QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
GOLD COAST TURF CLUB
 
Saturday 25th May 2024
 
WEATHER – Overcast     TRACK RATING –  Synthetic          RAIL – True
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – B. Wright
Stewards – S. Fletcher, K. Lemay-Robbins, D. McMahon, S. Borg (Cadet)
 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
Gatton 24/05/24
Race 2: Barrier Reef Pools QTIS Three Year Old Maiden Plate (860m) –Ms J. Thomas, representing Trainer B. Butts was fined $300 under LR 68(1)  for failing to scratch SHADOW MISTRESS from the race in accordance with the Rules. When assessing penalty, consideration was given to the mitigating circumstances put forward by Ms. J. Thomas.
 
GENERAL
 
Race 4: SADDLES – Trainer A. Campton was fined $200 under LR 36(6) for failing to scratch SADDLES from this race by the prescribed time, when dually accepted for the meeting.
 
Race 6: INDENTED HEAD - The explanation tendered by Trainer B. Ahrens regarding the declaration of Apprentice C. Waddell on INDENTED HEAD, when she had accepted another ride in the race, was accepted.
 
Race 1: TAB BETS FRIENDS GCTC MAIDEN HANDICAP         1050 M
 
MEGHAN – Shifted in on jumping and bumped RUSSIAN INN. Raced wide without cover in the early stages.
 
PROCYON MISS – Fractious in the barriers as the start was effected, put its head down and began awkwardly, losing ground.
 
RUSSIAN INN – Bumped on jumping. Approaching the 900m, was momentarily steadied to avoid the heels of EXCEED TO AMBITION (Apprentice J. Williams), which shifted in when not quire clear. Apprentice J Williams was advised to exercise greater care. Apprentice M. Castle reported the mare did not handle the synthetic surface and was disappointing.
 
I AM AMAZES – Near the 250m, steadied when disappointed for a run between EXCEED TO AMBITION and MEGHAN, which shifted in slightly and then had difficulty obtaining clear running until passing the 100m.
 
Race 2: AQUIS THE HOME OF 2YO SPEED QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE    1200 M
 
BEAN SHAMELESS – Bumped with JOHN’S ROAD at the start.
 
BENNU – Rider A. Spinks reported the gelding did not back up from its previous start on the 18th of May 2024 and raced flat.
 
EASTOWN – Began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped SILVERADO MISS.
 
JOHN'S ROAD – Bumped with BEAN SHAMELESS at the start.
 
NEO DIAMOND – Raced wide without cover throughout. Laid in under pressure in the straight.
 
SILVERADO MISS – Bumped at the start. Laid out approaching and rounding the home turn.
 
Race 3: MEN MATTER JULY 20 BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP         1900 M
 
ZOOMURUDI – Slow to begin. Held up for a run rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight before shifting to the inside of FIDDLER ONTHE ROOF near the 200m.
 
FIDDLER ONTHE ROOF – Rider M. Palmer reported the mare raced flat. Trainer J. Bellamy confirmed the mare would now be going for a spell.
 
THE SEEKER – Change of Tactics – attempt to be more forward over the longer journey. Sat behind the lead. When weakening passing the 200m, was slightly inconvenienced by WORD FROM ABOVE, which shifted in under pressure.
 
SIR ZINO (NZ) – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
Race 4: HAPPY 70TH JOHN MUNTZ BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP    1540 M
 
KERCHAK (NZ) - Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
PERNELL – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Near the 150m, shifted in towards the heels of OUR FREE SPIRIT and had to be corrected. Apprentice J. Williams was spoken to advisedly regarding the use of his whip when he raised his arm above shoulder height.
 
JOVITA – Tightened approaching the 1400m. Apprentice Y. Lewis reported the mare did not let down in the straight as expected and was disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow recovery.
 
OUR FREE SPIRIT - Approaching the 1400m shifted in and tightened JOVITA and LORD LUKER (IRE). Rider J. Guthmann-Chester was advised to exercise greater care.
 
ALL'S FAIR – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
LORD LUKER (IRE) – Tightened approaching the 1400m.
 
Race 5: GIRLS ON TOUR JUNE 29 BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP         1100 M
 
The start of this event was delayed when GHOST HUNTER became fractious in the barriers, causing ON MERIT to react and get its hind leg up. ON MERIT was then released, examined by the veterinarian and declared a late withdrawal at 3:35pm.
 
Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered that all monies invested on ON MERIT to be refunded with the following deductions to apply:
 
First: GHOST HUNTER – 35c win, 6c place
Second: MAGURO– 27c place
Third: COSMIC SERENADE – 27c place
 
COSMIC SERENADE – Apprentice J. Franklin reported to avoid the kickback from the leaders, he elected to shift to the outside of MAGURO near the 700m, which placed him in a three wide position, however allowed his mount to race comfortably.
 
GHOST HUNTER – Lost it’s off-fore plate in running.
 
MAGURO – Raced keenly in the middle stages. Rider B. Thornton reported after beginning well from a wide gate, he took up a leading position with little effort.
 
DEEP MYSTIQUE – Slow into stride. Rider J. Guthmann-Chester reported the mare laid out in the middle stages and did not feel comfortable in its action. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
HAYDEN'S REQUEST – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
MAGIC OF MILLO – Slow to begin.
 
 
 
 
Race 6: MEMBERS & MATES JUNE 29 BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP  1540 M
 
BREAKING GROUND – Reared as the gates opened and lost ground. Tightened approaching the 1400m.
 
DRAKE PASSAGE (NZ) – Eased and shifted out approaching the 1400m when FIFTY CARATS shifted in. Rider G. Goomany(FIFTY CARATS) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR131(a) in that he permitted his mount to shift in approaching the 1400m when not quite clear of DRAKE PASSAGE (NZ), resulting in its rider having to take hold and shift out, causing BREAKING GROUND to be tightened between that runner and INDENTED HEAD. Jockey G. Goomany’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 days, commencing midnight the 25th of May 2024 and concluding midnight the 1st of June 2024. When assessing penalty, account was given to his guilty plea, record, mitigating factors and the careless riding guidelines.
 
MONEY BEAR– Began awkwardly. Making the turn passing the 1400m, got its head up and shifted out and then raced wide without cover thereafter. Rider J. Guthmann-Chester reported the gelding raced ungenerously throughout.
 
INDENTED HEAD– Approaching the 1450m, steadied from the heels of FIFTY CARATS(G. Goomany), which shifted in when not quite clear. Rider G. Goomany was reprimanded for careless riding under AR131(a).

HOT BANANAS – When asked to comment on the improved performance of the mare, Trainer J. Sweeney stated HOT BANANAS had performed well on the 20th of April 2024 on the synthetic track in a similar grade of race. He said the mare was suited to uninterrupted runs, had been working well and on this basis was supported today. He added HOT BANANAS appears to have a preference to racing on the synthetic surface.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 6: Jockey G. Goomany – Careless riding – AR131(a) – Reprimand.
 
Fines
 
Gatton 24/05/24
Race 2: Trainer’s representative Ms. J. Thomas – Failed to scratch - LR 68(1) - $300 fine.
 
Gold Coast 25/05/24
Race 4: Trainer A. Compton – Failed to scratch dual acceptor - LR 36(6) - $200 fine.

Suspensions
Race 6: Jockey G. Goomany – Careless riding – AR131(a) – 7-day suspension commencing midnight 25/05/24 and concluding midnight 01/06/24.
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses sampled pre-race
EPIC FLASH, AIDEN, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, JOVITA, SADDLES.
Horses sampled post-race
All winners
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 6: INDENTED HEAD – M. Hellyer
 
Late scratchings
Race 5: ON MERIT – Veterinary advice at 3:35pm
 
 
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.