QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
BOWEN TURF CLUB
 
FRIDAY 2 FEBRUARY 2024
 
WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING –  Soft 5
RAIL – True Entire Course
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – D. Griffiths
Stewards – R. Neal, P. Warren, C. Bew, S. Nosworthy (Cadet)
Clerk of Scales – Stewards
Judge – G. Walz, E. Harvey
Veterinarian & Swab Attendant – Dr D. Viero
Starter – J. McIntosh
 
SUPPLEMENTARY STEWARD’S REPORT
 
“Stewards inquired into circumstances regarding the provision of water to Readapt prior to race 6 at Home Hill on 31 August 2023.
 
After carefully considering available information, it was established that perceived welfare concerns (due to heat) were the primary motivator for this action. It is acknowledged the stewards on this occasion did not conclusively identify the horse and engage with the trainer prior to affording Readapt access to water almost three hours before the race. 
 
Race day stewards are committed to exercising functions with care and diligence.  Welfare concerns of this nature will, in future, be raised directly with the trainer.” 
 
GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted the following rider overweights:
Race 4 – Ms T. Chambers +1.0KG
 
As jockeys T. Chambers and apprentice S. Nielson were unable to fulfill their engagements for reasons acceptable to the Stewards, they were replaced respectively by N. Thomas as the rider of ARMEE ADMIRAL (Race 4) with that horse to be ridden with the approved overweight and apprentice R. Wilson as the rider of MURUNGAL (Race 3).
 
Jockey A. Butler, who was indisposed due to heat stress following Race 1 at Townsville on 01/02/2024, was examined by QAS staff on course and cleared to fulfill his riding engagement at this meeting.
 
 
Race 1: HOLBOURNE ISLAND BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP         1470M
 
The start was delayed 2 minutes due to technical difficulties experienced with the photo finish equipment. Due to this technical failure, this race was conducted with no operational photo finish camera.
 
MONASTERY – Laid in over the concluding stages.
 
BRAZEN BRECCIA – Raced three wide without cover throughout.
 
DIASONIC – Approaching the 1000m, clipped the heels of PANKHURST (NZ) and blundered because of the speed slackening. Apprentice jockey N. Olzard was reminded to exercise care in similar circumstances.
 
FLUTTERING – Slow into stride.
 
LENNY ROCKET – Raced greenly in the straight. Apprentice jockey T. Townsend was reminded of her obligations to ride her mount fully to the line pursuant to AR 131(b).
 
Race 2: BIG MANGO OPEN HANDICAP 1000M
 
Correct weight was delayed allowing stewards to view the patrol footage of the start. ACOUSTIX was declared a non-starter pursuant to AR 204(1)(c) after its barrier failed to open and the horse took no part in the event. The barriers were subsequently tested and cleared for use for the remainder of the meeting.
 
ASHTON BLAIR – Near the 300m, shifted in momentarily placing SPELLCATCHER in restricted room. 
 
CAPTAIN FOX – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
SPELLCATCHER – Near the 300m, raced in restricted room. Jockey D. Evans was reminded of his obligations to ride his mount fully to the line pursuant to AR 131(b).
 
MY BEST EFFORT – Laid in over the concluding stages.
 
ACOUSTIX – Declared a non-starter after its barrier failed to open. Upon the declaration of correct weight stewards ordered that all monies invested on ACOUSTIX be refunded with the following deductions to apply –  
 
1st – 0c the win, 2c the place
2nd – 7c the place
3rd – No third dividend.
 
 
Race 3: STONE ISLAND BENCHMARK 45 HANDICAP         1000M
 
GAIUS JULIUS – Inclined to lay in over the concluding stages.
 
MURUNGAL – Bounded on jumping and was awkwardly away. Trainer P. McGuire was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding due to its barrier manners.
 
ELVIARE – Laid in over the concluding stages.
 
Race 4: HORSESHOE BAY QTIS MAIDEN HANDICAP 1200M
 
NOVEMBER RHYTHM – Performed below market expectations, compounding over the concluding stages. When questioned regarding the poor performance of NOVEMBER RHYTHM, jockey G. Kliese advised that the horse was having its first start over 1200 metres and failed to run the distance. He further stated that in his opinion the gelding suffers from a upper-respiratory breathing complaint. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be displaying respiratory distress. Trainer S. Bush was advised that the gelding would require a veterinary clearance prior to next racing.
 
