TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT THURSDAY 01/07/04


STEWARDS PANEL: Mr P COOPER (CHAIRMAN), Mr W. Birch, Mr W. Bethel, Mr R. Smith.


WEATHER: FINE TRACK: - GOOD
RAIL: OUT 6 METRES


LATE RIDING CHANGES:

As M. Bennett was indisposed, the following substitutions were permitted: Race 1, J. P. Stanley to ride BUNSEN HONEYDEW; Race 5, D. Crossland to ride RIVA REBEL; Race 8, J. P. Stanley to ride OUR MR. POMPEII.

GENERAL:

All riders competing at today’s meeting were tested on the alcometer.

RACE 1: QTIS 2-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP – 1000 Metres – 8 Starters

Jockey B. Stewart, the declared rider for LINK HOGTHROB, was reprimanded for failing to arrive on course by the prescribed time (L.R.49).

Trainer D. Crouch was fined $50 for failing to lodge an amended stable return in respect of LINK HOGTHROB by the prescribed time (L.R.42(2)).

F. Edwards, the rider of CLASSIC PASTIME which finished fifth, was reprimanded for failing to weigh in.

On jumping BLUE PETA (A. Molino) and CLASSIC PASTIME (F. Edwards) bumped.

Joining the course proper at approximately the 700 metres CLASSIC PASTIME (F. Edwards) and LINK HOGTHROB (B. Stewart) brushed.

Approaching the 600 metres LION EYES (D. Crossland) had to be steadied when inconvenienced by JAZZ LEGEND (P. Cullen), which shifted in before being straightened by its rider. P. Cullen was reprimanded.

At about the 450 metres JAZZ LEGEND (P. Cullen) shifted in slightly obliging LION EYES (D. Crossland) to race in restricted room, having to be steadied momentarily and shifted out onto LINK HOGTHROB (B. Stewart), which in turn shifted out and checked BLUE PETA (A. Molino). P. Cullen was advised to exercise more care in future.

Near the 200 metres LION EYES (D. Crossland) was obliged to race in restricted room on the outside of JAZZ LEGEND (P. Cullen) and inside CLASSIC PASTIME (F. Edwards), which shifted in slightly. F. Edwards was severely admonished and advised to exercise more care.

At the 100 metres J. P. Stanley, the rider of BUNSEN HONEYDEW, accidentally dropped his whip.


RACE 2: QTIS 3-YEAR-OLD CLASS 6 HANDICAP – 1200 Metres – 8 Starters

The declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow M. Smith-Lester, the rider of STARDINI which finished fourth, to view the official video films before deciding whether to lodge a protest against the third placegetter, FRISKY ROSE (I. Toward). After viewing the videos M. Smith-Lester decided not to lodge an objection.

At the start STARDINI (M. Smith-Lester) shifted in and made contact with MEAND (N. Day).

Near the 650 metres STARDINI (M. Smith-Lester) had to be restrained to avoid the heels of RUDY NED (A. Molino) which was weakening, resulting in FLASH ARTHUR (D. Green), which was following, clipping the heels of STARDINI and knuckling. A post-race veterinary examination revealed that FLASH ARTHUR had been struck in the right eye by a clod of dirt and also had sustained a graze to its offside rear fetlock.

At about the 450 metres STARDINI had to be steadied when tightened for room between RUDY NED (A. Molino), which was weakening and racing ungenerously on its inside, and FRISKY ROSE (I. Toward) which was racing to the outside of STARDINI and shifted in slightly. I. Toward was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

RACE 3: CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1200 Metres - 12 Starters

The declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow W. Kenning, the rider of NO STOP LOSS which finished third, to view the official video films with a view to lodging a protest against the second placegetter, LOCHSCENE (P. Cullen). After viewing the videos W. Kenning elected not to lodge an objection.

At the 600 metres UDDER BRILLIANCE (B. Stewart) was momentarily steadied when REMEMBER TOM (M. Elliott) shifted ground slightly.

Jockey A. Cox, the rider of BRONZE DESIRE, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under A.R. 137(a) in that near the 250 metres he permitted his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of UDDER BRILLIANCE (B. Stewart), resulting in that horse having to be checked, clipping heels and falling, thereby dislodging its rider, B. Stewart. A. Cox was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on Saturday 3rd July 2004, up to and including 24th July 2004. In assessing penalty stewards took into account that the incident involved a fall, the degree of carelessness involved and A. Cox’s good riding record.

Over the concluding stages LOCHSCENE (P. Cullen) laid in and over the final 20 metres caused minor inconvenience to NO STOP LOSS (W. Kenning).

A post-race veterinary examination of UDDER BRILLIANCE revealed that the gelding was lame in the off hind leg.

RACE 4: MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1630 Metres – 10 Starters

A post-race veterinary examination of LOCAL BLOKE (M. Smith-Lester) revealed that the gelding had sustained a laceration to the nearside hind coronet and was bleeding slightly from a wound to its gum sustained when the horse hit its nose on the placegetters’ stall.


RACE 5: QRSE HANDICAP – 1960 Metres – 11 Starters

STAGE KING (M. Smith-Lester) began awkwardly.

Shortly after the start QUESTWIN (N. Day) had to steady off the heels of RIVA REBEL (D. Crossland), which shifted out.

Approaching the winning post on the first occasion RIVA REBEL (D. Crossland) shifted in, taking QUESTWIN (N. Day) in onto WOBBO TOBY (K. Mahoney). D. Crossland was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

In the middle stages SHAMROCKS (W. Kenning) overraced and was unable to obtain clear running.

K. Mahoney, the rider of WOBBO TOBY, reported that the gelding dropped the bit at about the 800 metres and he then elected to race wide in an attempt to find better going, but WOBBO TOBY failed to race competitively thereafter and knuckled badly at the winning post. A post-race veterinary examination of WOBBO TOBY revealed that the gelding was lame in the off fore fetlock.

RACE 6: CLASS 3 PLATE - 1400 Metres - 12 Starters

SUTTON DANCER (J. P. Stanley) was reluctant to be loaded into the barriers and then became fractious. Trainer O. Cairns was advised that the mare must perform satisfactorily in a barrier jump-out before being permitted to race again.

Shortly after the start CALAIS BOUND (B. Stewart) shifted in and crowded LONE HAND (F. Edwards), and then was shifted out and bumped SUNACLANG (P. Cullen). B. Stewart was advised that in future in similar circumstances he would be expected to stop riding and straighten his mount sooner than he had on this occasion.

In the early part of the straight EYES AND TEES (N. Day) was held up and unable to obtain clear running.

A post-race veterinary examination of CALAIS BOUND (B. Stewart) did not reveal any abnormality other than that the mare had a laceration around a tooth.

RACE 7: CLASS 6 PLATE - 1400 Metres - 12 Starters

Trainer Mr W. Massingham was fined $50 for failing to lodge a stable return amending the ownership details in respect of QUAYTMAN (L.R. 42(2)).

D. Crossland was substituted as the rider of ABUZZ as D. Andrews’ licence to ride had expired on 30th June 2004.

When J. Dickinson became indisposed permission was granted for R. Mules to be substituted as the rider of CHOKWE.

RACE 8: QRSE HANDICAP - 1200 Metres - 12 Starters

Trainer Mr W. Hetherington was fined $50 for failing to declare F. Edwards as the rider of GLENELLA LAD by the prescribed time (L.R. 70(1)).

In the straight MIGHTY STRONGHOLD (B. Stewart) was unable to obtain clear running until approaching the 200 metres.

ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED