RACING QUEENSLAND LIMITED

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TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB TUESDAY, 18TH DECEMBER 2012
WEATHER – FINE TRACK RATING – GOOD (3)

RAIL – TRUE ENTIRE COURSE


OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – Mr R. Hitchener
Stewards – Mr W. Birch, Mr K. Smith, Mr R. Smith
Clerk of Scales – Mr R. Fielding
Judge - Mr P McLeod & Mr D. Reid
Veterinarian – Mr F. Chia
Bookmakers Supervisor – Mr A. Paton
Swab attendants – Ms J. Conway/Ms J. Portch
Starter – Mr M. Henderson/Mr P. Warren
Stewards Secretary – R. Palmer


Race 1: Merry Xmas From the TTC Open Handicap - 1400 metres
1st – MIGHTY MITE 2nd – ANDAMON 3rd – POPNAE 4th – SURPASSER

Prior to the race public announcements were made advising that SURPASSER has been penalised 0.5kg for this event and will carry 57.5 kg, following its dead-heat for 1st at Charters Towers on Saturday last, 15th December, in Race 4, an Open Handicap of 1000 metres, beating the 3rd placed horse by 2 lengths.

Stewards permitted ANDAMON (I. Toward) to race with blinkers.

The declaration of correct weight was delayed whilst stewards considered an objection lodged by Jockey P. Cullen, the rider of MY NAME IS EARL which finished 5th, against SURPASSER (App. S. Egan) being declared 4th, alleging interference in the home straight. After taking evidence from the parties involved, viewing the official video films and taking into account their own observations, stewards dismissed the protest and declared correct weight. At a subsequent inquiry App. Egan was reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in leaving the 200 metres resulting in MY NAME IS EARL having to be eased and Jockey P. Cullen being unable to fully test his mount.

At the start ANDAMON lost ground when tightened for room between SURPASSER (App. S. Egan) and POPNAE (F. Edwards), which shifted in.

App. S. Egan was fined $300 under A.R. 137A(5)(a)(ii) for using his whip on SURPASSER in a forehand manner more than 5 times prior to the 100 metres.

Race 2: Classic Coffee Company QTIS 2YO Handicap - 1000 Metres
1st – RAPID CRYSTAL 2nd - EREBUS 3rd – MOON PALACE 4th – CRAIGLEA RUMBA

Rounding the home turn RAPID CRYSTAL (App. S. Egan) had a tendency to hang out.

In the home straight ROSSCO THE HUNTER (App. B. Swaffer) raced greenly and shortly after leaving the 200 metres shifted in and became awkwardly placed on the heels of LADY SAGA (App. N. Bin Yadi), which shifted out marginally. As a result, TOUGH COMPANY (Ap. E. Ljung), which was trailing, was forced to steady when momentarily tightened for room to the inside of ROSSCO THE HUNTER.

Race 3: Arorka Constructions Maiden Handicap - 1300 metres
1st – NASEEM 2nd – ROCK MELON 3rd – FESTIVAL BALLET 4th – RAY’S ROCKET

NASEEM (M. Elliott) was slow to begin.

At the start PASSION AND POWER (App. N. Bin Yadi) lost ground when tightened between ROCK LOGIC (G. Kliese) and ESCONDEE (F. Edwards), which shifted in.

In the early and middle stages GREY ASH (I. Toward) raced wide.

CASINOJEAN (A. Dykes) raced wide throughout.

On returning to scale App. B. Swaffer reported that ROCK MELON raced greenly throughout.

Race 4: Emanate Legal Class 1 Handicap – 1630 metres
1st – TERRAPLEX 2nd – COGNAC DIAMOND 3rd – MASTER INVADER 4th – BENTLEY’S BEST

Stewards permitted trainer M. Hancock to make a late change of gear, namely the addition of a tongue-tie for YOUR REEL.

Prior to the race Jockey G. Kliese advised stewards that MASTER INVADER resents vigorous riding and consequently, consistent with the manner in which the gelding has been ridden previously, he will not use the whip during the event if at all possible. The gelding was ridden accordingly.

The declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow Jockey G. Kliese, the rider of MASTER INVADER which finished 3rd, and Jockey A. Merritt, the rider of COGNAC DIAMOND which finished 2nd, to view the official video films. Having done so, Jockey Kliese and Jockey Merritt were satisfied with the judge’s placings and correct weight was declared.

UNICALEO (App. N. Bin Yadi) was slow into stride and then in the early and middle stages raced wide.

