QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
NANANGO JOCKEY CLUB – SATURDAY 8 APRIL 2023
 
WEATHER – Fine   TRACK RATING – Good (4)                 RAIL – True
 
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – S Fletcher
Stewards – R Hanson
Clerk of Scales – B Webb
Judge – P Chilton
Veterinarian – Dr K Webb
Starter – K Dennien
 
 
GENERAL
 
Race 1: Apprentice S. Blunt who was unable to claim down to her minimum riding weight, was replaced as the rider of Platinum Rose by apprentice R. Wilson. In considering the explanation and record of S. Blunt, she was reprimanded under AR 143(14)(b).
 
Race 1: Stewards acceded to a request by connections of Brazetti for jockey T. Banks to ride that mare a half a kilogram over its handicapped weight.
 
 
Race 1: Happy 50th Wedding Anniversary Barry & Mary Green Benchmark 55 Handicap 800 metres
 
GOOD GRAB – Knuckled on jumping away. Raced wide throughout. Laid out rounding the home turn forcing BRAZETTI wider on the track. When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice L. Sykes stated that the gelding was not comfortable on today’s firmer track and did not let down as anticipated.
 
ASHERLA – Held up for clear running for a short distance leaving the 400m and then had to be steadied from heels approaching the 300m.
 
BRAZETTI – Raced wide throughout. Forced wider on the track rounding the home turn.
 
JAIN – Began awkwardly, shifted out and lost ground.
 
 
Race 2: Happy 87th Birthday Peter Sexton QTIS Maiden Plate 2-Y-O & Up Set Weights 1000 metres
 
The start of this race was significantly delayed owing to several horses requiring the lead pony to the barriers, which necessitated the clerk of the course having to return to the enclosure to escort MOVE BEYOND to the barriers. The start was further delayed after CONLEY BELL became fractious in the barriers and then had to be backed out and be re-saddled.
 
BRIDGEMAN DOWNS – Shifted out when placed under pressure over the final 100m.
 
MISTER MONTAGUE – Jumped awkwardly, shifted out and made contact with FITZROY PLAIN. Raced wide throughout.
 
CONLEY BELL – Began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped WE FAT CAT.
 
INSPIRED SHADOWS – Slow to begin.
 
WE FAT CAT – Bumped at the start. Raced wide throughout.
 
FITZROY PLAIN – Bumped at the start.
 
 
Race 3: Nanango Country Veterinary Services Benchmark 45 Handicap 1000 metres
 
The start of this race was delayed owing to several horses requiring the lead pony to the barriers, which necessitated the clerk of the course having to return to the enclosure to escort THE ANGELS KISS to the barriers.
 
INTO CHAMPAGNE – Slow to begin.
 
TRUE TALLY – Raced wide throughout. Rider dropped the whip near the 150m.
 
CONAIR – Jockey I. French was reprimanded under AR 132(6)(b) for raising his whip arm above shoulder height.
 
 
Race 4: Ken Mills Toyota Benchmark 60 Handicap 1200 metres
 
SALAZAR – Stood flat footed and lost significant ground. Trainer W. Kropp was advised that SALAZAR must obtain two further barrier certificates before being permitted to race again.
 
MOFEED WARRIOR - When asked to comment on the performance, jockey T. Banks stated the gelding travelled well throughout, however failed to respond to his riding when placed under pressure approaching the home turn and proved disappointing.
 
KAKATIYA – Rider dismounted on pulling up. A post-race veterinary inspection revealed the mare to have sustained an injury to the off-foreleg flexor tendon. Trainer K. Roon stated that the mare would now be retired, nevertheless she was advised that a vet clearance would be required should KAKATIYA return to racing.
 
RAKU’S SECRET – Near the 1000m hung out badly despite the efforts of the rider and as a result forced RUN RAMPANT wider on the track, which then had to be checked and lost ground. Continued to hang out until near the 400m, taking no competitive part in the race. Trainer P. Sexton reported that RAKU’S SECRET bled from the near side nostril post-race and that the mare would now be retired. Stewards will advise P. Sexton that RAKU’S SECRET would be required to gallop 1000m in the presence of stewards and to officially trial should a decision be made to continue racing the mare.
 
RUN RAMPANT – Checked and lost ground leaving the 1000m. Steadied from heels approaching the winning post.
 
 
Race 5: Heritage Bank Nanango Benchmark 50 Handicap 1600 metres
 
FOXY ROSE – Raced wide throughout.
 
SIDEWALK – Slow to begin. When asked to comment on the performance of SIDEWALK, apprentice R. Wilson stated after being slow to begin she pushed her mount along, however the gelding commenced to race keenly. She added that she elected to shift wider on the track near the 1200m in an attempt to get into a comfortable rhythm as she did not want to fight against her mount. She further added that the gelding failed to run on and was disappointing.
 
EVRYNOW’N’THEN – Slow to begin. Steadied from heels near the 1500m. Held up for clear running from the 400m until entering the home straight. When asked to explain the tactics adopted, apprentice L. Sykes stated after being slow to begin from the wide barrier, he positioned his mount at the tail of the field where it felt comfortable. He added that his mount travelled well throughout, however when improving into the race, became held up approaching the home turn. He added that he elected not to shift his mount wider on the track and ride patiently for a run on the rail. He further added that when obtaining clear running rounding the home turn his mount ran on well. Trainer V. Heading stated that apprentice Sykes has ridden to instructions, that the horse does not appreciate early pressure in its races. He added that he was pleased with the decision of L. Sykes to persist for a run on the rail in preference to shifting extremely wide on the track to make his run. Stewards acknowledged the explanation of apprentice Sykes and reported the circumstances.
 
BATTLE – Raced wide throughout.
 
PRINENTE – Shifted out near the 1500m resulting in EVRYNOW’N’THEN being steadied.
 
LADY RASCAL – Shifted out and away from EVERYNOW’N’THEN leaving the 100m resulting in the rider having to stop riding and straighten. Jockey H. Phillips reported that her mount may have momentarily got its tongue over the bit leaving the 600m, resulting in her mount losing ground.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Sophie Blunt – Race 1 – AR 143(14)(b) - Unable to claim down to minimum riding weight.
Ian French – Race 3 – AR 132(6)(b) - Raise whip arm above shoulder height.
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 4 – SALAZAR – Stood flat footed – Must obtain two further barrier certificates.
Race 4 – RAKU’S SPIRIT – Hung out during the race & bled one nostril – Official trial and 1000m gallop in the presence of stewards.
Race 4 – KAKATIYA – Off fore tendon injury – Veterinary clearance.
 
Bleeders
Race 4 – RAKU’S SPIRIT – Bled one nostril.
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 2: DAULAT MACHTIIGKUDA – Matthew Powell
Race 2: PLATINUM ROSE – Rebecca Wilson
 
 
 
 
 
The matters contained within this Stewards report may be subject to an internal or external review.  The outcome of any internal review is published on the Commission’s website immediately after the release of the internal review decision to the Applicant.  External reviews are managed by QCAT and are not published on the Commission’s 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.