TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT SUNDAY 2/2/03

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

WEATHER –Fine TRACK: - Fast RAIL –

RACE 1:.MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1300 Metres

ENDIUS, MR. LUCIO & KINGENI were slow to begin. OLD HARLEQUIN jumped awkwardly. IMPERIAL AGENT commenced to lose ground sharply from the 600 metres. At the 300 metres ENDIUS attempted a run to the inside of OLD HARLEQUIN which shifted in marginally. ENDIUS shifted away from OLD HARLEQUIN and severely checked CALI BACKI BEAU which was racing to its inside. No blame could be attached to any particular rider in relation to this incident. After passing the 100 metres SOUND KNOWLEDGE was checked. An Inquiry was opened and Jockey A Molino (SOUND KNOWLEDGE) and Jockey J Stopps (ENDIUS) were questioned regarding the incident. The Inquiry was reconvened at the Office of Queensland Racing on 2/2/03 where Jockey J Stopps (ENDIUS) was charged with Careless Riding (AR 137A) by allowing ENDIUS to shift out when not clear of SOUND KNOWLEDGE. Jockey Stopps was found Guilty of the charge and suspended from riding in races to commence midnight 8/2/03 up to and including 22/2/03 (2 meetings). Approaching the finishing line TIDEMARK and SIR LUCK were both tightened for room by ENDIUS which shifted out and FIRE SPIRIT (App L Buckingham) which was allowed to shift inwards. Jockey J Stopps and App L Buckingham were both cautioned in relation to this incident. After passing the Winning Post IMPERIAL AGENT collapsed and died as a result of suffering a possible airway instruction or cardiac arrhythmia.

RACE 2: F & V CLASS 2 HANDICAP – 1000 Metes

SISTER SEEKER had to be momentarily steadied when crossed by I’M NOT NOSY at the 700 metres. Jockey D Andrews (I’M NOT NOSY) was cautioned and advised to allow a full two lengths when crossing in future. At the 250 metres SNAZZY JO was checked when tightened for room between ABUZZ and BELISSA (D Crossland) which shifted out to improve. At an Inquiry D Crossland was severely reprimanded for shifting ground when not clear (ARR 137a). On returning to scale SISTER SEEKER was found to have to bled from both nostrils, and as this was the second occasion that SISTER SEEKER had bled, the Mare was declared ineligible to race again (ARR 53A – 5)

RACE 3: - CLASS 1 HANDICAP – 1400 Metres

Jockey S Morris (PICASSO) was dislodged from the horse on the way to the Barriers. PICASSO was caught shortly after this incident and inspected by the Club Veterinary Surgeon, and passed fit to start. Trainer A Clark was questioned as to the reason presented FALCON KNIGHT to the enclosure without the declared gear of a tongue tie on the horse. After taking evidence from Mr Clark, Stewards issued him with a reprimand in relation to the incident (LR 82 –2) The start was delayed when FALCON KNIGHT reared over in the Barriers injuring the Jockey R Mules. FALCON KNIGHT was a late scratching at 1:18 p.m. and at the declaration of correct weight bookmakers were ordered to impose deductions of .04c Win and .05c Place on all bets made prior to the withdrawal of FALCON KNIGHT. Trainer Mr A Clark was advised he would have to obtain a Barrier Certificate before FALCON KNIGHT could race again. Jockey R Mules sustained a fractured hand in this incident and was transported to hospital for further treatment. PICASSO jumped awkwardly crowding SOVIET SNOW , HANDS ‘N’ HEELS and NOODYTOBOO. Making the home turn, CHIGLIAKE had to be steadied momentarily when NOODYTOBOO shifted out to improve. I Toward (NOODYTOBOO) was cautioned for shifting ground when not quite clear.

RACE 4: CLASS 4 HANDICAP – 1630 Metres

Trainer B Condon will be questioned at a time and date to be fixed for the reason that he failed to declare a rider for DELTA GLOW by the prescribed time. Mr Condon will also be questioned as to the reason he disobeyed a Stewards direction for failing to report to the Stewards Room when requested. THE OUTBACK RAT jumped inwards at the start and checked HISTORICAL. App K Penrose was questioned in relation to the riding tactics she adopted on COOK’S PASSAGE, in particular the reason that COOK’S PASSAGE was ridden forward in to-days event in comparison to horses usual racing traits which is to settle back in the field. Trainer O Chillemi advised that he had instructed Ms Penrose to ride the horse forward if there was no pace in the race. Ms Penrose advised that after being caught wide in the early stages after the wide Barrier draw, she allowed COOK’S PASSAGE to progress forward, and in the middle stages, she was unable at any stage to cross ROSEBERTH ROAD. The result being that COOK’S PASSAGE was beaten approaching the home turn after racing wide. The explanation of Ms Penrose was noted, Trainer O Chillemi was advised of his obligations to notify Stewards should he contemplate changing riding tactics on his horses.

RACE 5: CLASS 4 HANDICAP 1630 Metres

Jockey A Molino replaced R Mules on LOLLIE. LOLLIE was retired from the event in the middle stages after breaking down badly in the near side fetlock. LOLLIE was subsequently treated by the Club Veterinary Surgeon and later euthanised

RACE 6 – OPEN HANDICAP – 1400 Metres

A change of rider after declaration of Jockeys to K Brady replacing B Stewart was approved. At the first corner, CRAFTY LAD was steadied off the heels of MAS FINA. As a consequence TALE OF TRIOMPHE which was trailing, had to be checked. A short distance later GALLERY shifted in to avoid the heels of TALE OF TRIOMPHE resulting in NEXT IN LINE being checked. Given all the circumstances, Jockey J Felix (MAS FINA) was reprimanded for initially causing a minor tightening to CRAFTY LAD (AR 137a). EARLY BRIGHT was unable to clear running until the 150 metre mark. At the 150 metres EARLY BRIGHT shift around the heels of the tiring SURFBOARD and as a consequence NEXT IN LINE, which was racing to the inside of EARLY BRIGHT was checked. At an Inquiry, Jockey S Morris (EARLY BRIGHT) was found Guilty of contravening AR 137a in that he rode carelessly when shifting ground when not clear of NEXT IN LINE and was suspended from riding in races to commence midnight 2/2/03 up to and including 15/2/03 (2 meetings). In accessing penalty, Stewards took into account the period covered by those 2 meetings.



RACE 7 CLASS 6 HANDICAP – 1200 Metres

F Edwards replaced R Mules on LET’S GO PLATINUM. UPON A STAR was very slow to begin. REDWAY was slow into stride. Making the home LET’S GO PLATINUM shifted out to improve and checked MOONAGHEE forcing that horse wider on the track. Jockey F Edwards (LET’S GO PLATINUM) was severely reprimanded for shifting ground when not clear, (AR 137 a). Over the concluding stages, BELLA DEANNA and REDWAY were tightened for room when racing between DARK SCOUT which shifted out and LET’S GO PLATINUM which was taken in by MOONAGHEE. Jockey’s M Young (DARK SCOUT), S Watkin (MOONAGHEE) were advised to make a greater effort to keep their mount straight in similar circumstances. Trainer G O’Dea reported that LUK KAI LUK had bled on returning to scale, and as this was a second bleeding attack for LUK KAI LUK, the horse was declared ineligible to race again, (ARR 53 –A-5).

RACE 8 CLASS 3 PLATE – 1200 Metres

CANADIAN PRINCE was a late scratching at 12:15 p.m. on Veterinary advice. Trainer S Watkin replaced R Mules on DOMINANT MALE. SANTA WEARS RED was fractious in the Barriers DOMINANT MALE jumped awkwardly. . TAMUJAN and CREVHAWA were slow into stride. CELTIC BLUE jumped awkwardly. Jockey D Simmons was questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CELTIC BLUE. Jockey Simmons advised that the horse was extremely lethargic, and in spite of urging the horse in the middle stages the Gelding had trouble keeping in touch with the field, and he could offer no explanation for the poor performance. A post race Veterinary Examination of CELTIC BLUE revealed the Gelding to be suffering the effects of a respiratory problem, and Trainer L Manzelmann will have to supply a Veterinary Clearance before CELTIC BLUE is permitted to race again.

ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED. Pre race swabs were taken from the following horses:
Race 3 - BE BRUTAL: FALCON KNIGHT
Race 4: - MY BILBOA: MOUNTAIN SONG
Race 5: - STRAWBERRY KISSES: SEA AMORE: GRAHERE
Race 6: - TALE OF TROUMPHE: NEXT IN LINE
Race 7: - LUK KAI LUK
Race 8: - FAMA: SANTA WEARS RED

GENERAL:
Bookmaker Mr S Searles was fined $200 for having his Mobile Phone on his Betting Stand at the Townsville Betting Meeting on the 25/1/03. (LR 118A). An Inquiry into the reason his licensed clerk Mr M Turner was using the Mobile Phone whilst on his betting stand on that date, has been adjourned to a time and date to be fixed.

On the 4/2/03, Stable foreman Mr P Lafferty for trainer P Mullins advised stewards that REBEL ROUSER had bled whilst performing track work that morning. Acting under the terms of AR 53A REBEL ROUSER was declared ineligible to race for a period of 3 months.