STEWARDS REPORT
 
IPSWICH TURF CLUB
 
FRIDAY 15 DECEMBER 2023
 
WEATHER – Overcast
TRACK RATING –  Good 4
RAIL – Out 3.5m Entire Course
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – C. Warren
Stewards – R. Hanson, K. Daly, F. Hartford; L. De Witt – Rowson
Clerk of Scales – S. Byatt
Judge – K. Schramm, S. Fahey
Veterinarian – Dr A. Hodge, Dr C. Bowden-Betts
Sample Attendants – K. Kilpatrick
Starter – D. Jones

 
Race 1: CEC & JAN MILES BUILDERS MAIDEN HANDICAP         2170m
 
NASSAU COUNTY – Raced keenly in the early stages when being restrained in an effort to obtain a position with cover. Continued to race keenly throughout the middle stages. Laid in down the back straight. Placed under pressure approaching the 450m, commenced to tire soon after and was subsequently not pressured over the concluding stages of the event. App B Wheeler stated that his mounts inclination to over-race throughout the early and middle stages of the event was a telling factor in the finish. Trainer L Mayfield-Smith concurred with App Wheelers assessment, adding that the gelding was excessively worked-up prior to the event as well. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have a slow post-race recovery. A post-race blood sample was taken for analysis.
 
FIT AND PROPER – Held up for clear running passing the 500m until a point leaving the 400m.
 
CHARPAT – Began awkwardly. Raced wide in the early stages. Approaching the 1700m was permitted to stride forward to a leading position.
 
BETTER BELIEVE IT – Bumped shortly after the start. Jockey R. Jamieson reported she had dropped her whip near the 150m.  
 
BRAMBLE BAY – Raced keenly in the early stages when being restrained in an effort to obtain a position with cover.
 
LA VITTORIA – Bumped shortly after the start. Held up rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the home straight. Laid in under pressure down the running.
 
LICENCE TO THRILL – Momentarily held up for clear running on entering the home straight.
 
RED VEGAS – Held up for clear running and improved onto heels approaching the 300m having to be restrained and shifted wider. Improved onto heels leaving the 50m and was unable to be pressured over the concluding stages of the event.
 

 
Race 2: SCHULZ'S WHOLESALE MEATS QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE 800m
 
BURLESQUE BOY – Was delayed arriving on-course due to transport difficulties. A pre-race blood sample was taken for analysis.  
 
WIN AND TONIC – Began awkwardly.
 
ARACELI – Began awkwardly. Raced greenly in the early stages of the event. Obliged to shift wider around heels soon after entering the home straight.
 
BALLETTO – Momentarily crowded soon after the start and commenced to buck for some distance and lost ground. Trainer L. Birchley was advised the filly would be required to trial prior to again being permitted to start in a race. App J. Williams was reminded of his obligations in regard to his use of the whip when his mounts are out of contention.
 
JET STREAM – Began awkwardly and was slow into stride. Obliged to shift wider passing the 200m to improve.
 
LADY INVADER – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. Raced wide for the majority of the event. Laid in under pressure down the running.
 
MISS DE BLAAS – Began awkwardly. Momentarily crowded near the 500m. Laid in under pressure down the running.
 
 
 
Race 3: K&R PLUMBING SUPPLIES BENCHMARK 62 HANDICAP    800m
 
POLYLITHIC (NZ) – Began awkwardly and shifted in. Had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the home straight until passing the 150m when shifted in when not fully clear of MAIORI. App J. Williams was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) as a result of this incident.
 
HOT OR NOT – Shifted in abruptly passing the 700m. Despite no notable interference occurring, App E. Lang was nonetheless advised to exercise greater care when shifting ground.  
 
DEVIL'S RITE – After beginning only fairly, was tightened for room and obliged to momentarily ease. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have a poor post-race recovery.
 
ARTIE PANTZ – Shifted out and bumped on jumping. Momentarily eased when marginally crowded approaching the 700m.
 
DESTINY'S REPUBLIC – Shifted out away from heels passing the 700m.
 
MAIORI – Shifted out away from heels passing the 700m. Laid out passing the 600m. Inconvenienced passing the 150m.
 
TIKKA READY – Raced wide for the majority.
 
SNEAKY STARTER – Bumped on jumping and taken wider. Raced wide for the majority.
 

 
Race 4: HARMONY BATHROOM PRODUCTS MAIDEN HANDICAP   1350m
 
SUSPICIOUS TIME (NZ) – After beginning on terms with the field from the wide barrier, with consideration to the fast early tempo, was ridden conservatively in the early stages in an effort to obtain a position with cover nearer the inside running rail. Consequently, settled further back in the field than may have been expected and raced wide for the majority. Performed below market expectations. Jockey B. Thompson advised that, in his opinion, the gelding is better suited to events over further distances. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
VENTUROUS – Shifted wider approaching the 400m to avoid a tiring runner and bumped.
 
KAZOTSKY – Placed under pressure from the 600m and commenced to lose ground abruptly from the 400m. Finished tailed off. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a laceration to the off-fore fetlock. Stable representative T. Pollard was advised KAZOTSKY would require a veterinary clearance prior to again being permitted to start in a race.
 
BACK 'EM BLACK – Bumped on jumping. When queried regarding the improved performance, Trainer R. Mollica stated the gelding had been working well in the lead up to the event and this coupled with a step down in class and distance from its most recent start, the stable had expected a forward showing. Trainer R. Mollica added the stable had modestly supported the gelding in betting.
 
SMOKIN MATCH- Bumped on jumping.
 
AMERICAN PHIREBALL – Prior to the start, reared in gates dislodging Jockey A. Thompson and was subsequently declared a late scratching at 3:09pm when Jockey Thompson was unable to fulfil his engagement due to injury. On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on AMERICAN PHIREBALL to be refunded in with the following deductions to apply to all successful wagers placed prior to 3:09pm:
 
2cents in the dollar for the win
9cents in the dollar for the place on the winner
7cents in the dollar for 2nd place
4cents in the dollar for 3rd place
 
Trainer L. Kelly was advised that the gelding would be required to obtain a further barrier certificate prior to again being permitted to start in a race. Jockey A Thompson was advised he would require a medical clearance prior to again being permitted to ride in a race.
 
FIREBOLT – Crowded for a short distance and bumped near the 400m. Shifted out around heels on entering the home straight when not fully clear of MIDNIGHT IN AUSTIN. Apprentice B. Wheeler was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) as a result of this incident.
 
MIDNIGHT IN AUSTIN – Bumped on jumping being taken wider and bumping with SMOKIN MATCH. Restrained in the early stages in an attempt to obtain a position with cover nearer the inside running rail. Was unable to do so and consequently raced wide for the majority.  
 
I AM PEARL – Improved onto heels and had to be restrained passing the 500m.  
 
KUROLATION – Improved onto heels and had to be steadied and shifted wider approaching the 200m.  
 
MARALAH – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was passed fit to start.
 
 
Race 5: PLUMBTEC PRO TOOLS BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1680m
 
SILVER WARRIOR (SAF) – Improved onto heels having to be restrained near the 1400m. Laid in under pressure down the running.
 
VAN GOGH – Raced wide in the early stages of the event. 
 
RAGING POLE – Slow into stride.
 
CHINA GROVE – Placed under pressure from the 600m and finished somewhat tailed off.  A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
 
ORIGINAL GLAZE – Over-raced in the early stages when being restrained in an effort to obtain a position with cover. Continued to race keenly in the early stages of the back straight.
 
EXPECTANT – Began awkwardly.

 
Race 6: QR LEGENDS BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP  1200m
 
QUACKERY – Raced wide for the majority of the event. On returning to the mounting yard, was found to have lost its near hind plate.
 
