RACING QUEENSLAND

STEWARDS REPORT

SUNSHINE COAST TURF CLUB – FRIDAY, 31 JANUARY 2014

WEATHER – OVERCAST TRACK RATING – DEAD 4 RAIL – TRUE
PENETROMETER – 5.1

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – J. Williamson
Stewards – A. Reardon, I. Brown, G. Palmer,
Clerk of Scales – C. Fedrick
Judge – P. Chilton, P. Golley
Veterinarian – C. Johnstone
Swab attendants – B. Andrews, C. Johnstone
Bookmakers Supervisor – W. Unwin
Starter – M. Henderson R. Hanwin
Stewards Secretary – P. Carey


General

As L. Cassidy was indisposed, riding changes were made as per the Stewards' Summary Sheet.

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Race 1: Coast Life Homes QTIS 3yo Maiden Plate – 1200m

Prior to correct weight, B. El-Issa, rider of the 3rd placegetter, was granted permission by the stewards to view the video to ascertain if he had grounds to lodge an objection against CHINABOB being declared 2nd on the grounds of interference 100 metres after the start. After viewing the patrol film, B. El-Issa declined to lodge a objection.

STRIKING WARRIOR (D. Browne) was slow to begin.

A NEW STARLIGHT (K. Matheson) was hampered shortly after the start when tightened for room between NORDIC STORY (B. El-Issa), which shifted in, and FEROCITY FAIR (R. McMahon), which shifted out.

YOHO (A. Spinks) shifted in shortly after the start and made contact with OMITTANCE (E. Wilkinson).

Near the 1000, FEROCITY FAIR commenced to overrace and was inconvenienced when tightened for room to the inside of NORDIC STORY, which had to be restrained to avoid the heels of CHINABOB (D. Missen), which shifted in. D. Missen, rider of CHINABOB, was reprimanded and reminded of his obligations to be fully clear when shifting ground. Following this incident, FEROCITY FAIR and STELLA BLONDE (R. Wiggins) were both obliged to race in restricted room to the inside of NORDIC STORY and at a point leaving the 800m, STELLA BLONDE shifted out and became unbalanced, further inconveniencing FEROCITY FAIR.

Passing the 800m, OLLIE OOBA (T. Harrison) overraced for a short distance at the heels of OCTAFUN (G. Killen).

STRIKING WARRIOR raced wide in the early stages before being restrained near the 800m to take up a position closer to the fence.

Near the 700m, CHINABOB (D. Missen), which was pulling hard, shifted out and made heavy contact with YOHO.

STELLA BLONDE (R. Wiggins) laid in under pressure in the home straight and was unable to secure clear running at the heels of the weakening CINQ DES COEURS (P. Schmidt).

YOHO raced wide throughout.


Race 2: Asset Electrical Maiden H'cap – 1200m

Trainer B. Brown advised stewards that MAXIRODS would be ridden in the second half of the field with cover if circumstances permit after leading at its last start. The horse was ridden accordingly.

The start was delayed when RUBAROSA lost its tongue-tie, which had to be replaced.

Shortly after the start, JUST TAKE IT (E. Wilkinson) shifted out and made contact with MUSICIAN (R. Payne), taking that horse out on to LITTLE AUDREY (B. El-Issa).

MUSICIAN (R. Payne) laid in under pressure in the home straight.

M. Cahill was afforded the opportunity to comment on the performance of WARRIOR SKY, which performed below market expectations. He explained that after being slow to begin, he rode aggressively in the early stages as he had been instructed to take up a forward position. He added that WARRIOR SKY then overraced in the middle stages. Trainer D. Meagher advised stewards that he would give consideration to removing the blinkers from the horse’s gear before its next start, and also indicated that it would be the intention to advise the rider next start not to be as aggressive in the early stages.

RUBAROSA (P. Schmidt) bled during the event. Trainer C. Richardson was advised that RUBAROSA would be barred from racing for a period of 3 months. Mrs Richardson informed stewards that RUBAROSA would now be retired from racing.

A post race veterinary examination of BROWN EYED MISS, which finished a distant last, revealed it to be making an abnormal respiratory noise. Trainer I. Jackson advised he intended to have the horse scoped and would advise stewards of the result of such examination.
Race 3: Navigate Law Class 1 H'cap – 1000m

Prior to the start of this event, stewards were advised that the lighting at the top of the 1000m chute had partially failed. Stewards, in conjunction with the starter, and after consultation with all riders in the event, were satisfied that there was sufficient light to run this event from this starting point.

OH MY ROCKET (A. Spinks) and ROSEY JOAN (M. Hellyer) came together on jumping away.

Near the 700m, IRRESTIBLE ME (P. Schmidt) improved on to heels and had to be steadied, losing ground.

ROSEY JOAN laid in under pressure in the home straight.


Race 4: Ella Jean Grace Memorial Class 1 H'cap – 1400m

Trainer S. Kendrick was fined $100 for failing to declare a rider for PRICELESS HEART by the prescribed time.

Connections advised that SUGAR DADDY, which led last start, would tonight race just worse than midfield if circumstances permit from the awkward alley. SUGAR DADDY subsequently raced midfield and wide on the track.

PRICELESS HEART (D. Missen) jumped away awkwardly and shifted in, making contact with RED CENT (R. Wiggins).

Rounding the home turn, RED CENT shifted out around the heels of GIVE IT BERRIES (A. Hearn) to secure clear running and in doing so made contact with SUGAR DADDY (E. Wilkinson), causing both horses to become unbalanced.

