STEWARDS REPORT
 
LOCKYER VALLEY TURF CLUB
 
GATTON – TUESDAY 23 JANUARY 2024
 
WEATHER – Overcast
TRACK RATING – Soft 5, Good 4 after Race 1
RAIL – True
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – K. Daly
Stewards – S. Fletcher, F. Hartford, O. Legg (Cadet)
Clerk of Scales – S. Byatt
Judge – S. Fahey, B. Poelstra
Veterinarian – Dr C. Bowden-Betts, Dr B. Lockie
Swab Attendants – J. Crompton
Starter – K. Watson
 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
Ipswich 18/1/2024 GREY EFFECTS – Trainer I. Turner reported that following its disappointing performance, the horse was examined by his stable veterinary in the days subsequent to the event and blood tests found GREY EFFECTS to be suffering from a virus. GREY EFFECTS had been treated and would now be freshened up.
 
GENERAL
After being dislodged at Eagle Farm trackwork this morning, Jockey S. Collett was examined by QAS medical staff on ARRIVAL AT THE TRACK and was cleared to fulfil her engagements at today’s meeting.
 
Race 1: ROCK TRADE INDUSTRIES MAIDEN HANDICAP         860 M
 
The start of this event was delayed after SPLIT THE CASH was unable to be loaded into the barriers. The horse was subsequently declared a late scratching at 12:18pm by order of Stewards. On declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets placed on SPLIT THE CASH to be refunded in full and the following deductions to apply:
 
1st VIENNESE LOVER - 0c win, 5c place.
2nd LITTLEMISSCANCAN – 6c place
3rd EXCLUSIVE DROP – 5c place
 
Trainer G. Thwaite was advised SPLIT THE CASH must trial satisfactorily prior to its next race start.
 
A SIP FOR SLIPPY – Taken wider on the track approaching the 300m when ARACELI laid out.
 
LUVYABUNCHES – As had not started for an extended period, underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start. Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight.
 
EXCLUSIVE DROP – Raced wide throughout. Taken wider on the track approaching the 300m when ARACELI laid out.
 
ARACELI – Rider S. Galloway reported his mount was inclined to lay out at various stages of the event.
 
LITTLEMISSCANCAN – Slow to begin.
 
STARSPANGLE PLANET – Raced wide for the majority with cover.
 
After the running of Race 1, the track was upgraded to a Good 4.
 
Race 2: BARRIER REEF POOLS QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP  860 M
 
NIRVANA BEAUTY – On arrival to the barriers the saddle on the horse was readjusted.
 
POT POT BOOM – Fractious after being loaded into the barriers. Began awkwardly and jumped out. Rider B. Andrew reported her mount raced greenly throughout the event.
 
WIFE IS RIGHT – Checked at the start when POT POT BOOM jumped out awkwardly.
 
JET STREAM – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
MADAME MOTH – Near the 500m was reluctant to hold its position when racing to the inside of POT POT BOOM. Inclined to lay in during the early stages of the home straight before shifting out across the heels of NIRVANA BEAUTY near the 100m.
 
QUINSTEP GIRL – Crowded between runners on jumping and lost ground. Raced wide throughout.
 
CRAIGLEA THERA – Raced wide throughout.
 
Race 3: LADBROKES RACING CLUB BENCHMARK 62 HANDICAP  860 M
 
MAIORI – Slow to begin.
 
INVANESS – Slow to begin. Raced wide for the majority. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be displaying clinical signs of cardiac arrythmia. Trainer K. Afford was advised INVANESS would require a veterinary clearance, inclusive of ECG results and a satisfactory trial prior to racing again. Mr Afford indicated that in all likelihood, INVANESS would now be retired from racing.
 
SHE'S SO VAIN – Raced wide throughout.
 
Race 4: LOCKYER PRODUCE CLASS 3 HANDICAP  1100 M
 
CONNELLY – Slow to begin.
 
UNO MOON – Fractious after being loaded into the barriers. From a wide barrier, restrained after the start to a rearward position closer to the rail. When asked to comment on today’s performance, Apprentice J. Molloy advised Stewards in his opinion, the gelding is better suited to racing in a more forward position. Stewards noted the explanation of J. Molloy.
 
COBURG – Began awkwardly and brushed the inside barrier partition and lost ground. Inclined to lay out during various stages of the event.
 
TOKYO SINS – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Raced wide for the majority. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
TOP BIRD – Laid out rounding the home turn. Approaching the winning post when weakening, was crowded for room to the inside of TOKYO SINS which shifted in under pressure.  Apprentice R. Thorburn, in the presence of senior rider J. Bayliss, was reprimanded pursuant to AR 131(a) for careless riding in this incident.
 
Race 5: REDMONDS PET & LIVESTOCK SUPPLIES FILLIES & MARES RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP  1400 M
 
Correct weight was delayed allowing N. Tomizawa, rider of 3rd place getter CONTESSA NILE, to view the patrol footage in the home straight. After doing so, he elected to take the matter no further and correct weight was declared on the semaphored placings.
 
MARCADA – Raced wide from the 600m.
 