GET WHAT YOU GIVE – Raced in restricted room between the 900m and a point leaving the 800m, having to be restrained. Performed below market expectations. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. Stewards intend to follow up with Trainer A Campton in the coming days.
 
RIGEL STAR – Trainer J Bruce advised it would be the intention to have the gelding ridden more positively than in its most recent starts, circumstances permitting. Began awkwardly and was somewhat slow to muster speed. Settled in a midfield position. Leaving the 1000m, was inconvenienced and obliged to restrain off heels and shift in, bumping the inside running rail as a result.  Again, raced in restricted room between the 900m and a point leaving the 800m
 
GOT THE LOT – Bumped on jumping.
 
HEROIC MISS – Shift in on jumping and bumped. Laid in under pressure down the running. App T Fenlon was issued with a charge pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding in that from the 900m until a point leaving the 800m she did permit her mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of GET WHAT YOU GIVE, causing that runner to be tightened for room, restrained and shifted in tightening the running of RIGEL STAR. Stewards adjourned the matter to permit App Fenlon to confer with her Master, Trainer C Munce.
 
CASROCK – Trainer K Schweida advised that, from the wide barrier, it would be the intention to have the mare ridden further forward than in its most recent starts. Settled on pace. Leaving the 1000m, shifted in when not fully clear of RIGEL STAR which had to be restrained. App C Graham was reprimanded under the provisions of AR131(a) as a result of this incident.

 
Race 7:WE ARE KSB FILLIES & MARES RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP      1350m
 
Upon the field arriving at the barrier lightening activity was identified in close proximity to the racecourse. The field was then returned to the mounting yard before moving to the race-day tie-ups until the lightning and storm activity had abated. At approximately 5:45pm when the field was preparing to leave the mounting yard to return to the start, lightening activity was again identified in close proximity to the racecourse with further storm activity also returning to the area, after having previously abated. After a further short delay, the riding group expressed concerns that the inclement weather had settled in and would not abate. With adherence to the QRIC race-meeting abandonment policy, including a Jockey vote, Stewards, in conjunction with the riding group, determined that the remainder of the meeting be abandoned at 6:00pm, in the interest of safety for rider and horse.
 
 
JENNI INDA JUNGLE – Following a pre-race veterinary examination at the tie ups the mare was declared a late scratching at 5:43pm due to a laceration to the off-side cannon. Trainer T Lambourn was advised a veterinary certificate of fitness would be required prior to again being permitted to start in a race.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 3: App J. Williams - AR131(a) – Careless riding- Reprimand
Race 4: App B. Wheeler - AR131(a) – Careless riding- Reprimand
Race 6: App C. Graham - AR131(a) – Careless riding- Reprimand
 
Race day injuries/illness
Race 4: Jockey A. Thompson – Medical clearance
 
Adjourned inquiries         
Race 6: App T Fenlon- AR131(a)- Careless riding.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses sampled pre-race
Race 1: FIT AND PROPER, RED VEGAS
Race 2: BURLESQUE BOY
Race 4:  KAZOTSKY, MARALAH
Race 7: EUROMANTIC
 
Horses sampled post-race
All winners, NASSAU COUNTY
 
Warnings/bars
Race 2: BALLETTO – Bucked- Barrier trial
Race 4: KAZOTSKY – Veterinary clearance
Race 4: AMERICAN PHIREBALL – Fractious in the barrier- Barrier certificate
Race 7: JENNI INDA JUNGLE – Veterinary clearance
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 6: 3 BEAN DANCING - Jake Molloy (a0/56kg)
Race 7: LADY DEANNE – Ms Samantha Collett
Race 8: 1 FLOP TURN RIVER - Nozi Tomizawa
Race 8: 16e HERECUM DA DRUMS - Luke Miller
Race 8: 18e BIRKIN BLACK - Ms Samantha Collett
 
Late scratchings
Race 4: AMERICAN PHIREBALL (3:09pm)
Race 7: JENNI INDA JUNGLE (5:44pm)
 
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.