QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
LOCKYER VALLEY TURF CLUB
 
GATTON - THURSDAY 8th FEBRUARY 2024
 
WEATHER – Fine  TRACK RATING – Soft (5); Good (4) after Race 1 RAIL – True
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – K. Daly
Stewards – R. Hanson, A. Schofield, S. Byatt
Clerk of Scales – S. Heidke
Judge – S. Fahey, B. Poelstra
Veterinarian – Dr S. Flynn, Dr C. Bowden-Betts
Swab Attendants – J. Crompton, K. Kilpatrick
Starter – K. Watson
 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
Sunshine Coast 6/2/24
Stewards inquired into the circumstances of a stable inspection conducted by QRIC stewards at the Gympie Turf Club stables of licensed trainer Mr T. Thomas on Thursday the 1st of February 2024. After taking evidence from T. Thomas and Mrs K. Thomas, it was established that the stablehand license of Mrs K. Thomas had not been renewed.
 
Mr. Thomas pleaded guilty to a charge under LR 43, in that as a licensed trainer he did employ Mrs. K.Thomas as a stablehand, consistently, between the 31st of July 31st 2017 until the 1st of February 2024, whilst being unlicensed. Mr Thomas was fined the sum of $200.
Mrs. Thomas pleaded guilty to a charge under LR 7(e), in that she was employed as a stablehand, consistently, between 31st of July 31st 2017 until the 1st of February 2024 whilst being unlicensed. Mrs. Thomas was fined the sum of $200.
In assessing penalty, Stewards considered both participants long standing in the industry, guilty pleas, remorse for their actions and previously unblemished records in relation to these rules.
 
 
GENERAL
Stewards permitted the following overweights at today’s meeting:
R3. STAR SEEKER – R. Jamieson 55kg (+1kg)
 
Trainer A. Neasham was reprimanded under LR41 for failing to update the stable return for THREE GONGS.
 
 
Race 1: AGRICULTURAL REQUIREMENTS GATTON MAIDEN HANDICAP    860 Metres
 
NOVADAN – Dislodged apprentice S. Champkin when moving onto the track and galloped a short distance riderless. Subsequently, underwent a veterinary examination and was cleared to start. Apprentice Champkin was examined by QAS officials and cleared to fulfill her engagement. Raced wide throughout. Apprentice S. Champkin reported that the gelding raced greenly throughout. 
 
ACCEPTERN – Leaving the 900m, became awkward in its action behind and was eased out of the race by its rider. A post-race veterinary examination revealed severe bilateral hindlimb ataxia and the mare was euthanised on humane grounds. Post-mortem swab samples were taken from ACCEPTERN.
 
CARMODY CROSSING – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Unable to muster speed in the early stages despite the efforts of its rider. Rider B. Appo reported that the horse, which was having its first start, would derive benefit from the run.
 
MALTALI – Slow to begin. Near the 700m, crowded for room when NOVADAN shifted in momentarily before being corrected by its rider. Apprentice S. Champkin, rider of NOVADAN, was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Jockey A. Thompson reported that the colt made the home turn awkwardly.  
 
AMERICOLA (NZ) – Declared a late scratching at 12.18pm after being found not suitable to race on veterinary advice after becoming fractious enroute to the course and sustaining contusions and abrasions to the inside of both hindlegs.
 
EMILY NINETYNINE – Jockey A. Spinks reported that the mare was inclined to lay in for the majority of the event. Lost the off fore plate in running.
 
 
Race 2: BARRIER REEF POOLS QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP   1100 Metres
 
Following the running of race 1, the track was upgraded to a good 4.
 
IT'S RAINING AGAIN – Raced keenly during the early and middle stages. Held up approaching and rounding the home turn.
 
QUARTER RED – Which was having its first race start, proved difficult to load, delaying the start. Raced wide the majority. Near the 400m, put in awkward stride and became unbalanced after jumping a mark on the track. Track staff subsequently undertook minor remedial work prior to race 3.
 