TOP BABE (NZ) – Lost near fore plate in running.
 
ANTHROPICA – Began awkwardly, jumped outwards and bumped CONTESSA NILE.
 
SHOTGUN DIVA – Raced wide throughout. When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey M. McDonald stated after being caught wide for the majority of the event, the horse was under pressure from the 600m and was disappointing from that point onwards. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in the off foreleg.  Trainer A. Plumb was advised SHOTGUN DIVA would require a veterinary clearance prior to its next start. Jockey M. McDonald, rider of SHOTGUN DIVA, was fined the sum of $200 pursuant to AR 211(1) in that he returned to scale in excess of 0.5kg overweight. In assessing penalty Stewards took into account that M McDonald has only recently resumed race riding and also his previous good record under this rule.
 
MILEY'S MEMORY – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Near the 50m, when under pressure, shifted in, made heavy contact with the running rail, and became unbalanced, resulting in CONTESSA NILE, which was racing to its outside, being bumped and becoming unbalanced for a short distance.
 
COLLAGEN QUEEN – On arrival at the barriers, and at the request of the rider, underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was subsequently cleared to start. When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey L. Tarrant stated he desisted from pressuring the mare approaching the 100m after COLLAGEN QUEEN commenced to lay in. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
FLAMIN' READY – Slow to begin. When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey J. Bayliss stated his instructions were to ride the horse in a forward position, however following todays disappointing performance, he was of the opinion FLAMIN’ READY may be better suited ridden further back in the field. Stewards noted the explanation. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
CONTESSA NILE – Bumped after the start. Inconvenienced approaching the 50m.
 
Race 6: LEUKAEMIA FOUNDATION RACEDAY - EASTER SATURDAY MAIDEN HANDICAP   1600 M
 
DEVEREUX CREEK – Laid out shortly after the start and brushed with RHODES. Jockey M. McDonald advised DEVEREUX CREEK, which was having it’s first race start, was disappointing and could offer no explanation for today’s performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer J. Zielke was advised the gelding would be required to satisfactorily trial prior to its next start. Mr Zielke also added that the horse would be leaving his stable.
 
RHODES – Brushed shortly after the start when DEVEREUX CREEK laid out.
 
WORTHY'S GIRL – Jockey K. Matheson stated his instructions were to ride the mare in a more forward position, however, despite his urgings out the barrier, WORTHY’S GIRL was unable to muster speed, adding that the mare put in a number of awkward strides shortly after the start. Trainer D. Forester advised it would now be her intention for WORTHY’S GIRL to step up in distance in future starts.
 
GUERNSEY – When asked to comment on the apparent improved performance, trainer N. Hemmings advised Stewards that at its most recent start at Bell on the 6/1/2024 the horse was not suited by the distance of the event, and also may not have appreciated the prevailing racing surface on that day. Ms Hemmings added that with the step up in distance and GUERNSEY having worked well since it’s most recent start, she was not overly surprised by today’s performance.
 
VISCOUNT SYDNEY – Held up between the 500m and the 250m behind the tiring DEVEREUX CREEK.
 
SEVERINE – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight before shifting out and around the heels RHODES to secure clear running.
 
ENTERPRISE FUSE – Raced wide throughout.
 
MISTY GOLD – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
RODEO LEGEND – Raced wide throughout. Apprentice R. Thorburn was fined the sum of $200 pursuant to AR 211(1) in that he returned to scale in excess of 0.5kg overweight. In assessing penalty Stewards took into account that Mr Thorburn has only resumed race riding recently after an injury and also his good record under this rule.
 
Race 7:LADBROKES BET TICKER MAIDEN HANDICAP  1600 M
 
BETTER EXCEED – Slow to begin. After finishing a considerable distance behind the main body of the field, Jockey L. Miller could offer no explanation for the disappointing performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer S. Hilton was advised that in light of BETTER EXCEED’S recent poor performances, the gelding would now incur a TAB bar and would be restricted to racing at country meetings until it establishes more consistent form.
 
SUSPICIOUS TIME (NZ) – When asked to comment on today’s performance, Jockey A. Allen stated that the gelding was somewhat one paced throughout the event and failed to quicken as expected when placed under pressure from the 250m. Stewards noted the explanation of A Allen.
 
STAR OF PERU – When asked to comment on today’s performance, Jockey J. Bayliss stated instructions were to race in a forward position, however after being unable to muster speed in the early stages, settled further back in the field than anticipated. He added when placed under pressure from the 600m, STAR OF PERU failed to respond to his efforts and was disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be displaying clinical signs of cardiac arrythmia. Stable representative for Trainer R. Heathcote was advised STAR OF PERU would require a veterinary clearance, inclusive of ECG results and also a satisfactory trial prior to racing again.
 
BOVIDAE – After being loaded in the barriers, became fractious and was removed,underwent a veterinary examination and was subsequently cleared to start. Held up for clear running between the 400m and the entrance to the home straight.
 
DE NILE (USA) – Slow to begin.
 
FRIJOLES – Slow to begin.
 
