QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION  
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
AQUIS PARK – SATURDAY 18 NOVEMBER 2017
 
 
WEATHER – RAINING
TRACK RATING – SOFT 7 (HEAVY 8 @ 11.15 A.M.)(SOFT 7 AFTER R4)
RAIL – OUT 7.5M 1400-400, 7M 400-W/POST, 4M REMAINDER
PENETROMETER – 5.6
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – M Knibbs
Stewards – W Flynn, G Lane, B Connell
Clerk of Scales – J Robinson
Judge – S McMahon
Veterinarian – Dr A Murdoch
Swab attendants – H Schodel & V Burgess
Starter – S Andrews & K Watson
Secretary – S Rolls
  
GENERAL
 
Following a further 4mm of rain since 7.30 a.m. the track was downgraded to a Heavy 8 at 11.15 a.m.
 
Race 1: BCCS Law Legal Solutions Maiden Plate – 900m
 
DOOM – Crowded at the start.
 
MARIKINA – Slow into stride. Raced 5 wide.
 
BEHIND THE THISTLE – Slow into stride.
 
STYLISH LOVER – Raced 4 wide.
 
 
Race 2: Austral Insulation Fillies & Mares Class 3 Handicap – 1400m
 
WHODUNNIT – Slow into stride. Near the 900m became unbalanced after striking the running rail.
 
STELLAS DREAM – Bumped on jumping.
 
BEAUDACIOUS – Crowded just prior to straightening when WHODUNNIT shifted out. Jockey R. Plumb (WHODUNNIT) was reprimanded for this incident.
 
RAINBOW LACE – Hung out throughout.
 
 
Race 3: Kathys Raceday QTIS 3YO Colts & Geldings Maiden Handicap – 1400m
 
MAJOR LUCK was withdrawn at 7.55 a.m. after it became ineligible following its win in a maiden race at Murwillumbah on 17 November 2017.
 
The start was delayed considerably when a number of horses proved difficult to load. After being boxed SMARTY JACK reared over in its stall and as a result of this runners drawn alongside were removed from their stalls and examined by the veterinary surgeon. Following advice from the veterinary surgeon SMARTY JACK was subsequently withdrawn.
 
POTAWATOMI, THE HUSSLER and POET LAD then continued to prove difficult to load and consequently were all withdrawn after some period of time.
 
The respective trainers of the 4 horses withdrawn were advised that their horses would require further barrier certificates prior to racing again.
 
All monies invested on SMARTY JACK, POTAWATOMI, THE HUSSLER and POET LAD were ordered to be refunded. As a result deductions applicable to bets placed on winner and placegetters prior to 2.02 p.m.:-
 
48 cents in the dollar for the win #2 (THE GROOM)
24 cents in the dollar for the place of winner #2 (THE GROOM)
57 cents in the dollar for 2nd place #9 (MERLIN THE WIZARD)
65 cents in the dollar for 3rd place #8 (GOLD SUN)
 
Starting prices were subject to the deductions.
 
 
Race 4: BUSSQ Building Super Class 1 Handicap – 1100m
 
ABIS THE ONE was declared a late scratching at 11.20 a.m. due to the downgrade of the track.
 
ZOU DER ZEE – Checked severely when crowded at the start. Trainer B. Baker explained that after receiving interference the gelding was reluctant to stretch out and he was somewhat disappointed in its performance. Mr Baker was advised that a warning would be placed against the gelding. A post race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.
 
Following the running of this event the track was upgraded to a Soft 7.
 
Race 5: Winning Commercial Maiden Handicap – 1400m
 
SAGAJET – Slow into stride.
 
RED BLANKET – Slow into stride.
 
SHEMAGICSMY WORLD – Bumped at the start.
 
KNIGHTS HONOUR – Bumped heavily near the 1200m. Approaching the 900m commenced to overrace badly and improved to the inside of the heels of SOLARCRAFT and had to be checked severely.
 
FORTUNATELY – Bumped heavily near the 1200m. Approaching the 900m clipped heels and dipped. Inconvenienced near the 800m. Raced 3 wide without cover.
 
