FAR NORTH QUEENSLAND AMATEUR TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT
SATURDAY 13/09/03

STEWARDS PANEL: P COOPER (Chairman)
W Birch, W.Abel, B.Gray, H.Warren, J.Lo Manacco

WEATHER – Fine TRACK:-Good RAIL – True

GENERAL – As G. Baker was indisposed the following riding replacements were permitted. Race 4 MELT THE GUNS (S Morris) Race 5 RAISE ‘N’ WYN (J Stopps) Race 6 VERBITO (K Mahoney).

RACE 1: MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1250 Metres – 11 Starters
Due to a clerical error A Merritt was shown as the rider of ZIPPY DAN when in fact R Bellert was the declared rider.
FODE AND BEAD was declared a late scratching at 12.34pm by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice. No betting deductions were required. GOOD OLD DAYS was declared a late scratching at 12.57pm by order of the Stewards when that horse failed to arrive on course. Prior to the declaration of correct weight Stewards ordered all monies invested on GOOD OLD DAYS be refunded and deductions of 12 cents in the dollar on the win value of the ticket and 11 cents in the dollar on the place value of the ticket applied. Stewards intend to interview trainer R Duce as to the reasons he failed to scratch GOOD OLD DAYS.

D Crossland pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding in that leaving the 1000 metres he permitted his mount FERRARI UNO to shift in when not clear of LION PRINCESS (K Mahoney) resulting in that horse having to be checked.
D Crossland’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period covered by 3 NQRA race meetings to commence at midnight 16/9/03 and expire at midnight the 26/09/03.

POSITIVE OUTCOME (J Stanley) was inclined to hang in under pressure in the straight.

RACE 2: CLASS 2 HANDICAP – 1000 Metres – 12 Starters
As J Dickinson was to be overweight he was replaced by D Dean on MOWBRAY PARK. J Dickinson was fined the sum of $50 under AR120(b).
JEEPERS was declared a late scratching by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice when that horse broke through the barrier stalls and galloped a circuit of the track. RAT PACK which broke through the barrier stalls was inspected by the club veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start. BONNE VINO (J Stopps) was slow to begin. CONFIDENCE BUILDER bled from both nostrils following the event. E Covell trainer of CONFIDENCE BUILDER was advised that as this was the geldings second bleeding attack it would incur a lifetime ban from racing.


RACE 3: CLASS 3 HANDICAP – 1250 Metres – 9 Starters
HUGGER MUGGER was declared a late scratching at 2.15 by order of the Stewards acting on veterinary advice. Prior to the declaration of correct weight Stewards ordered all monies invested on HUGGER MUGGER be refunded and deductions of 8 cents in the dollar on the win value of the ticket and 9 cents in the dollar on the place value of the ticket applied. Approaching the 500 metres ARKILLION (D Crossland) was momentarily tightened on to the running rail by VEELA (K Mahoney) which was taken in slightly by ZEDAFFAIRS (A Merritt).

Stewards advised trainer R Baker that a warning would be placed on PAPILLO in regard to its barrier manners.

RACE 4: CLASS 4 HANDICAP – 1400 Metres – 14 Starters
J Stopps was reprimanded for allowing his mount CARAT OF GOLD to shift in momentarily leaving the 900 metres taking EIRIE RETREAT (P Cullen) in on to BARON LAD (R Hall) resulting in that horse having to be steadied. Leaving the 150 metres BOURBONNAIS (K Mahoney) had to be steadied after improving up on to the heels of OUR UNISON (NZ)(P Saunders) and shifted out abruptly resulting in ZAAJER (NZ) (D Crossland) having to be checked off that horses heels.


RACE 5: OPEN HANDICAP 1400 METRES – 14 Starters
No racing incidents.




Race 6 : OPEN HANDICAP 2100 METRES – 14 STARTERS
Approaching the 500 metres REGAL PUNCH improved between BETTER STILL (L Abbott) and METALLIC (S Simon) where there was doubtful room, shortly after METALLIC (S Simon) shifted in slightly taking REGAL PUNCH (D Crossland) in on to BETTER STILL (L Abbott) which had to be checked. Mr MARUMO (R Bellert) which was following was also hampered. Both D Crossland (REGAL PUNCH) and S Simon (METALLIC) were advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.

An inquiry was opened into the reason VERBITO was presented to race without a leadbag which had been declared at scale. After taking evidence from trainer of VERBITO, G Purdy and jockey K Mahoney Stewards accepted the explanations provided and took no further action.

Race 7 : CLASS 5 HANDICAP 900 METRES – 6 STARTERS
No racing incidents.

ALL WINNERS AND CONFIDENCE BUILDER WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.