QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
KILCOY RACE CLUB
 
THURSDAY 22 FEBRUARY 2024
 
 
WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING –  Soft 7; Soft 6 (Prior to Race 1); Soft 5 (Races 3 – 9)
RAIL – True Entire Course
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – S. Fletcher
Stewards – J. Williamson; S. Heidke; J. Mitchell (Asst. Steward); L. De Witt – Rowson (Cadet)
 
 
GENERAL
 
As jockey R. Payne was not riding for acceptable reasons, she was replaced by S. Collett as the rider of WHISTLIN’ ARROW (Race 6) and M. Hellyer as the rider of WHISTLIN’ RULER (Race 8).
 
Trainer G. Cornish was fined $200 pursuant to LR68(1) for failing to scratch FIVE STAR DECANTER (NZ) (Race 3) and CHERRY SODA (Race 6) by the prescribed time.
 
Prior to the running of Race 1, the track was upgraded to a Soft 6 at 12:05pm.
 
 
Race 1: LADBROKES COMMUNITIES QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE 800 Metres
 
The start of this race was delayed due to ARTZ ON FIRE rearing behind the barriers and requiring to be examined by the veterinarian. 
 
ALL ABOUT HIM – Raced keenly in the middle stages. Hung out rounding the home turn.
 
ARTZ ON FIRE – Reared behind the barriers dislodging rider N. Thomas. Jockey N. Thomas was assessed by QAS officials for a facial abrasion. ARTZ ON FIRE was declared a late scratching at 12:48pm on veterinary advice due to the gelding becoming highly agitated and making contact with the fence. Trainer M. Taylor was advised that the gelding would be required to obtain a barrier certificate prior to racing.
 
On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on ARTZ ON FIRE to be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:
1st - ARABIAN FOX – 0c win, 2c place.
2nd - QUINSTEP GIRL – 2c place.
3rd - VIKING VALOUR – 3c place.
 
ILLEGALLY BLONDE – Bumped on jumping and lost ground. Shifted in near the 500m and made contact with the running rail. Apprentice N. Olzard reported the gelding raced greenly throughout event.
 
AMERICOLA (NZ) – Slow to begin.
 
BRAIDWOOD QUEEN – Raced wide throughout.
 
NIRVANA BEAUTY – Raced wide throughout.
 
VIKING VALOUR – Began awkwardly and bumped ILLEGALLY BLONDE. Shifted out to obtian clear running approaching the finish and bumped with SONO PRONTO.
 
 
Race 2: KILCOY EXCHANGE HOTEL CLASS 3 HANDICAP 2076 Metres
 
KERKORIAN – Hung out after passing the winning post on the first occasion. Made the crossing awkwardly, blundered and shifted wider on the track until approaching the 1100m.
 
PARISIAN LADY – Apprentice B. Wheeler reported his mount travelled comfortably until near the 800m of which it then became under pressure and the mare failed to respond to his riding and continued to weaken. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be exhibiting signs of heat stress.
 
THE ANGELS KISS – Raced wide in the early and middle stages.
 
Following the running of this race, the track was upgraded to a Soft 5.
 
 
Race 3: MAX MILLS MEMORIAL RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP 1900 Metres
 
The start of this race was signficantly delayed due to LIZZIE'S PRIDE (NZ) being fractious, disloding its rider and galloping a significant distance before beign captured. The race was further delayed to enable the mare to be removed from the course prior to loading the remainder of the field.
 
LIZZIE'S PRIDE (NZ) – Declared a late scratching at 2:07pm on veterinary advice. Trainer G. Wright was advised the mare would be required to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards in race gear prior to resuming.
 
On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on LIZZIE'S PRIDE (NZ) to be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:
1st - VACATION LEAVE – 10c win, 14c place.
2nd - FORCE ME (NZ) – 8c place.
3rd - PROSPETTIVA (NZ) – 9c place.
 
PROSPETTIVA (NZ) – Near the 500m, momenetarily steadied when racing in restriced room between SEERESS and BOULT which shifted out.
 
WINTER THORN (IRE) – Slow to begin.
 
