TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT TUESDAY 14TH JANUARY 2003

STEWARDS PANEL: D. GRIFFITHS (CHAIRMAN), W. BETHEL, G. HARGRAVES, R. DOYLE and R. SMITH (TRAINEE)

WEATHER - FINE TRACK - GOOD RAIL - Out 4 metres from 1600
metres to 1300 metres,
then 6 metres from 1000 metres
to 400 metres

RACE 1: WEIGHT-FOR-AGE - 1000 METRES

Prior to entering the saddling enclosure STRICTLY SMART cast its near hind plate. The farrier reported that the wall of the hoof of STRICTLY SMART had been damaged in the incident and, given the time frame available to him, he was unable to replate the gelding. Stewards permitted STRICTLY SMART to race bare behind. A pre-race veterinary examination passed the horse fit to start.

There were no racing incidents.

RACE 2: CLASS 2 FILLIES AND MARES HANDICAP - 1300 METRES

As D. Simmons was to be overweight R. Mules was substituted as the rider of SOVIET SNOW in this race and as the rider of PLAN in Race 3. D. Simmons was fined $100 for being overweight (AR.120(b)).

At the start SILLY MISTAKE was tightened between STORMY and EARLY RISER, both of which shifted ground.

Making the home turn and for some distance in the straight SILLY MISTAKE was held up and unable to obtain clear running.

RACE 3: CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1630 METRES

R. Mules was substituted for D. Simmons (overweight) as the rider of PLAN.

PLAN was slow to begin.

At the 1400 metres TELLY'S GANG commenced to pull and got its head up.

For some distance in the straight TASTY DROP was obliged to race in restricted room to the inside of CHIGLIAKE.

D. Andrews, the rider of CHIGLIAKE, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding (AR.137(a)), in that at the 50 metres she shifted her mount in around the heels of AZTEC COPPER when insufficiently clear of TASTY DROP, which had to be checked. D. Andrews was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on 14th January 2003, up to and including 24th January 2003 (3 meetings).

RACE 4: THREE-YEAR-OLD CLASS 4 HANDICAP - 1400 METRES

Apprentice K. Penrose (SEA AMORE) was reprimanded for claiming only 2½ kg of her full 3 kg allowance.

ROUGH LANDING began awkwardly.

Near the home turn SEA AMORE (App. K. Penrose) shifted in marginally and applied some pressure to LET'S GO RAW, but was immediately straightened by Apprentice Penrose. Then making the home turn LET'S GO RAW (F. Edwards) shifted in marginally, taking MISS LOPEZ in onto RAW KING, which was checked. In the circumstances F. Edwards and Apprentice K. Penrose were cautioned.

RACE 5: CLASS 4 HANDICAP - 1400 METRES

Apprentice K. Penrose was fined $100 for negligently weighing out without stirrup irons on the saddle (AR.140A).

IMTENT was slow to begin.

Making the first turn CURVE BALL and EIRIE RETREAT, which were both pulling hard and being restrained, bumped heavily. EIRIE RETREAT shifted out in consequence, taking MY BILBOA out across the heels of IMTENT. In the opinion of the stewards the incident was pace-related and that no particular rider was responsible.

At the 400 metres EIRIE RETREAT (S. Simon) shifted out and made contact with MY BILBOA, which was taken out and hampered BRETNIC. A short distance later TATTY (R. Mules) shifted out to improve and bumped EIRIE RETREAT. MY BILBOA, which was racing on the heels of EIRIE RETREAT was again checked. S. Simon and R. Mules were reprimanded for shifting ground when not quite clear (AR.137(a)).

RACE 6: MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1200 METRES

Prior to the event trainer E. Sewell advised stewards that he had instructed to ride ROSSBOROUGH forward today, contrary to its normal racing pattern.

LIPSWITCH began awkwardly and bumped BUSTAWAY.

At the 500 metres STRUCTURE, which was racing very greenly, shifted out onto the heels of LA SOEUR, then a short distance later moved in abruptly and checked ANARZAR. A post-race veterinary examination of STRUCTURE revealed that the gelding had sustained a laceration to the off hock.

RACE 7: CLASS 6 PLATE - 1200 METRES

MAGIC RUNNER was extremely fractious in the barriers.

After the 800 metres LET'S GO PLATINUM hung out and making the home turn ran extremely wide. A post-race veterinary examination revealed that LET'S GO PLATINUM had an elevated heart rate and the possibility of a soft palate displacement, but no sign of lameness. When questioned Jockey R. Mules stated that in his opinion LET'S GO PLATINUM had got its tongue over the bit. Trainer Mr A. Clark advised that in most of its starts LET'S GO PLATINUM had raced with a tongue tie, but only recently he had removed this gear from the gelding. Mr Clark undertook to race LET'S GO PLATINUM with a tongue tie in its future engagements. In the circumstances connections were advised that a warning had been placed on the racing manners of LET'S GO PLATINUM. Mr Clark was informed that he must not start the gelding until he was completely satisfied that it would perform satisfactorily.

In the straight LA BEBE was unable to obtain clear running until after the 100 metres.

The saddle on KEA LEAH shifted back in running placing its rider, D. Simmons, at a disadvantage throughout the event.

RACE 8: CLASS 3 HANDICAP - 1000 METRES

As P. Cullen was indisposed, A. Molino was substituted as the rider of SHAMPANSKOYA.

MISTER MUM was slow to get into stride.

MAJESTIC SON began awkwardly and lost ground.

Near the 900 metres JUST COUNTY was tightened by MAJESTIC SON (D. Lloyd), which shifted in. JESSIE, which was following, had to be steadied in consequence. Shortly after the incident JUST COUNTY shifted out, obliging KING COCKY to race wider. D. Lloyd was reprimanded for allowing his mount to shift in when not quite clear (AR.137(a)).

In the straight MAJESTIC SON hung in under pressure.

At the 350 metres JUST COUNTY, which was under pressure, was momentarily hampered when JESSIE (F. Edwards) shifted out abruptly. F. Edwards was cautioned for shifting ground abruptly when not sufficiently clear.

ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.