QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
GOLD COAST TURF CLUB
 
 AQUIS PARK GOLD COAST POLY
SATURDAY – 3RD AUGUST 2024
 
WEATHER – Fine   TRACK RATING – Synthetic   RAIL – True
 
OFFICIALS
 
Stewards – K Daly (Chairman), B. Wright, A. Schofield, D. McMahon, S. Borg
 
 
GENERAL
Stewards permitted the following overweights:
Race 3. DEVINE FALLS – M. Gray 54kg +1kg = 55kg
Race 4. PRIDE OF PASSION – D. McGillivray (no claim) 54kg + 1kg = 55kg (no other rider available)
 
Trainer A. Campton was fined $300 pursuant to LR36(6)(a) for failing to scratch dual acceptor GREGARIOUS by the prescribed time. In issuing penalty, Stewards took into consideration Mr Campton’s recent record under this rule.
 
 
Race 1:DRIFTWOOD SOCIAL BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP              1050 Metres
 
DEE STORMED – Fractious after being loaded into the barriers, was removed and underwent a veterinary inspection and cleared to start. Trainer R. Beaton was advised a warning would be placed on the barrier manners of DEE STORMED.
 
DUSKY DANCER – Laid in under pressure for the majority of the home straight. Raced wide throughout. Apprentice A. Graham reported that the gelding was obliged to race wide for the majority of the event and raced flat today. Trainer K. Loy indicated that DUSKY DANCER will now be sent for a spell.
 
ROMAN HUSSLER – Raced wide throughout.
 
GUS THE BUS – Raced wide throughout.
 
DOYLE – Trainer M. Wilson advised of a change of tactics, to be ridden further forward if circumstances permit. After being pressured from the start, settled in a midfield position on the rails.
 
GOING TO THE SUN – Bumped on jumping. Approaching the 800m crowded for room and had to be steadied when DEE STORMED shifted in and away from DUSKY DANCER.
 
MARLEEDOONE – Laid out under pressure over the final 150m.
 
CASH ARTIST – Bumped on jumping. Approaching the 200m, momentarily steadied across the heels of DUSKY DANCER which shifted in under pressure. Laid in under pressure in the home straight, placing its rider at a disadvantage and being unable to ride CASH ARTIST out in her usual manner.
 
 
Race 2: TRAVEL + LEISURE BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP      1540 Metres
 
MATTE BLACK – Reared as the start was effected and lost ground.
 
CHANCE WITH WOLVES – Approaching the 100m taken inwards when PAULI laid in under pressure.
 
MISSAYTER – Laid in under pressure approaching the 100m before being corrected by its rider.
 
HELEN'S DREAM – Raced keenly during the middle stages.
 
PAULI – Inclined to lay in under pressure from the 300m.
 
MAGIC OF MILLO – Slow to begin. Raced keenly during the middle stages.
 
 
Race 3: SKYPOINT CLASS 3 HANDICAP       1540 Metres
 
ARTZINO (NZ) – Slow to begin. After being slow to begin, was pressured by its rider in an attempt to assume a more forward position, and when racing in restricted room near the 1450m, made the crossing awkwardly and had to be restrained.
 
MENSA MAESTRO – When asked to comment on the tactics adopted in leading the event which was in contrast to its recent starts, apprentice D. McGillivray advised that he was offered no specific instructions, however after beginning well and being caught wide, he allowed MENSA MAESTRO to stride forward and lead the event.
 
FRIEND IN NEED – Bumped heavily at the start.
 
DEVINE FALLS – Jockey M. Gray was reprimanded pursuant to AR190(3) for accepting a ride when overweight. DEVINE FALLS was ridden at 1kg over its allotted weight. Jumped inwards at the start and bumped heavily with FRIEND IN NEED.
 
MIDNIGHT BOOM – Apprentice S. Willis reported that her saddle slipped on jumping. Near the 1400m, when racing in restricted room to the inside of DEVINE FALLS (M Gray), had to be restrained when that runner shifted in marginally after racing tightly to the inside of BUMP’N’RUN (C Waddell) which had a tendency to lay in despite the efforts of its rider. In assessing this incident, Stewards were unable to apportion blame to any one rider however riders were advised to exercise further care in similar circumstances.
 
 
 
Race 4: REEF UNLIMITED MAIDEN HANDICAP        1540 Metres
 
TRAPEZE FLYER – Apprentice C. Sutherland reported that the gelding was inclined to lay in at various stages of the event. Raced wide throughout.
 
SMOKIN MATCH – Slow to begin. Raced extremely wide from the 700m and laid out rounding the home turn. When asked to comment on the performance, jockey K. Matheson advised that after being slow to begin, he was obliged to race at the rear of the field and from the 700m was forced to make a wide run. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
EASTOWN – For some distance passing the 1200m, raced keenly and improved to the inside of PRIDE OF PASSION and had to be restrained.
 
SWITZERLAND SUN – Slow to begin.
 
WINDY WHEELS – Began awkwardly. Jockey W. D’Avila reported that WINDY WHEELS was inclined to lay out for the majority of the event.
 
MISS HONEYCOMB – Raced wide throughout.
 
HONOUR BRIGHT – Crowded at the start between CAPITAL BOSS and EASTOWN which shifted in.
 
