TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT TUESDAY 25.2.03

STEWARDS PANEL: D GRIFFITHS (Chairman), R DOYLE, M BRAUNBERGER, WAL ABELL, R SMITH

WEATHER –OVERCAST TRACK:-HEAVY RAIL – TRUE

GENERAL: As a result of heavy overnight rain, a 6:00 a.m. track inspection was conducted by Stewards. A further inspection at 10:30 a.m. was also conducted.. Following the second inspection the Stewards declared the track safe for racing.

RACE 1:.2YO MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1000 Metres

The start was delayed due to BAY FELT being difficult to load. Trainer B Baker was advised that a final warning was issued concerning the barrier manners of BAY FELT. PEACEFUL MISSILE and STRICTLY RHYTHM collided on two occasions after jumping. MAGIC MING jumped awkwardly, taking FLASH ARTHUR out onto MEAND which was hampered. After jumping awkwardly ATLANTIC LASS had to be steadied off the heels of BAY FELT shortly after the start. At the 800 metres GAZZAM shifted out , and as a consequence MAGIC MING had to be checked off the heels of GAZZAM. ATLANTIC LASS, which finished a considerable distance behind the field, was inspected by the Club Veterinary Surgeon, who reported no abnormalities.

RACE 2: CLASS 3 HANDICAP – 1630 Metres

Jockey G Kliese was fined $50 for being overweight on DANZADANE (AR120b) and was replaced on the Gelding by F Edwards. BELL ROAD was penalised 0.5kg to 54.5kg, after winning at Home Hill on 22/2/03. HISTORICAL was slow to begin. At the 1500 metres BELL ROAD got its head in the air and commenced to over race. App P Hammersley (GRAHERE) accidentally dropped his whip at the 250 metres.

RACE 3: MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1200 Metres

As Jockey D Simmons was ill, he was replaced on PILOT POINT by P Cullen. D Simmons must supply a Medical Certificate verifying same. LIVE WITH PASSION jumped in at the start and checked GRAND PRETENDER. Jockey D Crossland (LIVE WITH PASSION) was cautioned for causing a tightening to ACCOLADY approaching the first turn. On returning to scale, PILOT POINT was found to have bled from both nostrils and acting under the terms of AR53 A PILOT POINT was declared ineligible to race for a period of 3 months.

RACE 4: OPEN HANDICAP – 1200 Metres.

After being taken out by PRIOR PLANNING at the start, KINGWIN shifted out hampering POCKETSFIL. POCKETSFIL was again checked off the heels of KINGWIN at the 1100 metres when KINGWIN shifted out marginally. Jockey A Molino was questioned regarding the disappointing performance of POCKETSFIL. Jockey Molino advised that, although the horse had won on a wet track at Mackay on the 8th February 2003, he felt that after POCKETSFIL had slipped at the start, and then been hampered shortly afterwards, that the horse had not raced keenly in the early stages when back in the field. Jockey Molino advised that POCKETSFIL was dropping back in distance from 1500 metres to 1200 metres in today’s event and that he was unable to muster early pace under the conditions. The explanation of Jockey Molino was noted. Jockey G Kliese was questioned regarding the disappointing performance of KINGWIN. Jockey Kliese advised that KINGWIN failed to handle the heavy conditions and did not stretch out in the event. A Veterinary examination of KINGWIN revealed the gelding to be sore in both fore fetlocks. Trainer P Mullins was advised that a Veterinary Certificate of fitness would be required before KINGWIN can compete again.

RACE 5: CLASS 2 HANDICAP – 1300 Metres.

LONG DIN SILVER was a late scratching at 1:30 p.m. for Veterinary reasons. Trainer J Robbins will be required to furnish a Veterinary Certificate confirming the same. J Felix replaced D Simmons on GERTRUDIS. GERTRUDIS jumped awkwardly. MR. LUCIO and WARRIOR ROSE collided shortly after the start. Jockey S Simmons reported that MR. LUCIO wanted to hang in down the running, and he was unable to fully test the horse as a consequence. Trainer A Harrison (MONDRIAN) will be questioned at a time and date to be fixed in relation to an incident when he presented MONDIRAN into the enclosure prior to the running of the event. Mr Harrison will also be questioned into the reason why he failed to attend an Inquiry into the matter when directed by Stewards.

RACE 6: CLASS 1 HANDICAP – 1000 Metres

Making the home turn, RIGHT CONNECTION shifted out abruptly to improve hampering UNDISCLOSED and FLASH FELLOW. Jockey S Simons, (RIGHT CONNECTION) was reprimanded for shifting ground at that point when not clear. It was noted that Jockey S Simmons (RIGHT CONNECTION) had to stop riding his mount on a number of occasions in the straight as a result of RIGHT CONNECTION hanging in.

RACE 7: CLASS 4 HANDICAP – 1000 Metres

GO POGO was slow to begin. DR. FRANK momentarily shifted in at the 800 metres hampering KOSHIBO. At the 500 metres CONFIDENCE BUILDER and JUNEEVA LAD were both crowded for racing room by KOSHIBO. Jockey I Toward (KOSHIBO) was advised that under the circumstances he should have allowed more room to runners to his inside. A post race veterinary examination to KOSHIBO, which finished a considerable distance behind the field, revealed no abnormalities. Jockey I Toward advised that KOSHIBO was having its first start from a spell and this combined with the wet conditions, had resulted in the horse compounding. The explanation of I Toward was noted.

RACE 8 – CLASS 6 PLATE – 1400 Metres

ARJAYE was incorrectly handicapped at 54kg in this event, and acting under the terms of AR111 A(2c) the handicapped weight of ARJAYE was adjusted to 57kg. OHKAY was slow into stride. App P Hammersley (MOONAGHEE) was questioned regarding the riding tactics he adopted, in particular the reason MOONAGHEE lost ground approaching the 600 metres. App Hammersley advised that MOONAGHEE had got back in the field further than he had expected and at the 600 metres he was held up behind tiring horses. He further advised that at this point of the race MOONAGHEE dropped the bit and lost ground. App Hammersley stated that on straightening, he moved MOONAGHEE to the outside of the track to obtain clear running and the gelding had finished well. The explanation of P Hammersley was noted.

ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.