TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT FRIDAY 7/3/03

STEWARDS PANEL: D GRIFFITHS (Chairman), W.A.L. ABELL, M BRAUNBERGER, R SMITH, M STEPHENS (Cadet)

WEATHER – FINE TRACK:- DEAD RAIL – Out 3 metres from 1600 metres until 1400 metres, true between 1400 metres and 1000 metres, and out 3 metres from the 1000 to the 400 metres.

RACE 1:.QTIS 2YO HANDICAP – 1000 Metres

ABNOO’S SEQUEL jumped awkwardly and collided heavily with COOL ALLEY. When corrected by it’s rider ABNOO’S SEQUEL ran outwards and made heavy contact with DANCE ON CLOUDS. Approaching the 800 metres, KINGLEA which was racing a little greenly had to be checked off the heels of MR JACOBS which shifted in. Jockey S Morris (MR JACOBS) was severely reprimanded for shifting ground when not clear. (AR 137a). Shortly after this incident KINGLEA shifted out and made contact with ABNOO’S SEQUEL.

RACE 2: MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1630 Metres

After passing the 1400 metres, as the pace steadied, ACCOLADY got its up in the air and commenced to race ungenerously. CHAT ROOM and ENDIUS which were trailing also had to be steadied as a consequence. GOLD FIRE which finished a considerable distance behind the remainder of the field was inspected by the Club’s Veterinary Surgeon who reported no obvious abnormalities. Trainer M Preston advised that GOLD FIRE would be retired.

RACE 3: CLASS 2 HANDICAP – 1400 Metres

BRENDY BOY blundered when the gates opened. MR LUCIO was held up for clear running making the home turn, and in the early stages of the straight. After 300 metres MR LUCIO had a tendency to hang in hampering STAR SHAPER which was taken inwards towards AZUCAR. As a consequence AZUCAR shifted away abruptly from STAR SHAPER and checked BRENDY BOY. MR LUCIO continued to hang in down the running, and Jockey S Simon was unable to ride the horse out fully to the line. Trainer P Mullins was advised that a warning was placed on MR LUCIO concerning the horse hanging in and that he was to employ a right handed whip rider on the horse in future starts.
Following this event, the track rating was upgraded to Good.

RACE 4: CLASS 1 HANDICAP – 1200 Metres

Trainer A Bailey reported that SILVER PATRIOT had struck its head prior to being paraded for the event. A Veterinary examination of SILVER PATRIOT passed the gelding fit to start. Jockey J Felix replaced D Lloyd on EYECATCHING when Jockey Lloyd could not make the weight. Jockey Lloyd was fined $50 for being overweight AR 120 (b). CURVING was checked at the start when tightened for room by SILVER PATRIOT which shifted in, and EARLY RISER which was taken out by FAVOURITE BLEND. Jockey D Crossland (I’M A WARRIOR) was charged with riding in a careless manner (AR 137 a) by allowing I’M A WARRIOR to shift in at the 1000 metres, forcing EARLY RISER onto LONG DIN SILVER which had to be checked. After taking evidence from Jockeys D Crossland, M Gray (EARLY RISER) and N Jolly (LONG DIN SILVER), Jockey D Crossland was granted the benefit of a grave doubt as to whether his riding had been the major contributor to this incident. The Stewards found that the initial tightening to LONG DIN SILVER at the 1000 metres was as a result of EARLY RISER shifting in, however, when Jockey Gray attempted to relieve the tightening, he was unable to do so as a result of pressure being received to his outside from I’M A WARRIOR also shifting inwards. Jockey D Crossland was none the less advised that a severe reprimand was issued in relation to this incident. EYE CATCHING was held up for clear running until the 250 metres. At the 200 metres GOODBYE BLUES was momentarily tightened for room between BOMBADILL and KLOCCO.