A ROYAL SORT – Weakened from the 400m. When asked to comment, jockey C. Waddell stated that A ROYAL SORT travelled fairly until the 800m but when placed under pressure shortly afterwards, failed to respond to her riding and for this reason she desisted from pressuring the filly from the 250m, adding in her opinion the horse may have choked down. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer L. Freedman advised it would now be his intention to have A ROYAL SORT scoped and Stewards will follow up with the stable in the coming days.
 
MIDNIGHT SEAS – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
PRIDE OF PASSION – Raced wide throughout.
 
 
Race 5:VILLAGE ROADSHOW THEME PARKS MAIDEN PLATE       1050 Metres
 
FAST FUSION – Bounded in the air on jumping.
 
JANNIK – After the running of Race 4, jockey P. Hammersley was stood down by QAS officials and replaced by jockey W. D’Avila. Jockey Hammersley was advised he would require a medical clearance prior to riding again. Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
BRYDELICIOUS – Slow to begin, jumping inwards, then was slow to muster speed in the early stages.
 
DEMES GIRL – Jockey M. Hellyer reported that after being crossed by other runners near the 600m, the mare was then inclined to lay out which in his opinion, may have been due to DEMES GIRL resenting the kickback.
 
IKNOWICANFLY – Fractious prior to the start being effected and as a consequence was slow to begin. Slow to begin. Made the home turn wide on the track.
 
TANGO SPIRIT (NZ) – Near the 100m, momentarily steadied from the heels of JANNIK, which shifted out under pressure.
 
 
Race 6: SEA WORLD CRUISES BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP        1150 Metres
 
MY DOG DIESEL – Raced wide throughout. Laid in under pressure over the final 200m.
 
I AM VOODOO – Knuckled on jumping and lost ground.
 
NOBLE STYLE – Raced keenly in the early stages, and consequently near the 800m momentarily steadied from the heels of SONNY DAZE.
 
 
 
Race 7: HOPSCOTCH DIGITAL BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP         1900 Metres
 
NO MORE RED – When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice C. Sutherland reported that the gelding commenced to make an abnormal breathing noise leaving the 800m and a short distance later began to weaken. He added that he had recommended to connections to add a tongue tie to the gelding’s race day gear. Underwent a pre-race veterinary inspection which revealed no abnormalities. Trainer S. Morrisey advised it would now be his intention to have NO MORE RED scoped and Stewards will follow up with the stable in the coming days.
 
BETTER THAN LOVE – After being loaded into the barriers, became fractious and reared, resulting in both front legs becoming cast, was removed, underwent a veterinary examination and was subsequently declared a late scratching at 4.21pm. On declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on BETTER THAN LOVE be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:
 
1st MAUI  6c win, 10c place
2nd GODRA 10c place
3rd HELL FOLLOWS 9c place
 
Trainer’s representative for S. Morrisey was advised that BETTER THAN LOVE will require a further barrier certificate prior to racing again.
 
FIREBOLT – Slow to begin (2L). Raced wide from the 700m. When asked to comment, apprentice F. Sandkuhl stated that after being slow to begin, she was obliged to settle further back in the field than anticipated, and after commencing to improve into the race from the 700m was forced wider on the track adding when placed under pressure in the home straight, finished the race off fairly.
 
HELL FOLLOWS – Slow to begin.
 
SUPER FENKEL – Raced wide during the early stages.
 
GODRA – McGillivray – A post-race veterinary examination revealed blood in the mouth and a dislodged tooth, consistent with the horse having struck its mouth in the barriers prior to the start being effected.
 
KASEAR – Dislodged the tongue tie in the mounting enclosure which was refitted on arrival at the barriers. Raced wide throughout. Inclined to lay in under pressure over the final 150m.
 
VANA STAR – As apprentice S. Willis was unable to fulfill her engagement for acceptable reasons, Stewards permitted jockey M. Gray to ride the horse when no other apprentice was available. Raced wide throughout.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 3. Jockey M. Gray – accepting a ride when overweight – AR190(3).
 
Fines
Race 2. Trainer A. Campton – failing to scratch dual acceptor by prescribed time – LR36(6)(a) - $300.
 
Race day injuries/illness
Jockey P. Hammersley – medical required.
 
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
BIRMINGHAM, HELEN’S DREAM, ARTZINO, SMOKIN’ MATCH, FIREBOLT, HELL FOLLOWS.
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 1. DEE STORMED – fractious in barriers – warning on barrier manners.
Race 7. BETTER THAN LOVE – fractious in the barriers and late scratching – further barrier certificate prior to next start.
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1. 13e. CASH ARTIST – Y. Lewis
Race 2. 4. BIRMINGHAM – N. Masuda
Race 2. 6. HELEN’S DREAM – Y. Lewis
Race 4. 2. TRAPEZE FLYER – C. Sutherland
Race 4. 14e. PRIDE OF PASSION – D. McGillivray
Race 7. 12. VANA STAR – M. Gray
Race 7. 15e. CYGNET RIVER – N. Masuda
 
Late scratchings
Race 7. BETTER THAN LOVE – fractious & cast in barriers – late scratching @ 4.21pm
 
 
 
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.