QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
MACKAY TURF CLUB
 
THURSDAY 22 AUGUST  2024
 
WEATHER – Fine   TRACK RATING –  Good 4         RAIL – out 3m entire
PENETROMETER – 4.7
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – S Larkins
Stewards – H Gillett & G Wust
 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
Rockhampton 15 August 2024
 
Race 5 Brown Brothers Class 1 Handicap.
EARLY FUSION – Traner Ricky Vale advised that follow up blood tests were indicative of the gelding being slightly dehydrated and as such will be treated and have a slight freshen up.
 
CITY PLAYBOY – Trainer Jared Wehlow advised that the gelding had pulled up well and he is awaiting the results of follow up blood tests. The trainer further added that it is likely that the current preparation will be continued.
 
GENERAL
Overweights permitted as per the Stewards Race Day Summary.
 
Race 1: SKY RACING QTIS MAIDEN PLATE 1200 M
 
The start was delayed when CIVIL WAR refused to proceed to the barriers.
 
Prior to the declaration of correct weight, trainer M Geaney wished to view the photo finish for third place. After being satisfied with the judges numbers correct weight was declared.
 
CIVIL WAR – Declared a late scratching at 12:50pm when the gelding refused to proceed to the start. Stewards ordered all monies invested on CIVIL WAR to be refunded and deductions to apply as follows:
 
0c the win LOVE ON DISPLAY (1st)
1c the place LOVE OF DISPLAY (1st)
1c the place MOON OVER MATILDA (2nd)
1c the place MISHANI OPAL (3rd)
 
Connections were advised that CIVIL WAR would have to officially trial satisfactorily under race day conditions prior to racing again.
 
ENTERPRISE MOUSSE – Bumped by GIGI FILLE shortly after the start.
 
FAIRYBOWER FLYER – Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
GIGI FILLE – Jumped outwards at the start bumping ENTERPRISE MOUSSE. Over raced in the early stages. When questioned in relation to the seemingly poor performance jockey W Satherley stated that it was the intention to be positive from the start, but the mare had slipped at the start and was at a disadvantage from that point, he further added that it was GIGI FILLE’s first start for some time and that the mare would derive benefit from the run. Mr Satherley also stated that in his opinion GIGI FILLE would benefit from the addition of a tongue tie to its gear. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
ME TIME – Raced wide throughout. Jockey A Layt reported that he dropped his whip near the 100m.
 
MOON OVER MATILDA – Over raced in the early stages having to be restrained from heels on a number of occasions.
 
MISHANI OPAL – Began awkwardly and slow to begin. Raced ungenerously throughout.
 
 
Race 2: LADBROKE IT! BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP         1300 M
 
STARSONIC – Bounded on jumping. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.  
 
MEDIA EMPIRE – Raced keenly in the early stages when attempting to find cover.
 
SAVVY SOVEREIGN (NZ) – Began awkwardly and slow to begin. Over raced in the early stages.
 
DOLLSON – Over raced in the early stages.
 
PREPOTENT – Slow to begin.
 
SINGLE HONOR – Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight. When questioned in relation to the performance jockey S Sheargold stated that he could offer no explanation other than that the gelding was second up and would derive significant benefit from the run. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
 
 
Race 3: LADBROKES COMMUNITIES MAIDEN HANDICAP         1560 M
 
YA LOVE HER – Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
CHAPELLE – Over raced in the early stages.
 
SIRENE – Sifted wider leaving the 500m in an attempt to improve and carried wider entering the home straight.
 
KEEP ON RUNNING – Slow into stride. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
MR GREY – Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
ARIK LAD – Began awkwardly and blundered shortly after the start. Pulled hard and raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages. When questioned in relation to the performance jockey S Cormack stated that after over racing throughout it proved detrimental to the horses chances in the event.
 
HADMYTIME – Raced wide in the early stages.
 
 
Race 4: LADBROKES RACING CLUB CLASS 3 PLATE      1560 M
 
ADMIRAL ASH – Began awkwardly and slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages having to be restrained from heels on a number of occasions.
 
AWESOME SPIRIT – Began awkwardly and buffeted between runners shortly after the start. Jockey S Cormack advised that after being tardy to begin and suffering some interference at the start, the gelding settled further back than anticipated.
 
CEASAR (NZ) – When questioned in relation to the performance jockey A Butler stated the gelding had travelled well throughout however when asked for an effort CEASAR (NZ) failed to quicken, He further added that the gelding is second up today and would derive benefit from the run. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
KELLERS SHELTER – Began awkwardly and slow to begin.
 
SIR MAXIMUS – Began awkwardly and bumped AWESOME SPIRIT shortly after the start.
 
ANDALUS (NZ) – Raced keen in the early stages. Raced wide throughout.
 
EL OF A SENORITA – Raced wide in the early stages until finding cover.
 
DIVINE HUNTER – Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
JUST FRANK – Jumped inwards at the start bumping AWESOME SPIRIT. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the early stages of the home straight. Tired noticeably over the final 200m. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
 
Race 5: BOOK FOR CLASSIC RACEDAY SATURDAY 28TH SEPTEMBER BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP         1100 M
 
HIGHGROUND – Raced wide until a point near the 600m
 
DESERT MOON – Slow to begin. When questioned in relation to the performance jockey J Murphy stated that it was the intention to be further forward in the run but after beginning only fairly, he elected to retrain and find cover however from that point found it difficult to keep in touch with the field. He further added that DESERT MOON was first up today, and the heavy weight impost may have contributed to the poor performance. When questioned trainer G Green was of the view that the gelding would be better suited to races of longer distance, he further added that the wide barrier today proved to be a detriment to the chances of DESERT MOON. Mr Green will report back on the condition of DESERT MOON in the days subsequent.  A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
ACOUSTIX – Began awkwardly and slow to begin.
 
