STEWARDS REPORT
TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB
SATURDAY 28TH JULY 2001

Weather: Fine Track: Fast
Stewards: D Griffiths (Chairman), S Railton, W Bethel, P Cooper, M Braunberger, J McIntosh
Rail: In the true position.
General: Jockeys F Edwards and R Ryan were both indisposed for the meeting and the following replacements were permitted: Race 1 NEONATURAL (J Cairns), MAXEVON (M Unwin); Race 2 BOLD REGENT (C Whitely), CLONING (J Felix); Race 4 ST GWENN (D Crossland); Race 6 ST CAIRNS (S Watkins), MARTIAL AIR (J Stopps); Race 9 LORD JEUNE (M Unwin).

RACE 1 CLASS 2 HANDICAP 1630 METRES 16 STARTERS
Shortly after the start TOP KNOCK had to be eased when crossed by HE’LL BE RIGHT (Apprentice L Morrison). Apprentice L Morrison was cautioned and advised to allow a full two lengths clearance when crossing in future. At the 1350 metres GRAND SALIERI which was pulling fiercely was checked off the heels of NATUALO. Making the home turn MY BILBOA shifted out around the heels of BENNIE’S LANE to improve and as a consequence TOP KNOCK was taken out onto the hind quarters of NEONATURAL which became unbalanced.

RACE 2 OPEN HANDICAP 1000 METRES 16 STARTERS
CLONING was slow to begin. STAR MASTER after jumping into the side of the barriers became unbalanced and shifted in abruptly checking PROSPECTOR CHIEF who was taken in onto PRINCETON BAY. A protest was lodged by Apprentice D Crossland (HARLEY) which was placed second by the judge against the winner AVION WAY (M Gray) for alleged interference at the 100 metre mark. After taking evidence from both riders it was established that whilst AVION WAY had shifted in marginally and brushed HARLEY the Stewards were not satisfied that the ground lost by HARLEY justified the reversal of the placings and as such the protest was dismissed. PRINCETON BAY was found to have bled and was declared ineligible to race for a period of 3 months (AR53A).

RACE 3 CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1200 METRES 16 STARTERS
MACEDON AFFAIRS was slow to begin. EL ALAMADOR commenced to pull fiercely approaching the 1000 metres and got its head in the air and raced very ungenerously. A short distance later Jockey R Gallacher attempted to steady the horse off the heels of JUGSTA. EL ALAMADOR continued to refuse to settle in the middle stages and this was brought to the attention of Trainer G White. At the 1000 metres MIGHTY BABU was tightened for room between CLYNSCO which shifted in marginally and ENGLISH POET which shifted out. Jockey I Toward (ENGLISH POET) reported that the gelding had a laceration to the near side mouth and that approaching the first turn ENGLISH POET commenced to hang out and did not respond to his attempts to correct the horse. The attention of Trainer D Wright (ENGLISH POET) was drawn to AR140(a) in relation to his obligation to report any condition which may affect the running of a horse in a race. After passing the 300 metres EL ALAMADOR shifted out around the heels of DOCTOR SILVESTER to improve and as a consequence CLYNSCO was hampered. Jockey R Gallacher (EL ALAMADOR) was advised of his obligation to be fully clear when shifting ground in future. BOTTLE NOSE was held up for clear running until passing the 150 metres.

RACE 4 2YO HANDICAP 1400 METRES 7 STARTERS
At the 300 metres STAR OF CLANG was disappointed for a run to the inside of GO POGO. Approaching the finishing line SPONGE BOB was tightened for room between STAR OF CLANG and ST GWENN both of which shifted ground marginally.

RACE 5 MAIDEN HANDICAP 1400 METRES 8 STARTERS
LOVE AN ACE was slow to begin. ILLUMINANT was tightened for room between PEDRO’S OMRAN and SPONGE BOB which jumped awkwardly and shifted out at the start. Passing the 500 metres ORLANDO was momentarily tightened by IMTENT which shifted in. LOVE AN ACE brushed the fence at the 450 metres.

RACE 6 CLASS 4 HANDICAP 1400 METRES 15 STARTERS
Prior to moving out onto the track Trainer B Hetherington was advised to remove a bandage from the near side hind leg of GLENELLA LAD when it was found that the bandage which was protecting a laceration above the coronet band had not been stitched. GLENELLA LAD was inspected by the club veterinary surgeon behind the barriers and passed fit to start. Trainer B Hetherington was advised of his obligations to stitch all future bandages and also his obligation under AR140 in relation to the laceration and to report any matter to the Stewards which may affect the performance of the horse. At the 800 metres BLAZING KALA had to be steadied off heels as the pace steadied. Over the concluding stages NEXT IN LINE was steadied away from the heels of the tiring GLENELLA LAD and as a consequence WONGA’S WAY was taken in onto the hind quarters of ROYAL BEGGAR. After taking evidence from Jockey J Grisedale the Stewards accepted that Jockey J Grisedale was placed in an awkward position when GLENELLA LAD stopped quickly and took no further action.

RACE 7 XXXX TOWNSVILLE CUP 2100 METRES 16 STARTERS
The saddle of PACKY’S PLOT shifted forward in the middle stages of the event placing Jockey B Appo at a disadvantage.

RACE 8 CLASS 6 HANDICAP 1630 METRES 14 STARTERS
Approaching the 1300 metres MONARBER commenced to over race as the pace steadied. YOUNG BRAVO raced in restricted room to the inside of MONARBER from the 750 metres to the 500 metres.

RACE 9 MAIDEN HANDICAP 1960 METRES 7 STARTERS
ELASTIC was slow to begin. A protest was lodged by Jockey S Watkins (CIRCO) placed second by the Judge against CHAIN (J Cairns) being declared the winner for alleged interference at the 100 metres. After taking evidence from both riders it was established that CHAIN had shifted in marginally approaching the 100 metres and that the whip action of Jockey S Watkins was marginally inconvenienced as a result of CHAIN shifting in, however, taking into account the margin the Stewards were not satisfied that it had been sufficient to reverse the placings and the protest was dismissed.

Prerace swabs were obtained from Mas Fina, Prospector Chief, Doctor Silvester, St Gwenn, Skymaker and Public Knowledge.

ALL WINNERS, AND PRINCETON BAY WHICH BLED, WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED