QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
AQUIS PARK –  SATURDAY 6 OCTOBER 2018
 
WEATHER – SHOWERS
TRACK RATING – GOOD 3 (GOOD 4 AFTER R2) (SOFT 5 AFTER R3)
(SOFT 6 RETROSPECTIVE AFTER R7)
RAIL – OUT 4.5M 1000-400, 3.5M REMAINDER OF COURSE
PENETROMETER – 4.3
 
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – I. Brown
Stewards – N. Finnigan, G. Lane, P. Reardon
Clerk of Scales – J. Robinson
Judge – S. McMahon
Veterinarian – Dr G. Silvestri
Swab attendants – K. Kilpatrick, A. Fleming
Starter – S. Andrews, K. Watson
Stewards Secretary – S. Rolls
 
SUPPLEMENTARY
 
From Gold Coast Race Meeting 29/9/2018 - Race 3
 
App Sally Sweeney (MISS MELRAE) was found guilty of a charge under AR137(b) in that she failed to ride her mount right out to the end of the race. In assessing penalty Stewards were satisfied that App Sweeney’s failure to ride MISS MELRAE which finished second, beaten a nose by JET TRAIN, right out to the end of the race had a material effect on the placings. In assessing penalty Stewards were mindful of similar penalty precedents and App Sweeney’s relative experience. Stewards were also mindful of the requirement for a penalty to serve as an appropriate deterrent considering the negative effect such actions have on the interests of the wagering public. App Sweeney’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of four weeks to commence midnight 13 October 2018 and expire  midnight 10 November 2018. App Sweeney was advised of her rights to an internal review.
 
From Gold Coast Race Meeting  29/9/2018 – Race 5
 
Jockey P. Hammersley (ALCAZAR) was fined $300 for returning to scale in excess of the permitted one-half kilo.
 
From 2 October 2018
 
Stewards inquired into the results of analysis of a urine sample provided by jockey Matthew Palmer at the Kilcoy race meeting on Saturday 18 August 2018, which upon analysis revealed the prohibited substance frusemide. Jockey Palmer pleaded guilty to a charge under AR81A(1)(a). In assessing penalty stewards were mindful of jockey Palmer’s personal circumstances, his forthright evidence and that this was his first offence under this Rule. However, Stewards were also mindful of similar penalty precedents and the requirement for any penalty to serve as a deterrent to protect that safety and wellbeing of all licensed individuals and animals. Jockey Palmer was subsequently suspended from riding in races for a period of four weeks to commence midnight 23 September 2018 and expire midnight 21 October 2018. The suspension was to be backdated to 18 September 2018 on which date Jockey Palmer was initially stood down from riding. However, as he was serving a suspension for careless riding at that time Stewards ordered that this suspension be served cumulative to that previous suspension. Jockey Palmer was advised of his right to an internal review.
 
From Gold Coast Meeting 3 October 2018 – Race 8
 
Trainer L. Wheeler reported that BIANTIC was found to have a sand crack in its near fore hoof the following morning, which in his opinion may have had an affect on the horse’s performance.
 
 
RACE 1: BOOK FOR NOW MELBOURNE CUP BenchMark 80 Handicap – 1400m
 
MARTINELLI – Overraced in the early and middle stages.
 
LUCKY TOM – Jockey R. Palmer reported that the gelding commenced to overrace after leaving the 1200m when MARTINELLI attempted to improve forward to the lead. As a consequence LUCKY TOM continued to overrace until a point near the 700m, which in her opinion had a detrimental affect on the gelding’s performance.
 
App J. Hodge (EXCALIBRATOR) was fined $100 for excessive use of the whip prior to the 100m. In assessing penalty Stewards were mindful of App Hodge’s recent good record.
 
 
RACE 2: MELALEUCA STATION MEMORIAL GARDENS Class 5 Handicap – 900m
 
HEART OF AUSTRALIA – Underwent a veterinary examination behind the barriers and was cleared to start. Slow to begin.
 
WUDANG BLADE – Began awkwardly.
 
NIKITAS – Hung in during the home straight.
 
BERAHT – A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be displaying a poor post race recovery.
 
