QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION  
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
M0UNT ISA SATURSDAY, 6 MAY 2017
 
WEATHER – FINE     TRACK RATING – GOOD 4 (DIRT) RAIL – TRUE   PENETROMETER – N/A
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – P. Gillard
Stewards – T. Woodham
Clerk of Scales – Stewards  
Judge – L. Winks
Veterinarian – Dr K. Stretton
Bookmakers Supervisor – Stewards
Swab attendants – Dr K. Stretton
Starter – S. Harnett
 
GENERAL
 
Stewards today inquired into the results from Racing Analytical Services of a urine sample supplied by Jockey Justin Esser at the Mount Isa Race Meeting on 4 March 2017, which subsequently showed the   results of a diluted specimen. After giving consideration to the evidence provided at today’s inquiry, J Esser was issued with a charge under the terms of Australian Rule of Racing 81A(1)(b) which reads-
 
Any rider commits an offence and may be penalised if-
(b) he refuses or fails to deliver a sample as directed by the Stewards, or tampers with, adulterates, alters, substitutes or in and way hinders the collection of such sample or attempts to do any of those things.

The specifics of the charge being that Jockey Esser did provide a urine sample at the Mount Isa Race Meeting on 4 March 2017 which upon being analysed tested as a diluted specimen that altered to that of a normal urine sample.
J. Esser pleaded not guilty to the charge. After giving consideration to J. Esser’s defence he was found guilty of the charge. In assessing penalty, Stewards considered Mr Esser’s personal circumstances and the affect any such penalty may impact on the availability of track-work riders in the regional area. Stewards were also mindful of similar penalty precedents, the serious nature of the breach and the need for a penalty to serve as a deterrent.
Mr Esser licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 6 months to commence from 28/03/2017 when initially stood-down up to and including 28/09/2017.
Stewards have since received a sample free of any banned substance under AR81B as under the  requirements of AR81A(1)(4) Mr Esser was advised of his internal review and appeal rights.
 
Due to technical errors Blinkers did not appear in the race book for a number of runners:
Race 2: Fast Track Magic, with Blinkers - not a gear change; Race 3: Best A Man Can Get, with Blinkers - not a gear change; Purfleet Princess, with Blinkers - not a gear change; Race 4: Murrumbidgee, with Blinkers – not a gear change;
 
Race 2: Novemebr Grey – Blinkers shown in book – Off, Is a gear change.
 
Public announcements were made accordingly.
 
Race 1: BOOK YOU CUP DAY TABLE RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 H'CAP – 1450M  
 
The start of this race was delayed due to the late positioning of the barriers.
 
MAHONGA – Raced wide in the early stages of the race.
 
THE GIRLS IN PARIS – Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
GOOD MOOD – Rider dropped her whip approaching the 200m.
 
Race 2: WINTER RACING IS HERE OPEN H’CAP – 1450M
 
MISS ROSENBERG – Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
EUPHORBIA – Finished tailed off. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow post-race recovery. Trainer T. Parry was advised a warning would be placed on the mare’s poor performance.
 
Race 3: HAPPY MOTHERS DAY BENCHMARK 45 H'CAP – 1000M 
 
DIAMOND KAZ – Delayed the start when difficult to load. Raced wide for the majority of the race. Trainer D. Ballard was advised a warning would be placed on the mare’s barrier manners.
 
MOSPORT – Slow onto stride. Raced wide for the majority of the race. Shifted wider rounding the home turn.
 
PURFLEET PRINCESS – Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
APERTURE – Rider A. Spradua returned to scale in excess of a half kilogram of his allotted weight and was fined the sum of $200.
 
 
Race 4: GET WELL KEITH OPEN PLATE – 1000M 
 
TRAVEL IN STYLE – Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
 
 
 
 
Race 5: THANKS TO QAS BENCHMARK 60 H’CAP 1100m 
 
CRYSTAL BEAR – Began awkwardly.
 
SOLO SAPRANO – Raced in restricted room near the 900m for a short distance, steadied from heels and lost ground. Rider reported the horse resented the kick back and race ungenerously before shifting out and racing wide for the remainder of the race.
 
BUSH LAWYER – Raced wide for the majority of the race.    
 
Race 6: CLASS 6 PLATE 1200m 
 
BEA BINGLE – Began awkwardly and shifted out bumping another runner.
 
WULFWIN – Bumped by another runner at the start.
 
LASTING IMAGE – Slow to begin. Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
SAZZY SOX – Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Fines
A. Spradau $200 AR120(b) – Return to scale in excess of ½ kg (Race 3 Aperture)
 
Suspension
Jockey J. Esser AR81A(1)(b) Irregularity in swab sample 6 months suspension 28/03/2017 – 28/09/2017
 
Race day injury
Nil      
 
Adjourned inquiry
Nil
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed
All winners
 
Warning
Race 2: Euphorbia – Poor performance AR8(t)
Race 3: Diamond Kaz – Delayed start, difficult to load AR8(t)  

Late Scratchings
 
Race 2: Avalanches – By order of Stewards acting veterinary advice
             Veganer – No suitable rider, Rage Within – No suitable rider
Race3: Tressles – No available rider, Eighth Keeper – No available rider, Mishani Trader – No available rider, Tuning – No available rider
Race 4: Fortza – 2.20pm Unable to provide veterinary clearance as required.  

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Nil
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(Issued subject to correction upon revision)