QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
GOLD COAST TURF CLUB – 18 FEBRUARY 2017  
 
 
WEATHER – FINE 
TRACK RATING –  GOOD 4; UPGRADED GOOD 3 @ MIDDAY
RAIL – +6M 1400M-400M; +3M REMAINDER
PENETROMETER – 4.43
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – C Albrecht
Stewards – N Boyle, G Lane, T Bartlett
Betting Steward – G Daly
Clerk of Scales – J Robinson
Judge – S McMahon
Veterinarian – A Murdoch
Swab attendants – H Schodel, A Fleming
Starter – S Andrews, M Andrews
Stewards Secretary – L Stokes
 
 
RACE 1: APEX – Building Better Communities C,G&E Class 1 H’cap – 1400m
1st: Bronzed Venom    2nd: Academy Hill    3rd: Hope Island    4th:  Sugar Ray Red
 
FOGOSO – Began awkwardly making contact with the barrier partition.  Momentarily held up upon entering the home straight.  Over the concluding stages steadied when tightened for room between runners.
 
SUGAR RAY RED – Jockey D Griffin reported at scale that he could offer no tangible explanation for the performance.  He added that after having a favourable run throughout including moderate sectionals, the gelding was disappointing in its finishing effort.
 
RACE 2: Jeff Hannaford Accountants Maiden H’cap – 1400m
1st: Princess Roulette    2nd: Tizabee    3rd: Kick ‘N’ Tel    4th:  Queen Gee
 
KICK ‘N’ TEL – The start was delayed when the mare proved difficult to load.  Jockey L Cheshire reported at scale that she noticed that its tongue was over the bit and that she recommended to connections to experiment with a tongue tie or a tongue control bit before the mare’s next start.  She added further that this may have contributed to the mare not running out a strong 1400m today.  Trainer E Forrester reported to Stewards that the mare had returned after the race with a laceration to the near side hip and also with its tongue over the bit.
 
YOUWONIT – Fractious in the barriers.  Jockey J Morris reported to Stewards that it was not his intention to settle as far forward, however, after beginning well he did not have to overly pressure his mount to obtain a forward position and therefore elected to race more forward than anticipated.  He added that the mare was disappointing in the home straight.  Trainer H Page indicated to Stewards that the mare would now be retired from her stable following the poor performance.
 
QUEEN GEE – Slow into stride.
 
RACE 3: IBS Cards QTIS 3YO Maiden H’cap – 1400m
1st: Lefkas Island    2nd: Mark My Word    3rd: Same Old    4th:  Madluce Missile
 
MARK MY WORD – Blundered at the start. When questioned as to the tactics adopted, Jockey S Doyle stated that his instructions were to take up a forward position.  After travelling a short distance after the start it was evident to him that he was going to be unable to obtain a position with cover and therefore when racing wide he elected to stride forward to comply with his instructions.  He added that when striding forward he was of the view that runners to his inside DAINTY STEPPER and LEFKAS ISLAND, were looking to improve and as a result he made the decision to improve quickly to obtain the outright lead.  Stewards, while noting his explanation, advised Jockey Doyle that after obtaining the forward position near the 800m it would have been more advantageous to remain racing outside LEFKAS ISLAND instead of improving as quickly and as forward as he did on this occasion.
 
LITTLE LILLY – Slow to begin.
 
MADLUCE MISSILE – Stood flat-footed at the start and lost ground.  Jockey D Griffin reported at scale that he had recommended to connections to remove the blinkers as he was of the view that this may be the reason why the gelding has been beginning poorly in its races.  The veterinary surgeon reported post-race that the gelding was suffering from a mild case of heat stress.
 
LEFKAS ISLAND – The veterinary surgeon reported post-race that the filly was suffering from a mild case of heat stress.
 
RACE 4: Hairy Hannaford Class 3 H’cap – 900m
1st: Dylan’s Luck    2nd: La Dolce Vita    3rd: Go Better    4th:  Katch Nicconi
 
LA DOLCE VITA – Began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped GO BETTER.  The veterinary surgeon reported post-race that the mare was showing signs of the thumps and also suffering from mild heat stress.
 
MINI MELD – App. J Woodhouse reported at scale that the breast plate broke at approximately the 700m and as a result the saddle shifted a considerable distance back placing him at a distinct disadvantage for the remainder of the race.
 
RACE 5: MWM Advisory Charity Race Class 4 H’cap – 1400m
1st: Rolling Roman    2nd: Greselin    3rd: Eight Below    4th:  Starocity
 
EIGHT BELOW – Slow to begin.
 
RIDEONABIGJETPLANE – Forced wider on the track near the 900m and then commenced to over-race for a short distance.  When questioned as to the performance, Jockey M McGuren explained that after being unable to obtain cover near the 800m, he was forced wider on the track and as a result raced wide for the remainder of the event.  He added that despite this the gelding in his opinion still proved disappointing.
 
OLD TEX – When questioned as to the performance, Jockey J Morris stated that after obtaining the lead as instructed, the gelding failed to finish the race off as expected and was slightly disappointing in its performance.  He added that in his opinion the gelding may have come to the end of its current preparation.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed slight lacerations to the mouth.
 
