QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
BELL RACE CLUB
 
BELL – SATURDAY, 6 JANUARY 2024
 
WEATHER – FINE  TRACK RATING – GOOD 3; Upgraded to a Firm 2 following Race 2      RAIL – TRUE
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – E. Tickner
Stewards – W. Glass
Clerk of Scales – Stewards
Judge – M. Moody & K. Hauff
Veterinarian – Dr S. Duigan
Swab Attendants – Dr S. Duigan
Starter – I. Henderson

 
SUPPLEMENTARY
 
TOOWOOMBA TRACKWORK – WEDNESDAY, 3 JANUARY 2024
 
Jockey Bradley Appo was fined $100 under LR51 in that whilst completing trackwork on the morning of Wednesday, 3 January 2024, he was found to be smoking whilst mounted on a horse. Mr Appo was advised of his rights to an appeal.
 
GENERAL
 
When Apprentice E. Pomfrett was indisposed due to injury, and Rider L. Miller were unavailable due to personal reasons, Stewards permitted rider replacements as per the Stewards’ Raceday Summary. When no suitable rider was available for Race 5, No. 6 NOW AND BEN, Stewards permitted the gelding to be scratched on Stewards’ orders, on Friday 5 January at 4:15pm. Apprentice Pomfrett requires a medical clearance prior to race-riding again.
 
When Apprentice R. Thorburn was indisposed following the running of Race 4, Stewards permitted the following replacements:
Race 5, No. 8 SUNIKI – Rider D. Boutet (no available apprentice)
Race 6, No. 4 PATRICK’S ME MATE – Apprentice Z. Sprie
 
Apprentice Thorburn requires a medical clearance prior to race-riding again.
 
 
Race 1: CUDDIHY FAMILY MAIDEN PLATE (1300m)
 
The start of this race was delayed approximately 10 minutes when BAILEYS BLUE reared over, dislodging Apprentice B. Moffatt and galloped a considerable distance riderless before taking some time to recapture. The start of this race was further delayed when MONTAGLIARI dislodged Apprentice A. Graham when the loading process had recommenced and galloped a considerable distance riderless, again proving difficult to recapture.
 
BAILEYS BLUE – Apprentice B. Moffatt was fined $100 under AR143(14)(a) for only claiming 2.5 of his 3kg allowance. Late scratching at 1:38pm when rearing over and dislodging Apprentice B. Moffatt behind the barriers and galloping riderless for a considerable distance. Prior to the declaration of correct weight all monies invested on the gelding were ordered to be refunded with the following deductions applicable to all successful wagers placed prior to 1:38pm:
 
3 cents in the dollar for the for the win
3 cents in the dollar for the place on the winner
4 cents in the dollar for 2nd place
4 cents in the dollar for 3rd place

Apprentice B. Moffatt was examined by QAS and passed fit to fulfill his remaining engagements. Trainer S. McEwan was advised the gelding would be required to trial to Stewards’ satisfaction prior to racing again.
 
CASINO CAT – Slow to begin and subsequently tailed the field throughout the early and middle stages.
 
LE GAGNEUR – Began awkwardly. Raced wide and without cover in the early stages before being allowed to stride forward and obtain the lead approaching the 1000m.
 
NOTQUITELIKEJACK – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
RODEO LEGEND – Raced wide and without cover in the early stages. Became awkwardly placed on heels approaching the 100m.

MONTAGLIARI – Late scratching at 1:44pm when fractious behind the barriers and dislodging Apprentice A. Graham before galloping riderless for a considerable distance. Prior to the declaration of correct weight all monies invested on the gelding were ordered to be refunded with the following deductions applicable to all successful wagers placed prior to 1:44pm:
 
20 cents in the dollar for the for the win
16 cents in the dollar for the place on the winner
23 cents in the dollar for 2nd place
23 cents in the dollar for 3rd place

Apprentice A. Graham was examined by QAS and passed fit to fulfill his remaining engagements. Trainer W. Baker was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding for its pre-race manners.
 
BRAVE HOSHI – A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
HEROIC DESIRE – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
Race 2: MURRAY FAMILY CLASS B HANDICAP (1300m)
 
The running of this race was delayed approximately 4 minutes due to the delays in the previous event.
 