MASONDALE – Suffered a bleeding attack during the event. Trainer M. Eggleston will be advised that the gelding will incur a mandatory three month ban from racing and must compete satisfactorily in a 1000m gallop prior to racing again.
 
Following the running of this event the track was downgraded to a Good 4.
 
 
RACE 3: ACC HIGGINS QTIS 3YO Maiden Plate – 900m
 
WE CONCUR – Trainer M. Dunn advised the horse would be ridden further forward today if circumstances permit. The horse was unable to muster the necessary speed in the early stages and settled in a midfield position three wide with cover.
 
MISHANI PALOMA – Began awkwardly and lost significant ground.
 
HANNAH’S SONG – Began awkwardly. Laid out under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
AMENDOLA – Began awkwardly. Jockey J. Taylor reported that approaching the 600m the gelding improved onto the heels of HANNAH’S SONG and when being steadied became awkward of its own accord and lost ground.
 
MAGICAL INFLUENCE – Slow to begin. Raced greenly throughout.
 
KITTY DAMOUR – Approaching the 600m was steadied to avoid the heels of TAKOTSUBO, which shifted in. Jockey L. Dittman (TAKOTSUBO) was reprimanded for shifting in when insufficiently clear. Laid out rounding the home turn. Raced three wide without cover.
 
UDEA’N’DINDY – Near the 600m was eased when tightened for room
 
SHE GOES BOOM – Raced four wide without cover throughout.
 
Following the running of this event the track was downgraded to a Soft 5.
 
 
RACE 4: FRASER FINANCIAL SERVICES C, G & E BenchMark 65 Handicap – 1100m
 
TOO EASY BRO – Trainer H. Page advised the horse would be ridden further forward today if circumstances permit. The horse was ridden accordingly.
 
STAR JUSTICE – Slow to begin.
 
NONCHALANTE – Slow to begin.
 
RITCHFORD – When questioned as to the performance jockey A. Fancourt stated that the gelding failed to travel comfortably at any stage in today’s soft conditions. A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the off hind leg. Trainer R. Heathcote was advised that a veterinary clearance will be required prior to the gelding racing again.
 
WILL’S BID – Cast a near hind plate in running.
 
 
RACE 5: HYQUAL AUSTRALIA Maiden Handicap – 1200m
 
LOPE DE LADY – Began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped SPICERS PEAK. Near the 800m was steadied from heels. Held up rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the home straight before shifting back to the inside to secure clear running near the 250m. Jockey R. Plumb reported that his instructions were to obtain a position with cover today and added that similar instructions had been issued at the mare’s previous two starts. Jockey Plumb added that two starts ago when drawn wide at Ipswich he attempted to obtain cover but after beginning well he was caught wide and as such elected to ride forward to obtain a position closer to the fence. Jockey Plumb noted at its last start the mare began very well and from the inside barrier found itself in the lead after a short distance. As trainer R. Lipp was not present at today’s meeting he will be questioned as to the tactics adopted at a later date.
 
SPICERS PEAK – Bumped at the start.
 
JULIANNE’S WISH – Began awkwardly. Near the 250m shifted out and bumped FANTASTIC HALO and in doing so became unbalanced for a short distance.
 
FANTASTIC HALO – Near the 250m was bumped by JULIANNE’S WISH. Laid in under pressure.
 
DEPTHS BELOW – Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout.
 
THAT’LLDO – Slow to begin. Near the 800m was steadied from the heels of CAPTIVATED, which was taken out by another runner. Raced three wide without cover throughout.
 
TUMUT RIVER – Hung out rounding the first turn near the 800m.
 
CAPTIVATED – Near the 800m was inconvenienced by TUMUT RIVER, which hung out at that point.
 
 
RACE 6: HERITAGE BROTHERS FUNERAL SERVICES F&M BM65 Handicap -1100m
 
Trainer B. Baldwin was fined $100 for the late declaration of N. Day as the rider of ARC LIGHT.
 
HIDDEN ROSE – Upon arriving behind the barriers the mare underwent a veterinary examination at the request of the rider and was subsequently cleared to start.
 
CLIODHNA – Bumped at the start.
 
POSITIVE SPIN – Bumped at the start. Raced wide throughout.
 
