STEWARDS REPORT
TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB
THURSDAY 21ST JUNE 2001

Weather: Fine Track: Fast
Stewards: D Griffiths (Chairman), W Bethel, P Cooper, C Bird, J McIntosh, K Gossage (Cadet)
Rail: Out 6 metres from the 1000 metres to the home turn and 3 metres in the straight.

RACE 1 CLASS 5 HANDICAP 1000 METRES 6 STARTERS
J Felix was replaced on KENDARK by Jockey A Baker when he could not make the weight. After taking an explanation from Jockey Felix he was reprimanded and the Stewards took into account that he had not been dealt with previously for failing to make the weight. AR120(b). P Cullen reported he felt LUCKY SPRINGS may have got its tongue over the bit during the event.

RACE 2 CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1000 METRES 8 STARTERS
As Jockey I Coombes was indisposed he was replaced on SMOKEN TOKEN by J Stopps. The following replacement riders were also approved- Race 5 JUANITATAR J Stopps, Race 6 NORTHERN LOUIS M Cullen. Approaching the 850 metres SMOKEN TOKEN shifted in and away from IMPERIAL LENGTH and as a result KIALOA and KNOCK OFF TIME were crowded and made contact. Jockey J Stopps (SMOKEN TOKEN) was advised to make a greater endeavour to straighten his mount earlier in similar circumstances. An Inquiry was held into the reason for WATER LEVEL being checked approaching the 250 metre mark. After taking evidence from Apprentice D Crossland (WATER LEVEL) and also A Baker (LUBERTUS) it was established that LUBERTUS had shifted to the inside of SMOKEN TOKEN to obtain clear running when not sufficiently clear of WATER LEVEL. Jockey A Baker (LUBERTUS) was severely reprimanded and advised to exercise care in similar circumstances.

RACE 3 CLASS 4 HANDICAP 1300 METRES 8 STARTERS
VELOCIDAD after brushing FUME as the gates opened shifted in shortly after the start hampering CREDIT RISK and TONTORE. Making the first turn ALLEZ SLEW got its head in the air and raced ungenerously. TONTORE shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages. Apprentice C Murphy (TONTORE) was advised to keep her mounts straight in the future.

RACE 4 CLASS 2 HANDICAP 1200 METRES 6 STARTERS
REGAL PLEASURE was slow into stride. Approaching the 900 metres SIRTASH shifted in and contacted the running rail when racing inside of ROADS END. After taking evidence from Apprentice T Maeda (SIRTASH) AND Jockey M Deguara (ROADS END) it was established that SIRTASH had shifted in of its own accord when racing in restricted room. A veterinary examination of SIRTASH revealed the gelding to be sore in muscles in the upper nearside hind leg.

RACE 5 MAIDEN HANDICAP 1200 METRES 9 STARTERS
JUANITATAR jumped awkwardly and lost ground. Making the first turn ORLANDO had to be steadied when EL ALAMADOR (R Gallacher) shifted in. Jockey R Gallacher was cautioned and advised to exercise care.

RACE 6 3YO MAIDEN HANDICAP 1400 METRES 9 STARTERS
SKYSCRAPER was a late scratching at 11:00am by order of the Stewards for veterinary reasons. NORTHERN LOUIS jumped out at the start and raced greenly there after. Making the home turn WELLINGTON ROAD (C Murphy) shifted out to improve and made heavy contact with NUBRICK (M Deguara). Apprentice C Murphy was reprimanded in relation to this incident. The club veterinary surgeon reported that ANCIENT WARRIOR bled from the off nostril only.

RACE 7 CLASS 4 HANDICAP 1650 METRES 14 STARTERS
ROYAL BEGGAR blundered on jumping and lost ground. At the 250 metres ROYAL BEGGAR (G Kliese) shifted out to improve and as a consequence CAMOOWEAL was checked and taken out onto KWILA’S QUEST. Jockey G Kliese (ROYAL BEGGAR) was severely reprimanded and advised to ensure that he was clear when shifting ground in the future. The veterinary surgeon reported that BROTHER was stripped on the near hind leg.

RACE 8 OPEN HANDICAP 1000 METRES 11 STARTERS
Jockey D Sewell and Trainer P Mullins were questioned regarding the disappointing performance of MONARBER. Jockey Sewell advised that he’d elected to ease MONARBER at the start due to the wide barrier however the gelding had not been able to muster early speed. He stated that when MONARBER was placed under pressure from the 600 metre mark he was forced extremely wide on the home turn and that MONARBER had failed to respond there after. Trainer P Mullins further stated that he had been confident of MONARBER’s chances in the event despite the horse competing in Open company for the first time and on the basis of the recent form of MONARBER the stable had supported the horse solidly. The explanation of both parties was noted. MONARBER was inspected by the club veterinary surgeon who reported no abnormalities and was sent to be swabbed. Approaching the 800 metres MAGGEE’S DANCER shifted in causing severe crowding to MANNDO, KENNETH and BOWASTA which was severely checked. Jockey J Stopps (MAGGEE’S DANCER) was found guilty of contravening AR137(a) in that he rode in a careless manner and was suspended from riding in races for a period of 2 meetings to commence midnight 23rd of June up to and including the 30th of June 2001.

ALL WINNERS AND MONARBER WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED