QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
 
AQUIS PARK GOLD COAST – SATURDAY 25 SEPTEMBER 2021
 
WEATHER – FINE   TRACK RATING – GOOD 4, GOOD 3 after Race 2                RAIL – 3.5m 1400M-W-Post;2M Remainder
PENETROMETER – 4.57
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – R Hitchener
Stewards – P Zimmerman, R Hanson, A Schofield
Clerk of Scales – M Winwood
Judge – S McMahon, G Anderson
Veterinarian – Dr S Flynn
Swab Attendants – K Kilpatrick, J Pedofsky
Starter – K Watson, S Andrews
 
 
GENERAL
 
Due to the covid restrictions, the following overweight allowances were approved-
 
Race 1 – COOL ESPRESSO – A Spinks +1/2kg
Race 2 - ANGLICUS- J Guthmann-Chester +1kg
Race 2 – COOKIES ‘N’ CREAM – A Spinks +1/2kg
Race 3 - FRAZZLED- J Guthmann-Chester. +1/2kg
Race 3 - TRY TO BE GOOD- S Fawke +1/2kg
Race 3 – SHE’S ABLAZING – A Spinks +1/2kg
Race 7 - MYSTIC BROOK- S Fawke. +1/2kg
Race 8 - IAMPAIDFOR- M Hellyer. +1kg
 
As jockey B Newport was serving a term of suspension he was replaced as per the Stewards Summary.
 
Race 1: OZ GAZEBOS AND HUTS 1300 132 225 Maiden Handicap 900 metres
 
THAT'S MY OPINION - Slow to begin.
 
MY ODDETTE (NZ) - Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
LUVIN' OUR GRACE - Hung out during the middle stages and when being corrected by its rider near the 400m, became unbalanced almost dislodging its rider. Trainer L. Hatch will be advised that a warning will be issued against the filly’s racing manners.
 
SNOWDROP - Raced extremely wide without cover throughout. Jockey J. Bayliss advised that in his opinion the filly was not suited by the tempo of the 900m event today, however, despite this could not offer any tangible explanation for the below market expectation of performance.
 
Race 2: OZ GAZEBOS AND HUTS HORSE SHELTERS QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap 1400 metres
 
ROYAL ARCHER – Declared a late scratching at 12.35pm acting on veterinary advice after becoming fractious in the tie up stalls.
 
ZIPJAK – Began awkwardly. Near the 1200m when racing ungenerously, shifted out abruptly when awkwardly placed at heels. From this point, raced ungenerously for a considerable distance.
 
KING'S CONTRACT - After beginning only fairly, steadied to avoid heels shortly after the start. Raced three wide without cover for the majority of the event.
 
BURLESY (NZ) - Near the 1200m, was forced to shift wider and eased when awkwardly placed at heels. Near the 700m, steadied to avoid heels.
 
WILL HE FOXTROT - Made contact with the running rail at the 1200m.
 
THAT'S A MIRACLE - Near the 400m, was steadied when placed in restricted room between KING’S CONTRACT and WILL HE FOXTROT, which shifted out to improve. Rider N. Callow, the rider of WILL HE FOXTROT was advised to exercise more care in the circumstances.
 
GOLDEN ATHENA - Began awkwardly.
 
 
Race 3: OZ GAZEBOS AND HUTS HAS YOU COVERED Maiden Handicap 1400 metres
 
Following the running of race 2, the track was upgraded to a Good 3.
 
SHOPPING WISE – After being caught wide in the early stages, was allowed to stride forward by its rider to obtain a position outside the leader near the 1000m.
 
AFSOON (NZ) - When asked to comment on the below market expectation of performance, jockey C. Whiteley advised that in his opinion, the gelding travelled only fairly throughout the event and when asked to improve from the 500m, the gelding failed to respond to his riding and in his opinion, proved disappointing. A post race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings. Trainer B. Guy advised that, in light of todays’ performance the gelding will now be spelled.
 
LIPEANSASS – Disappointed for a run near the 200m.
 