SEND US A SIGN – Bumped at the start.
 
VITAL LOVE – Began awkwardly.
 
ARC LIGHT – Raced three wide without cover throughout.
 
 
RACE 7: ACC HIGGINS Colts, Geldings & Entires Class 1 Handicap – 1400m
 
BRINKMANSHIP – Bumped at the start.
 
VIMSTINCTION – Bumped at the start.
 
BILL THE CONQUEROR – Had difficulty securing clear running rounding the home turn. When questioned as to the tactics adopted jockey J. Taylor stated that it was always his intention to obtain a position with cover. Jockey Taylor added that at its last start from a wide gate and with no apparent early speed he elected to push forward to obtain a position closer to the fence and subsequently led the race. Jockey Taylor noted that on that occasion the gelding had overraced when unable to obtain cover. When questioned if he gave consideration to maintaining a handy position with cover to the inside of THE WARDSMEN jockey Taylor stated to do so he would have had to pressure the gelding in the early stages and given the way it overraced at its previous start he was reluctant to do so. Stewards will question trainer G. Laming at a later date.
 
YOUL BEATEM – Raced three wide without cover throughout.
 
Jockey R. Plumb (THE KINGDOM) was reprimanded for excessive use of the whip prior to the 100m. In assessing penalty stewards were mindful of jockey Plumb’s exemplary record.  
 
Following the running of this event the track was downgraded to a Soft 7 retrospective.
 
 
RACE 8: FORESTERS FRIENDLY SOCIETY Fillies & Mares Class 1 Handicap – 1400m
 
Stewards approved a request from trainer P. Robbins to remove the pacifiers on ART FORM due to the downgrade of the track conditions.
 
TWILIGHTER – Slow to begin. Leaving the 200m was momentarily hampered when awkwardly placed at the heels of CHE BELLA VITA, which was weakening. Bumped on two occasions passing the 50m .
 
CHE BELLA VITA – When caught wide in the early stages was ridden forward to settle outside the leader near the 1000m. A post race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be suffering from cardiac arrhythmia. The stable was advised that the results of an ECG must be provided and the mare must compete in an official trial prior to racing again.
 
ART FORM – Hung out rounding the home turn.
 
RIVAL MO – Taken wider on the track rounding the home turn and upon straightening. Bumped on two occasions passing the 50m.
 
CUSHTY PRINCESS – Held up over the concluding stages and went to the line without being fully tested.
 
KENDALL’S DREAM – Raced wide without cover throughout. It was noted that the mare had sustained a laceration to the inside of its near fore pastern.

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Reprimands
Race 3. L. Dittman – Jockey – Careless riding – AR137(a)
Race 7. R. Plumb – Jockey – Whip use – AR137A(5)(a)(ii)
 
Suspensions
From Gold Coast 29/9/2018
Race 3. S. Sweeney – App Jockey – Failed to ride mount out to finish – 4 weeks (m/n13.10.18-m/n10.11.18) - AR137(b)  
 
Fines
Race 1. J. Hodge – App Jockey – Whip use - $100 – AR137A(5)(a)(ii)
Race 6. B. Baldwin – Trainer – Late rider - $100 – LR67
From Gold Coast 29/9/2018
Race 5. P. Hammersley – Returned to scale overweight - $300 – AR145
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses swabbed pre-race
Wudang Blade, Mosserati, Soft Top, Bill The Conqueror, Che Bella Vita
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners plus Doctor Zed, She’s Reliable
 
Bleeders
Masondale – Bled first time – 3 month ban & 1000m gallop – AR53A
 
Bars
Race 4. Ritchford – Lame in the off hind leg – Vet Cert. – AR8(t)
Race 8. Che Bella Vita – Cardiac arrhythmia – ECG & official trial – AR8(t)

Change of Riding Tactics
Race 3. We Concur - Trainer advised the horse will be ridden further forward today if circumstances permit.
Race 4. Too Easy Bro – Trainer advised the horse will be ridden further forward today if circumstances permit.
 
Summary of Rider Changes/Late Notifications
Race 6. Arc Light – N. Day
 
 
 
 
Published subject to correction upon revision