SUPERVISOR – Badly hampered when crowded near the 900m. Had difficulty obtaining clear running in the straight. Steadied when disappointed for a run inside the 200m.  
 
BOUCHARD – Raced 4 wide without cover.
 
 
Race 6: Acclaim Air-Conditioning Colts, Geldings & Entires Class 3 Handicap – 1400m
 
VAULTING AMBITION – Bumped shortly after the start. A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding had bled from the near side nostril during the event. Trainer C. Anderson will be advised that the gelding must compete in a 1000m gallop prior to racing again.
 
BALBOA PARK – Crowded slightly near the 900m.
 
BROCSON – Hung out making the turn and near the 500m had to be steadied.
 
 
Race 7: Master Builders Class 2 Handicap – 1800m
 
SCANDALS – Slow into stride.
 
STELLAR JEWEL – Bumped at the start.
 
LETTER OF CHARM – Overraced badly in the middle stages.
 
 
Race 8: Gadens Lawyers RQ Summer Prov. Series – Heat – BenchMark 75 Handicap – 1200m
 
Trainer R. Smith was fined $100 for the late declaration of B. Stower as the rider of PANDORAS TALE.
 
VICTORY EIGHT – Bumped heavily and then crowded on jumping. When questioned App A. Sewell stated that it was the intention to have the gelding in a handy position however, after beginning awkwardly then being crowded at the start it raced much further back than anticipated. He advised he had specific instructions not to race near the rail and for this reason remained racing behind NAKANAI until approaching the home turn. He added that in the middle stages the gelding dropped the bit and in his opinion was not handling the soft track conditions. He further added that bearing in mind its big weight he was reluctant to endeavour to ride for luck and as he was of the opinion that the ground in the centre of the track was superior he took the option to come widest at the turn. Stewards advised App Sewell that he may have erred by not maintaining his position in the middle stages and that it would have been better for him to save more ground during that stage of the race.
 
BAGGIO – Jockey A. Spinks reported that the gelding raced keener than he would have liked and advised it did not appear to have handled the soft track conditions today.
 
NAKANAI – Crowded when steadied shortly after the start. When questioned regarding the improved performance trainer M. Eggleston advised that the horse, which is now a 9 year old, is coming to appreciate softer going and has shown in the past that its best performances are up in front and finishes off best in soft going at the Gold Coast track. He added that he had also recently changed its routine feeding regime and it had lost some weight and in his opinion has improved in condition since doing so.

 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimand
Race 2. R. Plumb – Jockey – Careless riding – AR137(a)
 
Fines
Race 8. R. Smith – Trainer – Late rider - $100 – LR67
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre race
Stylish Lover, Tianyar
 
Horses swabbed post race
All winners plus Doom, A New Sound, Merlin The Wizard, I Remember You, Vaulting, Ambition, Victory Eight
 
Bleeders
Race 6. Vaulting Ambition – Bled one nostril – 1000m gallop - AR53(A)
 
Horse bars/warnings
Race 3. Potawatomi – Barrier manners – Barrier Cert. – AR8(t)
Race 3. The Hussler – Barrier manners – Barrier Cert. – AR8(t)
Race 3. Poet Lad – Barrier manners – Barrier Cert. – AR8(t)
Race 3. Smarty Jack – Barrier manners – Barrier Cert. – AR8(t)
Race 4. Zou Der Zee – Poor performance – Warning – AR8(t)
 
Late Scratchings
Race 3. Major Luck @ 7.55 a.m.
Race 4. Abis The One @ 11.20 a.m.
Race 3. Potawatomi @ 2.02. p.m.
Race 3. The Hussler @ 2.02 p.m.
Race 3. Poet Lad @ 2.02 p.m.
Race 3. Smarty Jack @  2.02 p.m.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 5. Red Blanket – B. Grylls
Race 5. Much Deeper – R. Palmer
Race 8. Seq The Star – B. Grylls
Race 8. Pandoras Tale – B. Stower
 
 
 
(Issued subject to correction upon revision)