QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
BRISBANE RACING CLUB
 
EAGLE FARM – WEDNESDAY 3 JANUARY 2024
 
WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING –  Soft 7; Soft 6 (Prior to Race 1 – Race 4); Soft 5 (Races 5 - 7)
RAIL – +11m Entire Course
PENETROMETER – 6.15
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – B. Wright
Stewards – P. Zimmermann, D. McMahon; A. Brook (Asst. Steward); S. Borg, L. De Witt – Rowson (Cadets)
Clerk of Scales – J. Mitchell
Judge – R. Thomas, A. Redding, M. Mawhinney
Veterinarian – Dr J. Weir, Dr C. Bowden-Betts
Sample Attendants – K. Kilpatrick, L. Bobeszko
Starter – B. Richardson, S. Lister  
 
GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted the following overweight:
Race 6: #13 SUPEROKAY – J. Orman +0.5kg (56kg)
 
Prior to the running of Race 1, the track was upgraded to a Soft 6 at 12:24pm.
 
Race 1: HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM BRC QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP    1500M
 
EXOTIQUE MISS – Raced keenly in the lead in the early and middle stages.
 
Race 2: BECOME A BRC MEMBER CLASS 1 HANDICAP         1000M
 
HACHIMAN – Began awkwardly. When attempting a narrow run to the inside of LUCKY BRIZ (M. Hellyer) near the 300m, was tightened and became momentarily unbalanced when LUCKY BRIZ shifted in slightly before being corrected. As a result of LUCKY BRIZ being corrected, DULY ELECTED, which was racing to the outside, was taken out slightly but then continued to shift of its own accord, resulting in SOOBLOND being crowded for room and checked. As Stewards were satisfied Jockey M. Hellyer had fulfilled his obligation in correcting his mount, no action was taken. However, he was reminded of his obligation to keep his mount straight.
 
EVERLASTING STARS – Began awkwardly and momentarily unbalanced Apprentice M Castle. Steadied from heels approaching the 600m and shifted out.
 
SOOBLOND – Over raced in the early stages.
 
Race 3: DIRTY WORK 1ST YEARLING ON OFFER @WIDDEN FILLIES & MARES BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP         1300M
 
KINETIC – Began awkwardly and shifted in. Near the 200m, Apprentice C. Graham momentarily lost the use of the nearside rein.
 
O'MISS BEHAVING – Tightened on jumping. Over raced in the early and middle stages and laid in. Apprentice J. Molloy reported the mare did not travel through the race, laid in and was disappointing in its performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Apprentice J. Molloy was fined $400 pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using the whip six (6) times prior to the 100m, one (1) more than permitted.
 
TREAD SOFTLY – Began awkwardly. Laid out over the final 100m. After the race, it was noted the mare had lost the near fore plate.
 
ZOUPERB – Bumped on jumping and shifted out.
 
ONE 'N' ONLY – When placed under pressure in the straight, laid out and near the 100m and was brushed by TREAD SOFTLY, which was shifting ground under pressure.  
 
SMOOTH TORQUE – Near the 1150m, momentarily raced in restricted room to the inside of O'MISS BEHAVING, which shifted in before being corrected. Trainer M. Dunn was reprimanded pursuant to AR106(2) for presenting the mare with the incorrect gear.
 
NEVER ISLAND – Began awkwardly and shifted out. Had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the home straight. Trainer N. Mayfield-Smith was reprimanded pursuant to AR106(2) for presenting the mare with the incorrect gear.
 
IS SWEET (NZ) – Hampered on jumping when ZOUPERB began awkwardly and shifted out.
 
Race 4: SKY RACING BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP         1800M
 
The start of this race was delayed due to OLD SONG proving difficult to load.
 
MOCAMBO – Slow to begin.
 
DEMARCAY (GB) – Laid out under pressure in the straight.
 
NIPPA'S NIGHTCAP – When under pressure in the early part of the straight laid out, obliging Jockey B. Thompson to change the whip to his left hand, which then saw the gelding shift in under pressure passing the 100m, before being corrected.
 
OLD SONG – Restrained from the wide barrier to a position closer to the rail. Raced keenly in the early stages. Jockey S. Cormack reported the mare settled back in the field as expected from its wide gate, however; when the pace quickened near the 600m, the mare was left flat footed, did not respond as expected when placed under pressure in the straight and was disappointing. Trainer P. Barron was advised a warning will be placed on the mare for proving difficult to load.
 
After the running of this race, the track was upgraded to a Soft 5 at 3:49pm.
 
Race 5: XXXX GOLD MAIDEN HANDICAP    1400M
 
IL TORO D'ORO – Began awkwardly and shifted in.
 
PRADO – Raced wide throughout. Made the turn awkwardly near the 1000m. For a short distance passing the 300m, had difficulty obtaining clear running between MISS FARSTAR and MAN HANDS (NZ).
 
MAN HANDS (NZ) – Raced wide throughout. Jockey R. Maloney reported the gelding, which was having its first race start, began better than expected and was caught wide for most of the event. He added he felt this had an effect on the gelding finishing the race off. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
AUTUMN SONG – Began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped.
 
SHEKINAH – Underwent a veterinary examination after the filly reared and struck its head on the barrier crossbar. SHEKINAH was subsequently declared a late scratching at 4:14pm on veterinary advice.
 
On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on SHEKINAHto be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:
1st - EVER SO CLEVER – 2c win, 2c place.
2nd - AMERICAN PHIREBALL – 3c place.
3rd - AUTUMN SONG – 2c place.
 
MISS FARSTAR – Began awkwardly and shifted in.
 