Correct weight was delayed allowing Stewards and Rider P. Hamblin (CASH ARTIST) to view the footage of the home straight. Correct weight was further delayed allowing Apprentice T. Noble (REDVEDEV) to view the photo finish for first. Once both parties were satisfied, correct weight was declared on the Judges’ semaphored numbers.
 
WITNESS ATTACK – Slow to begin. Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Laid in under pressure in the home straight. Leaving the 50m, shifted in when insufficiently clear of COLLAGEN QUEEN which was steadied. Apprentice R. Thorburn (the rider of WITNESS ATTACK) was reprimanded under AR131(a) for careless riding.
 
CASH ARTIST – Began awkwardly. Approaching the 100m, bumped and became unbalanced for several strides when COLLAGEN QUEEN marginally shifted in whilst attempting a narrow run between that runner and the running rail.
 
CLUB ROLLER – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination behind the barriers at the request of Apprentice C. Sutherland at which did not reveal any abnormalities. Nonetheless, as a result of the continued serious concerns of Apprentice Sutherland regarding the gelding’s action, Stewards ordered it a late scratching at 2:27pm. Prior to the declaration of correct weight all monies invested on the gelding were ordered to be refunded with the following deductions applicable to all successful wagers placed prior to 2:27pm:
 
9 cents in the dollar for the for the win
10 cents in the dollar for the place on the winner
12 cents in the dollar for 2nd place
12 cents in the dollar for 3rd place
 
Underwent a further veterinary examination following the event which did not reveal any notable abnormalities. Trainer W. Baker was advised that the gelding would be required to undergo a pre-race veterinary examination when presented to race at its next start.
 
FIGURE IT OUT – Proved difficult to load. Trainer C. Smith was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s record. Leaving the 100m, restrained and lost ground when MY MOSES shifted out. Became awkwardly placed on that runner’s heels for a short distance thereafter.
 
REDVEDEV (NZ) – Raced wide and without cover throughout the event.
 
COLLAGEN QUEEN – Approaching the 100m, bumped with CASH ARTIST for several strides. Leaving the 50m, inconvenienced when WITNESS ATTACK shifted in.
 
MY MOSES – Apprentice Z. Sprie pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR131(a) in that leaving the 100m, he did allow his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of FIGURE IT OUT, who was obliged to be restrained and lost its rightful running. Apprentice Sprie’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 days, commencing Friday, 12 January 2024, up to and including 18 January 2024. In assessing penalty, Stewards considered the carelessness to be in the low range, Apprentice Z. Sprie’s guilty plea, and unblemished record in relation to the rule. Apprentice Sprie was advised of his rights to an appeal.   
 
BOSS BANDIT – Underwent a pre-race veterinary inspection after racing at Toowoomba on Monday, 1 January 2024 and was passed fit to start. Slow to begin and tailed the field throughout. Apprentice A. Graham stated in her opinion, the gelding had reached the end of its preparation. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be displaying a poor post-race recovery and an abnormally elevated heart-rate. Trainer W. Baker was advised that the gelding would require a veterinary clearance including an ECG prior to racing again.
 
PONTOON PETE - Apprentice B. Moffatt was fined $100 under AR143(14)(a) for failing to claim the 1kg of his allowance.
 
MARMION – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event..
 
 
Race 3: MCNAMARA FAMILY BENCHMARK 65 HANDCAP (1200m)
 
Correct weight was delayed allowing connections of the M. Currie Stable (SUBSTITUTION) and L. Hatch Stable (SENSATIONAL REWARD) to view footage of the start. Once satisfied that both runners’ poor starts were not directly attributable to any external factors, correct weight was declared on the Judges’ semaphored numbers.
 
SUBSTITUTION – Reared as the start was effected and lost ground. Stable representative B. Mackie was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s record. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
SENSATIONAL REWARD – Began awkwardly, resulting in Apprentice Z. Baker becoming very unbalanced and subsequently lost significant ground. Tailed the field throughout the event. Raced very wide rounding the home-turn.
 
FITZROY BOY – Began awkwardly. Laid out rounding the home-turn.
 
HALLSIDE HOT STUFF – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event.
 
SELLING SUNSET – From a wide barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages.
 
VOULAIT – Underwent a pre-race veterinary inspection after racing at Inverell on Monday, 1 January 2024 and was passed fit to start.
 
