TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT THURSDAY 8/4/04

STEWARDS PANEL: W BIRCH (CHAIRMAN) C BIRD, R SMITH J MCINTOSH

WEATHER: FINE TRACK: GOOD
RAIL: Out 3 metres from 1630 to 400 metres, remainder true

RACE 1: QTIS 2YO CLASS 6 HANDICAP – 1000 Metres – 8 Starters
BABINDA BELLE (J Felix) jumped out at the start and momentarily hampered EMMABEE (J Stopps). QUICKAZZ (E Kowald) was momentarily tightened for room on jumping away between RIVER HUNTER (D Crossland) and TINY TITAN (P Hammersley) both of which shifted ground. Leaving the 800 metres PAMBRIGHT (J Stanley), when racing greenly, shifted in momentarily, resulting in QUICKAZZ (E Kowald) having to be steadied to avoid that horses heels. SPEEDY AFFAIR (A Cox) raced greenly throughout the event.

RACE 2: MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1000 Metres – 7 Starters
SOUTHERN SPUR twisted the near hind racing plate on the way to the Barrier. As the off side plate could not be taken off, Stewards permitted SOUTHERN SPUR to race with only one hind plate. BROKEN DREAM (N Day) and FLYING BEAUTY (J Stanley) came together on jumping away. MAJESTIC NATIVE (I Toward) raced greenly in the straight. Leaving the 200 metres SOUTHERN SPUR (D Crossland) was obliged to alter course abruptly to obtain clear running. B Anderson, Trainer of SPRITELY BOLD, which hung out severely throughout the event, was advised that the Gelding must compete in a series of Barrier Trials to the satisfaction of the Stewards prior to its next race start. A post race veterinary examination of SPRITELY BOLD failed to reveal any abnormarmality.

RACE 3: maiden handicap – 1300 Metres – 9 Starters
As a result of transport difficulties F Edwards failed to arrive on course and was subsequently replaced by P Hammersley on BYBROCCO. LIMERICK EYRE (N Day) had to be checked at the start when tightened for room by BYBROCCO (P Hammersley) which was taken in by AL FRISKY (J Stanley). GOLDEN FAME (P Cullen) over raced in the middle stages of the event. Leaving the 900 metres SUAVE DRESSER (I Toward) improved up on the heels of LAMBTON QUAY (D Crossland) and shifted out making contact with AL FRISKY (J Stanley).

RACE 4: OPEN HANDICAP – 1200 Metres – 6 Starters
QUESADILLA (K Mahoney) jumped in at the start and made contact with BUSHRA GEM (P Cullen)

RACE 5: CLASS 2 HANDICAP – 1960 Metres – 9 Starters
TOUCH OF SCOTCH (N Day) was slow to begin. K Mahoney, the rider of BEAUSUMO accidentally dropped his whip shortly after the start. When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of MOMENT OF FAME Jockey J Stopps stated that he was instructed to ride the Gelding back from his outside alley. However, after MOMENT OF FAME began well when trying to restrain the horse shortly after the start, MOMENT OF FAME commenced to over race and was trapped wide on the track. Jason Stopps further stated that MOMENT OF FAME continued to over race throughout the event and he was unable to get a position closer to the fence and travelled 3 wide throughout. J Stopps further stated, that even given this fact he did expect MOMENT OF FAME to finish the race off better than he did. S Potiris Trainer of MOMENT OF FAME confirmed the instructions to Jockey J Stopps, and stated that this was the Geldings first run over this distance and MOMENT OF FAME may not have run out the journey. S Potiris added that it was his intention to give MOMENT OF FAME a brief let up and race the horse over shorter distances. MOMENT OF FAME was sent to be swabbed.


RACE 6: CLASS 4 HANDICAP – 1000 Metres – 9 Starters
As M Elliot was indisposed following his ride in race 3 the following replacements were permitted.
Race 6 CIRCLE OF WHITE – K Mahoney
Race 7 – DARTBROOK KING – A Cox
E Kowald, the rider of STRICTLY BLUE was found Guilty to a charge of Careless Riding under AR137(a) in that approaching the 700 metres, he did allow his mount to shift in when not clear of PLAY PRINCE (P Hammersley) which resulted in that horse making contact with PAPILLO (J Stanley) which in turn was taken in onto GASNIER (I Toward). As a result of this PAPILLO (J Stanley) was severely buffeted between PLAY PRINCE (P Hammersley) and GASNIER (I Toward). Consequently GASNIER (I Toward) also had to be steadied when taken towards the heels of CERAUNO (N Day). E Kowald’s Licence to ride in races was suspended for a period covered by 2 North Queensland meetings to commence at midnight Monday the 12th of April and expire at midnight Saturday the 17th of April 2004.
R Bradshaw trainer of PLAY PRINCE which bled from both nostrils during the event was advised the Gelding would be barred from racing for a period of 3 months under the provision of AR53A.

RACE 7: CLASS 6 PLATE – 1000 Metres – 10 Starters
After being slow away, SNICK (I Toward) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of SILVER PATRIOT (D Crossland), which shifted out shortly after the start.

ALL WINNERS AND MOMENT OF FAME WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED