QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
MACKAY TURF CLUB
 
SATURDAY 11 MAY 2024
 
WEATHER – Fine             TRACK RATING –  Soft 6; Soft 5 following Race 2              RAIL – +2m Entire
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – S. Fletcher
Stewards – H. Gillett, S. Stehbens

 
 
GENERAL
 
As apprentice M. Goring was unable to attend today’s meeting due to transport difficulties, he was replaced in race 8 on SAVVY LEGEND (NZ) by apprentice L. Overall.
 
Stewards considered a submission by apprentice jockey Z. Sprie to ride with a minimum weight of 54kg at today’s meeting. As this request was made prior to acceptances, Stewards approved the application and made relevant broadcasts to this effect upon jockey declarations.
 
 
Stewards permitted the following overweights:
R3 – Tasha Chambers + 1kg
R5 – Chris Whiteley +1kg
 
 
Race 1: LADBROKES SPORTSMAN LUNCHEON FRIDAY 9TH AUGUST MAIDEN HANDICAP 1200M
 
MR SQUIGGLE'S MATE – Slow to begin. Approaching the 100m when commencing to weaken, was momentarily steadied when racing between DIVINE KAMAHLANI and MY LITTLE VIKING, which shifted out. When asked to comment on the performance, jockey A. Butler stated that the gelding travelled well until the home straight and when asked for an effort, failed to respond and proved disappointing.
 
EXCITE CHOO – Slow to begin. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
RUMBLING BOY – Jockey J. Stanley reported on the scales that his mount was inclined to lay out throughout, proving difficult to ride out throughout the event.
 
DIVINE KAMEHALANI – Began awkwardly. Held up for clear running from rounding the home turn until a point leaving the 200m.
 
FAIRYBOWER FLYER – Raced wide throughout.
 
MY LITTLE VIKING – Held up for clear running upon entering the home straight until a point leaving the 150m.
 
TSUNAMI FORCE – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
 
Race 2: HAPPY 21ST SAVANNAH CLASS 3 PLATE 1560M
 
KING SAMUEL – Jockey C. Whitely was questioned in relation to his riding when entering the home straight, specifically if there was an opportunity to keep MURRAJONG ROAD in a position to its inside in the early stages of the straight, prior to it shifting out and obtaining clear running and furthermore C. Whiteley’s riding over the final 100m. C. Whiteley stated that his mount laid out throughout the event and he was required to place pressure on his inside reign which placed him at some disadvantage. He stated that whilst he would have preferred to hold MURRAJONG ROAD in approaching the 200m, his mount was laying out, and then CHILLI PALMER shifted in which presented a run to MURRAJONG ROAD to the outside of that runner. He further added that he placed his mount under pressure with the whip, but he felt that it was no longer responding, and he chose to ride his mount out hands and heels over the concluding stages. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
MURRAJONG ROAD (NZ) – Near the 1200m improved onto the heels of ROYS ROAD and had to checked. Held up for clear running until a point leaving the 200m.
 
ROY'S ROAD – Raced keenly in the early stages and was restrained when the pace of the race eased near the 1200m, MURRAJONG ROAD which was following improved onto that runner’s heels and was checked, resulting in DEFROSTED which was following then having to be restrained and shift away from the heels. Held up for clear running shortly after entering the home straight until a point leaving the 200m.
 
CHILLI PALMER – Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
DENSITY – Began awkwardly and shifted outwards bumping DEFROSTED.
 
DEFROSTED – Bumped on jumping. Near the 1200m had to be restrained and shift away from the heels of MURRAJONG ROAD (NZ). Laid out under pressure from the 250m for a short distance before being corrected by its rider.
 
TORQUE ESPAGNA – Began awkwardly and slow into stride as a result.
 
The track was upgraded to a Soft 5 following the running of this race.
 
 
Race 3: HAPPY 50TH COXY CLASS 4 HANDICAP 1200M
 
CUSACK – When asked to comment on the performance, jockey A. Butler stated that the gelding was first up from a spell and was having its first race at Mackay today, and never felt comfortable on the track and wanted to change lead legs throughout the race. He added CUSACK failed to respond to his riding when placed under pressure from a point near the 600m. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
A CALL FROM HEAVEN – A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities. In considering today’s performance, trainer J. Manzelmann was advised that A CALL FROM HEAVEN would be barred from competing at TAB meetings until it establishes improved form at Non-TAB venues.
 
FIGHT IN THE DOG – Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
ADMIRAL ASH – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
 
Race 4: RACING AGAIN MON 27TH MAY BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1800M
 
OSCAR BRAVO – Commenced to race keenly after passing the winning post on the first occasion and made the crossing awkwardly. Near the 1100m when the pace eased, improved onto the heels of MISHANI PATRIOT and was steadied. Laid inwards from the 600m and in the home straight when placed under pressure. Jockey T. Chambers pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for her use of the whip on 10 occasions prior to the 100m, 5 more than permitted. T. Chambers license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 8 days starting midnight 14/05/24 and concluding at midnight 22/05/24.
 
FLAMENCO ROSE – Began awkwardly and contacted the outside barrier partition.
 
MISHANI PATRIOT – Jumped awkwardly and lost ground. When the pace of the race eased near the 1350m elected to shifted out wider on the track and ridden forward to obtain a leading position approaching the 1100m.
 
