QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
LOCKYER VALLEY TURF CLUB
 
GATTON – THURSDAY, 2 NOVEMBER 2023
 
WEATHER – Fine    TRACK RATING – Good 4           RAIL – 0.5m+ 800m – 400m; True remainder
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – K. Daly
Stewards – E. Tickner, A. Schofield & F. Hartford
Clerk of Scales – J. Mitchell
Judge – S. Fahey & B. Poelstra
Veterinarian –  Dr C. Bowden-Betts
Swab Attendants – K. Kilpatrick
Starter – K. Watson
 
 
GENERAL
 
STAR CHANCE - Declared a late scratching by order of Stewards at 7:50am under AR249(1) after a stable inspection this morning revealed the horse to have had a poultice applied to both front legs. Trainer J Aitkenhead was advised an inquiry into this matter would be held at a time and date to be fixed. 
 
Stewards approved the following weight variations at today’s meeting:
Race 3: SCENIC ROOM – J. Huxtable 56.5kgs (+0.5kg)
Race 4: GRAND ACAEDMY – J. Huxtable 56.5kgs (+0.5kg)
Race 7: AFFINITY FLYER – J. Guthmann-Chester 56kg (+0.5kg)

 
 
Race 1: BARRIER REEF POOLS MAIDEN HANDICAP (860m)
 
NKWAZI'S PRIDE – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Shifted in under pressure over the concluding stages. 
 
MISS SHEAF – Slow to begin. Jockey R. Dolan was reminded of his obligations under AR132(6(b) regarding raising his whip above shoulder height.
 
YEMEAN – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Laid out rounding the home-turn.
 
ZIMBARA – Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
CONFIRM NOR DENY – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Inclined to lay out at various stages of the event.
 
 
Race 2: BOOK YOUR XMAS PARTY @ LVTC SUNDAY 12TH NOVEMBER BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP (860m)
 
SHIPS AHOY – Slow to begin and failed to muster speed in the early stages of the event despite the efforts of its rider. When asked to comment, Jockey D. Smith advised the gelding, which was first-up without blinkers today, was unable to muster speed in the early stages, however he was satisfied with the manner in which SHIPS AHOY finished off the event, adding that the gelding, in his opinion, would be better suited in races over further distances than that of today.
 
SONGZILLA – Blundered on jumping. Held-up from the 300m until entering the home straight before being obliged to shift wider to obtain clear running a short distance later.
 
BONGANI – Put in an awkward stride approaching the 200m when bumped by SONGZILLA which shifted out to improve.
 
ULTRA INSTINCT – Slow to begin. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
WHISTLIN' ARROW – Laid out under pressure in the early stages of the home straight.
 
HERO'S TRINKET – Obliged to be steadied when crowded for room near the 600m when IGBO shifted in when not fully clear. Jockey H. Phillips, rider of IGBO was advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances. Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Over the concluding stages obliged to shift to the inside of IGBO to obtain clear running.  
 
LIVELY LASS – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event.
 
 
Race 3: HAVE A ROUND AT THE GATTON JUBILEE GOLF CLUB CLASS 4 HANDICAP (1600m)
 
GREEK STAR – Apprentice C. Waddell was reprimanded under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip on six occasions prior to the 100m, one more than permitted.
 
MAUI – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
OUTLAW JOSEY WALES – Began awkwardly. After being crossed near the 1200m, commenced to over-race on heels when the pace of the race was steady. Continued to race keenly for a short distance thereafter. 
 
SCENIC RIM – Inside the 100m, shifted out abruptly when struck with the whip.
 
SHEPPEY – Raced wide and without cover until obtaining a position with cover approaching 1200m.
 
MR MAHARAJ – Approaching the 1200m, bumped and taken wider by GREEK STAR. Raced wide and without cover thereafter.
 
 
Race 4: AGRICULTURAL REQUIREMENTS MAIDEN HANDICAP (1400m)
 
MATTE BLACK – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages. When questioned regarding the performance, Rider J. Guthmann-Chester stated the gelding, which was having its first race-start, raced greenly, and was not suited by today’s tight-turning circuit, and in his opinion will be better suited on a bigger track. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
ENTERPRISE FUSE – Began awkwardly.
 
VIKING KINGDOM – Slow to begin.
 
SEA SHELL FLY – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
KOTONI – Raced wide and without cover from the 700m.
 
RAINEWATER – Laid in under pressure in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed lacerations to both hind-legs, consistent with having been galloped on.
 
 
 
Race 5: MOVEMBER - MENS HEALTH BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP (1400m)
 
KORUTO – Held-up in the early part of the home straight before improving into a narrow run approaching the 100m.
 
PRIVATE BANKER – Slow to begin. When asked to comment on tactics adopted, particularly in the early and middle stages where the horse raced three wide without cover, Apprentice T. Leslight stated instructions were to begin neutral out of the barriers and not to pressure the gelding in the early stages as the horse does have a tendency to over-race. He added in the early stages, after being slow to begin, he elected to race three-wide from 1200m, as he was reluctant to overly restrain PRIVATE BANKER given the horse’s racing characteristics. After viewing the patrol footage in the presence of trainer D Forster, apprentice Leslight agreed he would have been better served riding more conservatively further back in the field in the early stages, particularly after PRIVATE BANKER was slow to begin, and on this basis took the matter no further.  
 
