TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT TUESDAY 14/09/04

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

WEATHER: FINE TRACK: - GOOD

RAIL: IN TRUE POSITION


LATE RIDING CHANGES:

As P. Cullen was indisposed, the following substitutions were permitted: Race 1, W. Cullen to ride EBONY FOX; Race 4, F. Edwards to ride THE SEANSTER; Race 5, I. Toward to ride SEFOKEELA; Race6, M. Cullen to ride WESTERN RIOT; Race 7, R. Mules to ride SUNACLANG; Race 8, W. Cullen to ride THE FIND.

When D. Evans was indisposed the following substitutions were permitted: Race 1, M. Bennett to ride KALATAN; Race 2, D. Simmons to ride EDUCATOR; Race 3, M. Bennett to ride MIGHTY STRONGHOLD; Race 6, D. Simmons to ride NORTHERN COMMANDER; Race 8, D. Simmons to ride CASH MISTRESS; R. Mules to ride OVER THE LINE.

GENERAL REPORT:
Following the running of the final event on today’s programme Trainer Drew Crouch expressed concerns to the Stewards that his horse LARRILKIN LANCE had been interfered with on a number of occasions from the start to the 400mtr mark of the race.
Stewards perused the patrol footage of Race Six, and found that Mr Crouch’s concerns were unfounded.

RACE 1: MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1630 Metres – 7 Starters

CHARLEE BUKIT, which bumped its head in the wash bay after arriving on course, was examined by the Club’s veterinary surgeon prior to the race and passed fit to start.

M. Bennett (KALATAN) was fined $100 for changing his body protector after weighing out (A.R. 118A).

FORESTS (R. Mules) was very slow to begin. Approaching the home turn KOBE BAY (J. Stopps) raced ungenerously.

RACE 2: CLASS 6 HANDICAP – 1200 Metres – 7 Starters

EDUCATOR (D. Simmons) was a little slow to begin.

On jumping LION PRINCE (M. Bennett) shifted in and brushed KELSO REEF (D. Green).

Approaching the 700 metres LION PRINCE (M. Bennett) raced ungenerously and threw its head about.

RACE 3: WEIGHT FOR AGE - 1300 Metres - 5 Starters

In the early stages RAMEKA (G. Kliese) refused to settle and threw its head about.

M. Bennett, the rider of MIGHTY STRONGHOLD, was reminded of his obligation to ride his mounts out at least hands and heels right to the finish.

RACE 4: CLASS 2 HANDICAP - 1300 Metres - 7 Starters

Trainer B. Butler was fined $50 under L.R. 70(1) for failing to declare S. Shield as the rider of WOODIDIERE by the prescribed time.

ROMAN CHARIOT (M. Bennett) and THE SEANSTER (F. Edwards) brushed at the start.

Jockey M. Bennett reported that ROMAN CHARIOT raced ungenerously throughout and in the straight proved difficult to ride out.

CHECK (G. Kliese) began awkwardly and then hung out badly throughout the race. Trainer Ms O. Cairns was advised that a warning had been placed on the horse.

RACE 5: CLASS 3 HANDICAP - 1000 Metres - 8 Starters

The start was delayed when SEFOKEELA (I. Toward) proved difficult to load into the barriers. Trainer Mr T. Huston was advised that the mare will not be permitted to race again until it trials to the satisfaction of the stewards.

Rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight SPRITELY NED (D. Green) was inclined to lay in.

RACE 6: QTIS MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1000 Metres -_12 Starters

Trainer Mr G. Walker was fined $50 under L.R. 70(1) for failing to declare J. Stopps as the rider of MAJESTIC NATIVE by the prescribed time.

Acting under A.R. 8(m) stewards ordered the withdrawal of REGAL JAKE at 12.44 p.m. as the transfer of ownership of the horse had not been carried out in accordance with A.R. 22. Trainer Mr M. Thomas was informed that REGAL JAKE would not be permitted to race until the necessary transfer had been effected.

After arriving behind the barriers MISS JAMES was kicked by another runner. Acting on veterinary advice that MISS JAMES was unfit to start, stewards ordered the withdrawal of the mare at 4.18 p.m. Subsequently they ordered that all bets made on MISS JAMES be refunded in full and that all bets made with bookmakers prior to the withdrawal of MISS JAMES be paid less the following deductions in the dollar from the face value of successful tickets: win 9¢, place 10¢.

The declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow J. Stopps, the rider of MAJESTIC NATIVE which finished second, to view the official video film with a view to lodging a protest against SEA COUNSEL (S.Shield) being declared the winner. After viewing the film J. Stopps decided not to lodge a protest.

WESTERN RIOT (M. Cullen) missed the start and then in the early stages raced greenly.

NORTHERN COMMANDER (D. Simmons) and SEA COUNSEL (S. Shield) came together at the start.

Shortly after the start SEA COUNSEL (S. Shield) had to be eased to avoid the heels of MAJESTIC NATIVE (J. Stopps), which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider.

For some distance after the 800 metres BONZA BOY (A. Molino) hung in.

At about the 700 metres NORTHERN COMMANDER (D. Simmons) blundered and lost its position when it clipped the heels of SEA COUNSEL (S. Shield), which shifted in away from the heels of HACIDA (M. Elliott), which shifted in slightly. Stewards gave S. Shield the benefit of a grave doubt as whether he was entirely responsible for the incident. M. Elliott was advised to ensure that he is at least two lengths clear before shifting ground in future.

Rounding the home turn SANLUCAR (D. Green) knuckled when disappointed for a run between HACIDA (M. Elliott) and SEA COUNSEL (S. Shield.)

RACE 7: CLASS 6 PLATE - 1960 Metres - 10 Starters

Approaching and rounding the home turn WEREWOLF (M. Bennett) was held up and unable to obtain clear running.

On the home turn SILVER GHOST (I. Toward) laid in slightly and hampered TARA BRIGHT (M. Elliott).

RACE 8: CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1200 Metres - 13 Starters

When P. Cullen was indisposed W. Cullen was substituted as the rider of THE FIND. However, when W. Cullen was to be overweight, stewards permitted S. Shield to be substituted as the rider of THE FIND.

JOE’S FURY (A.Cox) was slow into stride as the gates opened.

As the start was effected JUNGLE KING (I.Toward) jumped inwards at the same time as SIGA (M.Bennett) jumped outwards, this resulted in a minor inconvenience for CATALINA CROSSING (J.Stopps).

An inquiry into an incident near the 800 metres was adjourned until two hours before the first race at Townsville next Tuesday, 21st September 2004.

Near the 500 metres THE FIND (S. Shield), which was overracing, had to be steadied away from the heels of JUNGLE KING (I. Toward),.



ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED