STEWARDS REPORT

MAREEBA TURF CLUB

SATURDAY 15th MARCH 2025

WEATHER – Overcast      TRACK RATING –  Soft 6             RAIL – True


OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – S. Copelin
Stewards – A. Holzhauser, Y. Walburgh-Schmidt (C.A.T. Steward), P. Lane (Asst Steward)


GENERAL
 
Due to the inclement weather, Stewards prior to the races completed an early track inspection which resulted in a down grade of the track to a Soft 6. This information was broadcast to on-courses patrons by the track race caller.
 
Random breath testing was conducted prior to the first race with all meeting riders returning a negative result (Y. Walburgh-Schmidt (C.A.T. Steward).
 
After the completion of the race meeting Stewards spoke with Jockey W. D’AVILA and App. T. LESLIGHT advising both they are put on notice regarding their respective race day conduct.
 
 
Race 1: MAREEBA MAZDA BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP – 900M
 
DESERT GRIT- Near side hind plate required to be replaced in tie-ups prior to race.
 
STRATEGIST- Raced three wide without cover in early and middle and middle stages of the race.
 
Race 2: GREGG CONSTRUCTIONS PTY LTD QTIS MAIDEN PLATE – 1210M
 
RICH FLEX – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Trainer M. Taylor was advised a warning was placed on the gelding in relation to the horse’s barrier manners.
 
ROCKINFELLER – Slow into stride.
 
CLAN WIELAND – Slow into stride.
 
HOFFIN’ BAR – Slowly away and raced three wide with no cover for the majority of the race.
 
WHATA BOBBI DAZZLA – Raced ungenerously in the middle stages.
 
TARIFF – Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.

Race 3: SERRA DRILLING BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP – 1210M
 
EXCITE CHOO – Shifted in on jumping and bumped GRINZINGER BURG, then raced keenly in the middle stages and allowed to stride to the lead.
 
GRINZINGER BURG – Bumped on jumping.
 
DOMINANT ROSE – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages, crowded by RECRUITER nearing the 100 metres and again near the winning post.
 
OLD SALT – Shifted wide passing the 600 metres and raced wide for the remainder of the race.
 
RECRUITER – Laid in under pressure down the later stages of the home straight until corrected by the rider, crowded DOMINANT ROSE approaching the 100 metres and then again just before the winning post.
 
Race 4: APL PLUMBING OPEN HANDICAP – 1210M

OLYMPIC KORCHNOI – Slowly away and unable to maintain contact with the body of the field in the early and middle stages.
 
INVESTOR – Shifted out from the running rail rounding the home turn forcing SPIRIT MEISTER wide.

OLYMPIC KORCHNOI – Slowly away and unable to maintain contact with the body of the field in the early and middle stages.
 
SPIRIT MEISTER – Stewards drew App. T. LESLIGHT attention to his whip action prior to the 100 metres.
 
Prior to declaration of correct weight stewards considered an objection lodged by Trainer Peter Rowe (INVESTOR 3RD place) against the second placed horse SPIRIT MEISTER on the grounds of interference in the home straight. After hearing evidence from Mr. Rowe, Jockeys W. D AVILA (INVESTOR), App T. LESLIGHT (SPIRIT MEISTER), Trainer R. MILLER and viewing the available patrol film, stewards whilst acknowledging that the two runners had raced tight for the majority of the home straight, were of the opinion that both runners had shifted ground towards each other resulting in both riders being impeded in their efforts to ride their mounts out and as such the stewards could not be satisfied that any inconvenience to either runner was sufficient to alter the placings. Stewards dismissed the protest and declared correct weight on the judge’s numbers.
 
Race 5: PATRON'S CUP BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP – 1500M

MAKE IT FLASHY – Slow to begin.
 
RIVALON – Slow to begin, raced wide for the majority of the race. Inconvenienced at the 100 metres by LADY OF FORTUNE who shifted out under pressure
 
LADY OF FORTUNE – Shifted out under pressure at the 100 metres of the home straight, slightly inconveniencing RIVALON.
.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

 
Nil


Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses


Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars

Race 2 RICH FLEX – Barrier Manners - AR20(e)

Protests
 
Race 4 – 3rd place (INVESTOR) V 2nd place (SPIRIT MEISTER) – Dismissed.

Late scratchings:
 
Nil



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.