TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT FRIDAY, 27/09/02

STEWARDS PANEL: D. GRIFFITHS (CHAIRMAN), W. BETHEL, R. DOYLE, G. HARGEAVES.

WEATHER - FINE TRACK - GOOD

RACE 1: QTIS 3-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1000 METRES

DOTSWOOD was a late withdrawal, at 11.10 am, by order of the stewards. After questioning trainer Mr N. Amos as to why DOTSWOOD was stabled at a property other than his registered stable address, stewards adjourned the inquiry to a time and date to be fixed. In accordance with LR.50, DOTSWOOD will not be permitted to race until further notice.

QUALITY ACHIEVED, BLEIGHSBOY and REAL ASSET bumped heavily at the start.

Shortly after the start ANOTHER IRGUN shifted out abruptly and lost considerable ground, then throughout the event continued to race greenly. Trainer J. Dixon was advised that the horse must trial to the satisfaction of the stewards before being permitted to race again.

At the 600 metres AL FRISKY, which had been racing with its head in the air, had to be steadied off the heels of OCEAN BLUE, which shifted in marginally.

Approaching the 450 metres TYCOON CHARLIE fell and crashed through the running rail, resulting in Jockey R. Ryan sustaining a heavy fall. R. Ryan was transported to hospital with a suspected injury to his back. After taking evidence from J. Stopps (ANOTHER IRGUN), Apprentice L. Abbott (REAL ASSET) and J. Felix (AL FRISKY) stewards adjourned the inquiry to a time and date to be fixed to enable R. Ryan to give evidence.

Over the concluding stages REAL ASSET was held up and unable to obtain clear running.

RACE 2: CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1200 METRES

As G. Kliese was to be overweight, A. Cox was substituted as the rider of REBEL ROUSER. G. Kliese was fined $50 for being overweight (AR.120(b)).

On jumping REBEL ROUSER was crowded between CHIGLIAKE and CREDIT LINE, which shifted out.

At the 850 metres NATIVE PRINCE was steadied off the heels of CREDIT LINE.

Near the 600 metres REBEL ROUSER had to be shifted away from the heels of CASMA (Apprentice L. Abbott). A short distance later CREDIT LINE was steadied when CASMA shifted in marginally. Apprentice Abbott was cautioned.

At the 100 metres SHINACOVA (J. Felix) shifted out when being ridden along and brushed BURNMOOR, which in turn became unbalanced, shifted out and hampered CHIGLIAKE. J. Felix was advised that in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount sooner than he had today.

RACE 3: MAIDEN PLATE - 1200 METRES

ERBOURNE was a late withdrawal, at 9.00 am for veterinary reasons. The Club veterinary surgeon examined ERBOURNE and reported that the horse was lame in the near foreleg.

I. Toward was substituted for R. Ryan as the rider of ARMORDAN.

Trainer R. Johnson was fined $50 for the late notification of Apprentice L. Abbott as the rider of ARCHDUKE (LR.70).

When the start was effected ARMORDAN stood flat-footed and lost ground.

DIRECT CREDIT and LE COUP were slow to begin.

Near the 650 metres PRINCE D'AMOUR was hampered slightly by MADISON AVENUE became unbalanced and lost ground, and thereafter failed to stretch out.

ARMORDAN had a tendency to hang in down the running.

RACE 4: CLASS 3 HANDICAP - 1000 METRES

COOLANGATTA was a late withdrawal, at 11 am. Stable foreman Mr D. Crouch, on behalf of trainer Mr M. Crouch was advised that a fine of $100 had been imposed for failing to scratch the horse by the prescribed time (AR.114). Mr D. Crouch was also advised of the standard procedures in relation to the scratching of horses.

REAL ILLUSION began awkwardly.