VACATION LEAVE – Hung in from the 600m placing its rider at a disadvantage. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
PERSIAN FRONT – Slow to begin.
 
MOTTRAM – Slow to begin. Over raced in the early stages and had to be steadied from heels approaching the 1100m.
 
 
Race 4: MIRIAM GITTINS MEMORIAL MAIDEN PLATE 1500 Metres
 
BOOM BOOM ROCKS – Slow to begin. Raced wide in the early stages. Awkwardly placed at heels passing the winning post on the first occasion and as a result became awkward and shifted wider until approaching the 1100m. When asked to comment on the performance of the gelding, Apprentice C. Graham stated after beginning slowly and then being bumped shortly after the start, her mount settled further back than anticipated. She added the gelding travelled comfortably during the event and when commencing a run from the 800m, she held her position on the rail in an attempt to save ground, adding the gelding finished off only fairly.
 
DUSTYIAM – Raced wide.
 
PUSH TURBO – Began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped MISTY GOLD.
 
IRISH ARTHUR – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
DROPS FROM THE SKY – Tightened for room on jumping and lost ground.
 
ENTERPRISE FUSE – Raced wide.
 
MISTY GOLD – Bumped on jumping and forced wider inconveniencing DROPS FROM THE SKY.
 
TAVISTOCK GROVE (NZ) – Began awkwardly. When asked to comment on the seemingly improved performance, Trainer P. Jenkins stated the mare was not suited to the heavy track at its first start and felt that the addition of blinkers had assisted in today’s performance.
 
PARIAH ON FIRE – Began awkwardly.
 
VALENTINO TEASE – Restrained shortly after the start in order to obtain a position on the fence at the tail of the field.
 
 
Race 5: DICK FERLING MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1500 Metres
 
ELIZANO – Over raced at heels passing the winning post on the first occasion.
 
KUZCO LAD – Began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped STORMTROOPER.
 
PASSIONATE REBEL – Over raced when restrained to obtain cover in the early stages. Hung out after passing the winning post on the first occasion.
 
MOOLOOLABA (NZ)– Raced wide throughout. After being buffered on jumping, received pressure on the hind quarters and became unbalanced shortly after the start.
 
STORMTROOPER – Bumped on jumping and forced wider causing STEAL THE FIELD to be tightened for room and lose ground.
 
ATLANTIC ROYAL – Raced wide throughout. When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey S. Collett stated due to the fast tempo set in the early stages, she settled further back in the field than anticipated and when asked for an effort at the 600m, the horse failed to respond and was disappointing. Jockey S. Collett added she gave recommendation to connections to send the horse for a spell. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
AMPHAWA – Held up for clear running behind the weakening MOOLOOLABA (NZ) when passing the 400m.
 
ISLA'S DAY – Slow to begin.
 
STEAL THE FIELD – Tightened for room at the start and lost significant ground. Raced wide throughout. Commenced to weaken from the 700m when inclined to lay in.
 
RUDIMENTARY – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
 
Race 6: SEARLES GARDEN PRODUCTS BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1200 Metres
 
BOBBY AXELROD – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight.
 
TURF FLYER – Began awkward and lost ground. Laid in in the middle stages and made contact with the running rail on a number of occasions.
 
WHISTLIN' ARROW – Raced wide throughout.
 
 
Race 7: SOMERSET REGIONAL COUNCIL MAIDEN HANDICAP 1200 M
 
HYDROS – Raced wide throughout.
 
APATAT – Began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped heavily with DAUNTING LADY. Held up for clear running for a short distance approaching the home turn.
 
CHICK CHICK STICK– Raced wide throughout.
 
BOOK OF EXODUS – When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey L. Tilley stated he was disappointed in the horse’s performance. Adding his mount was under pressure to hold its position throughout the event and weakened over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the off fore leg. Trainer P. Wallace was advised the BOOK OF EXODUS would require veterinary clearance prior to resuming racing.
 
DAUNTING LADY – Tightened for room on jumping and lost ground when APATAT began awkwardly and shifted out. Raced wide for the majority.
 
IKNOWICANFLY– Steadied when placed in restricted room leaving the 1100m. Hung out for a short distance when rounding the 800m turn.
 
