TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT TUESDAY 30/09/03
STEWARDS PANEL: W BIRCH (Chairman) WJ BETHEL, WC BIRD, M BRAUNBERGER
WEATHER – FINE TRACK:-GOOD RAIL – OUT 4 Metres from the 1600 metres to the 400 metres , 5 metres in the straight.
GENERAL
From the meeting at Townsville Turf Club on 23/9/03
P Cullen the rider of LITTLE AWESOME was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under AR 137(a) in that near the 900 metres he allowed that gelding to shift in when not clear of SIGNORA CICOLA (I Toward) resulting in that horse blundering and dislodging its rider. P Cullen’s License to ride in races was suspended for a period covered by 7 NQ Meetings to commence at midnight Saturday the 4/10/03 and expire at midnight Monday the 3/11/03.
RACE 1: 3YO CLASS 4 HANDICAP - Abt 1200 Metres – 6 Starters
FRISKY ROSE (P Cullen) overraced in the early and middle stages of the event.
RACE 2: MAIDEN HANDICAP – Abt 1200 Metres - 14 Starters
GOD’S WORK (D Crossland) was hampered shortly after the start between SUAVE DRESSER (I Toward) and REAL FRISKY (L Abbott) both of which shifted ground. Leaving the 100 metres REAL FRISKY ( L Abbott) had to be steadied of the heels of REGAL STATE (A Merritt) which shifted out slightly. Approaching the 50 metres REAL FRISKY (L Abbott) improved up onto the heels of SOLOMEIO (K Penrose) and had to be steadied. Inside the final 50 Metres REGAL STATE (A Merritt) improved to the inside of FRODO BAGGINS (S Simon). Shortly after FRODO BAGGINS (S Simons) shifted in slightly tightening the running of REGAL STATE (A Merritt) and SOLOMEIO (K Penrose). REGAL STATE (A Merritt) continued to shift in making heavy contact with SOLOMEI (K Penrose) resulting in that horse having to be steadied by its rider. Whilst Stewards conceded that REGAL STATE was taken in initially by FRODO BAGGINS (S Simon) Stewards nonetheless reprimanded Jockey A Merritt and advised him that he must stop riding and straighten his mount in similar circumstances.
RACE 3: CLASS 3 PLATE – Abt 1200 Metres – 12 Starters
As D Simmons was indisposed he was replaced on STAGE KING by D Crossland.
On return to scale a Protest was lodged by Jockey P Cullen, rider of second placegetter ABUZZ against SNICK being declared the winner, alleging interference at the 1000 metre mark and the 600 metre mark. Whilst it was established that ABUZZ did have to be steadied off the heels of SNICK leaving the 1000 metres and raced in restricted room for a short distance leaving the 600 metres, Stewards were of the opinion that the interference suffered did not warrant a reversal of the placing’s and therefore declared correct weight on the numbers semaphored. At a subsequent Stewards Inquiry, Jockey I Toward the rider of SNICK was advised that he must ensure he is fully clear when shifting ground in future. CHEVHAWA (G Kliese) was held up in the early stages of the straight. Leaving the 200 metres CHEVHAWA (G Kliese) had to be steadied off the heels of STRAWBERRY KISSES (A Cox) when that horse shifted out slightly.
RACE 4: CLASS 6 PLATE – Abt 1400 Metres – 10 Starters
JUST A LAD (J Stanley) jumped in at the start and made heavy contact with REDUCED (P Cullen). AL MAHA (K Penrose) was unable to obtain clear running for the entire length of the straight.
RACE 5: CLASS 1 HANDICAP – Abt 1630 Metres – 12 Starters
PRIMA DOLLA was declared a late scratching at 3:37pm by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice when that horse was kicked behind the barrier stalls.
J Long, the rider of POSITIVE OUTCOME pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR137(a) in that approaching the 1400 metres he allowed that gelding to shift in when not clear of BLIGHSBOY (P Cullen) which resulted in that horse being taken in on to ENDIUS (K Penrose) which in turn shifted in taking BALINAQ (J Standley) in onto BEAVER LAKE (K Mahoney) which struck the fence and had to be checked by its rider. J Long’s Licence to ride in races was suspended for a period covered by 3 NQ Meetings, to commence immediately and expire at midnight Tuesday the 14/10/03. Approaching the 1350 metres, EXPLOITS (I Toward) had to be steadied off the heels of FERRARI UNO (D Crossland) which shifted in slightly. Leaving the 1300 metres FERRARI UNO (D Crossland) whilst over racing, shifted out slightly resulting in POSITIVE OUTCOME (J Long) striking that horses heels and blundering. FERRARI UNO continued to overrace until leaving the 500 metes.
RACE 6: QUALITY HANDICAP – Abt 1630 Metres – 9 Starters
No racing incidents.
RACE 7: CLASS 4 HANDICAP – Abt 1630 Metres – 11 Starters
Stewards questioned J Stanley the rider of FINAL STORM regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of that horse. J Stanley stated that FINAL STORM had enjoyed a nice run in transit, however, after being momentarily held up approaching the home turn, FINAL STORM failed to sprint with his big weight and in his opinion proved very disappointing today. J Stanley’s comments were noted.
RACE 8: CLASS 2 HANDICAP – Abt 1000 Metres - 14
As C Schumacher failed to arrive on course he was replaced on KARION AGAIN by J Felix. Stewards intend to question C Schumacher regarding his failure to arrive on course at a time and date to be fixed. JESTAWAY (F Edwards) and CERAUNO (J Dickinson) were tightened for room at the start by MOWBRAY PARK (J Stopps) and MISTER MUM (A Molino) both of which shifted ground. MOWBRAY PARK was unable to obtain clear running in the early stages of the straight. HIACLA (J Stanley) raced wide throughout the event.
ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.