TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT THURSDAY 28/11/02

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

WEATHER - FINE TRACK - FAST RAIL - IN TRUE POSITION

RACE 1: QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD CLASS 4 HANDICAP - 1200 METRES

Making the home turn STRAWBERRY KISSES (A. Cox) was held up and unable to improve, then at the 300 metres when attempting a run between TUPPENY OPERA and OVERSEAS where there was insufficient room made heavy contact with the hindquarters of OVERSEAS, which became unbalanced. SUGAR SHAKER, which was trailing OVERSEAS, had to alter course abruptly in consequence. A. Cox was reprimanded (AR.137(a)).

RACE 2: TWO-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1000 METRES

As S. Morris had not arrived on course by the prescribed time, C. Montague was substituted as the rider of ON THE DODGE. The explanation tendered by S. Morris for his late arrival was accepted.

BAY FELT proved difficult to load into the barriers. Trainer B. Baker was advised that a warning had been placed on the gelding's behaviour.

When the gates opened EROTICA jumped in the air and lost ground. A short distance later when EROTICA commenced to hang out, TAY EXPRESS had to be shifted out away from that gelding and then approaching the 800 metres was steadied across the heels of EROTICA.

Shortly after the start and for some distance in the middle stages INTERNATIONAL hung out.

RACE 3: MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1400 METRES

Acting on veterinary advice that RECHERCHE BAY was sore in both fore fetlocks, stewards ordered the withdrawal of the gelding at 1.26 p.m. Subsequently they ordered that all bets made on RECHERCHE BAY be refunded in full and that all bets made with bookmakers prior to the withdrawal of RECHERCHE BAY be subject to the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of successful tickets: win 7¢, place 8¢. Trainer P. Mullins was advised that a veterinary certificate of fitness must be furnished before RECHERCHE BAY will be permitted to race again.

After being placed in the barriers MS HAVOC became fractious and dislodged its rider, J. Cairns, who sustained an injury to his arm. J. Cairns elected to ride the filly and remounted MS HAVOC shortly after the incident.

Making the home turn GRAHERE was carried wide by AH GEO, which shifted out and away from the heels of MS HAVOC.

Making the home turn and in the early part of the straight BOLD TACTICS and TELLY'S GANG were unable to obtain clear running.

At the 250 metres BOLD TACTICS was disappointed for a run between MS HAVOC and BE BRUTAL and had to be shifted in towards the rail to obtain clear running.

Over the final 200 metres AH GEO raced extremely greenly, obliging Apprentice D. Ballard to stop riding and straighten his mount on two occasions. In consequence PRIMA DOLLA was hampered by AH GEO at the 100 metres and on the finishing line.

After dismounting from MS HAVOC Jockey J. Cairns was suffering from heat exhaustion. J. Cairns was examined by the Club Ambulance Officer and advised to forego his engagement on IMTENT in Race 5. S. Watkins was substituted as the rider of IMTENT. J. Cairns was again examined after Race 5 and permitted to fulfil his further engagements.

RACE 4: CLASS 3 HANDICAP - 1000 METRES

There were no racing incidents.

RACE 5: CLASS 4 HANDICAP - 1630 METRES

Approaching the first turn SEARADA (M. Gray) improved inside the heels of GRISMA where there was insufficient room and shortly afterwards had to be steadied. M. Gray was reprimanded.

M. Gray (SEARADA) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding (AR.137(a)) in that making the home turn he shifted his mount out to improve when not clear, resulting in GO POGO being checked and taken out onto the hindquarters of IMTENT. M. Gray was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on 1st December 2002, up to and including 14th December 2002 (3 NQ meetings - 8 SEQA meetings).

RACE 6: QUALITY HANDICAP - 1000 METRES

Trainer L. Morton, representing trainer J. Ryan, was advised that a fine of $100 had been imposed on Mrs Ryan as SPACE PRINCE had been presented in the enclosure fitted with eggbar plates, which were not in accordance with the Rules as they protruded beyond the horse's heel. The plates were removed and SPACE PRINCE was permitted to run bare behind.

Making the home turn HE'S UNFORGETTABLE had to be steadied off the heels of MIGHTY SPY.

When questioned about the riding tactics he adopted on SISTER IN LAW, in particular the reason the horse was not ridden forward in accordance with its usual racing pattern, Jockey S. Watkin explained that SISTER IN LAW dwelt at the start and from his wide alley he was unable to head SPACE PRINCE, which was drawn to his immediate inside. He stated that shortly after the start it became obvious that he would be unable to lead or to take up a forward position without racing extremely wide, therefore he elected to ease SISTER IN LAW in behind the field. However, shortly after this SISTER IN LAW commenced to pull and in the middle stages overraced. The explanations tendered by S. Watkin were noted.

RACE 7: CLASS 6 PLATE - 1200 METRES

JESTARELLA BOY was slow to begin. Jockey W. Kenning advised that the tongue-tie on JESTARELLA BOY had broken in the enclosure prior to the horse moving onto the track and, in his opinion, when it was refitted it may have been too tight and JESTARELLA BOY resented it. He had recommended strongly to trainer R. Bradshaw that the tongue-tie be removed from the horse's gear for its future engagements.

Making the first turn EDGEWANA (J. Stopps) shifted in and tightened FOOTMAN. J. Stopps was reprimanded for not allowing the full two lengths clearance when shifting ground.

At the 250 metres OSCA ERIC had to be steadied off heels when disappointed for a run.

RACE 8: FILLIES AND MARES CLASS 2 HANDICAP - 1200 METRES

The start was delayed when STORMY and MAGLI were extremely fractious in the barriers. On returning to scale MAGLI was found to be haemorrhaging badly from both nostrils and had lost skin from its nose. The Club's veterinary surgeon reported that in his opinion the MAGLI had sustained an injury in the barriers which had resulted in a possible fracture of the horse's nasal bone which had caused the haemorrhaging. As the injury was caused by an external trauma, stewards took no further action other than to advise trainer B. Purcell that MAGLI will be required to pass a barrier test before being permitted to race again. Mr Purcell said that because of the injury the horse will now be spelled.

When questioned about the disappointing run of SCANSION Jockey J. Cairns explained that though the mare was caught wide in the early and middle stages, SCANSION raced with cover and he believed that at the 600 metres faltered, became unbalanced and from that point failed to stretch out. Trainer Mrs T. Crossland was at a loss to explain the poor performance. A post-race veterinary examination of SCANSION did not reveal any abnormalities. The explanations were noted, and Mrs Crossland was advised to inform the stewards if anything was amiss with SCANSION in the days following the event.
Trainer Mrs T Crossland reported that Scansion was found on the 29/11/02 to have filling in the near side fore fetlock joint.
ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.