Racing Queensland - Stewards Report


DALBY & NORTHERN DOWNS JOCKEY CLUB – 8 MARCH 2014

WEATHER - FINE TRACK RATING – GOOD 3 RAIL - TRUE

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – S. Fletcher
Stewards – A. Kitching
Clerk of Scales – J. Searle
Judge – K. Hauff, I. Thompson
Veterinarian – Dr K. Groner
Swab attendants – B. Andrews
Starter – I. Henderson


SUPPLEMENTARY

From Chinchilla 1.03.14
Licensed Bookmaker T. Picone was fined $200 under the provisions of LR 81 for failing to advise Racing Queensland in writing his intent to be absent from his stand whilst fielding at this meeting.


Race 1: Chesterfield-Australia Lightening Handicap 800m

MONCHING (J. Missen) began awkwardly and lost ground.

Near the 700m, MONCHING was eased and lost ground when tightened for room between ARESVEPEE (R. Payne) which shifted out slightly and SPEEDING DRAGON (M. McGillivray) which laid in. Apprentices R. Payne and M. McGillivray were advised to show greater care when their mounts shift ground.

MR FAVULOUS (J. Orman) was held up and unable to improve when awkwardly placed between BEACHCOMBER (L. Tilley) and TYCOON TATTOO (B. Newport) from rounding the home turn until leaving the 200m.

Near the 150m Q. Krogh the rider of VINTAGE FLINT dropped his off side rein resulting in that runner shifting out abruptly and becoming unbalanced and losing momentum before being corrected a short distance later.

When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of SPEEDING DRAGON, apprentice M. McGillivray stated that the gelding failed to show any of its customary speed from the barriers and that his mount never travelled comfortably. He added that in his opinion SPEEDING DRAGON had come to the end of its preparation.


Race 2: Carmichael Builders Benchmark 55 Handicap 1400m

SNOW CHOICE (S. Drake) began awkwardly.

BARJAS (N. Yamada) was slow to begin and lost ground.

LOXLEY (S. Apthorpe) and URBANE (E. Ljung) were tightened for room at the start between CYRANO (J. Orman) and BARE FEET (J. Letherby) which shifted out.

Near the 700m ESTEVEZ (L. Tilley) which shifted out from the rail had to be restrained and lost ground when racing to the inside of SNOW CHOICE, which shifted in marginally away from SKILFUL PAT (N. Evans).

MAY RAIN (R. Payne) raced wide throughout.

Near the 600m ESTEVEZ shifted out abruptly and in doing so forced BARE FEET wider on the track.

URBANE had to be checked approaching the winning post when BARJAS shifted in when not fully clear. N. Yamada was reprimanded in this incident.

Stewards sought an explanation from apprentice J. Orman regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of CYRANO. He stated that his mount began well but did not muster any early speed and was off the bit throughout the event. He added that when the pace of the race increased at the 600m, CYRANO was unable to sprint and raced flat for the remainder of the event. A post-race veterinary examination of CYRANO failed to reveal any abnormality.

N. Yamada, the rider of BARJAS which performed below market expectations, reported that his instructions were to ride forward, however the gelding was slow to begin and failed to respond to his urgings when attempting to improve. He added that BARJAS was under pressure from the 700m but failed to respond to his riding and proved disappointing.


Race 3: Gloria Hoskins Memorial Benchmark 55 Handicap 1400m

Stewards declared UNDERCOVER ALBERT a late withdrawal at 2.46 pm on veterinary advice after the gelding reared up and struck its head in the barriers.

Stewards ordered that all monies invested on UNDERCOVER ALBERT be refunded in full, with the following deductions to apply to successful wagers placed prior to 2.46 pm:

14 cents in the dollar for the Win #2
19 cents in the dollar for place of winner #2
9 cents in the dollar for 2nd place #8
20 cents in the dollar for 3rd place #7

A post race veterinary examination of UNDERCOVER ALBERT revealed the gelding to have sustained a depressed fracture of the forehead. Trainer D. Gollan was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required for UNDERCOVER ALBERT and that the gelding would be required to obtain a further barrier certificate before racing again.

On return to scale, J. Baker the rider of fourth placed CURRAWEE LASS, dismounted and collapsed with exhaustion. As J. Baker was unable to weigh in, Stewards under the provisions of AR142 were satisfied that CURRAWEE LASS had carried its correct weight and therefore gave correct weight on the Judges semaphored numbers. After being attended to by Ambulance officers, J. Baker was transported to Hospital for further observation.

DEVERS EXPRESS (R. Payne) and CLASSIC COUNTRY (L. Tilley) were tightened for room at the start between CURRAWEE LASS (J. Baker) which shifted out and BALLYBUNION (D. McIntosh) which began awkwardly and shifted in and lost ground.

Near the 900m DEVERS EXPRESS improved on the heels of GRAIN TRADER (J. Letherby) and was restrained.


Race 4: Puma Energy QTIS Maiden Plate 1300m

Stewards were contacted by the Photo finish operator whilst the runners were being loaded for this race to advise that due to an equipment malfunction, the photo finish image would not be available for this race. Subsequent to this race, the fault was rectified and the equipment was operational for the remainder of the meeting.