 
Race 5: LADBROKES AMATEURS CUP OPEN HANDICAP 1800M
 
OLYMPIC KORCHNOI (BRZ) – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
FORTIFIED (NZ) – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Held up for clear running for a short distance leaving the 500m. When questioned regarding his riding from the 500m and over the concluding stages, jockey J. Murphy stated that when pressuring his mount from the 600m he elected to follow PHEONIX FLYER on the rail in preference to shifting wider on the track to make his run. He added that after leaving the 500m he was momentarily held up behind PHEONIX FLYER, before obtaining clear running approaching the home turn when that runner shifted wider. He further added his mount was finishing the race off well, however when ENUFF SAID improved to his outside, he elected to shift to the inside of OLYMPIC KORCHONI near the 200m to obtain clear running, adding that inside the final 100m, OLYMPIC KORCHNOI shifted inwards placing him in an awkward position in relation to that runners heels, and being mindful of CLASS OF REALITY racing to his inside, he was unable to ride out his mount. Stewards in considering that matter, were of the opinion that J. Murphy’s riding was not unreasonable in the circumstances and did not take the matter further.
 
 
Race 6: MACKAY CUP SATURDAY 10TH AUGUST BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1100M
 
ROC DE RUSSIAN (NZ) – Leaving the 500m hung out for a short distance. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
DUCHESS ADELE – Declared a late scratching at 11:36am by Stewards after being injured enroute to the course. Trainer J. Manzelmann that DUCHESS ADELE would require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
 
VALENTINA EXPRESS – Apprentice M. Apel dropped her whip near the 100m.
 
BOLD ZIP – Near the 900m checked and lost ground. A. Layt the rider of VOLARCHI pleaded guilty to a charge under AR131(a), the specifics being, that near the 900m he failed to make sufficient effort to prevent his mount from shifting and as a result carried ROC DE RUSSIAN (T. Chambers) inwards tightening the running of BOLD ZIP (J. Taylor) which was forced to check and lose its rightful running and lost ground. A. Layt’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 11 days from midnight 18/05/24 up to and including midnight 29/05/24.
 
 
Race 7: IMS BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1100M
 
CASHIN' CHEX (NZ) – Slow to begin.
 
LUVIN' OUR GRACE – Slow to begin. Over raced in the middle stages.
 
MARTINI MOMENT – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
OUR HEART THROB – Improved onto heels entering the home straight and had to be momentarily steadied.
 
LET'S ROLL – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
OUT BACK BOOM – Near the 700m improved onto heels and had to be steadied for a short distance. Steadied approaching the winning post.
 
DAWN REBEL – Underwent a post-race veterinary examination and was found to be lame in the near-foreleg. Trainer J. Manzelmann was advised that the mare would require a veterinary certificate prior to racing again.
 
 
Race 8: LADBROKES OPEN HANDICAP 1300M
 
SAVVY LEGEND (NZ) – A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities. Trainer J. Manzelmann was advised that a warning would be placed against the gelding for a poor performance.
 
BRAD – Bumped on jumping and became unbalanced. Laid in under pressure in the home straight. Rider C. Whiteley stated that in his opinion the drop back in class today may have attributed to the better showing in today’s event, he also added that the quick tempo of the race suited the gelding.
 
STARSONIC – When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, apprentice G. Semmens stated that her instructions were to lead and not to apply pressure to the horse in the form of restraint as the horse is best ridden free rolling and can resent being restrained. She added that after beginning fairly she was able to ride forward however when COUTESY BUS held a forward position on the rail she was unable to obtain the lead. She further added that whilst she felt the speed of the race was quicker than she would have liked, she was mindful of her instructions and held a position outside the leader. Trainer representative J. Kuhn confirmed the instructions. Stewards in considering the evidence, whilst noting her instructions, advised apprentice G. Semmens that she had erred in her riding, in that after it was evident she would not be able to lead the race in the early stages, she should have made an attempt to settle her mount in preference to letting it race at an increased tempo whilst racing to the outside and forward of COURTESY BUS, which may have provided the gelding an opportunity to finish the race off better. In considering apprentice Semmens relative inexperience, Stewards advised her that the ride would be referred to the Racing Queensland Apprentice Training Team for review and tuition.
 
COURTESY BUS – Began very awkwardly and as a result rider N. Thomas become unbalanced in the saddle, shifted in bumping BRAD which became unbalanced and bumped heavily with SVINDAL which was buffeted and made contact with SUCH A WHIT, which in turn became unbalanced. When asked to comment on the performance, jockey N. Thomas stated that the gelding felt the effects of the early pressure and speed of the race, and whilst travelled well, he felt this had a detrimental impact on the performance of the gelding.
 
SVINDAL – Bumped heavily on jumping and then buffeted between runners.
 
SUCH A WHIT – Bumped by SVINDAL shortly after the start and became unbalanced.
 
FANAAR (NZ) – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees

Suspensions
R4 – Jockey Tasha Chambers – Use of whip prior to the 100m - AR132(7)(a)(ii) – 8 days – m/n 14 May up to and including m/n 22 May 2024
R6 – Jockey Adrian Layt – Careless riding – AR131(a) – 11 days - m/n 18 May up to and including m/n 29 May 2024
 
 
Absent jockeys
Mitch Goring – Transport difficulties
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
KING SAMUEL, CUSACK, SHADOW PROJECT, DEVIL KICK, CASHIN’ CHEX (NZ), HONKYTONK DIVA
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 3 – A CALL FROM HEAVEN – poor performance – suspension from TAB meetings until establishes improved form at Non-TAB meetings.
Race 6 – DUCHESS ADELE – injured during transport to track - veterinary clearance.
Race 7 – DAWN REBEL – lame near foreleg post-race – veterinary clearance.
Race 8 – SAAVY LEGEND (NZ) – poor performance – warning.
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 2: DENSITY – Zac Sprie
Race 8: SAVVY LEGEND (NZ) – Lachlan Overall
Race 8: BRAD – Chris Whiteley
 
 
Late scratchings
R6 – DUCHESS ADELE – Stewards at 11:36am
 
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.