RACE 6: The MMW Advisory AOOB Cup F&M Class 1 H’cap – 1400m
1st: Prolific Belle    2nd: Red Silhouette    3rd: One Golden Day    4th:  She Goes Pop
 
The start was delayed when FAST VISION was unable to be loaded.  FAST VISION was withdrawn by order of stewards at 4pm.  All monies invested on FAST VISION were ordered to be refunded.  Deductions applicable to bets placed on winner and place-getters prior to 4pm:-
 
15 cents in the dollar for the Win #3 – PROLIFIC BELLE
15 cents in the dollar for place of winner #3 - PROLIFIC BELLE
20 cents in the dollar for 2nd place #8 – RED SILHOUETTE
10 cents in the dollar for 3rd place #1 – ONE GOLDEN DAY
 
Trainer B Hull was advised that the mare must trial to stewards’ satisfaction and also provide a veterinary clearance after stewards received advice from the veterinary surgeon that the mare had sustained a serious laceration to its rump.  Mr Hull advised that the mare would be sent for an immediate spell.
 
ONE GOLDEN DAY - Began awkwardly, shifted out and hampered PROLIFIC BELLE.
 
KERMANDI STAR - Stood flat-footed, began awkwardly and lost ground.  When offered an opportunity to comment on the performance, Jockey S Doyle stated that the mare raced flat today and may not have appreciated today’s firm track conditions as it is his belief that the mare performs best on softer track conditions.  A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities at the time of examination.
 
SHE GOES POP - Slow to begin.
 
ROSE OF WOORIM - Commenced to over-race when being restrained to obtain cover approaching the 1200m.
 
RED SILHOUETTE - Held up approaching and passing the 400m.
 
RACE 7: OB’S Never Die B4 Their Shout Ratings Band 0-65 H’cap – 1800m
1st: Spirit of Kiowa    2nd: French Song    3rd: Elegies    4th:  Kid Cruize
 
The start of this race was delayed to allow for an interstate venue.
 
ROAD TO THE BAY - Connections advised due to the inside barrier, the intention would be to have the gelding in a handy position.  Ridden accordingly, however, commenced to weaken leaving the 600m.  The stable was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing manners for being uncompetitive.
 
ELEGIES - Fractious in the gates.  Began awkwardly.  Raced 3 wide without cover for the majority of event. 
 
BARRAAJ - Commenced to over-race approaching the 1500m and made the first turn awkwardly.  When questioned as to the disappointing performance, Jockey R Plumb stated that after travelling comfortably for the majority of the race, the gelding was then reluctant to improve when racing between runners before commencing to weaken rounding the home turn.  He also added that the gelding may have been accidentally struck over the head by another rider’s whip.  As he was of the view that something may have been amiss with the gelding he did not apply any more pressure to the gelding in the home straight.  A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities at the time of examination.  A swab sample was taken.  Trainer A Plumb undertook to report any abnormalities that may come to light in the coming days that may have had an effect on the disappointing performance.
 
NIGHT WOLF - Raced wide throughout.
 
SERPENT – Trainer D Scanes was advised that the stewards considered the gelding’s performance to be uncompetitive and therefore a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing manners.
 
RACE 8: Happy Birthday Rhonda Garrett BenchMark 75 H’cap – 1200m
1st: Umgeni    2nd: Nakanai    3rd: Maybegrey    4th:  Manu Manu
 
MANU MANU - Reared as the start was effected and lost ground.
 
NAKANAI - Raced 3 wide without cover throughout.
 
DOUGHTY – The start was delayed when the gelding was reluctant to load.  When questioned as to the performance Jockey G Goold stated that after obtaining a position one off the fence behind the leaders, it commenced to over-race and had to be restrained when the pace of the race steadied and as a result from that point failed to travel comfortably.  He added that the gelding is better suited when racing over further distances and able to obtain the lead and dictate the speed of the race on his own terms.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be making an abnormal respiratory noise and the veterinary surgeon recommended that the gelding undergo an endoscopic examination.  Trainer K Doughty was advised to produce the results of the endoscopic examination to stewards prior to DOUGHTY’S next race start.
 
UMGENI - Had to be restrained from heels passing the 800m.
 

 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
18 FEBRUARY 2017
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, Sugar Ray Red, Mark My Word, La Dolce Vita, One Golden Day, Barraaj, Nakanai
 
Bars/Warnings
Race 6 – Fast Vision, barrier manners – Trial to stewards’ satisfaction; Vet. Certificate of Fitness [AR8(t)]
Race 7 – Serpent, uncompetitive – warning [AR8(t)]
Race 7 – Road to the Bay, uncompetitive – warning [AR8(t)]
Race 8 – Doughty – results of an endoscopic examination [AR8(t)]
 
Change of Tactics
 
Race 7 – Road to the Bay – handy position – ridden accordingly.
 
Late scratchings
Race 6 – Fast Vision @ 4pm.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Published subject to correction upon revision