PAULI – Laid in for the majority of the event making contact with the running rail on the number of occasions. Near the 150m, improved onto the heels of APATAT and had to be checked. Steadied when tight for room to the inside of APATAT over the concluding stages. 
 
 
Race 8: ARTHUR GRAY MEMORIAL RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1200 Metres
 
HOLY TROJAN – Tightened for room and checked approaching the 700m when racing between NINE CIGARS and FORT MYER which shifted in. At a subsequent inquiry, Stewards found that FORT MYER laid in at this point despite the efforts of Apprentice M. Castle. Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight placing its rider at a disadvantage.
 
ANNAKURI – Slow to begin. Leaving the 1000m, had to be steadied when racing to the inside of WHISTLIN' RULER which shifted in and away from MASTER DRUMER which shifted in. Near the 850m, was steadied and shifted out and away from the heels of MORGAN’S SMILE which shifted in when not fully clear. Jockey T. Thornton was advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances in future.
 
MASTER DRUMER– Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination in the tie up stalls due to shifting a plate. The gelding was subsequently cleared fit to start.
 
CONSTANT CAFÉ – Leaving the 700m, had to be steadied from the heels of HOLY TROJAN and shifted wider, remaining wide from that point onwards. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
WHISTLIN' RULER – Steadied when placed in restricted room approaching the 100m between FORT MYER and HOLY TROJAN which laid in.
 
MORGAN'S SMILE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after being kicked in the mounting yard. Subsequently, the gelding was cleared fit to start.
 
 
Race 9: ALLAN THORNTON MEMORIAL RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1200 Metres
 
TECOMA STREET – Raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be exhibiting signs of the thumps and a poor post-race recovery.
 
BRIGHT REALM– Steadied approaching the finish line when tightened for room between VIZONE and SATURDAY GLORY which shifted out marginally.
 
PANAMA PAPERS (GER) – Began awkwardly.
 
STEP ON FIRE – Obliged to race in restricted room near the 400m when racing to the inside of TECOMA STREET.
 
TORRENTIAL – Obliged to race in restricted room near the 400m. Approaching the winning post, had to be steadied and shifted away from the heels of VIZONE which shifted out. When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey J. Stanley stated the gelding was not suited to the tighter turning track and the softer shifting ground.
 
COODARADY – Approaching the 350m, improved onto the heels of the weakening TECOMA STREET and had to be steadied before shifting wider.
 
GO NOW – Held up for a short distance passing the 400m.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Fines
Trainer G. Cornish - LR68(1) - $200 - Failure to scratch two runners by the prescribed time.
 
 
 
Race day injuries/illness
Race 1: N. Thomas – dislodged when ARTZ ON FIRE reared behind the barriers.
 
 
Absent jockeys
R. Payne – acceptable reasons
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses sampled pre-race
Race 2: SEA TREASURES (NZ), PARISIAN LADY
Race 3: SEERESS, FORCE ME (NZ)
Race 4: FLAWLESS AMBITION
Race 7: BOOK OF EXODUS
 
Horses sampled post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 1: 2 ARTZ ON FIRE – barrier certificate required – pre-race manners.
Race 3: 1 LIZZIE'S PRIDE (NZ) – official trial in race gear required – pre-race manners.
Race 7: 9 BOOK OF EXODUS – veterinary clearance require – lame off fore leg.
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1: 13e VIKING VALOUR – G. Cartwright
Race 5: 14e STEAL THE FIELD – B. Wheeler
Race 5: 15e SOCK’EMSID – K. Gates
Race 6: 10 WHISTLIN’ ARROW – S. Collett
Race 7: 14e PAULI – M. Castle
Race 8: 10 WHISTLIN’ RULER – M. Hellyer
Race 9: 13e GO NOW – M. Castle
 
 
Late scratchings
Race 1: 2 ARTZ ON FIRE (Vets advice at 12:48pm)
Race 3: LIZZIE’S PRIDE (Stewards at 2:07pm)
Race 3: 6 FIVE STAR DECANTER (NZ) (Late Stewards 8:25am)
Race 6: 6 CHERRY SODA (Late Stewards 8:25am)
 
 
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.