QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOOWOOMBA TURF CLUB
 
TOOWOOMBA – SATURDAY 20 MARCH 2021
 
WEATHER – OVERCAST TRACK RATING –  GOOD 4         RAIL – +3m 800m-600m, +4 REMAINDER PENETROMETER – 4.92
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – R Hitchener
Stewards – J Childs, T Preston, P Jenkins & B Cooke
Clerk of Scales – D Rossiter
Judge – S Fahey & B Peolstra
Veterinarian – Dr G Silvestri
Swab Attendants – D McDonald, R Burchmann
Starter – T Woodham
 
 
GENERAL
 
As Jockey G Geran was injured rider replacements were made as per the Stewards summary. Jockey G. Geran was advised he would require a medical certificate prior to returning to race riding.
 
Race 1: HARVEY NORMAN COMMERCIAL TOOWOOMBA BENCHMARK
70 Handicap 1300 metres
 
MR TICKETS – Had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the home straight.
 
VIOLET – Slow to begin.
 
MADDIARA – After beginning well and as a result of racing keenly in the early stages, settled further forward than anticipated.
 
BASIL – Raced three wide without cover throughout.
 
KEEP ON LOVING YOU – Jockey L Tilley was fined $300 for his use of the whip on more than 5 occasions prior to the 100m.
 
MOSS GO NOW – Slow to begin.
 
Race 2: GET OUT STAKES Class 3 Handicap 1050 metres
 
The start was delayed to allow the broadcast of an interstate event.
 
GINGER ROCK – Tightened for room at the start. Laid in under pressure in the home straight proving difficult to ride out. Stewards questioned Jockey B. Nothdurft regarding the tactics adopted on the mare, between the 600m and the 500m. Of concern to Stewards was Jockey Nothdurft’s decision not to shift wider on the track in a trailing position behind ELLA DEVINE which was improving at that point of the race. Jockey Nothdurft advised that leading up to this section of the race, he had formed the view that DANCES WITH TIME appeared to be travelling stronger than ELLA DEVINE as that runner was being ridden along and had been racing three wide. Jockey Nothdurft further added that approaching the 600m when ELLA DEVINE improved, he had expected DANCES WITH TIME to quicken with that runner at that point. However, after passing the 500m when it was apparent that ELLA DEVINE had improved forward of that runner, and after steadying from the heels of DANCES WITH TIME, he elected to then shift wider to improve. Stewards advised Jockey Nothdurft that in their opinion he had erred in not obtaining a trailing position behind ELLA DEVINE sooner than he did, however in the circumstances his riding was not unreasonable and therefore noted his explanation.
 
DOTTI DEAR – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Raced three wide without cover for the majority of the event. Jockey N. Fazackerley expressed disappointment with the performance of the mare which he advised failed to quicken as he had expected from the 500m. A post-race Veterinary examination of the mare failed to reveal any abnormalities.
 
ELLA DIVINE – Tightened for room at the start. Raced three wide without cover for the majority of the event.
 
Race 3: BARRIER REEF POOLS BENCHMARK 62 Handicap 870 metres
 
Trainer L Hatch was issued a $100 fine under LR68 for failing to scratch SPIRITOMO by the prescribed time.
 
The start was delayed when ACEPLAY underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after becoming fractious in the barriers. Subsequently passed fit to start. The trainer’s representative for Trainer M. Costa was advised a warning will be issued against the gelding’s barrier manners.
 
ACEPLAY – Had difficulty obtaining clear running between the 400m until a point near the 150m. Jockey Nothdurft advised that despite being held up for a considerable distance in the home straight, the gelding, when afforded clear running, failed to quicken as he had expected and proved disappointing.
 
ASHZAYA – Approaching the 100m bumped heavily and became unbalanced when KIRRA LASS (J. Guthmann-Chester) shifted in. Jockey J. Guthmann-Chester was issued a reprimand for careless riding under AR.131(a).
 
ANOTHER SHEILA – Raced three wide without cover for the majority.
 
MISSLLEERS – Slow to begin.
 
MS WICKED NICCI – Jockey A Spinks was reminded of his obligations in relation to use of the whip on horses out of contention.
 
