TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT THURSDAY 2/05/02

STEWARDS PANEL: D. GRIFFITHS (CHAIRMAN), W. BETHEL, C. BIRD, R. DOYLE, G. HARGRAVES

WEATHER - FINE TRACK - GOOD RAIL - OUT 6 METRES FROM 1000
METRES TO HOME TURN AND 3 METRES TO WINNING POST

RACE 1: CLASS 3 HANDICAP - 1200 METRES

As the ambulance was delayed arriving on course, the starting time of the first race was deferred until 12.27 p.m.

On jumping CROWN COUNSEL and FINALLY FAME bumped.

In the early stages CROWN COUNSEL pulled hard.

Passing the 700 metres FINALLY FAME was checked off the heels of FLYING SOCKS and lost ground.

RACE 2: MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1630 METRES

After the 200 metres THE OUTBACK RATE was momentarily hampered by FOREVER BLESSED, which shifted out under pressure. A short distance later THE OUTBACK RAT (A. Molino) continued to shift out under riding, resulting in MIGHTY CREATION being taken out onto MCGARRAT, which was severely checked, and DAITHI being hampered. Jockey A. Molino was found guilty of a charge of careless riding (AR.137(a)), in that he allowed THE OUTBACK RAT to shift out when not clear. A. Molino's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period to commence at midnight on 6th May 2002 up to and including 18th May 2002 (3 meetings).

RACE 3: CLASS 5 HANDICAP - 1400 METRES

PREFER A MERC was slow to begin and then at the 400 metres brushed the running rail.

When questioned about the disappointing performance of MANTRA Jockey I. Toward stated that MANTRA never travelled well throughout the event and he was a loss to explain the horse's performance. A post-race veterinary examination of MANTRA did not reveal any abnormality. The gelding was sent to be swabbed.

RACE 4: CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1000 METRES

As G. Kliese was to be overweight P. Cullen was substituted as the rider of PROUD CANADIAN. Stewards accepted the explanation tendered by G. Kliese.

As J. Cairns was to be overweight, non-claiming apprentice D. Crossland was substituted as the rider of ICE DROP. Jockey J. Cairns was fined $50 (AR.120(b)).

MINNIEVALE MISS was slow to begin.

In the early and middle stages STARDUST BEAUTY raced greenly. Approaching the 500 metres STARDUST BEAUTY (J. Long) improved to the inside of HALCYON SEAS (App. L. Abbott) where there was insufficient room and a short distance later blundered and lost ground. Jockey J. Long was cautioned for taking a run where there was such limited room.

RACE 5: OPEN HANDICAP - 1400 METRES

After arriving behind the barriers FLASH JUDE was examined by the Club's veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start.

t the start WHAT'S WANTED and FLASH JUDE brushed.

BOYER was slow to get into stride and at the 900 metres hung in sharply, resulting in GALLERY having to shift in and CAUTIOUS SPIRIT being checked.

Approaching the 200 metres NATIONAL BID (S. Watkin) shifted in, taking GALLERY in onto BOYER, which was severely checked. Jockey S. Watkin was found guilty of a charge of careless riding (AR.137(a)) in that near the 200 metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear. Jockey Watkin's licence to ride in races was suspended for a period to commence at midnight 4th May 2002, up to and including 18th May 2002 (5 meetings).

On returning to scale Jockey W. Kenning reported that he was concerned about the action of the CHARLIE HORSE. A post-race veterinary examination revealed that the gelding was lame in the near hind leg.

RACE 6: SUPER QRIS ADDED STAKES 2-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1200 METRES

As J. Cairns was overweight S. Simon was substituted as the rider of CHAT ROOM.

Prior to the event Mr J. Maconachie, trainer of HOOHAA HOOHEY, advised that the horse had been suffering from a cold. HOOHAA HOOHEY was examined by the Club's veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start.

SCARLET LACE began awkwardly.

On jumping CHAT ROOM shifted out and hampered REAL FRISKY.

At the 500 metres PIRATE KINGDOM was momentarily tightened by CENTURY SEA, which was taken in by ROUGH LANDING, which shifted in abruptly.

After passing the 150 metres CHAT ROOM was momentarily hampered by OUR FRISKY FILLY, which shifted in.

When questioned about the disappointing performance of PIRATE KINGDOM Jockey M. Callaghan said that the gelding had been extremely agitated throughout the event and failed to stretch out at any stage of the race. A post-race veterinary examination revealed that PIRATE KINGDOM was lame in the near fore and off fore fetlocks.

RACE 7: CLASS 6 PLATE - 1200 METRES

As CHART THE STARS was moving onto the track Apprentice D. Crossland was dislodged from the gelding. Apprentice Crossland sustained no injuries in the incident. CHART THE STARS was quickly recaptured by the Clerk of the Course, examined by the Club's veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start.

TOP CITADEL was slow to begin.

FLYING ASCOT began awkwardly, shifted in and took MARTIAL AIR in onto CHART THE STARS, which was checked.

Making the first turn CHART THE STARS got its head in the air and overraced.

At the 1000 metres TOP CITADEL, which was overracing, clipped the heels of METALLIC and lost ground.

In the early part of the straight METALLIC was held up and unable to obtain clear running.

On returning to scale TOP CITADEL was found to have bled from both nostrils. Acting on the provisions of AR.53A stewards ordered that TOP CITADEL be stood down for the mandatory period of 3 months.

RACE 8: CLASS 2 HANDICAP - 1400 METRES

As J. Cairns was overweight J. Stopps was substituted as the rider of PALM PILOT.

EVENSONG was slow to begin. On jumping ANNAZANDA and DEVICE bumped.

At the 1000 metres ANNAZANDA, which did not appreciate the slow pace, got its head in the air, commenced to overrace and lost ground.

CHINA CLASSIC also overraced in the early and middle stages of the event.

ALL WINNERS, MANTRA and TOP CITADEL WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.