TA CHANSON – Bumped rounding the home-turn.
 
SETHLANS – Laid in under pressure in the home straight before becoming awkwardly placed on heels over the concluding stages. Apprentice T. Noble was fined $300 under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip on six occasions, one more than permitted prior to the 100m.
 
VALAR DOHAERIS – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Laid in rounding the home-turn and bumped TA CHANSON.
 
 
Race 4: GORDON FAMILY QTIS MAIDEN PLATE (1000m)
 
NEW JET – Rider P. Hamblin reported the gelding raced greenly throughout the event.
 
WORTHY ESSGEE – Leaving the 800m, carried inwards by SPRESSI, who was hanging-in, onto TEQUILA STEALER before bumping and becoming unbalanced. Blundered rounding the home-turn and became unbalanced. Apprentice D. McGillivray reported the gelding would be better suited over further distances.
 
TEQUILA STEALER – Leaving the 800m, directed inwards onto the heels of CUT DIAMONDS, by WORTHY ESGEE, who was becoming carried inwards by SPRESSI, becoming very awkwardly placed on that runner’s heels, and was subsequently severely checked and lost ground. Leaving the 100m, inconvenienced and obliged to be shifted wider to obtain clear running when RAVERA (NZ) shifted out. Apprentice R. Thorburn reported following the event that the gelding had struck him in the head during the event. Apprentice R. Thorburn was assessed by QAS officers including the Racing Queensland Concussion Policy and deemed unfit to fulfill his remaining engagements. Apprentice Thorburn was advised a medical clearance would be required prior to race-riding again.
 
BET LUCY – Began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped VAIN LUKE. Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid-out rounding the home-turn.
 
CRYPTIC VERSE – Bumped on jumping.
 
RAVERA (NZ) – Began awkwardly and bumped CRYPTIC VERSE. Leaving the 100m, shifted out when insufficiently clear of TEQUILA STEALER, who was obliged to steady and shift wider. Rider D. Boutet was severely reprimanded under AR131(a) for careless riding. Rider D. Boutet was further reprimanded under AR132(6)(b) for using his who above shoulder height.
 
SPRESSI – Leaving the 800m, commenced to hang-in despite the efforts from its rider, directing WORTHY ESSGEE into the running of TEQUILA STEALER, who became very awkwardly placed behind CUT DIAMONDS, before clipping that runner’s heels and being obliged to check. Rider W. O’Connell was severely reprimanded under AR131(a) for careless riding. In assessing the incident, Stewards noted Rider O’Connell’s efforts in attempting to correct his mount leading into the incident.
 
CUT DIAMONDS – Leaving the 800m, bumped and became badly unbalanced for several strides when TEQUILA STEALER became awkwardly placed behind the mare and clipped heels.
 
VAIN LUKE – Bumped on jumping.
 
 
Race 5: KANE FAMILY BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP (1000m)
 
Correct weight was delayed allowing Rider M. Savva (EASY COME) to view footage of the home straight. Once satisfied, correct weight was declared on the Judges’ semaphored numbers.
 
CUSHY (NZ) – Began awkwardly. Hung-out rounding the home-turn and raced very wide in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be showing significant muscle soreness across the back and an upper respiratory noise. Trainer R. Hay was advised a veterinary clearance including an endoscopic examination would be required prior to racing again.
 
CHEVAL DE COURSE – Began very awkwardly. Over-raced throughout the early stages. Leaving the 800m, directed onto the heels of ROTHERO ESSGEE when CLEARLY GEORGE was carried inwards and obliged to steady. Continued to over-race thereafter.
 
TAKEMEOUTBACK – Raced in restricted room over the concluding stages.
 
EASY COME – Began awkwardly. Hung-in under pressure in the home straight.
 
CLEARLY GEORGE – Began awkwardly and bumped HOT SUNDAE. Leaving 800m, carried inwards when LAST LAUGH shifted in abruptly and obliged to steady.
 
HOT SUNDAE – Crowded between runners on jumping.
 
BETTER THAN ROSES – After the running of this race, Stable representative B. Mackie subsequently reported swelling to the mare’s near-foreleg. She further advised that consideration would now be given to the mare’s immediate racing future. Nonetheless, she was advised a veterinary clearance would be required prior to racing again.
 