TUHINGA – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
ASCOT EXPRESS – Raced keenly in the early stages when the pace of the race slackened. Held-up for clear running for the majority of the home straight and subsequently went to the line unable to be fully tested by its rider.  
 
ROADHOUSE – Began awkwardly.
 
 
Race 6: LADBROKE IT! RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP (1400m)
 
APACHE FLASH – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
DANTE ALIGHIERI – Began awkwardly. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance, Jockey G. Cartwright stated that the gelding travelled comfortably throughout the run, however when placed under pressure from 400m, proved disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow post-race recovery.
 
HERECUM DA DRUMS – Slow to begin.
 
UPTOWN LUCY – Began awkwardly and bumped MR WHITTINGTON.
 
MIDNIGHT BOOM – Began awkwardly.
 
MR WHITTINGTON – Bumped at the start. Raced keenly in the early stages when attempting to be restrained to obtain a position with cover. Finished tailed off. Trainer G. Barbierato was advised that the gelding’s nominations would now be refused at TAB meetings until its form improved at non-TAB venues. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
 
 
Race 7: LADBROKES BLACKBOOK CLASS 3 HANDICAP (1100m)
 
Correct weight was delayed allowing connections of third placegetter, FLYING ANNIE and Stewards to view footage regarding contact between that runner and second placegetter AFFINITY FLYER in the home straight. Once all parties were satisfied that there were no grounds for an objection, correct weight was declared on the judges’ semaphored numbers.
 
FLYING ANNIE – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages. Approaching the 150m, bumped and tightened for room with TOP BIRD when AFFINITY FLYER shifted in.
 
AFFINITY FLYER – Jockey J. Guthmann-Chester pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR131(a), in that approaching the 150m, he made insufficient effort to prevent his mount from shifting in obliging TOP BIRD to be checked and taken in onto FLYING ANNIE which was bumped and crowded for room. Jockey J. Guthmann-Chester’s licence to ride in races was suspended for 7 days, commencing midnight, Tuesday, 7th November 2023 up to and including 14th November 2023. In assessing penalty, Stewards considered the carelessness to be in the low-range, Jockey J. Guthmann-Chester’s exceptional record in relation to the rule, and his guilty plea.
 
TOP BIRD – Began awkwardly. Laid-out rounding the home-turn. Approaching the 150m, placed in restricted room between AFFINITY FLYER and FLYING ANNIE and obliged to check and lose ground.
 
TECOMA STREET – Raced wide and without cover throughout the event. Laid in under pressure in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be  lame in the near-hindleg. Trainer T. Cotsiopoulos was advised that the gelding would require a veterinary certificate prior to racing again. Stewards will also follow up on the condition of the gelding in the coming days.
 
 
Race 8: EDWARDS SADDLEWORLD TOOWOOMBA BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP (1100m)
 
MR VISTA – Slow to begin. Raced wide and without cover throughout the event. Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
SHINSHINTO – Began awkwardly and shifted out.
 
UNION SPIRIT – Crowded between runners on jumping and lost ground.
 
RECANATI – Held-up rounding the home turn.
 
PARUES – Crowded between runners on jumping and lost ground. Approaching the 1000m, crowded for room when RECANATI shifted in and obliged to check near the 700m. At a subsequent inquiry, in the presence of senior rider D Thornton, Apprentice E. Lang was found guilty of a charge of careless riding AR131(a) in that after placing both JONDY ROCKET and PARUES in restricted room from a point passing the 1000m, she did allow RECANATI to shift in when insufficiently clear of JONDY ROCKET near 700m which was taken in resulting in PARUES being tightened onto the running rail and having to be checked. Apprentice Lang’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 9 days, commencing midnight 11th November 2023 up to and including 20th November 2023. In assessing penalty, Stewards considered the interference to be in the low range, her reasonable record and not guilty plea.
 
JONDY ROCKET – Began awkwardly and shifted in. Approaching the 1000m crowded for room and subsequently placed in restricted room to the inside of RECANATI until the 700m.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 3: Apprentice C. Waddell – Whip Use – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – +1 (6 prior to the 100m)
 

Suspensions
Race 7 – J. Guthmann-Chester – 7 Days – Commencing midnight 7th November 2023 – up to and including 14th November 2023.
Race 8 – Apprentice E. Lang – 9 Days – Commencing midnight 11th November – up to and including 20th November 2023
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
GREEK STAR, MR MAHARAJ, KOTONI, BELLE’S BOY, HERECUM DA DREAMS
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 4 – GRAND ACADEMY – Warning – Pre-race manners
Race 6 – MR WHITTINGTON – Suspension – Non-Tabs only until form improves.
Race 7 – TECOMA STREET – Not to race veterinary clearance required – lame near-hindleg.
 
Adjourned inquiries
Race 5 – Late Scratching of STAR CHANCE
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 2:          12e HERO’S TRINKET - Ms Georgina Cartwright
                      13e LIVELY LASS - Nozi Tomizawa
Race 7:          3 GROOVIN’ THE MOO - Ms Georgina Cartwright
Race 8:          13e JONDY ROCKET - Ms Georgina Cartwright
 
Late scratchings
Race 5 – STAR CHANCE – 7:50am – Stewards Orders
 
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.