 
Race 4:  TTC OWNERS APPRECIATION Maiden Plate 1110 metres
 
MADCALL – Raced three wide with cover throughout.
 
MOTION SENSOR – Fractious in barriers. Slow to begin.  
 
NO INUENDO – Near the 500m was steadied to avoid the heels of MY BIG BROTHER which laid in despite the efforts of its rider.
 
TIGER LA JOY – Laid out from the 400m.
 
CRAYON – Raced three wide without cover throughout.
 
FAIRY DELL – Jumped with its head in the air. Near the 500m improved onto heels and was steadied. Momentarily held up rounding the home turn.
 
CYCLONE DIVA – Shifted out abruptly after being bumped shortly after the start. Raced three wide with cover throughout.
 
Race 5: BLACK & WHITE CABS RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap 1210 metres
 
REDZEB – Bumped heavily shortly after the start. Raced with its head in the air whilst being restrained in the early stages. Raced ungenerously when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
COMFORTABLY NUMB – Jockey G Goomany accidentally dropped his whip approaching the 350m.
 
ABSOLUTE GLORY – Apprentice K. Wilson-Taylor and Trainer L Hatch could offer no explanation for the below market expectation performance. Mr Hatch undertook to advise Stewards in the days subsequent to tonight’s meeting should any abnormalities become apparent which may have affected the mares performance.
 
SEMAPHORE GIRL – Slow to begin.
 
WEARETENFORTYEIGHT – Raced three wide without cover throughout.
 
PRIOR ENGAGEMENT – Forced wider by another runner passing the 600m.
 
 
Race 6: TAYLOR BUILDING GROUP RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap
1210 metres
 
Prior to the declaration of correct weight Stewards considered an objection lodged by Jockey L Tilley the rider of GOT THE LOT which was placed 4th by the judge, against HARRY’S ME BOY being declared the winner alleging interference over the final 150m. Stewards took evidence from Jockey L Tilley, the trainer of GOT THE LOT Mr M Nolan, Jockey N Nishio the rider of HARRY’S ME BOY and the trainer of that gelding Mr N Larkin. After reviewing the patrol footage and considering the evidence Stewards found that near the 150m HARRY’S ME BOY shifted in making heavy contact with GOT THE LOT resulting in that gelding becoming buffered and unbalanced. Stewards further found that for a considerable distance passing the 100m HARRY’S ME BOY continued to shift in dictating the line of GOT THE LOT inwards resulting in in the gelding being placed in restricted room and being unable to be tested by its rider. Stewards further found that over the concluding stages GOT THE LOT was then forced to be steadied to avoid the heels of HARRY’S ME BOY which continued to shift in. Stewards therefore when considering the degree of interference suffered to GOT THE LOT as a result of HARRY’S ME BOY shifting in, upheld the objection and declared correct weight on the amended placings of the 5,7,3 and 9
 
At a subsequent inquiry Jockey N. Nishio pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the terms of AR131(a) in that for a considerable distance over the final 100m, he failed to make sufficient effort to prevent his mount from shifting in resulting in GOT THE LOT (L. Tilley) and THE KNIGHT (R. Palmer) both suffering interference at this point of the race. Jockey Nishio’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 11 days to commence midnight 20th March 2021 and to conclude midnight 31st March 2021. In determining penalty stewards took into consideration Jockey Nishio’s guilty plea and prior good record.
 
CRAB BOY – Began awkwardly.
 
THE KNIGHT – Checked when placed in restricted room for a considerable distance passing the 100m.
 
CONQUER MEE – Raced keenly during the early stages. Steadied when awkwardly placed at heels over the concluding stages.
 
ME MUM'S FOXY – Bumped at the start.
 
CHEESIE - Bumped at the start.
 
HARRY'S ME BOY – Began awkwardly. Raced 3 wide from the 700m.
 
Race 7: AMPOL TOOWOOMBA Maiden Handicap 870 metres
 
Stewards accepted the explanation of trainer P Wallace regarding the late declaration of a rider for ROSEAMI.
 
RED DRESS – Jockey R. Palmer advised that she was instructed to use minimal whip on the mare as it resents being ridden with the whip.
 
EDDIEGATO – Raced wide without cover and laid in throughout.
 