WASSA – Slow to begin.
 
DAINTREE DREAMING – Leaving the 1000m, raced ungenerously for a short distance when attempting to restrain for cover. Raced wide throughout. Jockey C. Meehan reported the gelding raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages.
 
HEREDITARY (NZ) – Change of tactics-more forward. Began awkwardly before being ridden and settling off the pace. When under pressure in the home straight, laid out.
 
AMERICAN PHIREBALL – Buffered between runners on jumping and lost ground.
 
Race 6: MAGIC MILLIONS COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP    1300M
 
BANDIT – Began awkwardly and shifted out.
 
MIO SORRENTO – Began awkwardly. In the early stages raced keenly.
 
HIDDEN EYES –After the race, it was noted the gelding had lost its off-hind plate.
 
BUNDYANDCOKE – Slow to begin. Over raced for a short distance approaching the 1000m. Near the 1000m, steadied to avoid the heels of PREPOTENT (M. Du Plessis,) which shifted in when not fully clear. Jockey M. Du Plessis was reprimanded.
 
MOONAN ME – Slow to begin. When questioned regarding the improved performance, Trainer M. Lakey stated the gelding was only having its second start for the stable and was not disappointing with its first up run at the Gold Coast on 9 December 2023. He said since then, MOONAN ME had run third in a recent trial at Deagon and he was expecting a more forward showing today. The explanation was noted. Apprentice C. Waddell was fined $500 pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip eight (8) times prior to the 100m, three (3) more than permitted.
 
PREPOTENT – Began awkwardly and shifted in abruptly.
 
BALTRAY – Underwent a veterinary examination upon arriving on course after travelling poorly in the float. BALTRAY was deemed a late scratching at 2:55pm on veterinary advice due superficial lacerations to the left hind leg.
 
SUPEROKAY – (Beaten favourite) Weakened from the 300m. When questioned, Jockey J. Orman stated he was hoping to take up a leading position without too much effort, however; when BOOM COURT improved quickly to his inside shortly after the start, his mount then commenced to race keenly and would not settle. When asked for an effort prior to straightening, SUPEROKAY laid out and commenced to weaken, adding the gelding may have choked down. Stable representation B. Killion stated it was expected SUPEROKAY would lead the race comfortably and on its previous performance and work, was expecting a forward showing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Mr Killion, representing Trainer C. Waller, was advised the gelding must perform to the satisfaction of Stewards in an Official trial prior to resuming. Raced very keenly in the early and middle stages proving difficult to settle.
 
Race 7: LADBROKES YARD COMMENTS BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP 1600M
 
KAIBERRY (NZ) – Slow to begin. Jockey M. Harley reported the gelding travelled well, however: failed to respond to his riding when asked for an effort and was disappointing.
A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities, however: it was noted the gelding had lost both front plates.
 
TINTINWIN (NZ) – Slow to begin. Raced wide without cover from the 600m. Apprentice M. Castle was fined $500 pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip six (6) times prior to the 100m, one (1) more than permitted.
 
WINSTON SMURFHILL (NZ) – Bucked shortly after the start and did so for some distance and took no competitive part in the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer N. McCall was advised the gelding would be required to perform to the satisfaction of the Stewards in two (2) consecutive Official trials prior to resuming.
 
MOKTAFFY (IRE) – Restrained from the wide barrier to obtain a position closer to the rail. When under pressure in the straight, laid in.
 
NO GOING BACK – Whilst parading in the enclosure, became fractious harmlessly dislodging Jockey M. Rodd. Had some difficulty obtaining clear running from the home turn until approaching the 250m. Jockey M. Rodd was reprimanded pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using his whip seven (7) times prior to the 100m, two (2) more than permitted.
 
SHEZA FIRECRACKER – Slow to begin.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in the near foreleg. Trainer L. Birchley was advised the mare would require veterinary clearance prior to resuming.
 
TEXAS (NZ) – Jockey J. Bayliss dropped his whip near the 200m.
 
THUNDER MANIA – Raced ungenerously when attempting to restrain for cover in the middle stages.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 3: M. Dunn - AR106(2) - presented with the incorrect gear.
Race 3: N. Mayfield-Smith - AR106(2) – presented with the incorrect gear.
Race 6: M. Du Plessis – AR131(a) – careless riding.
Race 7: M. Rodd – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – use of the whip seven (7) times prior to the 100m.
 
Fines
Race 3: J. Molloy - AR132(7)(a)(ii) - $400– use of the whip six (6) times prior to the 100m.
Race 6: C. Waddell - AR132(7)(a)(ii) - $500 – use of the whip eight (8) times prior to the 100m.
Race 7: M. Castle - AR132(7)(a)(ii) - $500 – use of the whip six (6) times prior to the 100m.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses sampled pre-race
Race 1: NO BETTER TIME, LEITZEL
Race 4: MOCAMBO, NIPPA’S NIGHTCAP
Race 7: TINTINWIN (NZ), NO GOING BACK
 
 
Horses sampled post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 4: #11 OLD SONG – warning – difficult to load.
Race 6: #13 SUPEROKAY – trial required – poor performance.
Race 7: #5 WINSTON SMURFHILL (NZ) – two (2) consecutive trials required – bucked.
Race 7: #10 SHEZA FIRECRACKER – veterinary certificate required – lame near fore.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 5: 1 IL TORO D’ORO – M. Rodd
Race 5: 18e HEREDITARY (NZ) – B. Thompson
Race 5: 20e SHAMUKA – R. Dolan
 
Late scratchings
Race 6: #12 BALTRAY (vet advice 2:55pm)
 
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.