QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
GOONDIWINDI RACE CLUB
 
GOONDIWINDI – SATURDAY 3, JUNE 2023
 
WEATHER – FINE TRACK RATING –  GOOD 4       RAIL – TRUE
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – E. Tickner
Stewards – W. Glass
Clerk of Scales – D. Madden
Judge – M. Kindt & G. Donovan
Veterinarian – Dr C. McMahon
Swab Attendants – Dr. C. McMahon
Starter – T. Woodham
 
GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted the following overweight:
Race 1, No. 8 EASY COME – B. Appo - +0.5kg over the allotted weight of 55.5kg
 
 
Race 1: GOONDIWINDI INDUSTRIAL SUPPLIERS RATING BAND 0-55 HANDICAP (1000m)
 
OUTBACK PLAYBOY – Laid in rounding the home turn.
 
LOVESON – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event.
 
ZEITAKUNA – Began awkwardly and was subsequently slow into stride. When attempting to improve rounding the home turn, became awkwardly placed on the heels of BRIDEZILLA, and inconvenienced when that runner was obliged to momentarily steady when OUTBACK PLAYBOY laid in. Apprentice E. Lang stated that the gelding consequently lost momentum, however finished off its race well once obtaining clear running.
 
BRIDEZILLIA – Became awkwardly placed on the heels of OUTBACK PLAYBOY rounding the home turn.
 
GERTIE GOER – Shortly after the start, shifted in abruptly inside the cutaway rail, before being corrected by its rider, and lost ground as a result.
 
MAH PRECIOUS – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
EASY COME – Shifted in rounding the home turn, tightening LIVELY LASS onto the running rail. Rider B. Appo was advised to exercise more care.
 
GOLDEN GROOVE – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
WAR LADY – Raced keenly in the early stages. Lost ground when commencing to hang-out in the middle stages and proved difficult for its rider to ride out. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a small laceration to the off-foreleg. Trainer R. Hilton was advised that a warning would be placed on the mare for its racing manners.
 
LIVELY LASS – Obliged to be steadied rounding home turn when racing in restricted room between the running rail and EASY COME, which shifted in.
 
 
Race 2: GOONDIWINDI COMBINED HOTELIERS QTIS MAIDEN PLATE (1200m)
 
KINGDOM REIGN – Began awkwardly. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, specifically the decision to obtain a position in the lead, Apprentice J. Golden stated he had been instructed to begin positively from the outside barrier and attempt to lead. Steward questioned Trainer Mr J. Sims, regarding these instructions issued, with focus that the gelding’s previous racing pattern had seen the gelding settle in a rearward position. Trainer J. Sims advised that it had been the intent of the stable to settle in a more forward position at its most recent starts, however, the gelding had failed to show sufficient speed to do so over shorter race distances. He further advised with the step-up in distance and the small field, the gelding was able to obtain a prominent position. Stewards’ noted Mr J. Sims comments, however nonetheless reminded him of his obligations to declare any change of tactics.
 
QUEST OF QUESTS – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
MISSY’S READY – Raced in restricted room over the concluding stages to the inside of QUEST OF QUESTS.
 
 
Race 3: 2023 JEFF HANNAFORD CUP INGLEWOOD CUP OPEN HANDICAP (1200m)
 
Correct weight was delayed allowing Stewards, Apprentice E. Lang, rider of 5th placegetter MOUNTBATTEN and Starter T. Woodham to view footage of the start. When Stewards couldn’t be comfortably satisfied that the gelding’s poor start couldn’t be fully attributable to any external factors, correct weight was declared on the judges’ semaphored numbers.
 
BENTLEY MAGIC – A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be showing signs of colic which required veterinary treatment. Co-trainer C. Geran was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to the gelding racing again.
 
TORBRECK – Laid in over the concluding stages. Apprentice L. Sykes pleaded guilty to a charge under AR143(14)(a)(b))) in that he was unable to claim down to his full allowance and was fined $200.
 
FITZROY BOY – Began awkwardly. Taken in marginally over the concluding stages when TORBRECK laid in.
 
MOUNTBATTEN – Very slow to begin.  Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
 
Race 4: RETAILERS & BUSINESS OUTLETS BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP (1400m)
 
STRYKING PRINCESS – Laid out under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
MARTINI DANCER – Fractious prior to the start being effected, before beginning very awkwardly and losing ground when tightened between A PRETTY PENNY and LYNCHED. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
LYNCHED – Began awkwardly. Held up on the heels of A PRETTY PENNY rounding the home turn, before being obliged to be shifted to the outside of that runner to obtain clear running.
 
PERSIAN FRONT – Began awkwardly, shifted out and contacted MOVE BEYOND.
 
ABB ROY – Began awkwardly and contacted the off-side barrier partition. Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event.
 
MOVE BEYOND – Began awkwardly.
 
NASA – A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
EXTASSY – When questioned regarding his decision to allow the mare which was racing in a forward position with cover in the early stages, to lose ground and settle at the rear of the field, Apprentice L. Sykes stated after receiving outside pressure from ABB ROY approaching the 1100m, the mare was reluctant to maintain its position and resented racing tight between runners and subsequently lost ground. Stewards noted Apprentice L. Sykes comments, and he concurred that the preferable option would have been to attempt to maintain his original position with cover.
 
 
Race 5: GOONDIWINDI RURAL SUPPLIERS BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP (1800m)
 
A FIGHTING FURY – When questioned regarding the tactics adopted on the gelding, Apprentice T. Noble advised that she had been instructed to be positive on the gelding and attempt to obtain a forward position. When approaching the 1400m, she stated that the gelding, which had previously raced prominently over shorter trips, was allowed to stride forward and obtain a position in the lead. When questioned regarding her decision to maintain a strong tempo during the middle stages, she stated that with the heavy weight impost she had been instructed to allow the gelding to maintain its rhythm if comfortable. Stewards placed particular emphasis on her decision to continue to maintain this tempo, after receiving outside pressure from LEROY LION, resulting in both runners establishing a margin on the field. Apprentice T. Noble agreed in hindsight, that she should have allowed her mount to ease slightly and allow LEROY LION to cross, relieving the outside pressure her mount was receiving. Stewards were mindful that this was Apprentice T. Noble’s 8th race ride and her overall inexperience in the circumstances.
 
OUR SPIDER – Began awkwardly.
 
BLAVATSKY – Commenced to race keenly for a short distance approaching the 1400m, when being crossed by A FIGHTING FURY and LEROY LION.
 
CAPE CLUSTER – Laid in under pressure in the early part of the home straight.            
 
LEROY LION – Began awkwardly and shifted out abruptly before being corrected by its rider. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted on the gelding, Apprentice J. Golden stated that he had been issued no specific instructions, however after being caught wide in the early stages he elected to stride forward and obtain a position outside the leader inside the 1400m. When questioned as to why he had elected to maintain a strong tempo to the outside of A FIGHTING FURY, which resulted in both runners establishing a margin on the field, he stated the gelding was not going well enough to cross, however was also reluctant to come back underneath him to obtain a position behind the leader. Stewards noted Apprentice J. Golden’s comments, and he concurred that he should have made a greater effort to obtain a more advantageous position for his mount’s finishing effort. Gave ground quickly approaching the 400m.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Fines
Race 3, No. 3 TORBRECK – Apprentice L. Sykes - AR143(14)(a)(b))) unable to claim down to his full allowance - $200.

 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 1, No. 10 WAR LADY – Hung out - warning
Race 3, No. 2 BENTLEY MAGIC – Not to race – veterinary clearance required – colic
 
 
 
 
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.