ENTERPRISE ELECTRA – Disappointed for a run rounding the home turn.
 
ELKA ELEVEN – Lost an off hind plate in running.
 
WATCH LIST (NZ) – Near the 700m was tightened for room and checked when racing between RED DRESS which laid out and BEAN DARE DUN DAT which shifted in after being initially taken in by EDDIEGATO. Raced in restricted room and became unbalanced near the 400m and again passing the 300m.
 
 
BEAN DARE DUN DAT – Apprentice M Savva was reminded of her obligation with respect to using her whip on horses when out of contention.
 
 
Race 8: WELCOME BABY HARRY MURPHY Maiden Handicap 1640 metres
 
FROM THE GONG – As Jockey G Walters was overweight, he was replaced as the rider of the gelding by A Allen. Jockey Walters was issued a $100 fine for accepting a ride for which he was overweight. Laid out rounding the home turn.
 
Correct weight was delayed to allow the Stewards to review the photo finish for 5th placing. After reviewing the photo in the presence of Stewards, the Judge amended his original placings of a dead heat for 5th between GITCHE GUMEE and FRAZZLED to GITCHE GUMEE being placed 5th and FRAZZLED being placed 6th.
 
FRAZZLED – Raced wide without cover throughout. Laid in under pressure in the home straight. Trainer J. Wilson advised that in light of the below market expectation performance of the mare he would review its post race recovery and should any abnormality become apparent in the days subsequent to tonight’s meeting he would report the matter to Stewards.
 
GENERAL ELLIOT – Steadied to avoid heels near the 900m.
 
LICENCE TO ROCK – A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding revealed it to have lost its off fore bar plate in running, however no other abnormality was detected.
 
ENJOY THE SHOW– Raced with its head in the air whilst being restrained in the early stages. Held up approaching and rounding the home turn.
 
PISTOL PACKIN LENA –As a result of racing keenly was allowed to stride forward by its rider to obtain a position outside the leader near the 900m.
 
GITCHE GUMEE – Bumped by another runner near the 900m.
 
MADAME GRACE – Slow to begin.
 
 
Race 9: ENTERPRISE LEGAL QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap
1300 metres
 
Following the running of Race 8 a thick band of fog blanketed the racecourse grounds reducing visibility considerably. After conducting a track inspection Stewards identified that the visibility levels were reduced to such a degree that for a large proportion of any further race, that the Stewards patrol cameras would be unable to locate the runners in the event. After requesting additional patrol cameras be placed around the track, Stewards determined that the additional cameras did not assist to any tangible level. Therefore, as Stewards were unable to confirm the integrity of the event due to the lack of available patrol footage and further that this lack of footage posed an unacceptable risk should a serious incident occur during the event, the meeting was abandoned at 9:30pm.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
 
R3 – Jag Guthmann-Chester – Careless riding – AR131(a)
 
Fines
 
R1 – Les Tilley - $300 – Use of the whip 6 times prior to the 100m – AR132(7)(a)(ii)
R8 – Gregory Walters - $100 – Accepted a ride which he was overweight – AR190(3)

Suspensions
 
R6- Nori Nishio- Careless riding. 11 Days commencing M/N 20.03.21 and to expire M/N 31.03.21- AR131(a)
 
Absent jockeys
 
Garry Geran – Medical Required
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
 
R1 – VIOLET
R1 – MADDIARA
R2 – GINGER ROCK
R2 – DOTTI DEAR
R3 – MOTION SENSOR
R4 – HISGRACE
 
Horses swabbed post-race
 
All winners and BETTER BE BETTER, GOT THE LOT, HARRY’S ME BOY, MADAME GRACE
 
Warnings/bars
 
R3- ACEPLAY- Fractious in the barriers. Warning
 
Protests
 
Race 6- 4th v 1st - Upheld
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 1: MR TICKETS - G Cartwright
Race 2: SADDLE BOY - R Goltz
              SECONDOFMAY - A Allen
Race 4: MY BIG BROTHER - J Murphy
              HARRYUP - B Ainsworth
Race 7: ROSEAMI – A Allen
Race 8: FROM THE GONG – A Allen
 
Late scratchings
 
Race 3: SPIRITOMO @7:56am – Stewards
 
 
 
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.