unable to be replaced, the horse raced without that advertised gear.

Trainer R. Heathcote was advised that a warning would be placed on the manners of JERSEY SHORE which was reluctant to proceed to the barriers.

JERSEY SHORE raced ungenerously leaving the 800m and threw its head in the air for a short distance.

Race 6: MAROOCHY SURF CLUB – MATT BARCLAY BENCHMARK 80 H’CAP - 1200m
1st – Whispering Gap 2nd – Lohan 3rd – Running Vixen 4th – Heartsun

Connections advised that it would be the intention to have SLICK IMAGE (L. Cassidy) ridden in a forward position if circumstances permit. The horse was ridden accordingly.

Shortly after the start HEARTSUN (K. Wharton) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of RUNNING VIXEN (K. Gates), which shifted in.

HEARTSUN overraced in the early stages of the event.

ISSUES (R. Hurdle) raced wide throughout.

Near the 600m DAI KON (J. Stanley) had to be steadied when tightened for room by RUNNING VIXEN, which shifted in and away from ISSUES.

Apprentice K. Gates, the rider of RUNNING VIXEN, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR. 137(a) in that near the 150m she permitted her mount to shift out whilst being ridden along with the whip when insufficiently clear of ISSUES, resulting in ISSUES having to be checked, clipping the heels of RUNNING VIXEN and blundering. Apprentice Gates’ licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 meetings, to commence at midnight on Monday, 27 August, and expire at midnight on Saturday, 8 September 2012.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of DAI KON, rider J. Stanley stated that the gelding travelled well up to a point near the 600m and after being tightened for room at that stage of the race, the horse was then reluctant to stretch out and as a result finished tailed off and was most disappointing. Stewards will contact trainer J. McLachlan regarding the performance.

When questioned regarding the performance of SLICK IMAGE, jockey L. Cassidy stated that in his opinion the horse may not have been suited to racing in a forward position today and felt it would be much better ridden back in the field. Stewards noted his explanation.

Race 7: CRYSTAL CLASS 1 H’CAP - 1000m
1st – Keep It Moist 2nd – Leoncino 3rd – Zatsacat 4th – What A Tycoon

DIXIE FLYER was a late scratching at 2.40 p.m. for veterinary reasons.

The start of this race was delayed when ABBALAC (G. Goold) became fractious in the gates. After being examined by the veterinary surgeon ABBALAC was cleared to start.

SUPREMEHEART (J. Byrne) and WHAT A TYCOON (K. Wharton) began awkwardly.

Near the 900m ZATSACAT (G. Cooksley) shifted in making heavy contact with LEONCINO (R. Hurdle), which in turn shifted in making contact with VEYSONNAZ (J. Johnson), which lost ground. G. Cooksley was issued with a reprimand.

ZATSACAT and LEONCINO raced wide for the majority of the event.

Leaving the 200m LEONCINO shifted in under pressure, resulting in its rider apprentice R. Hurdle having to stop riding and straighten his mount.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of OUR BOY BILL, rider M. Palmer stated that the horse failed to respond to his riding from leaving the 500m and in his opinion was most disappointing. Trainer B. Gill was at a loss to explain the horse’s performance and gave an undertaking to advise stewards should anything come to his attention in the near future that may have had a bearing on today’s performance. Mr Gill was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s performance today. A post-race veterinary examination of OUR BOY BILL failed to reveal any abnormalities.



STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 7. G. Cooksley – careless riding – AR. 137(a)

Fines
Race 2. T. Bell – $700 – use whip more than 5 times forehand prior to 100m – AR. 137A(5)(a)(ii)

Suspensions
Race 6. App. K. Gates – careless riding - 7 mtgs (m/n 27.8.12- m/n 8.9.12) – AR. 137(a)

Absent jockeys
S. Galloway – indisposed – medical cert req’d

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
Loupets, Royal Crusader, Every Line A Gem, Golden Maharaja

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, Tail And All, Lohan, Leoncino

Warnings/bars
Race 5. JERSEY SHORE – reluctant to proceed to barriers – warning
Race 7. OUR BOY BILL – uncompetitive – warning

Adjourned inquiry
Race 6. Performance of DAI KON – tnr. J. McLachlan

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1. TOY WITH ME – K. Wharton
Race 3. EVERY LINE A GEM – J. Byrne
Race 4. COUNTRY CHARM – K. Wharton
Race 5. CORSTON – J. Byrne

Late scratchings
Race 7. DIXIE FLYER – 2.40 p.m. – vet reasons




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