TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT TUESDAY 8/10/02

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

WEATHER - FINE TRACK - FAST RAIL - OUT 3 METRES IN THE BACK
STRAIGHT TO THE 1000 METRES AND 3 METRES TO WINNING POST

GENERAL:

Trainer Mr R. Chillemi was fined $50 for nominating STARNOTION for a Class 2 Handicap, for which it was ineligible (AR.62(C)).

Mr R. Johnston, the trainer of ARCHDUKE which was engaged in Race 2, and Mr C. McMahon, the trainer of BELLYBUTTON which was engaged in Race 5, were questioned as to whether they had firmly engaged D. Canny for those respective horses. D. Canny was replaced by D. Dean on ARCHDUKE in Race 2 and by S. Simon on BELLYBUTTON in Race 5. D. Canny will be questioned at a time and date to be fixed as to the reason he failed to fulfil his engagements on those mounts.

RACE 1: 3-YEAR-OLD CLASS 4 HANDICAP - 1300 METRES

GOES BANG began awkwardly and bumped heavily with FAULTY FUSE, which was checked and taken out onto the heels of HANNAH'S GOLD.

Approaching the 700 metres EYE GEE AYE (F. Edwards) improved inside the heels of GO BANG, obliging BENTLEY DREAM to race in restricted room for some distance. Then after the 700 metres GOES BANG, which was having its first race start and racing greenly, shifted in abruptly taking EYE GEE AYE in onto BENTLEY DREAM, which was checked. Whilst stewards were of the opinion that the wayward racing manners of GOES BANG had contributed to the incident, F. Edwards was severely reprimanded for initially tightening BENTLEY DREAM.

At the 200 metres FAULTY FUSE hung out across the heels of EDUCATOR.

RACE 2: MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1400 METRES

GO MUSIC GO, which had been fractious in the barriers, was slow to begin.

PRIMA DOLLA began awkwardly and carried RAJAWIN out onto DELTIC PARK.

Passing the 600 metres GO MUSIC GO got its head up and raced ungenerously for a short distance.

At the 150 metres FREE WORLD was disappointed for a run between ARCHDUKE and BUSTAWAY.

D. Bradbery, the rider of TASTY DROP, was reprimanded for forcing a run to the inside of PRIMA DOLLA over the final 100 metres where there was doubtful room.

Following an extremely tight finish the Judge declared the placings as: DELTIC PARK first; GIVE A TOAST second; PRIMA DOLLA third; ARCHDUKE fourth; and BUSTAWAY fifth. Stewards delayed the declaration of correct weight and requested the Judge to re-examine the photo-finish print. After such review the Judge advised that he had made an error in relation to the third placing, and semaphored the following placings: DELTIC PARK first; GIVE A TOAST second; TASTY DROP third; PRIMA DOLLA fourth; and ARCHDUKE fifth. The Judge subsequently explained that in both the lateral and reflection photo-finish proofs PRIMA DOLLA was completely obscured and he had mistaken the identity of TASTY DROP for PRIMA DOLLA. The revised placings were semaphored and the connections and jockeys of PRIMA DOLLA and TASTY DROP were advised of this decision. At a subsequent inquiry the Judge, Mr M. Nash, and Assistant Judge, Mr Paul McLeod were interviewed in the company of representatives of the owners of PRIMA DOLLA, Mr K. O'Keefe and Mr D. Dibella. Stewards noted the explanation tendered by the Judge and Assistant Judge. However, the Judge was advised that in similar circumstances he should ensure that his placings are correct before they are semaphored.

A post-race veterinary examination of PRINCE D'AMOUR revealed that the gelding was suffering dysrhythmia. Trainer Mr MJ. Maconachie will be advised that a satisfactory veterinary clearance, including the results of an ecg examination, must be provided prior to PRINCE D'AMOUR being permitted to race again.

RACE 3: CLASS 5 HANDICAP - 1400 METRES

STAR OF CLANG began awkwardly.

At the 250 metres ZULATARKA was tightened for room and had to be steadied when MUSTAWAY (D. Crossland) shifted out to improve. At the same time DE CHEVAUX shifted in slightly, compounding the incident. D. Crossland was severely reprimanded for shifting ground when not quite clear (AR.137(a)).

A post-race veterinary examination of ZULATARKA revealed that the gelding had returned to scale with blood in its mouth.

RACE 4: CLASS 3 PLATE - 1630 METRES

Following its winning performance at Bowen IMTENT was penalised a further 1.5kg.

Trainer Mr P. Mullins was fined $50 for presenting RED PYRAMID in the enclosure incorrectly saddled (AR.140A), and was advised that in future when he has a number of runners engaged at a meeting he must ensure he has sufficient staff on course.

MISS MADRID and RAW TORQUE were slow to begin.

In the back straight IMTENT overraced.



RACE 5: CLASS 2 HANDICAP - 1300 METRES

SILVER NATIVE sustained a laceration to the offside nostril in transit to the course. The gelding was examined by the Club's veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start.

Connections of SILVER NATIVE informed stewards that they had instructed A. Cox to ride the horse off the pace, contrary to the horse's normal racing pattern. A public announcement was made to that effect.

REBEL ROUSER was slow to begin.

RACE 6: QUALITY HANDICAP - 1000 METRES

Following its winning performance at Gordonvale on 5th October 2002 CHICAGO CLIP was penalised a further 1kg.

Stewards considered an objection lodged by I. Toward, the rider of SISTER IN LAW, which finished second, against HARLEY (Apprentice T. Maeda) being declared the winner, alleging interference from the 250 metres to the finish. After considering the evidence given by the parties involved, and taking into account their own observations, stewards found that at the 250 metres HARLEY shifted out and bumped SISTER IN LAW, then continued to shift ground, however they were of the opinion that had the incident not occurred, SISTER IN LAW would not have finished ahead of HARLEY. In the circumstances the protest was dismissed and the placings ordered to stand.

Over the final 100 metres WHEELAWAY (S. Watkin) raced in restricted room on the inside of MAGGEE'S DANCER, placing S. Watkin at a disadvantage in riding his mount out.

GOLD KARAM bled during running and was lame in the near foreleg. GOLD KARAM was stood down from competing at licensed meetings for the mandatory period of 3 months (AR.53A).

RACE 7: CLASS 6 HANDICAP - 1000 METRES

At the 300 metres UNITE AND PROSPER (D. Dean) was disappointed for a run between BORROLOOLA LAD and HOT SLOT. A short distance later UNITE AND PROSPER shifted out to improve and carried BALDRICK out onto SMOKEN TOKEN, which was checked. As a result of the incident PRIOR PLANNING and EL AMALADOR were crowded and obliged to race wider. D. Dean was found guilty of a charge of careless riding (AR.137(a)). D. Dean was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on 8th October 2002, up to and including 12th October 2002 (1 meeting). In assessing penalty stewards took into account D. Dean's excellent riding record.

RACE 8: CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1000 METRES

At the start LONG BLACK shifted out and hampered CANADIAN QUICKSTEP and HEART RULES.

In the straight SCANSION was held up and unable to obtain clear running until the 200 metres.

On returning to scale K. Rockett, the rider of FRONTIER FIGHTER, was distressed as a result of heat exhaustion. K. Rockett was examined by the Club's Ambulance Officers.

ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.