LAST LAUGH – Leaving the 800m, shifted in abruptly, carrying CLEARLY GEORGE inwards onto CHEVAL DE COURSE who was directed onto heels and obliged to steady when over-racing. Rider M. Murphy was severely reprimanded under AR131(a) for careless riding.
 
DEE JAY CEE – Began awkwardly and bumped. Over-raced throughout the early stages of the event.
 
 
Race 6: 2024 BELL RACE CLUB CENTENARY OPEN PLATE (1300m)
 
Correct weight was delayed allowing Trainer D. Groves and Rider P. Hamblin (MOSCINI) to view the photo finish for first. Once satisfied, correct weight was declared on the Judges’ semaphored numbers.
 
MENINDEE – Raced wide and without cover in the early stages before obtaining a position outside the lead approaching the 1000m. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
MOSCINI – Obliged to shift inside of heels approaching the 100m to obtain clear running.
 
ABB ROY – Underwent a pre-race veterinary inspection after racing at Inverell on Monday, 1 January 2024 and passed fit to start. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
DOCTOR TEEKAY – Stewards permitted Apprentice C. Sutherland to be declared the replacement rider when Apprentice Z. Sprie was unable to claim his full allowance. Apprentice Z. Sprie was reprimanded under (AR143)(14)(a). Stewards noted that this was his first offence. Began only fairly. Raced keenly on heels approaching the 1000m when the pace slackened.
 
GOOD LIFE DIVA – Began awkwardly. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 2 – Apprentice R. Thorburn – Careless riding AR131(a) – Reprimand
Race 4 – Rider D. Boutet - Careless riding AR131(a) – Severe Reprimand
Race 4 – Rider W. O’Connell – Careless riding AR131(a) – Severe Reprimand
Race 4 – Rider D. Boutet – Whip use above shoulder height – AR132(6)(b) – Reprimand
Race 5 – Rider M. Murphy – Careless riding AR131(a) – Severe Reprimand
Race 6 – Apprentice Z. Sprie – Failure to claim full allowance (AR143)(14)(a) – Reprimand
 
Fines
Supplementary – B. Appo – Smoking whilst mounted during trackwork (LR51) - $100
Race 1 & 2 – Apprentice B. Moffat – Failure to claim full allowance (AR143)(14)(a) - $100
Race 3 – Apprentice T. Noble – Whip Use (AR32)(7)(a)(ii) - $300
 
Suspensions
Race 2 – Apprentice Z. Sprie – Careless Riding AR131(a) – 7 days – Commencing 12 January 2024 up to and including 18 January 2024
 
Race day injuries/illness
Race 3 – Apprentice C. Sutherland – struck left arm exiting barriers
Race 4 – Apprentice R. Thorburn – struck in head exiting barriers – medical clearance required
 
Absent jockeys
Apprentice E. Pomfrett – medical clearance required
Rider L. Miller – personal reasons
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 1 – BAILEYS BLUE – Pre-race behaviour – Suspension – To gain further barrier certificate
Race 1 – MONTAGLIARI – Pre-race behaviour – Warning
Race 2 – FIGURE IT OUT – Difficult to load – Warning
Race 2 – BOSS BANDIT – Not to race – Veterinary Clearance including ECG
Race 5 – CUSHY – Not to race – Veterinary Clearance including endoscopic examination
Race 5 – BETTER THAN ROSES – Not to race – Veterinary Clearance
 
Falls
Race 1 – Apprentice B. Moffatt and Apprentice A. Graham – dislodged behind barriers
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 1:         2 CASINO CAT - Zac Sprie (a3/53kg),
Race 3:         11 TA CHANSON - Morgan Butler
Race 4:         13e VAIN LUKE - Ms Montanna Savva
Race 6:         4 PATRICK’S ME MATE - Zac Sprie (a3/53kg),
                     7 DOCTOR TEEKAY - Corey Sutherland (a3/56kg),
 
Late scratchings
Race 1 – BAILEYS BLUE and MONTAGLIARI
Race 2 – CLUB ROLLER
 
The matters contained within this Stewards report may be subject to external review.  The Racing Appeals Panel manages external reviews and the Racing Appeals Panel publishes its decisions on its 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.