After turning for home TERRAPLEX (M. Elliott) commenced to hang out and near the 200 metres shifted out, taking MADE IN AMERICA (G. Cullen) and COGNAC DIAMOND (A. Merritt) wider on the track. As a result COGNAC DIAMOND was forced to shift to the inside to obtain clear running in the run to the finish. TERRAPLEX then continued to shift out and near the 100 metres taking MADE IN AMERICA and MASTER INVADER wider on the track. As a result, MADE IN AMERICA was forced to shift inwards to obtain clear running over the concluding stages.

Stewards questioned Mr J. Bawden, the trainer of TERRAPLEX as to the seemingly improved performance of the gelding. Mr Bawden stated that he was of the opinion that the gelding would be better suited in races over longer distances than at its most recent starts, however he had been unable to find suitable events in the North-West and consequently had nominated TERRAPLEX for today’s TAB event over the more suitable 1630 metres . Mr Bawden acknowledged that he had supported TERRAPLEX in today’s event as it had worked well in the lead-up to the race.

A post-race veterinary examination of MADE IN AMERICA (G. Cullen), which performed somewhat disappointingly, revealed that the gelding was showing a poor post-race recovery rate.

Race 5: Davis Family Group Class 4 Handicap – 1630 metres
1st – GOGO DELAGO 2nd – NO IMAGINATION 3rd – HITTAMAHOTTAMUS 4th – WHY NOT NOW

The start was delayed when WHY NOT NOW (P. Cullen) had to be re-saddled behind the barriers.

At the 1400 metres MR GIFFORD (A. Dykes) improved onto the heels of CAMPHOR (App. B. Swaffer) and was forced to steady.

Near the 250 metres GOGO DELAGO (A. Coome) was disappointed for a run to the inside of BLAST OUT OF HERE (F. Edwards) and had to be steadied and shifted out to obtain clear running.

For the majority of the event KAARMA (M. Elliott) raced wide.

Race 6: Kordamentha Class 6 Handicap – 1200 metres
1st – BLAME GAME 2nd – MOROSSA 3rd – PANECILLO 4th – GLENGYLE

Leaving the 1000 metres GLENGYLE (App. B. Swaffer) and SPEED SECRET (D. Missen) were momentarily tightened for room to the inside of BLAME GAME (A. Coome), which was taken in slightly by PANECILLO (I. Toward), which shifted in.

Near the 200 metres JUDICIAL (P. Cullen) was tightened for room between SPEED SECRET (D. Missen) and GATO (App. J. Kuskopf), which shifted out whilst being ridden along. As a result JUDICIAL was forced to steady and shift inwards to obtain clear running.

Race 7: Makk Electrical Class 2 Handicap – 1000 metres
1st – ZIP THE LIP 2nd – ROPABLE 3rd – TUPPENY’S OPINION 4th - SUNSETS ON FIRE

When racing out of the chute and joining the course proper near the 800 metres, TUPPENY’S OPINION (P. Cullen) and STEINBERG (A. Coome) were racing in restricted room to the inside of ROPABLE (M. Elliott), which shifted in marginally despite the efforts of its rider, and as a result TUPPENY’S OPINION made heavy contact with the running rail. TUPPENY’S OPINION then continued to race in restricted room for a short distance when STEINBERG laid in, despite the efforts of Jockey A. Coome. Whilst stewards noted that the incident was of some significance, they were unable to attribute fault to any one rider, and therefore no action was taken.

When questioned as to the seemingly improved performance of ZIP THE LIP, trainer Ms J. Hassett advised stewards that today the gelding was having its first start for her stable and consequently she was unable to explain the gelding’s previous poor performances. Ms Hassett added that ZIP THE LIP had trialled well in preparation for today’s event. The explanation was noted.

A post-race veterinary examination of SHADOWS OF SIN (App. E. Ljung) revealed that the gelding had mild swelling in the near carpus.

A post-race veterinary examination of STEINBERG (A. Coome), which performed below market expectations, did not reveal any abnormalities. Stewards will interview trainer B. Williams at a later date.

ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED, AND PRE-RACE SAMPLES WERE TAKEN FROM MADE IN AMERICA, TERRAPLEX, HITTAMAHOTTAMUS and MR GIFFORD


STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY, 18TH DECEMBER 2012

Summary of action concerning licensees

Fines
App. S. Egan $300 – use whip more than 5 times (14) prior to 100m: A.R.137A(5)(a)(ii))

Reprimands
RACE 2: App. S. Egan: careless riding (A.R.137(a))

Suspensions

Absent Riders

Protest
RACE 1: Jockey P. Cullen, 5th (MY NAME IS EARL) v. 4th SURPASSER (App. S. Egan) - dismissed

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed – All Winners, and pre-race samples were taken from MADE IN AMERICA, TERRAPLEX, HITTAMAHOTTAMUS and MR GIFFORD


Warnings / Bars


Summary of rider changes/Late notifications


Summary of late scratchings