QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB
TOWNSVILLE – SATURDAY 11th December 2021
WEATHER – Fine TRACK RATING – Good 4 RAIL – +6m 1000m - W/Post; +3m Remainder
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – P Lane
Steward – P Gillard, D Griffiths, P Warren, D Lane
Clerk of Scales – L McKay
Judges – K Dean, M Bates
Veterinarian – Dr D Viero
Sample Collection Officer – M Braunberger
Starter – J Cullen
GENERAL
The following overweight was permitted by Stewards:
Race 1. J Felix +1kg
Race 1. OVERSEAS HORSE OF THE YEAR MAIDEN PLATE 1300m
BORROMEO – Connections advised Stewards instructions would be to ride the gelding positively from the wide barrier and race in a prominent position should circumstances permit, as opposed to its previous start where it also drew wide but was ridden conservatively. The gelding was ridden accordingly.
SWANKY SUE – Jockey M Abe who was to be overweight, was replaced by N Thomas as the rider of the mare. Jockey Abe was fined the sum of $300 under the provisions of AR190(3). Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was passed fit to start. Reluctant to load. Trainer’s Representative P Rowe was advised that a warning would be placed on the mare’s barrier manners. Began awkwardly. Trainers representative P Rowe advised that the mare had come to the end of its preparation, and the intention is to turn it out for an immediate spell.
TOSCAVALE ROAD – Over-raced in the early and middle stages.
SHE’S A SINNER – Raced wide in the early and middle stages.
GLORIOUS EXPRESS – Hung out passing the 1000m inconveniencing a runner to its outside. Raced ungenerously for a short distance thereafter.
SECLUSION – Inconvenienced passing the 1000m when a runner to its inside commenced to hang out. Inclined to lay in under pressure down the running.
TINY TIARA – Raced wide throughout.
MATTHEW JAMES – Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed a slow recovery rate. Trainer’s Representative P Rowe advised that the gelding had come to the end of its preparation, and the intention is to turn it out for an immediate spell.
Race 2. CHRIS WHITELEY JOCKEY OF THE YEAR CLASS 6 PLATE 1000m
MICAWBER – The gelding, which was resuming following a lengthy absence from racing underwent a Veterinary examination and was cleared to race. Knuckled over soon after jumping. Raced keenly in the early stages.
HARD YAGA – Raced in a three wide position without cover for the majority.
SUPPOSEDLY WICKED – Hung out under pressure down the running.
AUXIN – After leading in the early and middle stages, tired noticeably in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have bled from both nostrils in running. Trainer C Attard was advised that the gelding would incur the mandatory 3 months ban from racing and must gallop 1000m satisfactorily in the presence of a Steward prior to next race start. AR79(4)(b).
Race 3. ROY CHILLEMI TRAINER OF THE YEAR QTIS 3YO HANDICAP 1200m
The start of the race was delayed due to both HALLSIDE HAMMER and GOLD TRICKLE having to be resaddled behind the barriers.
SANTA MARINELLA – Shifted out on jumping bumping with another runner. Became unbalanced near the 50m after a runner to its inside shifted out bumping its hind quarters.
GINGER MULE – Began awkwardly and was bumped by a runner to its inside. Restrained after improving onto heels near the 600m. Raced in restricted room between the 200m and 100m. Reluctant to improve into a narrow run passing the 100m when accidentally stuck by the whip of another rider on a number of occasions. Shifted out near the 50m bumping the hind quarters of a runner to the outside which became unbalanced. Jockey N Thomas advised that in his opinion the mare would be better suited over distances up to 1000m at this stage of its career. Trainer’s Representative B Herne advised that the stable will consider implementing a gear change prior to next race start, however he was also of the opinion that the filly may have come to the end of its preparation.
VIENNA CRUISE – Began awkwardly.
GOLD TRICKLE – Over-raced in the middle stages. Raced in a three wide position without cover for the majority.
HALLSIDE HAMMER – Trainers representative Ms B Gordy, when questioned, advised that at the gelding’s previous start when unplaced at Mackay, it had been ridden further back in the field than intended, and had not been comfortable on the tight circuit.
Race 4. LIAM BENCH 21st BIRTHDAY OPEN HANDICAP 1400m
AMUTHON – Trainer C McCann was fined the sum of $100 under the provisions of AR232 for failing to comply with an official direction. Was resaddled behind the barriers. Very slowly away. Raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages.
BOOM GATE – Slowly away.
LANGRHO – Raced keenly in the early stages.
ZOUVILLA – Raced wide in the early and middle stages.
BOYER (NZ) – Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Restrained off heels near the 600m. Approaching the 300m bumped with a runner to its outside on several occasions when searching for clear running. Jockey W D’Avila was advised to exercise more care under similar circumstances.