When questioned about the disappointing performance of POOCHA, Jockey R. Mules explained that the gelding got back in the early stages, as was its racing practice, however when put under pressure from the middle stages of the event POOCHA failed to respond. He stated that in his opinion is better suited over a distance longer than that of today's event where the speed is not so intense. He added that POOCHA has had a heavy program in recent weeks and may be a little jaded. The explanation was noted.

In the straight MOONAGHEE hung in placing Jockey S. Watkin at a disadvantage in riding his mount out.

RACE 5: CLASS 2 HANDICAP - 1630 METRES

RAW TORQUE was slow to begin and approaching the 1400 metres, after being ridden hard to obtain a forward position, had to be steadied off the heels of MISCHA.

At the 500 metres BOLD COMBINATION was checked off the heels of ON HIS OWN and then making the home turn was held up and unable to obtain clear running.

RACE 6: CLASS 4 HANDICAP - 1400 METRES

R. Mules was substituted for R. Ryan as the rider of POWER AND EGO.

MISREAL and LET'S RAW were slow to begin.

At about the 800 metres LUBERTUS was checked by LOOP THE LOUP (A. Molino), which shifted in. A. Molino was found guilty of a charge of careless riding (AR.137(a)) in that at the 800 metres he permitted his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear. A. Molino was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on 27th September 2002, up to and including 8th October 2002 (3 meetings).

In the middle stages the vinyl saddle of REGAL GARTER shifted forward, placing I. Toward at a disadvantage.

A post-race veterinary examination of ZULATARKA revealed that the horse had a small laceration to the surface of its tongue.

After the race it was noted that KULANGO had sustained a small laceration to the right lower inner lip, resulting in the horse having blood in its mouth on return to scale.

RACE 7: QUALITY HANDICAP - 1400 METRES

MONARBER was slow to begin.

At the 1100 metres WHEELAWAY had to be steadied away from the heels of GLENELLA LAD, which shifted out.

On the turn near the 1000 metres INIGO STORM (Apprentice L. Abbott), which had been pulling fiercely, shifted in and crowded MONGKE and CHARLIE HORSE. Apprentice Abbott said that because INIGO STORM was racing extremely untractably she had difficulty controlling the horse. The explanation tendered by Apprentice Abbott was accepted, however she was advised not to accept future engagements on INIGO STORM.

At the 250 metres CHARLIE HORSE was disappointed for a run between GALLERY and INIGO STORM, then failed to obtain clear running at any stage thereafter, and at the 100 metres when pulling fiercely clipped the heels of another runner and shifted out abruptly. PRINCESS NEDIYM, which also was unable to obtain clear running, was checked in consequence.

RACE 8: CLASS 6 PLATE - 1200 METRES

Trainer Mr B. Baker advised that DE CHEVAUX would be ridden back in the field, contrary to its normal racing pattern.

When the gates opened VARMINT blundered and lost ground.

Shortly after the start FUME shifted out and made contact with the shoulder of SHODAMA, which became unbalanced and shifted out onto JESTERELLA BOY.

When questioned about the disappointing performance of JESTERELLA BOY, which weakened from the 600 metres, J. Felix explained that he had been instructed to ride the horse forward and obtain a position behind the leaders. However, he had to place JESTERELLA BOY under pressure after the 600 metres to stay in touch with the field. He was at a loss to explain the horse's poor run. Trainer Mr R. Bradshaw will be questioned at a time and date to be fixed as to the reason JESTERELLA BOY left the course prior to the standard 30 minute after the race, without the permission of the stewards.

GENERAL

Jockey D. Andrews was interviewed in relation to a complaint about comments she had made to the Operations Manager of the Townsville Turf Club whilst he was inspecting the track in company with the Chief Steward on the morning of Friday, 27th September 2002. After evidence was taken from D. Andrews, Mr M. Dempster and the Chief Steward, Jockey D. Andrews was severely reprimanded for her inappropriate conduct and comments. She was further advised that similar conduct towards an official in the future may lead to more serious action being taken.

ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.