WAIT'N'SEE – Near the 700m, was crowded for racing room and had to be steadied. Upon returning to scale, apprentice jockey T. Townsend stated that her saddle shifted back shortly after the start placing her mount at a disadvantage for the remainder of the event.
 
I SAY BOOM – Raced three wide without cover throughout. Near the 700m, shifted in hampering LORD VADER which was taken in onto WAIT’N’SEE. 
 
GABBY'S READY – After crossing to the lead, rider S. Sheargold steadied the pace which resulted in several runners trailing having to be restrained. S. Sheargold was reminded of his obligations to maintain a consistent pace when circumstances permit.
 
LORD VADER – Raced wide with cover throughout. Over-raced in the early stages.
 
BOGAN PRINCESS – Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
ARMEE ADMIRAL – Began awkwardly.
 
TSUNAMI FORCE – Near the 700m, had to be eased off the heels of WELL RESTED when the pace steadied.
 
 
Race 5: GLOUCESTER ISLAND CLASS 6 PLATE         1280M
 
LE VIZIR – Inclined to hang in when struck with the whip over the concluding stages.
 
TYCOON BABY – Laid in over the concluding stages.
 
FOGGY DEW – Began awkwardly.
 
MARSHY – Hampered on jumping.
 
MISHANI TULIP – Stood flat-flooted and lost considerable ground. Trainer J. Manzelmann was advised a warning would be placed on the mare due to its barrier manners.
 
Race 6: FLAGSTAFF HILL BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP 1280M
 
BOOM RANGA – Performed below market expectations. When questioned on the performance, apprentice jockey M. Apel stated that the horse began fairly and then after occupying a forward position, failed to respond when pressured over the concluding stages. Trainer L. Hatch advised that the gelding would now be sent for a spell. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no visible abnormalities.
 
MAKE IT FLASHY – Shifted in abruptly on jumping, checking NIGHT GUY and SEBROSSA. Hung in between the 400m and the 200m, resulting in apprentice jockey G. Semmens having to stop riding and straighten her mount.
 
SACRED LEGACY (NZ) – Began very awkwardly.
 
ALEACO – Held up for clear running soon after straightening.
 
ELLIE'S DREAM – Held up for clear running from rounding the home turn up until a point passing at the 175m.
 
NIGHT GUY – Checked on jumping and settled back in the field.
 
RISKED IT – Shifted out abruptly on jumping, checking NIGHT GUY and SEBROSSA.
 
SEBROSSA – Checked on jumping. Near the 150m, had to be steadied off the heels of RISKED IT.
 
Race 7: DON RIVER RATINGS BAND 0 - 65 HANDICAP 1000M
 
BOLD HUNTER – Bumped with TRINITY MISSILE on jumping. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
BRING ME FLOWERS – Bumped with BOLD HUNTER on jumping. Near the 700m, became unbalance momentarily and over-raced for a short distance. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Momentarily held up rounding the home turn before shifting wider to gain clear running. 
 
DENSITY – Upon returning to scale, apprentice jockey N. Olzard reported that her saddle shifted back shortly after the start, placing the rider at a disadvantage for the remainder of the event. She further stated that the gelding was inclined to lay out rounding the home turn.
 
GRACIOUS GARCON – Slow into stride. Apprentice B. Johnson was reprimanded pursuant to AR132(6)(c) for using her whip when the gelding was out of contention.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 8. Apprentice jockey B. Johnson – AR132(6)(c) – using whip when out of contention.
Fines
Nil                          
Suspensions
Nil
Race day injuries/illness
Nil
Absent jockeys
Tasha Chambers – Acceptable reasons.
Shae Nielson – Acceptable reasons.
Adjourned inquiries         
Nil
 
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
DIASONIC, SPELLCATCHER, AIDENABET, TRINITY MISSILE,
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 3. No 5. – MURUNGAL – barrier manners – warning.
Race 4. No 1 – NOVEMBER RHYTHM – veterinary clearance prior to next racing.
Race 5. No 9 – MISHANI TULIP – stood flat-footed – warning.
Bleeders
Nil
Falls
Nil
Adjourned inquiries
Nil
 
Protests
Nil
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 3. No 5. MURUNGAL – Rebecca Wilson (replacing S. Nielson)
Race 4. No 13. ARMEE ADMIRAL – Nathan Thomas (replacing T. Chambers)
 
Late scratchings
Race 2. No 8. ACOUSTIX – declared non-starter
 
 
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.