QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
GOLD COAST TURF CLUB
 
AQUIS PARK GOLD COAST – SATURDAY 15th JULY 2023
 
WEATHER – Overcast     TRACK RATING –  Synthetic     RAIL – True
PENETROMETER – n/a
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – K Daly
Stewards – A Schofield, P Reardon (Asst Steward)
Clerk of Scales – C Fedrick
Judge – S McMahon
Veterinarian – Dr J Weir
Swab Attendants – L Bobezsko
Starter – K Watson
 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
From Kilcoy 29th June 2023 – Race 3 Benchmark 60 HCP:
 
Stewards today concluded an inquiry into the reason for SKILLED ARTIST being crowded for room after leaving the 500m and rider M Philpot being dislodged a short distance later near the 400m. Evidence was taken from apprentice Emily Lang, rider of MISS CINNAMONCIDER, apprentice Montana Philpot, rider of SKILLED ARTIST, senior rider T Brooker, representing apprentice Philpot, and relevant stewards patrol footage of the incident.
 
Stewards determined leaving the 600m ARTIE’S DESTINY, which led the event and MISS CINNAMONCIDER, which was racing to its outside, both shifted marginally away from the running rail and ABB ROY, which was racing on the fence behind ARTIE’S DESTINY, tended to lay out marginally at the same time. A short distance later leaving the 500m SKILLED ARTIST improved into a run to the inside of ABB ROY where initially there was sufficient room, however a short distance later, following a minor shift inward from both ABB ROY and MISS CINNAMONCIDER, the racing room of SKILLED ARTIST was crowded with the horse being tightened, blundering, and dislodging apprentice M Philpot. Consequently, SPURIOUS, ROCKED and BANDIT which were following, all suffered interference to varying degrees. 
 
In assessing the circumstances of the incident Stewards could not apportion blame to any one rider as they were of the opinion the minor inwards shift from both ABB ROY (S Apthorpe)  and MISS CINNAMONCIDER ( E Lang) near the 400m did not constitute careless riding on the part of either rider however did advise apprentice Philpot to exercise greater caution and care when availing herself of runs of this nature, particularly taking into account when riding on tight turning tracks such as Kilcoy.  
 
 
GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted the following weight variations at today’s meeting:
Race 3: IS SWEET – M Cahill 55kgs (+1kg)
 
 
Race 1: MEN MATTER RACEDAY JULY 29 QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate 1150 metres
 
CLUBHOUSE – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Laid in under pressure during the early stages of the home straight.
 
EASTOWN – After being loaded into the barriers, became fractious and was removed, underwent a veterinary examination and was cleared to start. Blundered on jumping losing significant ground and resulting in apprentice B. Wheeler losing the use of his inside stirrup iron in the early stages of the event placing him at a disadvantage. Trainer Mr J Morrisey reported that he would now send the gelding for a spell.
 
SAXON BRAVE – Raced wide for the majority.
 
SNAG DA BEANS – Jumped inwards at the start. Inclined to lay in during the early stages and crowd SAXON BRAVE, which had to be momentarily steadied. Raced greenly when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
HYALINE – Hellyer – Jockey M. Hellyer reported that the filly was inclined to lay in at various stages throughout the event. At the request of trainer H Page, underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed the filly to be lame in the near fore leg. Trainer H. Page was advised that HYALINE will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
 
 
Race 2: ARCHERS THE STRATA PROFESSIONALS Colts, Geldings & Entires RATINGS BAND 1200 metres
 
SURIN BEACH – Jockey C. Robertson was charged pursuant to AR132(5) for using his whip in excess of 17 occasions in totality. Jockey Robertson’s license to ride in races was suspended for seven days commencing at midnight the 15th of July 2023 and ending at midnight the 22nd of July 2023. 
 
I AM VOODOO – Passing the 800m, when over racing, improved onto the heels of LE WEASEL and shifted out. I AM VOODOO continued to over race for some distance thereafter. Jockey N. Callow reported that I AM VOODOO raced keenly after being obliged to race outside the leader from the 800m, and in his opinion the horse would be better suited being ridden with cover in future starts.
 
LUXOR PRINCE – Forced wide from the 800m. Jockey B. Wheeler reported that the gelding felt awkward in its action. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant abnormalities.
 
LE WEASEL – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Approaching the 200m, crowded for room when I AM VOODOO shifted in. Jockey N. Callow was reprimanded under AR131(a) for careless riding for this incident.
 
HARDLEY GREY – Laid in under pressure for a short distance in the early stages of the home straight.
 
RUSSIAN ROMEO – Rider Andrew Spinks reported after that after being crossed in the early stages, the gelding resented the kickback and was reluctant to stretch out in the early and middle stages of the event.
 
 
Race 3: STRATA COMPLIANCE SOLUTIONS Maiden Handicap 1540 metres
 
BLUSHING LUCAS – As jockey M. McGillivray was delayed in traffic, he was replaced by jockey N. Masuda. Raced wide throughout. Leaving the 500m, laid out and bumped JESTER STATEMENT resulting in both runners becoming unbalanced for a short distance. Near the 400m, tightened for room and had to be eased when racing between  IN CLOSE REACH and JESTER STATEMENT, which shifted in. K. Zechner, rider of JESTER STATEMENT was reprimanded under AR131(a) for careless riding in this incident.
 
BLUE SWIMMER – Held up approaching and rounding the home turn.
 
ORBIT – Shortly after the start, shifted in and bumped BLUE SWIMMER on the hindquarters. Raced wide during the early stages. Raced in restricted room passing the 400m. 
 
HE'S A HOTFOOT – Slow to begin. Raced wide from the 800m. Stewards question apprentice B. Wheeler as to the tactics adopted, particularly in progressing forward to lead the race passing the 700m. Apprentice Wheeler stated that his instructions were to be handy if possible, however after being slow to begin he was unable to comply with these instructions. Apprentice Wheeler added that consequently he settled at the tail of field and when the pace of the race eased leaving the 1000m, he elected to race wide and progress forward from that point and lead the event from the 700m. After viewing the patrol footage, apprentice Wheeler agreed with Stewards that he had erred in electing to ask the horse to work for a considerable distance in the land that in hindsight, his better option would have been to maintain his position towards the rear of the field in the middle stages and to follow the eventual winner AIDEN into the race. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
AIDEN – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
IN CLOSE REACH – Raced wide during the early stages. Apprentice C. Waddell, when asked to comment on the performance, advised that the horse is better suited when leading in its races, and after settling in a handy position, was not suited by the steady pace in the middle stages, and that as a consequence IN CLOSE REACH was unable to sprint when the pace of the race increased from the 600m. Stewards noted Ms Waddell’s explanation. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant abnormalities.  
 
WITH DIAMONDS – Momentarily held up on the heels of the tiring IN CLOSE REACH and obliged to shift in to secure clear running.
 
IS SWEET – Began awkwardly.
 
JESTER STATEMENT – Leaving the 500m, laid in and bumped BLUSHING LUCAS, resulting in both runners becoming unbalanced for a short distance.
 
 
Race 4: HUMENERGY Maiden Handicap 1100 metres
 
The start of this race was delayed approximately 2 minutes when the girth on TIME FLIES BY had to be replaced.
 
WHITTLESFORD – Raced wide throughout.
 
LION KING – When asked to comment on the performance of the gelding, apprentice J. Williams stated that the horse raced keenly in the early stages, but when placed under pressure from the 600m, proved disappointing. Trainer J Bellamy indicated he would give the gelding one more start before reconsidering its current racing preparation.
 
FOREBEARS – Raced wide throughout.
 
TIME FLIES BY – Raced wide throughout.
 
 
Race 5: ROCHELE PAINTING BENCHMARK 62 Handicap 1100 metres
 
BARONESSA – Laid out rounding the home turn and continued to lay out when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
I AM A HIT – Trainer R Beaton was fined $100 under LR67(1) for failing to declare a rider on the horse by the prescribed time. Began awkwardly.
 
DIVINE OKAY – Slow to begin. Shortly after the start, put in an awkward stride and blundered.
 
GET WHAT YOU GIVE – Slow to begin. Forced wider on the track from the 600m.
 
SMILING ZAC – Raced keenly during the early stages.
 
SONIC ARROW – Raced wide throughout.
 
 
Race 6: KELLY & PARTNERS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS BENCHMARK 60 Handicap 1900 metres
 
ZOOMURUDI – Rounding the home turn momentarily held up on the heels of the tiring SHERIFF CODY, then raced in restricted room until near the 200m.
 
SHERRIFF CODY – Raced wide during the early and middle stages before progressing forward to race outside the leader near the 900m.
 
LA BREA – Raced wide during the early stages before progressing forward to race outside the leader at the 1300m.
 
PATTI WAGGIN – Slow to begin. Over raced during the early stages. Approaching the 250m, held up momentarily before obliged to shift out across heels to obtain clear running a short distance later. Shifted in abruptly under pressure approaching the finishing line before being corrected by its rider, which resulted in LA BREA having to be steadied.
 
KALPANA – Near the 1600m, improved on to the heels of DAMIANI and had to be restrained.
,
SEERESS – Slow to begin.
 
 
Race 7: GRACE LAWYERS Fillies & Mares RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 Handicap 1200 metres
 
WINDJANA – Raced wide throughout.
 
MILLIFFE – Raced greenly when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
SWANIC BOOM – Raced wide throughout.  
 
MAROON MAGIC – Jockey M. Cahill reported that with the addition of blinkers today, the horse over-raced in early and middle stages and travelled keenly in a more prominent position than at its most recent start. 
 
ROMAN REIGN – Raced wide throughout.
 
GOLDEN SHAO – Near the 250m, momentarily steadied from heels of WINDJANA which laid in.
 
BLOODBLISTER – At the entrance to the home straight, improved onto the heels of SWANIC BOOM and had to be steadied.
 
 
Race 8: MARSH ADVANTAGE INSURANCE Class 1 Plate 1540 metres
 
BOOM STORM – Slow to begin and was unable to muster speed in the early stages despite the efforts of its rider.
 
BRAVE INSTINCTION – Jockey N. Callow, when asked to comment on the performance, stated that the horse travelled comfortably, however when pressured from the 600m, was disappointing. Trainer O. Glue was of the opinion that as this was the horse’s first start on a synthetic surface, it did not handle the track conditions.
 
MAGIC MIKEY – Began awkwardly. When racing wide for the majority was inclined to over race.
 
ALL'S FAIR – Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight.
 
SELFIE TIME – Over raced during the early stages.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 2. Jockey N. Callow – careless riding – AR131(a).
Race 4. Jockey K. Zechner – careless riding – AR131(a).
 
Fines
Race 5. Trainer R Beaton - $100 - fail to declare rider by prescribed time – LR67(1).
                             
Suspensions
Race 2. Jockey C. Robertson – use of whip in excess of 17 times – license to ride in races suspended for 7 days beginning 15/7/2023 until 22/7/2023 – AR132(5).
 
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
SURIN BEACH, LUXOR PRINCE, LA BREA, SELFIE TIME
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 1. HYALINE – lame near fore – veterinary clearance required.
 
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 3. 1. BLUSHING LUCAS – N. Masuda (replacing M. McGillivray)
Race 5. 2. I AM A HIT – J. Williams
 
 
 
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.