QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
 
EMERALD RACE CLUB INC
 
30 MARCH 2023
 
WEATHER – Fine            TRACK RATING – Soft 5            RAIL – True
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – H. Gillett
Stewards – S. Larkins
 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
Emerald 03 February 2024
Race 2 CMF Forklifts Open Plate 1100m
 
Stewards today concluded an inquiry into the circumstances of STARHATTAN falling near the 400m. After taking evidence from apprentice M Apel (STARHATTAN) in the presence of trainer / master R Vale and jockey C McIver (MAGIC ON ICE) and viewing the available replays, it was established that approaching the 400m STARHATTAN improved forward to the outside of MAGIC ON ICE and to the inside of SOLE HEIR which resulted in STARHATTAN not having clear running to progress into. Immediately thereafter, TERRIUS and STILL FEELING IT commenced to give ground under pressure, which resulted in STARHATTAN clipping the heels of a runner in advance and falling. Stewards could not be satisfied that this occurrence was due to the actions of any rider or the manners of any runners, therefore no further action was deemed necessary.
 
GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted late rider changes as per the race day summary due to the low jockey numbers and the late abandonment of other race meetings.
 
Jockey A. Butler was fined $200 under AR190(3) for accepting rides on POWDER FACTOR in race one and IMAGINE THAT in race 3 in which he was overweight. When considering penalty stewards were mindful the circumstances that there were limited jockeys available at today’s meeting and the fact that Mr Butler had been ill during the week making it difficult to waste leading up to today’s meeting, stewards also had to take into account Mr Butlers record in relation to this rule.
 
Race 1: HELLOWORLD EMERALD QTIS Maiden Plate 1000m
 
The start was delayed when GROVERS PREDICTION proved difficult to proceed to the barriers.
 
ASTRA WALLY – Slow to begin and impeded shortly after the start by CASA FAGLIANO. Trainer G. Bell reported to stewards that it is now her intentions to send the gelding for a spell.
 
BARRY’S GALAH – Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
POWDER FACTOR – Stewards permitted jockey A. Butler to ride overweight at 61.0Kg as there were no other riders available.
 
RAPID INSTINCT – Declared a scratching at 7:15am as there were no riders available.
 
BEGGAR’S BANQUET – Declared a late scratching at 10:06am as there were no riders available.
 
CASA FAGLIANO – Jumped outwards at the start impeding ASTRA WALLY. Raced wide in the early stages.
 
RUBY LAGO – Declared a late scratching at 8:16am as there were no riders available.
 
BRAVE INFORMER – Knuckled on jumping and slow to begin as a result.
 
CERARED – Stewards permitted apprentice M. Apel to ride at handicapped weight and not claim due to insufficient riders available and the fact that she is returning from injury. Apprentice M. Apel was spoken to advisedly of her obligation to ride her mounts out fully to the finish.
 
GROVERS PREDICTION – Slow to begin and trailed the field throughout. Jockey C. Jokic reported that her saddle slipped shortly after the start proving it difficult to ride the filly out. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities. Trainer J. Manzelmann was advised that a warning would be placed on the filly’s record for pre-race behaviour.
 
 
 
Race 2: FARM AND CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS BENCHMARK 50 Handicap 1000m
 
MR TANGLES – Bumped LUTINE BELLE shortly after the start. Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
FROSTWOOD – Raced wide throughout. Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
CINDERELLA MAN - Declared a late scratching at 8:16am as there were no riders available.
 
LUTINE BELLE – Bumped by MR TANGLES shortly after the start. When questioned in relation to the seemingly poor performance in today’s event trainer G. Bell stated that she was disappointed with today’s performance and could offer no explanation and that it is now her intention to send the mare for a spell. A post-race veterinary examination revealed that LUTINE BELLE was showing signs of a poor post-race recovery.
 
VALENTINA EXPRESS – Raced keenly in the early stages. Raced wide throughout. When questioned in relation to the performance today apprentice M. Apel stated that the mare travelled well and failed to respond when asked for an effort, she also stated that she was disappointed with the run however today the mare was first up after a spell and would derive benefit from the run. Trainer R Vale concurred with the statements of the rider, he also added that it was his intention to have blood tests taken in the coming days and would report back to stewards with the results.
 
PRUDISH – Raced wide in the middle stages.
 
FAV’S FLYER – Declared a late scratching at 10:06am as there were no riders available.
 
ROWBOSITI – Declared a scratching at 7:15am as there were no riders available.
 
 
Race 3: CH SUNFLOWER FESTIVAL & ALTONA, MANITOBA BENCHMARK 45 Handicap 1280m
 
COCO CUBER – Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
GRACIOUS GARCON – Slow to begin and raced wide in the early stages.
 
GALACTIC ROCK – Jockey Y. Abe reported that the gelding had put in some awkward strides around the turn he then stated that in his opinion GALACTIC ROCK was lame in the right fore and subsequently eased his mount. A post-race veterinary examination revealed that the gelding had minor abrasions to the right fore heel consistent with over-reaching, however no standdown was issued.
 
IMAGINE THAT – Stewards permitted jockey A. Butler to ride at 61.0Kg overweight as there were no other riders available. Began awkwardly and slow to begin as a result.
 
 
Race 4: SOUTHERN CROSS TERMITE AND PEST BENCHMARK 65 Handicap 1280m
 
Prior to the running of race 4 stewards upgraded the track to a good 4.
 
GRAND DE LAGO – Slow to begin. Impeded by DESERT MOON shortly after start. Raced wide throughout. Apprentice J. Edwards was questioned into the tactics adopted when she elected to race 3 wide approaching the 1000m. She stated that after beginning poorly the pace had slackened and she elected to switch out to a 3 wide position in an attempt to take the lead however in doing so the leaders then quickened the tempo and she became trapped 3 wide. Apprentice Edwards further added that in hindsight she had erred in her judgement. After viewing the available replays and taking into account the evidence from Ms. Edwards, stewards were of the opinion that it was not unreasonable when she elected to look to progress 3 wide, however as a consequence of the tempo improving they did not feel that her tactics adopted were so unreasonable as to warrant action being taken against her license.  
 
ONCHAO – Approaching the 1000m had to switch out off the heels of BEYOND STAR (NZ) when it was putting in awkward strides and had to be restrained as a result.
 
DESERT MOON – Jumped inwards at the start impeding GRAND DE LAGO.
 
BEYOND STAR (NZ) – Raced keenly in the early stages. Put in some awkward strides approaching the 1000m and had to be restrained momentarily.
 
 
Race 5: EMERALD FORD BENCHMARK 60 Handicap 1615m
 
HOLLYWOOD PARK (NZ) – Jockey A. Butler reported that the gelding travelled well but when asked for an effort leaving the 700m it failed to respond.
 
KNOWITALL JACK (NZ) – Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight. Apprentice M. Apel was reminded of her obligation to stop riding and straighten her mount when shifting ground.
 
WINTILLY – Slow to begin. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
DELIUS – Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Fines
R1 & R3 – Ashley Butler - $200 – AR190(3) – Accepting rides when overweight
 
Overweights
R1 – POWDER FACTOR - Ashley Butler +1.5kg
R3 – IMAGINE THAT - Ashley Butler +1.5kg
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
POWDER FACTOR
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
R1 – GROVERS PREDICTION – Warning – Pre-race manners
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
R1 -    1 ASTRA WALLY - Masayuki Abe
R1 -    9 BRAVE INFORMER - Miss Jenna Edwards (a2/55kg),
R1 -    10 CERARED - Ms McKenzie Apel (a2/54kg),
R1 -    11 GROVERS PREDICTION - Ms Chelsea Jokic
R2 -    1 MR TANGLES - Masayuki Abe
R2 -    10 SENSATIONABULL - Ms Chelsea Jokic
R3 -    2 GRACIOUS GARCON - Miss Jenna Edwards (a2/55kg),
R3 -    3 MISHANI PATRIOT - Ms Chelsea Jokic
R3 -    4 GALACTIC ROCK - Masayuki Abe
R3 -    10 MY GIRL SPIRIT - Ms Tasha Chambers
 
Scratchings no riders available
R1 - 5 RAPID INSTINCT
R1 - 6 BEGGAR’S BANQUET
R1 - 8 RUBY LAGO
R2 - 3 CINDERELLA MAN
R2 - 8 FAV’S FLYER
R2 - 11 ROWBOSTI
 
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.