RACING QUEENSLAND LIMITED
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STEWARDS REPORT

TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB TUESDAY, 10th SEPTEMBER 2013
WEATHER – FINE TRACK RATING – GOOD (3
PENETROMETER – 4.1

RAIL – OUT 4.5 METRES 1000 METRES TO WINNING POST. OUT 3.5 METRES REMAINDER OF COURSE


OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – Mr R. Hitchener
Stewards – Mr K. Smith, Mr C. Albrecht, Mr R. Smith
Clerk of Scales – Mr R. Pendreigh
Judge - Mr P. McLeod/Mr I. Schultz
Veterinarian – Mr F. Chia
Bookmakers Supervisor – Mr A. Paton
Swab attendants – Ms J. Portch
Starter – Mr P. Warren
Stewards Secretary – R. Palmer

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT: Mackay, 20th August 2013

Race 6: - A.E. Smith Airconditioning BenchMark 70 Handicap – 1100 metres

Stewards today resumed the inquiry into the reason for Jockey B. El’Issa, the rider of BONNY THE VIPER, making contact with Jockey A. Dykes, the rider of TYSON RULES near the 50 metres. Today after taking further evidence from Jockeys El’Issa and Dykes and viewing the patrol films, stewards charged Jockey El’Issa with improper riding under A.R. 137(a) in that at approximately the 50 metres mark he improperly extended his right elbow, making contact with Jockey Dykes. Jockey El’Issa pleaded guilty to the charge. Jockey El’Issa was suspended from riding in races for a period of one calendar month, to commence at midnight on 19th September 2013 up to and including midnight on 19th October 2013. In assessing penalty stewards took into account Jockey El’Issa’s guilty plea, the forthright nature of his evidence during the inquiry, and the serious nature of the breach.

Race 1: - Rock ‘n’ Rodz Festival at Cluden Park Maiden Handicap – 1000 metres
1st – HEY HEY 2nd – MOONLIGHT CAFÉ 3rd – WISE MEN SAY 4th – LITTLE ELLIOT

HEY HEY (P. Cullen) began awkwardly, shifted out and then was tightened for room between WISE MEN SAY (J. Felix) and CYROL’S DRAGON (A. Dykes), which shifted out.

MOONLIGHT CAFÉ (M. Cullen) began awkwardly.
Leaving the 400 metres CYRIL’S DRAGON (A. Dykes) was tightened for room and forced to check when racing between MOONLIGHT CAFÉ (M. Cullen), which had a tendency to hang in, and LITTLE ELLIOT (M. Elliott), which had a tendency to hang out, despite the efforts of the respective riders of MOONLIGHT CAFÉ and LITTLE ELLIOT.

When questioned about the seemingly improved performance of HEY HEY (P. Cullen) trainer Ms K. Keys stated that the mare was having its first start for her stable and therefore she was unable to comment about the horse’s previous performances. However, Ms Keys advised that upon arriving at her stable the mare proved difficult to ride in trackwork, due to its manners, however in more recent weeks HEY HEY had become more tractable and as such its work had improved significantly. Ms Keys advised that whilst she expected a forward showing today, she was unable to be entirely confident about the horse’s performance bearing in mind its pre-existing form, and therefore she was somewhat surprised that the mare was able to win today’s event. The explanations were noted.


Race 2: - Like Us on Facebook BM75 Handicap – 1400 Metres
1st – LIKEFATHERLIKESUN 2nd - MOB RULE 3rd – JUST HUSTLED 4th – SECRET STEALTH

Prior to the race trainer K. Baumann informed stewards that SECRET STEALTH (G. Kliese) will be ridden forward today, contrary to its usual racing pattern. Public announcements were made to that effect. Subsequently SECRET STEALTH was slow to begin and consequently raced in a rearward position.

On returning to scale Jockey G. Kliese reported that he had intended to ride SECRET STEALTH in a forward position, however, when the gelding was slow to begin he was obliged to race in a more rearward position. Jockey Kliese added that the gelding travelled well throughout the event, however when placed under pressure rounding the home turn and in the home straight the gelding failed to run on as expected, which he attributed to the horse having to carry 60.5kg today.