TARIFF – Began awkwardly, then shifted in and bumped STELLA ENIGMA.
 
BON'S ZEN – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
MAJOR FREESTONE – Raced wide throughout. Approaching the 100m, bumped on the hindquarters and became unbalanced when TALAKAI shifted out to improve. Jockey R. Dolan, rider of TALAKAI, was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground in similar circumstances.  Apprentice C. Graham reported that her mount was inclined to lay out for the majority of the event.
 
ARAMINTA – Momentarily held up for clear running leaving the 300m. 
 
MISS BIITTERSWEET – On arrival at the barriers, the saddle on the horse was readjusted.  
 
TALAKAI – Began awkwardly and lost ground after contacting the outside barrier partition. Raced keenly during the early stages, and near the 800m improved onto the heels of IT’S RAINING AGAIN and had to be steadied.  
 
KEYBOARD – Began awkwardly resulting in apprentice A. Donald becoming momentarily unbalanced. Raced wide throughout.
 
STELLA ENIGMA – Bumped on jumping.
 
 
Race 3: HEART RESEARCH MONTH - FEBRUARY 2024 CLASS 5 HANDICAP   1600 Metres
 
BINDING – Laid out rounding the home turn resulting in STAR SEEKER being taken wider on the track. Passing the 100m shifted out under pressure before being corrected by its rider.
 
ALERT AND READY – Slow to begin.
 
WHISTLE HOFF – Approaching the finish line put in an awkward stride and was eased by its rider. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
RODEO LEGEND – Slow to begin.
 
 
Race 4: LADBROKES COMMUNITIES CLASS 2 PLATE         1400 Metres
 
CLEARLY GEORGE – Taken wider near the 1100m. Raced wide for the majority.
 
DUE DILIGENCE – Near the 1100m, after being momentarily crowded by CLEARLY GEORGE, a short distance later laid out taking CLEARLY GEORGE and ROAR HIDE wider on the track. Raced keenly for a short distance passing the 900m.
 
ROCONONO – Began awkwardly. Shortly after the start unable to muster speed despite the efforts of its rider and as a result settled further back in the field than anticipated. Passing the 800m, when the pace of the race was steady, improved onto the heels of SCREAMING DIVA and had to be restrained.
 
WEST CORK – Slow to begin.
 
NICE WATER – Raced wide throughout.
 
THREE GONGS – Began awkwardly.
 
FAITHFUL MARYANNE – Slow to begin.
 
ROAR HIDE – Raced wide during the early stages. Taken wider near the 1100m.
 
 
Race 5: 2024 ONE RESPONSE LAIDLEY CUP - SATURDAY 30TH MARCH BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP         1400 Metres
 
PERSUAL (NZ) – On arrival at the barriers, the saddle on the horse was readjusted.  Slow to begin.
 
SIENNA'S AWARD – From the wide barrier restrained at the start to a rearward position close to the rail. Held up during the early stages of the home straight before shifting out across heels near the 150m to obtain clear running.
 
BOULT – Laid out rounding the home turn.
 
BAMBALAM – Over raced during the middle stages. 
 
 
Race 6: EDWARDS SADDLEWORLD TOOWOOMBA MAIDEN HANDICAP  1400 Metres
 
KENSHIN MARU – Near the 1100m, whilst over racing, laid out and bumped LET’SSHOWEM. Rider R. Dolan dropped his whip passing the 200m. 
 
SUPERZOOM – Began awkwardly. Raced wide with cover throughout. Jockey D. Thornton reported that despite racing wide with cover, in his opinion, SUPERZOOM was not suited to today’s tight turning track. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
ON THE TIGHTROPE – Laid out rounding the home turn. When asked to comment on the tactics adopted in leading the event, apprentice T. Fenlon explained that it was not her intention to lead, however after beginning very well and with limited pace shown by runners drawn to the outside, she elected to pressure the horse to maintain a forward position and led the event. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
SNAKESKIN – Bumped heavily at the start. Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
ALLEZBEC – Began awkwardly, and a short distance later was bumped heavily on the hindquarters and became unbalanced. Raced wide with cover from the 900m. Rounding the home turn momentarily obliged to steady from the heels of the weakening BETTER THAN ANYONE.
 
BETTER THAN ANYONE – Jumped out at the start and bumped ALLEZBEC. Raced wide throughout.
 
LET'SSHOWEM – Bumped at the 1100m.
 
OUTREACH LADY – Jockey N. Tomizawa could offer no explanation for the poor performance of OUTREACH LADY. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer G. Hutchesson was advised that the mare’s nomination will be refused at TAB venues until it establishes form at country venues.
 
MADAM ROCK – Jumped inwards at the start and made heavy contact with SNAKESKIN.
 
SENNACHIE – Buffeted between runners at the start and lost ground.
 
Race 7: LADBROKES BET TICKER OPEN HANDICAP         1100 Metres
 
OVIDIUS – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the home straight before improving into a narrow run to the inside of HODGSON passing the 150m.
 
WIN BURN – Declared a late scratching at 12.12pm on veterinary advice which found the horse not suitable to race after becoming fractious enroute to the course and shifting its’ off fore plate which resulted in the toe clip piercing the sole of the hoof.
 
CELESTIAL SOL – When asked to comment on the apparent disappointing performance, jockey R. Jamieson stated that the gelding raced in the lead as per its normal racing pattern and travelled comfortably throughout, however was disappointing when placed under pressure in the home straight.  A post-race veterinary examination which revealed no abnormalities.
 
HODGSON – Raced wide throughout.
 
THE BILLIONAIRE – Raced keenly for a short distance between the 1000m and the 700m.
 
GAIUS – Slow to begin.
 
 
Race 8: 2024 ONE RESPONSE LAIDLEY CUP - TICKETS ON SALE NOW RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP         1100 Metres
 
THE CRUSHA – Slow to begin.
 
AWESOME AUDREY – Held up for clear running between the 350m and the 200m behind the tiring MADAM MOTH.
 
ELLOWS HALL – Slow to begin.
 
MADAME MOTH – When asked to comment Jockey B. Ainsworth reported that the mare travelled comfortably throughout, however did not respond to her riding from the 400m and was then inclined to lay in when placed under pressure in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow recovery, and also to be making an upper respiratory noise. Trainer J. Smerdon was advised that MADAME MOTH will require a veterinary clearance including the results of an endoscopic examination prior to racing again.
 
HEART OF MARBLE – Crowded between runners shortly after the start and consequently settled further back in the field than anticipated. Hampered when racing in restricted room to the inside of SUNIKI between the 700m and the 350m. Apprentice C. Krahnen, rider of SUNIKI, and in the presence of RQ riding mentor R Fradd, was advised to show greater care in similar circumstances.
 
TORRENTIAL – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn.
 
SOOZIE MAREE – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Raced wide throughout.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 4. Trainer A. Neasham – failing to update stable return for THREE GONGS – LR41. 
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
BINDING, STAR SEEKER, DUE DILIGENCE, THREE GONGS, PERSUAL, LET’SSHOWEM.
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, ACCEPTERN.
 
Warnings/bars
Race 6. OUTREACH LADY – nomination refused at TAB venues until establishes form at country venues.
Race 8. MADAM MOTH – poor post-race recovery & upper respiratory noise – veterinary clearance including endoscopic examination.
 
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 2. 13e. KEYBOARD – A. Donald
Race 8. 15e. SOOZIE MARIE – N. Thomas
 
 
Late scratchings
Race 7. 4. WIN BURN @12.12pm on veterinary advice.
Race 1. 11. AMERICOLA @12.18pm on veterinary advice.
 
 
 
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.