Race 8:LOCKYER VALLEY PAINTING RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP 1100 M
 
ANNAKURI – Began very awkwardly and lost ground. Stewards questioned Apprentice B. Moffatt in the presence of Senior rider A. Thompson over tactics adopted in the early stages of the event, particularly after being slow to begin and pressuring the horse in the early and middle stages of the event. B. Moffatt explained that instructions were to lead if possible, however after being slow to begin, he elected ride the horse forward in an effort to fulfil those instructions. As result, ANNAKURI was caught three wide without cover for the majority of the event before weakening from the 200m. After viewing the patrol footage and confirming instructions from trainer V. Heading, Stewards took no direct action other than to advise Apprentice B. Moffatt that he had erred in overly pressuring the horse after being slow to begin, and that he should not be so bound by instructions in similar circumstances.
 
IT'S HELLS BELLS – When asked to comment on the performance Jockey J. Bayliss stated that his instructions were to race in a forward position and that he was obliged to pressure the horse in the early and middle stages of the event when challenged by runners to his outside and in his opinion, this had a detrimental effect on the gelding’s performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in it’s off hindleg. Trainers’ representative for P. Jenkins was advised IT’S HELLS BELLS would require a veterinary clearance prior to it’s next race start.
 
MORDECAI – Raced in restricted room leaving the 300m between ANNAKURI, which had a tendency to lay in when weakening, and SUNIKI which was taken out by LES GIRLS which shifted out to improve.  
 
TORRENTIAL – Slow to begin. On return to scale, Jockey J. Stanley advised it was his intention to settle in a more forward position, however after beginning slowly, he was obliged to settle further back in the field than anticipated.
 
Race 9:SAVE THE DATE-LAIDLEY CUP-SATURDAY 30TH MARCH COLTS, GELDINGS & ENTIRES RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP         1400 M
 
TRAIN ROCK – Slow to begin. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
METAL ROCK – Near the 1000m, after being crossed by AMPHAWA, raced keenly at that runners’ heels for a short distance. Held up approaching and rounding the home turn. Laid in under pressure over the final 100m.
 
ENTERPRISE SUCCESS – Jumped out at the start and contacted the outside barrier partition and as a result was slow to begin. Raced wide throughout. When asked to comment on tactics adopted, particularly when racing wide throughout the event, Apprentice R. Thorburn stated that at the gelding’s most recent win at Beaudesert on the 30/12/2023, ENTERPRISE SUCCESS was ridden in a similar manner. Trainer A. Perks concurred with the comments of R. Thorburn advising that the horse is a one-paced type that does not possess a short sprint and in his opinion needs to be ridden in this manner to perform to its potential. Stewards noted the explanation of both parties.
 
ELECTRIC – Raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
LIVINGSTONES – Raced wide throughout. Displaced the off-side winker passing the 800m.
 
WINSTON BLUE – Slow to begin.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 4 – Apprentice R. Thorburn – careless riding – AR 131(a).
 
Fines
Race 5 – Jockey M. McDonald – return to scale overweight – AR 211(1) – $200.
Race 6 – Apprentice R. Thorburn – return to scale overweight – AR 211(1) – $200.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
R5 – MARCADA, MILEY’S MEMORY
R6 – RHODES
R7 – FRIJOLES
R9 – METAL ROCK, LIVINGSTONES
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 1 – SPLIT THE CASH – refused to load – satisfactory trial.
Race 3 – INVANESS – cardiac arrythmia – veterinary clearance inclusive of ECG results & satisfactory trial.
Race 5 – SHOTGUN DIVA – lame off foreleg – veterinary clearance required.
Race 6 – DEVEREUX CREEK – poor performance – satisfactory trial required.
Race 7 – STAR OF PERU – cardiac arrythmia – veterinary clearance inclusive of ECG results & satisfactory trial.
Race 7 – BETTER EXCEED – poor performance – TAB bar until form improves.
Race 8 – IT’S HELLS BELLS – lame off hindleg – veterinary clearance required.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 1:         3 SPLIT THE CASH - Chris Meehan
Race 2:         6 MADAME MOTH - Ms Brooke Ainsworth
Race 4:         4 COBURG - Ms Tamara Noble (a3/55kg),
Race 5:         12 EVRYNOW’N’THEN - Karl Zechner
Race 6:         7 GUERNSEY - Ms Colleen Krahnen (a3/50kg),
                    11 ENTERPRISE FUSE - Ms Sariah Champkin (a2/51kg),
Race 7:         1 BETTER EXCEED - Luke Miller
                    3 JOE MAMA (NZ) - Michael Murphy
                    10 BRAVE HOSHI - Karl Zechner
Race 8:         2 ANNAKURI - Mr Brodie Moffat (a3/56kg),
                    12 LES GIRLS - Karl Zechner
Race 9:         4 ENTERPRISE SUCCESS - Rob Thorburn (a3/52kg),
                    15e SENNACHIE - Adin Thompson
 
Late scratchings
Race 1 – SPLIT THE CASH – late scratching at 12:18pm – refused to load.
 
 
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.