Stewards questioned Jockey I. Toward in relation to the seemingly disappointing performance of VANTABULOUS. Jockey Toward advised that the gelding raced strongly throughout the event, however when placed under pressure in the home straight felt awkward in its action and failed to run on as expected. Jockey Toward said that as he felt something may have been amiss with VANTABULOUS, he did not pressure the gelding over the concluding stages. Trainer G. Wehlow stated that he was disappointed with the performance of the gelding today and will recommend to connections that the gelding be retired from racing. A post-race veterinary examination of VANTABULOUS revealed the gelding to be lame in the off fore tendon. Trainer G. Wehlow was advised that he must provide a veterinary clearance prior to the gelding racing again.

Stewards questioned trainer W. Hetherington as to the seemingly improved performance of LIKEFATHERLIKESON. Mr Hetherington advised that at its most recent start the gelding resented racing with a tongue-tie and therefore he had removed it from the horse’s gear today and replaced it with a bit lifter and tongue control bit. Mr Hetherington was of the opinion that these gear changes were a major contributing factor to the improved performance of LIKEFATHERLIKESON today. Mr Hetherington added that the gelding was racing down in class, which in his opinion also assisted in the horse’s improved showing. The explanations were noted.

Following the race stewards questioned trainer T. Butts in relation to the performance of SAFARI (B. El-Issa). Mr Butts expressed disappointment with the performance of the gelding today and indicated that the gelding may have come to the end of its preparation. Subsequently Mr Butts and the club’s veterinary surgeon reported that SAFARI had pulled up in a very distressed state and may have been suffering from colic. With that in mind, stewards advised Mr Butts that prior to SAFARI’s next start he must obtain a veterinary certificate clearing the horse of any abnormality.

Race 3: - Become A TTC Member Today BM 70 Handicap – 1630 metres
1st – COMMANCHE WARRIOR 2nd – DON’T THINK DO 3rd – ZIP THE LIP 4th – AWESOME HORSESOM

When Jockey J. P. Stanley was to be overweight, Jockey S. Wilson was substituted as the rider of DONNA CECILIA. Jockey Stanley was fined $100 under A.R.120(b).

Near the 900 metres KERCHINGS (M. Elliott) improved onto the heels of DONNA CECILIA (S. Wilson) and was forced to steady.

Race 4: – www.townsvilleturfclub.com.au 3-Y-O Handicap – 1000 metres
1st – SEVEN SAGAS 2nd – GREEN ANCHOR 3rd – JESSETTE 4th – TOP KID

When Jockey F. Edwards was indisposed and unable to fulfil his engagement, Jockey J. P. Stanley was substituted as the rider of TOP KID. Jockey Edwards was advised that he must provide a medical clearance prior to being permitted to ride again.

The start was delayed when BINCENTA was difficult to load into the barriers.

WYBURG (G. Kliese) began awkwardly and shifted out abruptly.

For a short distance in the early and middle stages TOP KID (J. Stanley) raced with its head in
the air whilst being restrained.

Near the 800 metres SEVEN SAGAS (M. Cullen) was tightened for room and forced to ease when racing between TALK TOUGH (T. Bannon), which shifted out marginally whilst over-racing, and BINCENTA (P. Cullen), which shifted in after being taken in slightly by JESSETTE (J. Felix), which shifted in when not completely clear. Jockey Felix was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

At about the 400 metres BINCENTA was tightened for room and forced to check when racing between TALK TOUGH, which shifted out marginally to obtain clear running, and SEVEN SAGAS, which shifted in after making contact with the hindquarters of BINCENTA. Whilst stewards noted that the incident was one of some significance, they were unable to attribute fault to any one rider and therefore no further action was taken.

On returning to scale Jockey I. Toward reported that his saddle shifted backwards on jumping and as a result GREEN ANCHOR raced ungenerously and attempted to buck for a short distance after the start. In the circumstances stewards took no action against the horse. Jockey Toward added that GREEN ANCHOR then raced greenly for the remainder of the race.

Race 5: – Rock ‘N’ Rodz Nostalgia Festival 21 Sep Class 1 Handicap – 1000 metres
1st – LAGO LIES 2nd – CRAIGLEA PIXIE 3rd – MOLONGLE DASH 4th – DESERT SWEEP

Prior to the commencement of the meeting trainer B. Snelling, together with the Race Club farrier, Mr Glen Sharp, reported to stewards that they were unable to apply hind plates to ODE TO ME, despite all available efforts being made. Consequently stewards acceded to a request by Mr Snelling to allow the mare to race barefoot behind. Stewards advised App. J. Kuskopf of the matter and she agreed to ride the mare barefoot behind.