FLYING SHAMUS – Jockey M Murphy was reprimanded under AR132(5) for his use of the whip 16 times in total, 2 more than permitted.
 
ROY'S ROAD – Slow into stride.
 
SUPER FAST – Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
SEISME – Began awkwardly and slow to begin. When questioned in relation to the performance Jockey G Cartwright stated that the gelding never travelled well throughout the event and was very disappointed with the run. When questioned, trainers representative S Vale advised it is the intention to get blood tests in the coming days and will report to stewards any anomalies. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
SENSATIONABULL – Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
Race 6: MOJO'S RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP         1300 M
 
Prior to the declaration of correct weight stewards considered a protest from jockey N Thomas (LISTEN LISTEN), placed third, against second placed BRAZEN BRECCIA (S Nielson) alleging interference over the final 70m. After hearing evidence from both riders and trainers of each runner, stewards determined that leaving the 100m mark that BRAZEN BRECCIA commenced to shift outwards under pressure whilst at the same time LADY MASQUERADE hung in under pressure which resulted in LISTEN LISTEN being checked. Stewards could not be satisfied that the interference suffered by LISTEN LISTEN outweighed the one length margin between that runner and BRAZEN BRECCIA at the end of race and therefore the protest was dismissed. In making this determination stewards mindful of the contribution of LADY MASQUERADE to the interference when hanging in and the minimal margin that LISTEN LISTEN had gained on BRAZEN BRECCIA by comparison to when both horses raced into the home straight.
 
BRAZEN BRECCIA – Blundered on jumping. Laid out over the concluding stages. Apprentice S Nielson in the presence of G Cartwright pleaded guilty to a charge under AR131(a) for careless riding in that she allowed her mount to shift out near the 50m which was the main contributing factor resulting in LISTEN LISTEN having to check and loose ground. In assessing penalty stewards were mindful of Ms Nielson apprentice status, penalty record, guilty plea, careless riding template and the contribution from another runner which shifted in marginally. Ms Nielson’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 5 days commencing M/N 31/8/24 until M/N 5/9/24. In electing not to take action against C Whiteley, rider of LADY MASQUERADE, stewards were satisfied that despite his mount hanging in, he made sufficient effort to ensure his mount remained on a straight course and the minimal shift inwards that occurred.
 
SHADOW PROJECT – Fractious prior to the start.
 
HOLY CROWN – Over raced in the early stages.
 
LADY MASQUERADE – Over raced in the early stages. Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
LISTEN LISTEN – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
WHITE ARENDELLE – Began awkwardly. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
Race 7: J & C ELECTRICAL SERVICES OPEN HANDICAP         1050 M
 
SIR ROCKET – Began awkwardly and slow to begin.
 
LEADERSHIP SPILL – Bounded on jumping. Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
ASPEN LAD – Began awkwardly.
 
FANAAR (NZ) – Began awkwardly. Over raced in the early stages. Upon entering the home straight was inclined to lay inwards and had to be restrained from the heels of MISHANI FRAUDSTER.
 
COCHRANE – Blundered shortly after the start. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
EYEWITNESS – Began very awkwardly and blundered shortly after. Over raced in the early stages.
 
Race 8: RACING AGAIN THURSDAY 5TH SEPTEMBER BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP  1800 M
 
HARBELLE – Began awkwardly.
 
BROMES – Began awkwardly.
 
MOTAMAYIZ (GB) – Began awkwardly
 
BLUE SWIMMER – Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
BRAIN FOG – Approaching the winning post on the first occasion improved onto the heels of TORQUE ESPAGNA and had to be restrained.
 
LETS TORQUE A DEEL – Began awkwardly and slow into stride.
 
PATTI WAGGIN – Began awkwardly. Pulled hard in the early and middle stages. Jockey C Whitely was questioned about his decision to improve three wide from the 1050m to obtain a position in the lead, He stated that in the geldings most recent start the same tactics were adopted and successful, however in this instance the decision to improve was earlier due to the degree in which PATTI WAGGIN was over racing and the point in which the pace slackened he felt there was no other option other than let the gelding progress and settle in the run. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Overweights
Race 3 ARIK LAD – S Cormack + 1kg
 
Reprimands
Race 5 – Micheal Murphy – AR132(5) – Whip use in total

Suspensions
Race 6 – Shae Nielson – AR131(a) – 5 days - Careless riding – M/N 31/8/24 until M/N 5/9/24
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
ARIK LAD, JUST FRANK, FLYING SHAMUS, HOLY CROWN, CAPTAIN FOX, BRAIN FOG
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
R1 – CIVIL WAR – Failed to proceed to the barriers – Official trail
 
Protests
Race 6 – 3rd vs 2nd - Dismissed
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 4: 12e JUST FRANK - Ms Chelsea Jokic
Race 5:  6 FLYING SHAMUS - Michael Murphy
Race 6: 10 WHITE ARENDELLE - Jackson Murphy
            13e CYBER JAM - Ms Leah Martyn (a4/50kg),
 
Late scratchings
 
Race 1 – CIVIL WAR @12:50pm – failed to procced to the barriers.
 
 
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.