QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
GYMPIE RACE CLUB
SATURDAY 28th OCTOBER 2023
WEATHER – Fine TRACK RATING – Sand RAIL – True
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – R. Hanson.
Stewards – S. Byatt (Cadet).
Clerk of Scales – Stewards
Judge – P. Chilton.
Veterinarian – Dr P. Agnew
Starter – G. Honeywell
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
From Wondai races 21/10/2023.
Jockey A Spinks, rider of SPRINGTHORPE in Race 5, was reprimanded pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using his whip on 7 occasions prior to the 100m. 2 more than permitted.
GENERAL
Stewards accepted all reasons given by trainers regarding late rider alterations for today’s meeting.
As Apprentice Jockey G Semmens (Injured) and Apprentice Jockey S Blunt (Illness) were unable to fulfil their racing engagements at today’s race meeting changes were made as per Stewards Summary.
Race 1: NESTEGG SOLUTIONS CLASS B HANDICAP 850 Metres
CASH ARTIST – Held up passing the 300m until entering the home straight.
VIVA AMERICANA – Bumped on jumping.
MASSABIELLE – As Apprentice Jockey G Semmens was unable to fulfil her riding engagement due to injury, Stewards permitted Apprentice Jockey R Thorburn to be declared the replacement rider on MASSABIELLE. Began awkwardly. Bumped VIVA AMERICANA and lost ground as a result. Raced wide throughout. Hung out on the home turn.
Race 2: BMW FINANCIAL SERVICES QTIS MAIDEN PLATE 3-Y-O & Up 1170 Metres
FREE CHOICE – As Apprentice Jockey S Blunt was unable to fulfil her riding engagement due to illness, Stewards permitted ApprenticeJockey C Sutherland to be declared the replacement rider on FREE CHOICE. Resented the kickback in the early stages and raced well back in the field until finding clear running passing the 400m and finished off well.
MINICOURT – Began awkwardly. Slow into stride. Resented the kickback and raced well back in the field. Hung in down the home straight.
THE MONEY SPENDER – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Tailed off and took no real part in the event. Trainer W Kuskopf was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding for his poor performance. Trainer W Kuskopf advised Stewards that he will be considering retiring THE MONEY SPENDER from racing.
DAY TIME MARTINIS – As Apprentice Jockey G Semmens was unable to fulfil her riding engagement due to injury, Stewards permitted Jockey M Powell to be declared the replacement rider on DAY TIME MARTINIS. Raced wide in the early stages. Shifted wider on the home turn.
MEREENIE – Raced wide for the majority of the event.
ONYABIKE CHARLIE – Resented the kickback in the early stages. Passing the 900m shifted wide on the track and raced wide for the remainder of the event.
Race 3: BMW ACCOUNTANTS 75TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATIONS BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP 1170 Metres
BIGGIE – Jockey M Powell reported that BIGGIE travelled well to the 600m but failed to respond to his riding for the remainder of the race. Jockey Powell stated that in his opinion the gelding resented the kickback from today’s racing surface.
SKYMASTER – Inconvenienced shortly after the start when bumped by TRUE TALLY which shifted outwards. Steadied off heels shortly after the start and lost ground when RASHEED shifted inwards. Resented the kickback after being restrained and raced at the tail of the field for the remainder of the event.
BABU KING – As Apprentice Jockey G Semmens was unable to fulfil her riding engagement due to injury, Stewards permitted Apprentice Jockey C Sutherland to be declared the replacement rider onBABU KING.
TRUE TALLY – Began awkwardly. Shifted out shortly after the start and bumped SKYMASTER.
RASHEED – Shifted in shortly after the start and bumped SKYMASTER. Taken wider by SKYMASTER which shifted out when being steadied off heels. Raced wide for the remainder of the event.
Race 4: JIM CONNOLLY MEMORIAL COUNTRY STAMPEDE QUALIFIER OPEN QUALITY HANDICAP 1030 Metres
Stewards inquired into an incident shortly after the start where FASTLING contacted heels and blundered. After taking evidence from Apprentice R. Thorburn (FASTLING), Jockey K. Gates (JACK BE LUCKY), Jockey T. Brooker (OFFICE JIM) and Jockey D. Boutet (HURRICANE HALL), it was determined that leading up to the incident, Jockey Gates was riding her mount to a forward position and in doing so shifted in when insufficiently clear, obliging OFFICE JIM to race in restricted room and be directed into the rightful running of FASTLING which clipped heels, had to be checked and lose ground. Consequently, HURRICANE HALL which was racing to the inside of FASTLING was also placed in restricted room, had to check and lost ground. Jockey K Gates pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding pursuant to AR 131(a) and was suspended for 8 days commencing midnight 28th October 2023 to midnight 5th November 2023.
OFFICE JIM – Blundered at the start. Taken in shortly after the start by JACK BE LUCKY and inconvenienced FASTLING which contacted heels, blundered and had to check. Raced wide throughout the event.
JACK BE LUCKY – Began awkwardly. Shifted in shortly after the start directingOFFICE JIM inwards. Raced wide throughout. Hung in over the concluding stages.
HURRICANE HALL – As Apprentice Jockey G Semmens was unable to fulfil her riding engagement due to injury, Stewards permitted Jockey D Boutet to be declared the replacement rider on HURRICANE HALL. Shortly after the start was placed in restricted room and was obliged to check resulting in the gelding losing ground.
FASTLING – Inconvenienced shortly after the start resulting in FASTLING being placed in restricted room. FASTLING blundered and became unbalanced after contacting heels and had to check causing the gelding to lose ground. Raced wide throughout.
Race 5: BROWN, MACAULAY & WARREN ACCOUNTANTS GYMPIE CUP OPEN HANDICAP 1600 Metres
PORTNOY – Began awkwardly.
SCOTTISH PRINCE – Began awkwardly. Over-raced in the early stages. Resented the kickback from today’s racing surface.
MAKEDON – As Apprentice Jockey S Blunt was unable to fulfil her riding engagement due to illness, Stewards permitted Apprentice Jockey T Leslight to be declared the replacement rider onMAKEDON. Raced wide throughout.
MILKA (GER) – Raced wide. Tailed off and took no real part in the event. A post-race Veterinary examination revealedMILKA to be showing signs of pain in the back and pelvis areas. Trainer S Elix was advised the mare would require a Veterinary certificate before racing or trialling again. Trainer S Elix reported to Stewards that he would be considering retiring the mare from racing.
MASTER RED – As Apprentice Jockey G Semmens was unable to fulfil her riding engagement due to injury, Stewards permitted Jockey K Gates to be declared the replacement rider on MASTER RED.
CANNY BOY – Slow to begin.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning licensees
Suspensions
Race 4: Jockey K Gates –Careless riding - AR131(a) – 8 day suspension to commence midnight the 28th October 2023 to midnight the 5th November 2023.
Absent jockeys
Apprentice Jockey S Blunt – Illness - Medical certificate required.
Apprentice Jockey G Semmens – Injury - Medical certificate required.
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 2:THE MONEY SPENDER – Poor performance - Warning
Race 5: MILKA – Pain in back and pelvis – Veterinary certificate required.
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1:MASSABIELLE – ApprenticeR Thorburn
Race 2:FREE CHOICE – Apprentice C Sutherland
DAY TIME MARTINIS – JockeyM Powell
Race 3: BABU KING – Apprentice C Sutherland
Race 4: HURRICANE HALL – Jockey D Boutet
Race 5: MAKEDON – Apprentice T Leslight
MASTER RED – Jockey K Gates
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.