ROCKHAMPTON JOCKEY CLUB INC
STEWARDS REPORT SUNDAY, 27TH APRIL, 2003

STEWARDS PANEL: G Hargraves (Chairman), W Birch, N Vagg, G Wust , C Harris (Cadet)

WEATHER – Fine TRACK – Good
RAIL – Short Course & Long Course True Position

GENERAL : As R Mules was indisposed the following replacements were permitted
Race 5 MISTY RIVER – A. Lane
Race 6 RADAR ZONE – G. Booth
Race 7 ESPIRE – D. Whitmore

Stablehand C. Garland pleaded guilty to a charge under ARR175 (j) in that he conducted himself improperly towards a steward. He was fined $500.00 with $400.00 to be suspended for 12 months.

RACE 1 CLASS 6 H’CAP – 1600 METRES (4 STARTERS)
YALLAH CITY was slow to begin. S Galloway was reprimanded for allowing his mount BONZERO to shift in near the 1200 metres when not clear of MUSTANG RULER resulting in that horse having to be steadied by its rider L Timson.

RACE 2 CLASS 2 H’CAP – 1300 METRES (8 STARTERS)
MISTER BANKER and PACK OF GOLD made heavy contact on jumping away. CHAN STAR and REGAL ASCOT, which were both slow to begin made heavy contact shortly after resulting in both horses becoming unbalanced.

RACE 3 CLASS 4 H’CAP - 1100 METRES (13 STARTERS)
TELE SERIES and DAMASCUS CALLING were both slow to begin. BIHAANA SEAS and MAPPERLEY MAGIC made heavy contact on jumping away. Approaching the home turn IRIANA STAR suffered a bleeding attack and was retired from the event. As a result IMA BARON, WESTERN ROUGE and TELE SERIES, which were following, were all inconvenienced when trying to avoid that horse. IRIANA STAR was barred from racing for a period of 3 months. Near the 100 metres TELE SERIES shifted out abruptly and made heavy contact with GREY COMMANDER, which become unbalanced. When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of RITUAL PRINCE rider M Unwin could offer no explanation other than being trapped 3 wide in the middle stages which he felt may have had a detrimental effect on the horses chances. He also added that whilst the gelding was resuming over an unsuitable distance he expected RITUAL PRINCE to put up a bold showing. Nevertheless he felt RITUAL PRINCE was disappointing. D Evans was found guilty of a charge of careless riding in that he permitted his mount RICH STREET to shift in near the 800 metres when not clear of RITUAL PRINCE which was taken in on to WESTERN ROUGE which was tightened for room and had to be checked. D Evans license to ride in races was suspended for a period covered by 3 Capricorn meetings to take effect immediately and to expire at midnight the 6th of May. D Schultz trainer of GREY COMMANDER was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding in relation to its barrier manners.

RACE 4 MAIDEN H’CAP – 1200 METRES (9 STARTERS)
AGENIUS was slow to begin. LETTERGRAM jumped out and made heavy contact with NEPOLEON’S CURSE, which in turn made heavy contact with AVA BLAZE. BELLA BANDITO raced greenly in the early stages. Near the 300 metres AVA BLAZE was tightened for room between CINNAMON FLOSS and BOMBADIL, which shifted out. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of NAPOLEON’S CURSE rider S Galloway could offer no excuses for the horses performance and stated the horse was under pressure a long way from home.

RACE 5 F & M CLASS 2 H’CAP – 1200 METRES (8 STARTERS)
MISTY RIVER was slow to begin. Near the 800 metres CANADIAN MAPLE, which was over racing, had to be checked off the heels of WYNYA. Approaching the home turn CANADIAN MAPLE had to be checked off the heels of the tiring RAAMI RHYTHM.

RACE 6 2YO H’CAP 1200 METRES (14 STARTERS)
FLEET STREET and POKOMO were both slow to begin. BACKSTAGE GIRL jumped away awkwardly. Approaching the first turn TEMPESTES improved up on to the heels of DANJOSE and shifted out. Shortly after TEMPESTES shifted back in which resulted in LET’S KANOODLE and KING’S MIRROR, which were following having to be steadied. GAZZAM, KING’S MIRROR, KAI CHOW and POKOMO were all held up for clear running in the early stages of the straight. Approaching the 100 metres ISA GIRL that shifted out to improve made heavy contact with DANJOSE, which had shifted in. As a result DANJOSE became unbalanced shifted out and caused severe crowding to GENERAL INTEREST, GAZZAM and KING’S MIRROR.

RACE 7 QUALITY H’CAP 1000 METRES (11 STARTERS)
EVIL SNIP and ESPIRE both jumped away awkwardly. An inquiry was adjourned in to the reasons for EVIL SNIP having to be checked near the 600 metres. M Unwin rider of EVIL SNIP was found guilty of a charge of careless riding in that he permitted his mount to shift in approaching the 800 metres when not clear of MR. BALLISTIC which clipped the heels of that runner and blundered. M Unwin had his license to ride in races suspended for 2 Capricorn meetings to begin immediately and to expire at midnight on the 5th of May 2003. In assessing penalty stewards took in to account M. Unwin’s exceptional riding record.

RACE 8 CLASS 5 H’CAP 1500 METRES (12 STARTERS)
DE CHAMPS was declared a late scratching at 5.02pm when that horse was unable to be loaded. On declaration of correct weight all monies invested on DE CHAMPS were ordered to be refunded and deductions of 2 cents on the win value of tickets and 3 cents on the place value of tickets applied. D Munns trainer of DE CHAMPS was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding. COSDEL LANE was slow to begin. THE ROAN RANGER over raced in the early stages and had to be steadied off the heels of MOON PIXIE, which shifted in slightly. Rounding the home turn ANOTHER POWER hung out. Soon After straightening THE ROAN RANGER shifted out to obtain clear running taking COSDEL LANE wider on the track. On return to scale a protest lodged by M Unwin the rider of POWER LIFTER the second horse past the post against CHIEF HARMONY the first horse past the post being declared the winner alleging interference over the concluding stages was upheld. Stewards were of the opinion that CHIEF HARMONY shifted out and bumped POWER LIFTER inside the final 100m resulting in that gelding becoming unbalanced. The placing’s were amended to read POWER LIFTER 1ST CHIEF HARMONY 2ND C’ON DARBY 3RD.

ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED