TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT SATURDAY 31/07/04

STEWARDS PANEL: Mr P COOPER (CHAIRMAN), Mr W. Birch, Mr W. Bethel, Mr J. McIntosh, Mr B. Chester-Master, Mr R. Smith

WEATHER: FINE TRACK: - GOOD

RAIL: IN TRUE POSITION


RACE 1: CLASS 5 HANDICAP – 1000 Metres – 14 Starters

When Apprentice A. Gain was unable to claim his full allowance on FULL BALE, and no other suitable apprentice rider was available, permission was granted for Apprentice Gain to claim only 1 kilogram. Apprentice Gain was fined $100 under A.R. 92(12).

On jumping MACNAMARA’S BAND (D. Evans) and KENWOOD ALLEGRO (R. Ryan) came together.

TIO RAMA (App. L. Abbott) shifted out at the start and made contact with FULL BALE (A. Gain).

Shortly after the start SILVER NATIVE (W. Cullen) laid out, obliging its rider to stop riding and straighten his mount.

Approaching the 500 metres KENWOOD ALLEGRO (R. Ryan) had to be eased when tightened for room by CITY TWISTER (M. Smith-Lester), which shifted out abruptly.

When asked to explain the improved performance of the winner, BIKINI BOTTOM (P. Hammersley), compared to its last start placing of 11th out of 12 over 1200 metres at Rockhampton on 19th June 2004, trainer Mr D. Crouch stated that in the past the gelding had never been competitive at distances of more than 1000 metres. He added that BIKINI BOTTOM does not back up in races close together, but has raced well fresh. With this in mind the horse had been given a let-up of a month before today’s event and connections were confident that it would perform well. The explanations were noted.

RACE 2: CLASS 6 HANDICAP – 1630 Metres – 8 Starters

QUESTWIN (N. Day) began awkwardly and then was slow to get into stride.

Near the 1200 metres OUR UNISON (D. Green) shifted in momentarily and hampered CANNY FELLA (D. Lloyd).

After the race J. Stopps (SNOWY WEATHER) reported that he had sustained an injury to his foot and was unable to fulfil his further engagement.

RACE 3: CLASS 4 HANDICAP - 1400 Metres - 14 Starters

The declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow P. Cullen, the rider of TRICKY DICKY which finished third, and D. Crossland, the rider of ALWYN STREET which finished second, to view the official video film, with a view to P. Cullen lodging an objection. However, P. Cullen decided not to protest. Subsequently it was established that near the 1000 metres ALWYN STREET shifted in slightly and hampered TRICKY DICKY.

Approaching the 1200 metres ARCH TRIUMPH (M. Smith-Lester) had to be eased when taken in slightly by POOCHA (J. Barnett). Following this incident ARCH TRIUMPH overraced for a considerable distance.
Approaching the 950 metres DADDY’S LITTLE MAN (J. Long) shifted in slightly and inconvenienced SPIRITUAL SONG (D. Evans). J. Long was advised to exercise more care.

When asked about the poor performance of ORANGE SMASH Jockey J. P. Stanley said that he had been disappointed with the gelding’s previous run and that today the horse was under pressure from the 600 metres but failed to finish the race off. The explanation was noted.

RACE 4: CLASS 2 HANDICAP - 1300 Metres - 16 Starters

Trainer Mr G. Dickson was fined $50 under L.R. 42(2) for failing to lodge an amended stable return notifying the change of ownership of OZ. Subsequently Mr Dickson was reprimanded for his conduct during the inquiry.

After being placed in the barriers ST SPARTICA (N. Day) broke through, was quickly restrained, examined by the veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start.

On jumping UDDER BRILLIANCE (P. Hammersley) was tightened for room between VONDALE (M. Bennett) and EPONA’S BONUS (J. P. Stanley), both of which shifted ground.

Shortly after the start VONDALE (M. Bennett) and EPONA’S BONUS (J. P. Stanley) came together.

Jockey R. Mules reported that BRIDGE TO VICTORY was unable to obtain clear running from the 400 metres until near the 150 metres.

Rounding the home turn ENDING (M. Smith-Lester) was shifted out to obtain clear running when not quite clear of SISTER CATHERINE (P. Cullen), which had to be eased and lost its position. M. Smith-Lester was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care.

Approaching the 400 metres VONDALE (M. Bennett) shifted in away from UDDER BRILLIANCE (P. Hammersley) and bumped ENDING (M. Smith-Lester), which was taken in onto SNAADEE WARRIOR (D. Crossland), which had to be checked and lost its position. M. Bennett was severely reprimanded and advised that in future he would be expected to make a greater endeavour to keep his mounts straight.

In the straight UNIVERSAL LAD (A. Molino) was disappointed for clear running.

Near the 300 metres ENDING (M. Smith-Lester) laid out and hampered VONDALE (M. Bennett), which had to be restrained. M. Smith-Lester stopped riding and attempted to straighten his mount.

RACE 5: XXXX CLEVELAND BAY OPEN HANDICAP - 1200 Metres - 16 Starters

After arriving at the track SNICK was examined by the Club’s veterinary surgeon . Acting on his advice that the gelding had sustained an injury to its near hind leg en route to the course and was unfit to start, stewards ordered the withdrawal of SNICK at 12.45 p.m. No alterations to betting were required.

BORZOV (A. Molino) shifted out at the start and hampered LAZZAZ (D. Crossland) and STORMY BLUE (A. Cox).

Approaching the 900 metres SILVER PATRIOT (I. Toward) was checked and lost its position when tightened for room by NESSUNO (N. Day), which shifted in slightly. MIGHTY STRONGHOLD (M. Bennett), which was racing to the inside of SILVER PATRIOT, was inconvenienced in consequence. The incident was accentuated when NESSUNO shifted in away from SHODAMA (Apprentice L. Abbott), which shifted inwards when not quite clear. Apprentice L. Abbott and N. Day were advised to exercise more care.

Approaching the 700 metres STORMY BLUE (A. Cox) shifted in slightly, taking DAMASCUS CALLING in onto KASHKII (D. Brereton), which brushed the running rail and had to be steadied.

Leaving the 700 metres DAMASCUS CALLING (R. Mules) overraced and ran up onto the heels of SILVER PATRIOT (I. Toward). CAREFUL LOVE (D. Lloyd), which was following, had to be restrained away from the heels of DAMASCUS CALLING.

Rounding the home turn STORMY BLUE (A. Cox) shifted out and made contact with LAZZAZ (D. Crossland).

In the early part of the straight DAMASCUS CALLING (R. Mules) shifted out and hampered CAREFUL LOVE (D. Lloyd).

M. Elliott (OUR MR. POMPEII) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under A.R. 137(a), in that near the 300 metres he permitted his mount to shift outwards when insufficiently clear of BUSHRA GEM (J. P. Stanley), which had to be checked, blundered and lost its position. M. Elliott was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight tonight, 31st July 2004, up to and including 12th August 2004 (4 N.Q. meetings). In assessing penalty stewards took into account that the interference occurred in a feature event, M. Elliott’s plea of guilty, his riding record, and his forthrightness.

Jockey N. Day, the rider of the winner, NESSUNO, was fined $200 under A.R. 137 (c ) for making a celebratory gesture prior to the winning post.

RACE 6: McDONALDS TOWNSVILLE GUINEAS QTIS 3-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP - 1630 Metres -_12 Starters

In the early and middle stages BACKSTAGE GIRL (M. Smith-Lester) overraced and refused to settle.

In the middle stages LION PRINCE (D. Crossland) and GAZZAM (D. Brereton) overraced.

About the 650 metres GAZZAM (D. Brereton) was tightened for room by LION PRINCE (D. Crossland).
Rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight SON OF ZENA (A.Cox) was unable to obtain clear running.

RACE 7: JUPITERS TOWNSVILLE CUP - 2100 Metres - 16 Starters

After being placed in the barriers BARKER BOY became fractious and got down in its stall. The gelding was examined by the veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start. Following the race trainer Ms J. Ryan was informed that a warning had been placed on the barrier manners of BARKER BOY.

After being placed in the barriers SNIPPETY SNIP (P. Hammersley) broke through on two occasions, was quickly restrained, examined by the veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start.

At the start PALARCHI (M. Smith-Lester) shifted out, taking RIVA REBEL (J. Barnett), out onto AZZEAL (P. Cullen), which was taken out onto STREAM GUL (R. Mules), which in turn was taken out onto LAURINEL IMPULSE (D. Johnston), which shifted out onto KOHNRAY STAR (J. P. Stanley). At the same time SHAMROCKS (M. Bennett) clipped the heels of SNIPPETY SNIP (P. Hammersley), which was shifting in, and blundered.

After passing the winning post the first time PLUMS (A. Cox) commenced to overrace and got its head up.

Approaching the 1600 metres APPLEBY (I. Toward) had to be restrained when racing in restricted room.

When the pace slackened at the 1600 metres ROAD TO DANCE (G. Kliese) was taken out onto PLUMS (A. Cox) by GASNIER (D. Green) which shifted out to avoid the heels of PALARCHI (M. Smith-Lester).

RACE 8: CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1960 Metres - 16 Starters

When J. Stopps became indisposed after riding in Race 2, A. Cox was substituted as the rider of BELLAGIO BOY.

At the start DOODLE DADDLE (J. P. Stanley) shifted out and bumped EXTENSION (D. Crossland), which was taken out onto REMEMBER TOM (A. Molino), which had to be checked.

On jumping AL FRISKY (F. Edwards) shifted in onto LOFTY HEIGHT (M. Bennett), which was taken in onto FORESTS (R. Mules).

REMEMBER TOM (A. Molino) made the turn out of the straight awkwardly and got its head up.

Rounding the home turn DOODLE DADDLE (J. P. Stanley) shifted out marginally taking LADY LUNCHTYME (M. Cullen) out onto LOFTY HEIGHT (M. Bennett), which was racing in restricted room. LOFTY HEIGHT was taken out onto DAYLESFORD (I. Toward) and had to be checked. Shortly after this DAYLESFORD shifted in and hampered LUNCHTYME. I. Toward was reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in. J. P. Stanley was reprimanded for shifting out when not clear of LADY LUNCHTYME.-



ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED