QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
LOCKYER VALLEY TURF CLUB – GATTON – THURSDAY 22 NOVEMBER 2018
 
WEATHER – SHOWERS
RAIL – TRUE
TRACK RATING – GOOD 4
                               SOFT 7 @ 12.35PM
                               SOFT 6 (AFTER RACE 5)
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – R. Hitchener
Stewards – C. Albrecht, L. Hicks, C. Fedrick
Clerk of Scales – B. Cooke
Judge – Club
Veterinarian – Dr. A Murdoch
Swab Attendants – J. Crompton, A. Schofield
Starter – R. Hanson
Jockeys Advocate – B. Saunders
Stewards Secretary – M. Weir
 
GENERAL
 
The track was downgraded from a Good 4 to a Soft 7 at 12.35pm following heavy rainfall.
 
As Apprentice A. Thompson was stood down from his remaining engagements following a fall in Race 4, riding replacements were made in Races 6 and 7 as per the Stewards Race Day Summary.
 
Race 1: WALLY CROSS MEMORIAL FILLIES AND MARES MAIDEN H’CAP – 1400M
 
The start of this race was delayed when FLYING DEE JAY proved reluctant to proceed to the barriers.
 
HEY DOLL – Jockey R. Goltz could offer no tangible explanation for the seemingly poor performance of the mare, however he noted that it was rising sharply in weight and distance today.
 
ANGEL OF WAR – When questioned by Stewards regarding the below market expectation performance, Apprentice B. Nothdurft advised that the filly travelled in a favourable position during the race, however when placed under pressure it failed to quicken as he had expected and proved disappointing. Trainer N. McCall also expressed disappointment in the performance of the filly which, in her opinion, failed to run out the 1400m today. She added that in light of this performance she will now consider the horse’s future in her stable.
 
MY RUBY ROSE – Began awkwardly.
 
THIS GIRLS ON FIRE – Placed in restricted room on jumping away.
 
EVENING – Jockey J. Taylor’s saddle shifted backwards shortly after the start placing him at a disadvantage for the remainder.
 
RED LINES – A post-race veterinary examination of the mare, which tailed off, failed to reveal any abnormalities. Trainer G. Blake was advised that in light of today’s performance the mare will be required to barrier trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to its next race start.
 
WEWANNAWINNA – Improved onto the heels of a tiring runner near the 500m and, as a result, was checked before shifting to the inside to secure clear running.  
 
Race 2: HECK FREEMAN MEMORIAL COLTS, GELDINGS AND ENTIRES MAIDEN H’CAP – 1400M
 
The start of this was delayed when CORKONIAN was removed from the barriers and examined by the veterinary surgeon before being passed fit to start.
 
GETS SMOKIN’ – Slow to begin and then trailed the field throughout. Trainer R. Mackay was advised that in light of today’s performance the gelding will not be permitted to start at TAB venues until such times as its form improves.
 
WHERE’S THE MONEY – Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight, and shifted wider on the track. A warning was placed on the gelding, which was having its first race start today, for its racing manners.
 
IGNITE THE MAGIC – Steadied when placed at heels near the 400m.
 
THE RED CHIEF – Began awkwardly, and bumped on jumping away.
 
CORKONIAN – Began awkwardly. Raced 3 wide without cover throughout.
 
Race 3: BILL MCGOVERN & MICK BUGLER MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 55 H’CAP – 860M
 
The start to this race was delayed when ORLEANS became fractious behind the barriers and was examined by the veterinary surgeon before being passed fit to start.
 
STRIVE TO SUCCEED – Declared a late scratching at 12.35pm due to the downgrade of the track.
 
GREEDY – Raced 3 wide without cover throughout. Hung in over the final 150m and proved difficult to ride out.
 
CHAMPAGNE WARRIOR – Bumped on jumping away.
 
COMESIDICE – When questioned by Stewards regarding his riding over the concluding stages, jockey J. King advised that he desisted from riding his mount out to the conclusion of the race as he felt that there may have been something amiss with the gelding. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the near fore leg. The stable representative for Trainer N. King was advised that the horse will require a veterinary clearance prior to its next race start.
 
GOLD MONARCH – Began awkwardly. Restrained for some distance passing the 600m to avoid the heels of other runners. Momentarily steadied to avoid heels near the 100m.
 
LAST ROUND – Jumped with its head in the air at the start and lost ground.
 
LA RANA TORO – Slow to begin.
 
Race 4: GREG ELLIOT MEMORIAL TROPHY BENCHMARK 55 H’CAP – 2000M
 
RAHDANE – Overraced in the early and middle stages and proved difficult to restrain. Raced 3 wide for the majority.
 
HESSIAN – Bumped on jumping away.
 
KIRA’S BEAT – Bumped on jumping away. Fell near the 300m. Apprentice A. Thompson was examined by Queensland Ambulance Officers, and subsequently stood down by Stewards from his remaining engagements. After taking initial evidence from A. Sewell and Apprentice J. Hodge, Stewards adjourned an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the horse’s fall near the 300m to enable Apprentice A. Thompson to give evidence at the inquiry.
 
GENERAL ASSAULT – As Matthew Palmer was not attending the meeting today due to illness, App. J. Guthmann-Chester was substituted as rider. Jumped in the air at the start.
 
TIZABEE – Began awkwardly. Jockey J. Taylor could offer no tangible explanation for the seemingly disappointing performance, other than that the mare was stepping up in distance today, and stepping up in class considerably following its maiden win at its most recent start. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
SHOW A FLICK – When questioned by Stewards regarding the improved performance, Trainer P. Hill advised that the gelding was having its fourth run back from a spell today and, as it is a genuine middle distance horse, it was suited by the 2000m of today’s race. He added that whilst its prior start was also over a middle distance, the gelding was caught wide for the duration on that occasion and, as a consequence, weakened over the concluding stages. Mr. Hill went on to say that, in his opinion, the soft racing surface was also to the gelding’s advantage today. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
Race 5: JAMES O’DWYER MEMORIAL APPRENTICE JOCKEY CUP CLASS 2 PLATE – 1400M
 
MISS BENETEAU – Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
KATARINA – Raced 3 wide without cover for the majority.
 
Following the running of this race the track was upgraded from a Soft 7 to a Soft 6.
 
Race 6: JACK BRENNAN MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 65 H’CAP – 1600M
 
COOEE MARCH – Stewards questioned Apprentice H. Phillips in relation to her riding during the race. Of particular concern to Stewards was the aggressive nature in which the gelding was ridden and, as a consequence, the tempo set in the race. Apprentice Phillips advised that she was instructed to ride the gelding aggressively in the early stages to obtain the leading position and, if possible, maintain a two to three length lead throughout the race. Apprentice Phillips also advised that, bearing in mind the specific instructions, she rode aggressively in the early stages and continued to do so for the duration of the race so as to comply with the instructions issued by Trainer H. Hogan. Mr. Hogan confirmed the instructions issued to Apprentice Phillips and advised that the gelding performed best in recent starts when ridden in this manner. Having had the opportunity to review the Stewards patrol footage, Apprentice Phillips agreed with the opinion of Stewards that she had erred, in that after establishing the lead she did not desist from riding the gelding along during the middle stages, so as to give it an easier run during the race which would have given it a better opportunity to finish the race off over the final 600m. Having regard to the specific instructions provided by Mr. Hogan, and the relative inexperience of Ms. Phillips as an apprentice rider, Stewards took the matter no further other than to refer this ride to the Racing Queensland Apprentice Training Department for further review and tuition.
 
Race 7: ERROL & ROCHELLE BACHMANN & NOEL STAATZ MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 55 H’CAP – 1100M
 
REAL SUPREMACY – Tightened for room at the start and lost ground.
 
CINNABON – Blundered shortly after the start. Raced wide without cover throughout. Shifted in when awkwardly placed at heels near the 100m, and a short distance later was tightened for room and eased when THE PONTSTER (App. Frater-Hill) shifted out. Apprentice Frater-Hill was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances in the future.
 
PROSSIMITA – Began awkwardly, and then steadied from heels shortly after the start.
 
ANGELS LOVE – Bumped heavily on jumping away.
 
THE PONTSTER – Bumped on jumping away.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Absent jockeys
Matthew Palmer – ill – medical clearance req’d.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
Hey Doll, Swagman, Rahdane, Miss Beneteau, Still the Same, True Colours
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 1. RED LINES – poor performance; tailed off – barrier trial – AR. 8(t)
Race 2. GETS SMOKIN’ – poor performance – barred from TAB meetings until form improves – AR. 8(t)
Race 2. WHERE’S THE MONEY – racing manners – warning.
Race 3. COMESIDICE – lame near fore leg – veterinary clearance req’d – AR. 8(t)
 
Falls
Race 4. App. A. Thompson – dislodged from KIRA’S BEAT which fell near the 300m – medical clearance req’d.
 
Adjourned inquiries
Race 4. Reason for KIRA’S BEAT falling near the 300m.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 3.         PURE WHISPER - App. Clayton Gallagher
Race 4.         GENERAL ASSAULT - App. Jag Guthmann-Chester
Race 6.         STILL THE SAME - App. N. Fazackerly
                     I’M NO RUBY - Joshua King
Race 7.         ANGELS LOVE - App. H. English
                     THE PONTSTER - App. Carly Frater-Hill
                    RICH TRADITION - Pietro Romeo
 
Late scratchings
Race 3.         STRIVE TO SUCCEED – 12.35pm – track downgrade.
 
Published subject to correction upon revision