The declaration of correct weight was delayed, when the connections of STATUE BRO, placed fifth, lodged an objection against the judges placing’s on the belief that STATUE BRO had run fourth. After taking evidence from trainer D. Wilson, jockey A. Badger, the judge and viewing the stewards patrol footage, stewards were satisfied with the judge’s decision and therefore under the provisions of AR156 correct weight was given.

At the start, ALMASEA (J. Orman) and GOLDEN MASTER (B. Powell) were tightened for room between SHE’S LIKE TOM (D. McIntosh) and ROYAL SAGA (B. Evans) which shifted in after being bumped by STATUE BRO which began awkwardly (A. Badger).

WILY MISS (S. Apthorpe) put its head down as the start was effected and lost considerable ground.

WILY MISS raced greenly on entering the course proper near the 900m and then shifted in abruptly. A short distance later WILY MISS shifted out taking STATUE BRO out which had to be eased from the heels of SHE’S LIKE TOM which shifted in marginally, resulting in STATUE BRO losing ground.

HOGWOBBLE (J. Letherby) and ROYAL SAGA raced wide throughout.

HENNY BOY (J. Kehoe) shifted out considerably rounding the home turn forcing GOLDEN MASTER extremely wide on the track. J. Kehoe was reprimanded for the manner in which he permitted his mount to shift out.

LETS THINKABOUT IT (N. Yamada) was held up for clear running when awkwardly placed between IT’S A SNIP (E. Ljung) and GALLIFREY from rounding the home turn until leaving the 200m, when obtaining clear running LETS THINKABOUT IT raced greenly when placed under pressure.

Stewards adjourned an inquiry into the reasons for DELUSIVE being checked inside the 100m.

ALMASEA was steadied approaching the winning post when MAJIGAL shifted in.


Race 5: Ed Stewart & Sons Newmarket Open Handicap 1200m

Rounding the home turn LADY AGHULAS (E. Ljung) shifted out forcing ELLIE LA VIE (J. Orman) wider on the track.

LADY AGHULAS was placed in restricted room approaching the winning post between TORNADOES and ELLIE LA VIE when both runners shifted marginally.

TOUGH TAIMZ (B. Evans) was checked approaching and passing the winning post when racing to the inside of MR THATCHER. Stewards will inquire into the circumstances at a later time and date.

Stewards questioned apprentice H. Phillips regarding the tactics she adopted on MR THATCHER and the overall performance of that gelding. Of concern to stewards was the pace that apprentice Phillips set whilst leading in the early and middle stages. She stated that her instructions were to go forward and lead on the horse and not to restrain her mount as MR THATCHER is a free running horse. She added that after obtaining the lead she attempted to settle the horse near the 800m however her mount was travelling comfortably at that stage. She further added that the gelding began to feel the pressure of the race over the final stages and did weaken. Trainer T. Dougall confirmed the instructions adding that MR THATCHER’S racing pattern is to be forward and leading and that if restrained the horse can get out of rhythm and not perform to its potential. Mr Dougall further expressed his satisfaction with the way in which apprentice Phillips had ridden MR THATCHER. Stewards in acknowledging the riding instructions given to H. Phillips and her inexperience having only recently obtained her licence to ride in races, noted the explanations, however advised her to ride so as not to leave herself open to question. A post-race veterinary examination of MR THATCHER failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Stewards intend to question jockey N. Evans regarding his riding of DR BARNARD in the home straight.


Race 6: Haymans Electrical Benchmark 60 Handicap 2000m

Correct weight was delayed to allow Stewards to consider an application by connections that TROPHY HEAD be declared a non-runner on the basis that it had been denied a fair start. After viewing the patrol footage and taking evidence from trainers representative Ms K. Gardner, rider D. McIntosh and the starter, Stewards found that while the left barrier gate did rebound when opened, TROPHY HEAD had full opportunity to jump with the field and therefore declared the gelding to be a runner and correct weight was declared on the Judge's placing’s.

TROPHY HEAD began awkwardly, threw its head in the air and lost ground.

SUPERCHEAP (J. Kehoe) raced ungenerously when being restrained approaching the winning post on the first occasion. SUPERCHEAP hung out leaving the home straight and continued to overrace for a short distance.

SUPERCHEAP hung out from near the 500m until entering the home straight.

J. Kehoe reported that SUPERCHEAP was inclined to hang out throughout the race.

Stewards opened an inquiry into jockey J. Kehoe’s riding of SUPERCHEAP over the final 100m. After taking evidence from J. Kehoe, the inquiry was adjourned to a time and date to be fixed.


Stewards Race Day Summary

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 2 – N. Yamada – Jockey – C/riding – AR137(a)
Race 4 – J. Kehoe –Jockey – C/riding – AR137(a)

Fines
From Chinchilla 01.03.14 – T. Picone – Bookmaker - $200 – LR81

Adjourned inquiry
Race 4 – Reason for Delusive being checked over the final 100m
Race 5 – Jockey N. Evan riding of Dr Barnard in the home straight
Race 6 – Jockey J. Kehoe riding of Supercheap over the final 100m



Race day injuries/illness
Race 3 – J. Baker – Ill – Medical certificate required

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
Bare Feet, Currawee Lass, Royal Rocket

Horses swabbed post-race – All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 3 –Undercover Albert – veterinary clearance & b/cert required – AR8(t)

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications

Race 1 – Monching – J. Missen




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