FOCUS – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages, and near the 700m was steadied when awkwardly placed at heels.
 
SHE'S ABLAZING – From the wide barrier, was restrained in the early stages to a rearward position.
 
THE CIVILIAN – Raced three wide without cover for the majority.
 
TRY TO BE GOOD – Slow to begin. Steadied to avoid the heels of another runner approaching the 400m.  
 
Race 4: OZ GAZEBOS AND HUTS 4TH BIRTHDAY Class 3 Handicap 1800 metres
 
BUFFALO GIRL - A pre race veterinary examination of the mare which competed at the Beaudesert meeting on the 21st of September, cleared the mare suitable to start. Following the poor performance of the mare, trainer S Barker advised that the mare would now be spelled immediately. Trainer S. Barker was advised by stewards, prior to returning to racing, the mare will be required to trial to the satisfaction of stewards.
 
MALIBU BLAZE – Began awkwardly. Held up and unable to improve when trailing a tiring runner for some distance between the 600m and leaving the 400m.
 
HOPEFUL STAR – Stewards questioned jockey A. Spinks in relation to his riding of HOPEFUL STAR in the home straight. Of particular concern to stewards, was jockey Spinks’ vigour on the mare over the concluding stages. Jockey Spinks advised that approaching the home turn, the mare commenced to hang in and as a result, he elected to pull the whip through to the right hand in an endeavour to correct the mare’s racing manners. Jockey Spinks went on to state that despite changing his whip hand, the mare continued to lay in for the remainder of the home straight proving difficult to fully test over the concluding stages.  On review of the film, jockey Spinks conceded that he may have been able to place his mount under greater pressure over the concluding stages, however, stewards in considering the racing manners of HOPEFUL STAR, noted jockey Spinks’ explanation.
 
 
Race 5: OZ GAZEBOS AND HUTS DIY AUSTRALIA WIDE BENCHMARK 58 Handicap 2200 metres
 
IN YOUR ELEMENT – After becoming fractious on entering the track, the mare dislodged its rider and galloped a distance before being recaptured. Subsequently was declared a late scratching by order of the stewards at 3.11pm. Upon the declaration of correct weight, stewards ordered that all monies invested on IN YOUR ELEMENT be refunded with the following deductions to apply:
1st – 5c the win, 7c the place
2nd – 6c the place
3rd – 6c the place  
 
SIR GUNSEN - Tightened for room near the 1500m when TYCOON PLAYER (M. Savva) shifted in when not completely clear. App. M. Savva was reprimanded as a result of this incident.  
 
ZAMOSA (NZ) - Held up rounding the home turn.
 
GO MILLO – Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight, and near the 150m became unbalanced when bumped heavily on the hindquarters.
 
ASTRAL KNIGHT - Tightened for room and checked near the 150m. At a subsequent inquiry, jockey A. Allen (ZAMOSA) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the terms of AR131(a), in that as the rider of that mare, he failed to make sufficient effort to prevent his mount from shifting out near the 150m, causing interference to ASTRAL KNIGHT at this point of the race. Jockey Allen’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of seven (7) days to commence at midnight 2nd of October and to expire at midnight 9th of October. In assessing penalty, Stewards took into account jockey Allen’s prior good record in relation to this rule.  
 
CHIEF COMMAND - A pre race veterinary examination of the gelding which competed at the Ipswich meeting on 23 September cleared the gelding suitable to start.
 
THE HOUSEMAN – Raced three wide without cover for the majority.
 
OUR BOY TRAV - A pre race veterinary examination of the gelding which competed at the Beaudesert meeting on 21 September cleared the gelding suitable to start. Raced wide in the early stages.
 
TYCOON PLAYER - A pre race veterinary examination of the gelding which competed at the Ipswich meeting on 23 September cleared it to start.
 
Race 6: LYSAGHT BIGGERA WATERS BENCHMARK 62 Handicap 1100 metres
 
 
SEEKING GUIDANCE – Declared a late scratching on veterinary advice after being found lame in the off hindleg after arrival on course.
 