The start was delayed when ODE TO ME (App. J. Kuskopf) became fractious in the mounting enclosure and dislodged its rider, resulting in ODE TO ME being late arriving at the barriers.

The declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow Jockey B. El’Issa, the rider of CRAIGLEA PIXIE which finished second, to view the official patrol films with a view to lodging an objection against LAGO LIES (M. Cullen) being declared the winner. Having viewed the films, Jockey El’Issa elected not to lodge any protest and stewards declared correct weight on the judge’s numbers.

AL SAMUI (P. Cullen), which was standing awkwardly in the barriers, was slow to begin.

ODE TO ME began awkwardly and at the start was tightened for room between LAGO LIES and GUNNERS BABE (App. S. Wiseman), both of which shifted ground.

Near the 800 metres ODE TO ME blundered.

At the 600 metres ZATSACAT (A. Dykes) was tightened for room when racing between RATSTAN (App. B. Swaffer) and GUNNERS BABE, which hung out despite the efforts of its rider.

Race 6: – XXXX Gold Class 3 Plate – 1200 metres
1st – STROM THE RHYTHM 2nd – EUREKA DUBAI 3rd – STAUNCH NORTH 4th – ROCK ALERT

Trainer J. HASSETT was fined $100 under A.R. 59Afor failing to produce the Document of Description for NO IMAGINATION (J. Felix).

In the early and middle stages MASTER MORGAN (G. Cullen) raced wide.

Near the 300 metres EUREKA DUBAI (App. S. Wiseman) attempted to shift out to obtain clear running and in doing so made contact with STROM THE RHYTHM (M. Elliott). A short distance later EUREKA DUBAI was disappointed for a run between STROM THE RHYTHM and SHADOW LINE (App. J. Kuskopf), which shifted out and as a result was forced to shift to the outside to obtain clear running over the concluding stages of the event.

Stewards questioned Jockey A. Coome, the rider of FUNDIDO, and App. J. Kuskopf, the rider of SHADOW LINE, in relation to the fast tempo set by both runners in the early and middle stages. Jockey Coome advised that after beginning well FUNDIDO was able to obtain a leading position, however after passing the 1000 metres SHADOW LINE improved to his outside, resulting in FUNDIDO commencing to over-race. Jockey Coome further advised that he had intended to allow SHADOW LINE to improve forward of him at this point, however due to his mount over-racing he was unable to do so. App. Kuskopf advised that after beginning fairly, in accordance with her instructions she rode SHADOW LINE along in the early stages in an endeavour to obtain the leading position, however she was unable to cross FUNDIDO, which had maintained its position to her inside. App. Kuskopf further advised that during the middle stages of the event she continued to ride her mount along in an endeavour to cross FUNDIDO, however as that horse continued to race to her inside, she was forced to maintain her position one off the running rail. Stewards accepted the explanation tendered by Jockey Coome, as it was evident that FUNDIDO did over-race during the early and middle stages when racing to the inside of SHADOW LINE. Stewards advised App. Kuskopf that in their opinion she erred in her riding after passing the 800 metres when she continued to ride SHADOW LINE along when it was evident that it was going to be unable to cross FUNDIDO, and in the opinion of the stewards it would have been preferable to take hold of her mount in an endeavour to lower the tempo of the race, which would have enabled SHADOW LINE to finish the race off more strongly in the home straight. Bearing in mind App. Kuskopf’s relative inexperience, stewards did not take the matter any further, other than to refer this ride to Racing Queensland’s Apprentice Training Department for assessment.

ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED


STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY, 10TH SEPTEMBER 2013

Summary of action concerning licensees

Fines
RACE 3: Jockey J. P. Stanley $100 - overweight for DONNA CECILIA
RACE 6: Trainer J. Hassett $100 – fail to produce Document of Description for NO IMAGINATION (A.R. 59A)

Reprimands

Suspensions

Jockey B. El’Issa: improper riding (A.R.137(a) – 1 calendar month from 19/9/13 to 19/10/13, Mackay on 20/8/13.

Absent Riders
RACE 4: Jockey F. Edwards (indisposed). Medical clearance required.

Protest

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed – All Winners


Warnings / Bars


Summary of rider changes/Late notifications

RACE 3: DONNA CECILIA was substituted for Jockey J. Stanley (overweight)
RACE 4: TOP KID - Jockey J. P. Stanley was substituted for Jockey F. Edwards (indisposed)

Summary of late scratchings