RACE 5: 3YO CLASS 3 HANDICAP

ROMAN CHARIOT cast and damaged a near side hind plate. As the plate could not be reattached, the Stewards permitted ROMAN CHARIOT to race without both hind plates. LET’S GO RAW jumped awkwardly and collided with SUNACLANG which was unbalanced and then collided with SURE AS. MY PONDEROSA stood flat footed when the gates opened and then was unable to improve as a result of STRAWBERRY KISSES jumping inwards. Approaching the first turn MS HAVOC became unbalanced and shifted out across the heels of LET’S GO RAW, checking GREYTIME. At the 950 metres EXPRESSO BAY was checked when racing to the inside of MESCAY FLYER (J Dickinson). At an Inquiry, Jockey J Dickinson pleaded guilty to contravening AR 137 (a) by riding in a careless manner by allowing MESCAY FLYER to shift in when not clear of EXPRESSO BAY. Jockey Dickinson was suspended from riding in races for a period of three (3) meetings to commence midnight 7/3/03 up to and including 18/3/03. At the 600 metres MESCAY FLYER blundered and lost ground. ROMAN CHARIOT, which was trailing, was checked in this incident. Jockey Dickinson (MESCAY FLYER) reported that at that point of the race, he had struck the heels of LIVE WITH PASSION. ROMAN CHARIOT failed to secure clear running between the 400 and 200 metre mark, and again approaching the finishing line. MESCAY FLYER ran up onto the heels of LET’S GO RAW approaching the finishing line and had to be checked.

RACE 6: CLASS 4 HANDICAP – 1200 Metres

JESSIE jumped extremely awkwardly hampering MISS THREDBO and WANDDINI. RANGEHILL blundered at the 650 metre mark. WANDDINI wanted to hang in down the running. Jockey P Cullen and trainer P D’Addona were questioned regarding the riding tactics adopted on JESSIE. Jockey Cullen advised that whilst JESSIS had been ridden in a forward position in previous starts, he was of the opinion that from barrier 12 in today’s event, JESSIE would have difficulty obtaining such a position. Jockey Cullen advised, that after being caught wide at the 1000, JESSIE was pushed further wider on the track approaching the home turn, and that the Mare had run home fairly. Trainer P D’Addona advised that she was also concerned in relation to the wide barrier draw of JESSIS and had advised Jockey Cullen to attempt to obtain a position mid field if possible. Miss D’Addona advise that after JESSIE was caught wide, Jockey P Cullen was a victim of circumstances and was unable to obtain a position closer to the rails at any stage during the event. The explanation of P D’Addona and P Cullen were noted. App K Penrose (SNIP ‘N’ SEA) was reminded of her obligations to ride her mount out to the finish of the event. (AR 137 b)
RACE 7: CLASS 6 PLATE – 1630 Metres

No Racing Incidents.

RACE 8: OPEN HANDICAP – 1400 Metres

ROMA LAD was slow to begin. Approaching the finish line FLYING ASCOT had to be steadied when tightened for room by RACY DANCER which was taken in by CLANDENT (J Cairns). Simultaneously CHOKWE which was racing to the inside of FLYING ASCOT shifted out marginally. Jockey J Cairns (CLANDENT) was reprimanded for failing to stop riding and straighten his mount when CLANDENT wanted to shift in under pressure. Jockey D Simmons and Trainer L Manzelmann were questioned regarding the disappointing performance of TALE OF TRIOMPHE. Jockey Simmons advised that TALE OF TRIOMPHE was never travelling comfortably in the going under the weight, and that TALE OF TRIOMPHE was a beaten horse when rounding the home turn. Trainer L Manzelmann was at a loss to explain the poor performance and advised that TALE OF TRIOMPHE had worked well in the lead up to today’s event. A Veterinary examination of TALE OF TRIOMPHE failed to reveal any abnormalities and the horse was sent to be swabbed. The explanation of Jockey D Simmons and Trainer L Manzelmann was noted.

ALL WINNERS AND TALE OF TRIOMPHE WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.