DIO D’ORO – Over-raced in the middle stages. Bumping with a runner to its inside on several occasions, when racing tight, approaching the 300m. Jockey S Sheargold was advised to exercise more care under similar circumstances.
Race 5. GRAHAM KLIESE JOCKEY OF THE YEAR BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1200m
OUR HOT DATE – Jockey S Sheargold reported the mare put in an awkward stride after taking fright near the 750m when a runner in front brushed the running rail causing it to vibrate.
WANNA TWEET – Began awkwardly. Restrained near the 600m after improving onto heels.
CHEVAUX – Began very awkwardly. Raced wide for the majority.
SHUNTER – Restrained shortly after jumping in order to obtain a position closer to the inside running rail.
SPLENDARAMA – Raced ungenerously passing the 1000m.
DAWN TOO GOOD – Began well from the wide barrier. Was inclined to over-race after obtaining the lead passing the 1000m. Tired noticeably in the home straight. Jockey C Spry advised that the gelding had raced keenly with the addition of blinkers today and was also of the opinion that it may have got its tongue over the bit in running. Trainer W Kenning advised that it is his intention to experiment with gear prior to next race start.
Race 6. WILLYGOOD HORSE OF THE YEAR CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1400m
MIGHTY MARMALADE – Jockey P Cullen reported that the mare had taken charge and was uncontrollable, for some distance passing the 900m, due to the reins being slippery. As a result the mare improved rapidly through the field, and in doing so carried a runner to its outside wider. Had to be restrained near 100m when a runner to its outside shifted in.
HONORED VOW – Began awkwardly.
PLUCKERCARN – Slowly into stride.
FIVEACLOCKSOMWHERE – Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Inconvenienced approaching the winning post, by another runner which shifted out under pressure.
MY SISTER SAL – Over-raced in the middle stages.
SKAGERAK (NZ) – Raced wide throughout.
KARBORS – Jockey D Smith accidentally dropped his whip near the 200m.
BRAVIO – Shifted out under pressure down the running, inconveniencing another runner approaching the approaching the winning post. Jockey G Kliese was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.
RAISE DA VIBRATION – Was carried wider by another runner which improved passing the 900m. Raced very wide for the majority. Eased down when tiring noticeably over the concluding stages. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no abnormalities.
Stewards inquired into an incident which occurred between the 1000m and 900m. After hearing evidence from the relevant parties and viewing available footage, it was established that MY SISTER SAL (S Pawsey) which at that point was racing to the inside of HONORED VOW (W D’Avila) and SKAGERAK (NZ) (D Simmons). As the pace began to slow MY SISTER SAL shifted wider to avoid the heels of BRAVIO (G Kliese) resulting in HONORED VOW and SKAGERAK (NZ) being carried wider. Simultaneously RAISE DA VIBRATION (N Day), shifted in marginally resulting in SKAGERAK (NZ) having to be severely checked, with PLUCKERCARN (C Whiteley) and VIKING CLAP (K Swaffer), which were following, having to shift wider to avoid the heels of runners in front. As Stewards considered a number of factors had been in play, no individual rider was held responsible, and, as such, this was deemed a racing incident.
Jockey J Lyon pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR131(a) in that near the 100m he permitted TOUCH OF BALI to shift in under riding when insufficiently clear of MIGHTY MARMALADE (P Cullen) resulting in that runner having to be restrained. Jockey Lyon’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 days to commence Sunday December 12, 2021 up to and including Saturday December 18, 2021. Jockey Lyon was advised of his right to take the matter to Internal Review.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning licensees
Suspensions
Race 6. Jockey J Lyon. Careless riding. 7 days to commence 12.12.2021 up to and including 18.12.2021. AR131(a).
Fines
Race 1. Jockey M Abe. $300. Accepted ride when overweight. AR190(3).
Race 4. Trainer C McCann. $100. Failed to comply with an official direction. AR232.
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Bars
Race 2. AUXIN. Bled both nostrils. 1st occasion. 3 months ban & 1000m satisfactory gallop in the presence of a Steward. AR79(4)(b).
Horses swabbed pre-race
TOSCAVALE ROAD
MICAWBER
LANGHRO
PLUCKERCARN
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings
Race 1. SASSY SUE. Barrier manners.
Late riding engagements
Race 1. SASSY SUE was ridden by N Thomas.
The matters contained in this Stewards report may be subject to an internal or external review. The outcome of any internal review is published on the Commission’s website immediately after the release of the internal review decision to the Applicant. External reviews are managed by QCAT, and are not published on the Commission’s website.
This report and the Stewards Comments for this meeting may be amended at any time, at the sole discretion of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Stewards as races are reviewed.