TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT FRIDAY 20/12/02

STEWARDS PANEL: W BETHEL (Chairman), C BIRD, G HARGRAVES, R DOYLE, M BRAUNBERGER, WAL ABELL, R SMITH (Cadet.

WEATHER –FINE TRACK:-FAST RAIL – Out 6 metres from 1000 to 400 metres.

RACE 1: 2yo MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1000 Metres

LIEUTENANT GENERAL became agitated in the boxes and threw its head down as the start was effected and lost considerable ground. Determining all evidence at an Inquiry, Stewards declared LIEUTENANT GENERAL a starter. ATLANTIC FEAR and MYSTERY NOTE were slow into stride. FRISKY NOTE raced greenly in the early stages. The Club Veterinarian reported that FRISKY NOTE was heat stressed after the event. J Cairns failed to produce a Medical Clearance and was replaced by D Crossland as the rider of GYPSY MOON.

RACE 2: CLASS 4 HANDICAP – 1200 Metres

Jockey A Cox reported that at the 300 metre mark, ICE DROP was disappointed for a run to the outside of SADEEQ and obliged to ease. In doing so, the mare shifted in across the heels of SADEEQ. The incident was further compounded when SEA SERENADE moved out to obtain a run and in doing had taken SADEEQ outward. Jockey K Rockett was severely reprimanded over his actions.

RACE 3: MAIDEN PLATE – 1200 Metres

DANZADANE hung in severely near the 200 metre mark resulting in FINAL COUNTY being hampered. Trainer P Mullins was informed a warning is placed on the horse and he is to take corrective measures and to consider a right hand whip rider. The rider F Edwards, was advised the Stewards expect a more determined effort to be made to endeavour to keep his mount from shifting ground.

RACE 4: MAIDEN PLATE – 1200 Metres

Trainer R Snelling was informed to take corrective measures after the gelding DOBSSON hung outward from the 500 metre mark to the winning post.

RACE 5: CLASS 2 HANDICAP – 1000 Metres

When the start was effected KAI TAK jumped inward and JUNKETS jumped outward. As a consequence NIP OF SPIRIT, LEGAL EYES and AZTEC COPPER were hampered. Jockeys Pujolas and Crossland were admonished and advised to endeavour to straighten their mounts with more purpose in future. When attempting to relieve pressure to horses on his inside near the 600 metre mark, Jockey S Watkin allowed AZTEC COPPER to shift outward and at the same time GRANTON shifted in marginally resulting in KAI TAK having to check. The incident was deemed accidental.


RACE 6: OPEN HANDICAP – 1000 Metres

NEAT ‘N’ TIDY and NOOPY came together at the start. NEAT ‘N’ TIDY and NOOPY were hampered near the 800 metre mark when HOT SLOT commenced to hand inward. NOOPY was again hampered slightly near the 500 Metre mark as HOT SLOT continued to hang inward. Trainer M Preston was advised to take corrective measures and a warning was issued on the horse. P Cullen was advised to show more commitment when endeavouring to keep his mount straight.

RACE 7: CLASS 6 PLATE – 1400 Metres

MAHONGWE reared and ANAKIE WALK threw its head in the air when the gates opened and lost ground. Near the 600 metre mark TALE OF TRIOUMPH had to ease when over racing, as a consequence ABEERAH and PRINCE BLAZE which were following, also had to ease. STARNOTION was unable to obtain a clear run until inside the 200 metre mark.

RACE 8: CLASS 3 HANDICAP – 1400 Metres

Trainer M Crouch was fined $50 (LR 70) for failing to declare a rider on BIKINI LOVE. Foreperson D Crouch was fined $100 (AR 8 (d) Misconduct) for failing to obey a Stewards direct in relation to a Veterinary Certificate for SWEET CITY SIOUX which was scratched at 10:45 a.m. on Veterinary advice. BIKINI LOVE was reluctant to proceed to the starting point. Jockey R Mules was obliged to dismount and lead the Mare to the start where she was difficult to load and refused to jump when the start was effected. BIKINI LOVWE is banned from racing until Barrier Testing to the satisfaction of Stewards (LR 36). RORY’S BEST was hampered at the start when LIBERTY LAD jumped outward. Statements delivered by jockeys I Toward and D Andrews at an Inquiry into why RORY’S BEST was checked near the 750 metre mark, revealed that SEA ANOME (I Toward) had shied away from horses to its outside and in onto RORY’S BEST. D Andrews the rider of RORY’S BEST informed the Stewards she was of the opinion the shift was more the fault of SEA AMORE than the carelessness of I Toward. I Toward will recommend to Trainer O Chillemi that blinkers be used on SEA AMORE.

RACE 9 – CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1400 Metres

EARLY RISER and ARMORDAN were hampered when CLEVER LASS jumped outward at the start. An Inquiry was held into an incident near the 900 metre mark where EARLY RISER was checked and lost ground. Deliberating on evidence and after viewing the patrol film, Stewards charged Jockey D Crossland with Careless Riding under the terms of AR 137 (a) and suspended his Licence to ride in races from midnight 21st December 2002 up to and including 1st January 2003.

ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.