Shortly after entering the straight, WILL’S CHOICE (D. Browne), which was racing to the inside of the heels of GIVE IT BERRIES (A. Hearn), shifted in abruptly despite the efforts of its rider, taking DO SOME GOOD (B. El-Issa) onto STORM (G. Goold), resulting in STORM being severely checked and DO SOME GOOD being badly hampered.

At the conclusion of this inquiry, B. El-Issa was reprimanded for inappropriate comments made towards A. Hearn.

PRICELESS HEART (D. Missen) raced wide throughout.


Race 5: CSR Bricks and Roofing Class 2 H'cap – 1200m

MATILLA BAY (A. Taylor) was slow to begin.

DESTINY’S ANGEL (A. Hearn) was very slow to begin. Connections were advised that a barrier certificate must be produced for DESTINY’S ANGEL prior to its next race start.

Passing the 800m, PICTURE IT (T. Harrison) hung out for a short distance and when restrained from the heels of REAL DREAMS (R. Wiggins) raced with its head in the air and lost ground.

Near the 700m, MATILLA BAY (A. Taylor) improved onto heels and had to be steadied.

LILY MY GIRL (B. Appo) raced wide without cover for the majority of the race.

Stewards sought an explanation from P. Holmes, rider of ALLKNIGHT SAINT, regarding the tactics adopted when approaching the home turn when it appeared he had opportunity to improve to the inside of REAL DREAMS (R. Wiggins). He stated that as ALLKNIGHT SAINT had raced greenly in the early stages he was reluctant to improve to the inside at that point. He also added that he had been instructed that as ALLKNIGHT SAINT was a a stayer resuming, he had been instructed to position the horse into clear running prior to the turn so that it could make a sustained run as, in the opinion of the trainer the horse does not improve quickly into its races.

Inquiry re rider's reasons for shifting away from the fence near the 700m and positioning himself 3 wide outside Navey Chic. He stated that he was of the view that Navy Chic would continue to shift in to take up a position on the fence, however when that did not occur he was content to remain 3 wide to ensure he would have clear running in the home straight. Stewards noted the explanation.


Race 6: Cricks Nambour Class 3 Plate – 1600m

SWEET LITTLE FILLY (M. Hellyer) was slow to begin.

Near the 900m, COTORRA shifted out, inconveniencing PHOENIX FORCE.

After passing the 800m, GUNDY STAR (R. Wiggins) shifted out to improve and raced wide from that point onwards.

After leaving the 400m, HARD TICKER (E. Wilkinson) shifted out to improve and in doing so made contact with GUNDY STAR.

Leaving the 300m, NARCISSUS (D. Browne) shifted out around the heels of ARAWAK (S. Payne) and in doing so made contact with COTORRA (B. Appo).

SERIOUSLY READY (J. Orman) overraced in the early stages.

When questioned as to the poor performance of PHOENIX FORCE, which compounded over the final 400m, K. Wharton stated that, in his opinion, the gelding did not run out the 1600m and felt that PHOENIX FORCE would be better suited being allowed to stride forward over a shorter distance. Jockey Wharton was also of the view that PHOENIX FORCE experienced respiratory difficulties during running which contributed to its poor performance. Trainer B. Hill agreed with jockey Wharton’s comments and indicated that he would step PHOENIX FORCE back in distance for its next race start. A post race veterinary examination of PHOENIX FORCE failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.


Race 7: Beerwah Post Office Maiden Plate – 1600m

Connections advised that RISE OF THE PHOENIX would be ridden in a more forward position if circumstances permit. The horse subsequently raced outside the leader.

RISE OF THE PHOENIX, which was kicked by another horse at the barriers, was examined by the veterinary surgeon and cleared to start.

FILLY WONKA (A. Allen) was slow to begin.

When the pace slackened leaving the 1200m, HOOKED ON PLATINUM (G. Goold), when restrained from the heels of MORALS (M. Cahill), shifted out, causing GO THE SHOW (S. Payne) to be steadied to avoid heels. Shortly after this, GO THE SHOW was allowed to stride forward and raced 3 wide for the remainder of the race.

Approaching the 300m, RISE OF THE PHOENIX (M. Hellyer) shifted out under pressure, causing D. Browne, rider of SKIPPER’S RULE, which was racing to the outside, to stop riding and shift back to the inside to secure clear running.

GO THE SHOW (S. Payne) raced wide throughout without cover.

Stewards questioned S. Payne, rider of GO THE SHOW, as to his tactics in the middle stages that after being forced wider near the 1200m his reasons for failing to continue forward when the pace was only steady in the middle stages. He advised stewards that he had been instructed to race at the tail of the field and was attempting to fulfil these instructions, however with hindsight accepted that he may have been better served in allowing the horse to stride forward to take up the lead when he was forced to race wide.

























STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 1. Dale Missen – Jockey – C/riding – AR137(a)*
Race 4. Bobby El-Issa – Jockey – Inappropriate comments to another jockey – AR175(g)

Absent jockeys
L. Cassidy – Illness – Cert. required*

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, Ferocity Fair, Warrior Sky, Deter

Warnings/bars
Race 5. Destiny’s Angel – Very slow to begin – B/Cert – AR8(t)

Bleeders
Race 2. Rubarosa – 3 mth bar – AR53A


Summary of rider changes/Late notifications

Race 2. Earlstoun Ruler – R. McMahon
Race 4. Priceless Heart – D. Missen
Race 5. Real Dreams – R. Wiggins
Race 6. Hard ticker – E. Wilkinson





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