TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT FRIDAY 8TH MARCH 2002

STEWARDS PANEL: D. GRIFFITHS (CHAIRMAN), C. BIRD, G. HARGAVES, R. DOYLE, M. BRAUNBERGER.

WEATHER - FINE TRACK - GOOD RAIL - IN TRUE POSITION

RACE 1: CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1000 METRES

Making the home turn MAPPERLEY'S PRIDE shifted out and brushed JUGSTA.

GOLDEN ROCKET commenced to hang out shortly after the start and continued to hang for the majority of the event. Trainer Mr J. Warren was advised that a warning had been issued regarding the racing manners of GOLDEN ROCKET.

In the straight IMPETUOUS PRINCE failed to obtain clear running until after the 250 metres.

When questioned about the disappointing performance of REBEL ROUSER Jockey J. Cairns advised that the gelding was caught wide early, was a beaten horse approaching the home turn and in his opinion raced very disappointingly. A post-race veterinary examination of REBEL ROUSER revealed that the gelding was suffering from a possible breathing problem. This was brought to the attention of trainer Mr D. Birrer, who was advised to notify stewards should any condition that may have affected the performance of REBEL ROUSER become apparent in the days following the race.

RACE 2: CLASS 5 HANDICAP - 1400 METRES

ROYAL TORQUE was slow to begin and shortly after the start was tightened for room by MY BILBOA and MAHONGWE, both of which shifted ground.

At the 1000 metres Jockey T. Stewart, the rider of TIME AFFAIR, steadied the pace after obtaining the lead. MAHONGWE, which was trailing, had to shift out abruptly to avoid the heels of TIME AFFAIR, and as a consequence CROSSEE had to be checked. T. Stewart was cautioned for abruptly reducing the pace.

Trainer Mr R. Long was questioned about the change of riding tactics adopted on MY BILBOA, which was eased back to last in the early stages of today's event, in comparison to the tactics adopted by Apprentice L. Abbott at the gelding's most recent start, on 26th February 2002, when MY BILBOA was allowed to lead. Mr Long stated that on that date he had instructed Apprentice Abbott to ride MY BILBOA back in the field, however Apprentice Abbott had been unable to restrain MY BILBOA to comply with his instructions. When questioned Apprentice L. Abbott confirmed those riding instructions. The explanation tendered by Mr Long was accepted.

RACE 3: OPEN HANDICAP - 1400 METRES

On jumping JUST SLIDE threw its head up and lost ground and shortly after the start was tightened for room by WHAT'S WANTED, which shifted in.

After the 1000 metres WHAT'S WANTED commenced to overrace.

When questioned in regard to the riding tactics adopted on PRINCE BLAZE Jockey P. Cullen advised that the gelding does not usually possess early speed, however in the early and middle stages of today's event PRINCE BLAZE was extremely reluctant to stretch out. He said that he was obliged to push PRINCE BLAZE along in the middle stages and that the gelding did not respond to his efforts until the home turn. The explanation tendered was noted.

RACE 4: SUPER QRIS TWO-YEAR OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1000 METRES

EXPRESSO BAY began awkwardly and shortly after the start shifted out. MOSSCAY was slow to begin.

At the start BLEIGHSBOY and SEAFLO were checked when tightened for room between SIR ARCHIE, which reared and shifted out as the gates opened, and FEELIN' FRISKY, which shifted in abruptly.

On jumping MRS HASHIMOTO, MAISEANNE and EDUCATOR were crowded for room by BLUMANI, which blundered, became unbalanced and shifted in.

At the 600 metres SIR ARCHIE (M. Cullen) was checked. After evidence was taken from Apprentice D. Crossland (EDUCATOR), Apprentice T. Maeda (BLEIGHSBOY) and Jockey M. Cullen, it was established that Apprentice Maeda on BLEIGHSBOY had attempted to take a run to the inside of SIR ARCHIE where, in the opinion of the stewards, there was insufficient room. As a consequence SIR ARCHIE had to be checked and shifted out across the heels of EDUCATOR. Apprentice Maeda was severely reprimanded for forcing a run where there was insufficient room.

Making the home turn EDUCATOR shifted out and made heavy contact with the shoulder of EXPRESSO BAY, which became unbalanced and lost ground.

At the 350 metres BLEIGHSBOY was disappointed for a run to the inside of SEA RUFFIAN, shifted in and brushed the running rail. A short distance later SEA RUFFIAN attempted to improve to the inside of the heels of FEELIN' FRISKY where there was insufficient room. SEA RUFFIAN became unbalanced in the incident, shifted out abruptly and made heavy contact with OUR FIERY GIRL. Shortly after this incident OUR FIERY GIRL again had to be steadied away from SEA RUFFIAN, which was being ridden along by its rider, J. Stopps. Jockey Stopps was reprimanded for failing to initially stop riding and balance his horse (AR.137(A)).

Approaching the finishing line QUALITY ACHIEVED shifted in abruptly when struck with the whip and checked OUR FIERY GIRL.

RACE 5: MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1400 METRES

When being loaded into the barriers CAZMA became caught in the back gates of its stall. CAZMA was examined by the Club veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start.

JUANITATAR stood flat-footed at the start and lost ground.

As the pace eased at the 1100 metres CAZMA was steadied off the heels of ON A CLOUD.

At the 150 metres CURVE BALL commenced to lay in and tightened PALM PILOT. Over the concluding stages CURVE BALL continued to hang in.

RACE 6: SUPER QRIS THREE-YEAR-OLD CLASS 3 - 1200 METRES

Near the 1100 metres LLOYD had to be momentarily steadied away from the heels ALBERT'S BLAZE.

At the 1000 metres ALBERT'S BLAZE lost ground when crossed by CARN VILLA and UNITE AND PROSPER. LLOYD, which was following ALBERT'S BLAZE, clipped that gelding's heels and blundered. At a subsequent inquiry S. Watkin (CARN VILLA) and F. Edwards (UNITE AND PROSPER) were both given the benefit of a grave doubt as to whether they had allowed sufficient room when crossing.

RACE 7: CLASS 3 PLATE - 1200 METRES

Jockey K. Rockett (SPLITTER) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding (AR. 137(a)) in that at the 1000 metres he permitted his mount to shift in and severely check TOUCHE TURTLE. Jockey Rocket was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight 9th March 2002 up to and including 21st March 2002.

Stewards considered an objection lodged by Jockey P. Cullen, the rider of JAZZY LANDING which finished third, against MISS KUMAGI (Apprentice L. Abbott) being declared the winner, alleging interference over the final 200m. After evidence was taken from both riders, and having regard to stewards' observations, it was established that over the concluding stages MISS KUMAGI shifted out on two occasions and hampered JAZZY LANDING. In the circumstances and bearing in mind the margin of 1¾ lengths between the two horses at the finish, the objection was dismissed and the placings ordered to stand. At a subsequent inquiry Apprentice Abbott pleaded guilty to riding in a careless manner (AR.137(A)) and was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on 9th March 2002 up to and including 21st March 2002 (2 meetings.)

Approaching the finishing line DE CHEVAUX was checked when racing between OAKLEIGH BOY and HEEL RUNON, both of which shifted ground. J. Stopps (OAKLEIGH BOY) and T. KOWALD (HEEL RUNON) were both cautioned and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.