QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
 
EMERALD JOCKEY CLUB INC
TUESDAY 14TH JANUARY 2025
 
WEATHER – FINE            TRACK RATING – SOFT 6                    RAIL – TRUE
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – E Tickner
Stewards – E Suli, H Gillett & S Stehbens
 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
ROCKHAMPTON – THURSDAY 9TH JANUARY 2025 – RACE 6. HIGGINS COATINGS BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP (1200 METRES)
MIL CIENTO – Trainer K Smyth subsequently advised that a further veterinary examination identified a suspensory injury to the off-foreleg. He further added that the gelding would undergo the necessary rehabilitation and be retired from racing.
 
 
RACE 1: CMF FORKLIFTS MAIDEN PLATE (1000m)
 
LUCKY STRONG – Raced wide throughout. When asked to comment on the performance, jockey A Butler advised that the gelding failed to show its early customary speed and as a result LUCKY STRONG raced wide throughout. Jockey Butler added that when placed under pressure and asked for an effort, the gelding failed to respond and proved disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a poor post-race recovery and mild signs of clinical heat stress.   

SIDESHOW FRANKIE – Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
SMOKIN’ DOLLARS – Bumped with PRINCESS SOPHIE on jumping. Raced wide in the early stages.
 
BANKSOFTHEBARCOO – Raced wide throughout.
 
LUV A COLD GOLD – Slow to begin, trailed the field and subsequently took no competitive part in the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in both forelegs. Trainer J Kuhn was advised that LUV A COLD GOLD would require a veterinary clearance before being required to trial prior to racing again.    
 
OUR BERLINETTA – Raced greenly in the home straight and shifted out abruptly over the final stages and had to be corrected by its rider on a number of occasions. When asked to comment on the performance, particularly noting the significant market support leading into the event, trainer T Cook advised that that OUR BERLINETTA had been working well in the lead up to today’s race and he had expected a forward showing. Mr Cook further advised that the stable had not supported the mare and was pleasantly surprised with the overall performance.
 
PRINCESS SOPHIE – Bumped with SMOKIN’ DOLLARS on jumping. Raced keenly in the early stages. 
 
PLAY IT AS IT LAYS – Jumped away awkwardly. Laid out when placed under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
EMERALD JOY – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.  
 
 
RACE 2: AB POWER OPEN HANDICAP (1000m)
 
STAMPE – Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
LILY ALLEZ (NZ) – A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be exhibiting clinical signs of heat stress.
 
HURTLE – Bumped with CAPTAIN FOX near the 900m. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
CAPTAIN FOX – Was fractious in the barriers prior to jumping. Bumped with HURTLE near the 900m. Blundered and put in an awkward stride near the 800m. Blundered again near the 650m. Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
MISTER LARRABEE – Stood flat footed as the start was effected and lost significant ground. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight. Trainer J Manzelmann was advised that the gelding would now be required to trial to Stewards’ satisfaction prior to racing again.
 
MAGICAL SLIPPER – Presented to race with a tongue-tie, which was not part of its approved gear. Trainer B Johnson was issued a reprimanded under the provisions of AR106(1) for presenting the mare with incorrect gear. In determining penalty, stewards took into consideration Mr Johnson’s excellent record.
 
MILO MAN – Began awkwardly and shifted inwards abruptly. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
MR TANGLES – Bounded on jumping and as a result subsequently settled further back than may have been expected. Raced wide throughout. Near the 100m, had to steady momentarily and shift inwards to avoid the heels of CAPTAIN FOX which laid out. Apprentice M Apel (CAPTAIN FOX) was advised to exercise more care when allowing mounts to shift ground in future. When asked for a comment on the performance, jockey A Sewell reported that the step up in class and beginning poorly today proved detrimental in the gelding’s chances. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a poor post-race recovery and clinical signs of heat stress.
 
Following the running of this race, riders expressed concerns with the footing afforded to runners in a section of the track between the 900m to the 500m. A subsequent track inspection by Stewards and a delegation of senior riders noted significant divots that were deteriorating with racing. When riders’ expressed significant safety concerns with the footing afforded to runners, due to their inability to maintain consistent footing due with the inconsistency with the track surface, Jockeys did not feel the track was suitable to continue racing. Consultation then transpired with the Emerald Jockey Club in the relation to the possibility of remedial measures being adopted to address the safety concerns. The club advised they were not in a position to conduct appropriate remedial work within a reasonable time frame, and the remainder of the race meeting was subsequently abandoned at 3:05pm due to the surface being unsuitable to continue racing.
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 2 - Trainer Bevan Johnson – AR106(1) – Incorrect Gear – Reprimand
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
LUCKY STRONG, OUR BERLINETTA, LILY ALLEZ, ALL THE SHOPS
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 1 – LUV A COLD GOLD – Lame both forelegs – Veterinary clearance and to trial
Race 2 – MISTER LARRABEE – Stood Flat-footed – Suspension
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 3.         ALL THE SHOPS – Apprentice Jaimee-Lee Devine (a3)
 
 
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.