DRIFTER - Began awkwardly. Near the 400m, improved onto heels and shifted out abruptly.
 
BLUEANT - Raced wide without cover for the majority. Forced wider on the track near the 400m.
 
MILL ROSSA – Began awkwardly and shifted in on jumping.
 
PELORUS PRINCESS -Tightened for room at the start and lost ground. Near the 900m was checked to avoid the heels of MILL ROSSA which was eased and shifted in after being tightened for room by DRIFTER which shifted in when not completely clear. App. J. Molloy was reprimanded as a result of this incident. In considering App. Molloy’s culpability in relation to this incident, stewards were satisfied that App. Molloy had made some effort to alleviate the pressure to the runners on his inside prior to the incident occurring.
 
ZAIDIN - Began awkwardly.
 
Race 7: BIG RIVER TIMBERS Fillies and Mares Class 2 Handicap 1400 metres
 
 
PETUNIA – Began only fairly and was tightened for room at the start and lost ground.
 
EPICURIOUS – Trainer L. White advised that it is the intention to ride the mare further forward if circumstances permit. Ridden accordingly. Bumped on jumping. Raced three wide without cover throughout.
 
FAY CONQUERS ALL – Laid in under pressure in the middle stages.
 
DREAM SONG – Bumped on jumping.
 
MYSTIC BROOK – After being caught wide in the early stages, was ridden forward to obtain the leading position near the 900m.
 
 
Race 8: BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY @ GCTC Colts, Geldings & Entires Class 2 Handicap 1400 metres
 
LINCOLN GREEN (NZ) – Declared a late scratching at 4.10pm acting on veterinary advice after sustaining a hoof injury in the tie up stalls.
 
FIRE IN THE HOLE – After working strongly to the barriers, underwent a pre race veterinary inspection and was passed fit to start. Raced three wide without cover throughout.
 
FLUOROBUS – Bumped heavily on jumping and lost ground.
 
BROOK HILL – Held up and unable to improve from the 600m until rounding the home turn. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
LINCOLN FURY – Slow into stride.
 
REFLECTIVE – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 5 – App. M. Savva. Careless riding AR 131(a)
Race 6 – App. J. Molloy. Careless riding AR131(a)
 

Suspensions
Race 5 – A. Allen. Careless riding AR131(a) to commence midnight 2nd of October and to expire midnight 9th of October.
 
 
Absent jockeys
B. Newport (suspended)

 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
Never Paid, Await The Storm, Royal Archer, Golden Athena, Ridgewood Drive, Money Shot, Malibu Blaze, Go Millo, In Your Element
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, Leica Bita Fun, Chief Command, Petunia.
 
Warnings/bars
Race 1. Luvin’ Our Grace – Racing manners. Warning.
Race 4. Buffalo Girl – Poor performance. Trial required prior to next race start.
Race 6. Seeking Guidance – Lame off hind. Veterinary certificate required.
Race 8. Lincoln Green (NZ) – Lame near fore. Veterinary certificate required.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 2:           9 THAT’S A MIRACLE - Ms Kate Cowan
Race 3:           12 SHE’S ABLAZING – Andrew Spinks
Race 6:           11e ZAIDIN - Chris Meehan
                        13e NO BETTER AFFAIRE - Jake Bayliss
                        16e SEEKING GUIDANCE – Scott Galloway
Race 7:           4 EPICURIOUS - Ms Minonette Kennedy
 
Late scratchings
 
Race 2: ROYAL ARCHER - veterinary advice @ 12.35pm
Race 6: SEEKING GUIDANCE – veterinary advice @ 1pm
Race 8: LINCOLN GREEN (NZ) – veterinary advice @ 4.10pm
 
 
The matters contained within this Stewards report may be subject to an internal or external review.  The outcome of any internal review is published on the Commission’s website immediately after the release of the internal review decision to the Applicant.  External reviews are managed by QCAT and are not published on the Commission’s 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.