QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
ROCKHAMPTON JOCKEY CLUB – FRIDAY 26 APRIL 2019
 
WEATHER – OVERCAST/SHOWERS   TRACK RATING – SOFT 7        RAIL – TRUE
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – C. Albrecht
Stewards – M. Heath, B. Connell, D. Macklyn
Clerk of Scales – W. Welburn
Judge – S. Bryant
Veterinarian – Dr A. Williams
Swab attendants – A. Challen
Starter – R. Hanson
 
GENERAL
 
As N. Thomas was not riding due to injury and D. Simmons due to personal reasons, riding replacements were made as per the Stewards Race Day Summary.
 
Race 1: NORTH TULLAMORE PASTORAL COMPANY CLASS 2 H'CAP – 1600M
 
TOP EVIE – Steadied near the 200m when tightened for room between MAC’S METTLE and MYSTERY ELEMENT, which shifted out under pressure. Ms E. Smith, the rider of MYSTERY ELEMENT, was advised to exercise more care. When questioned regarding the performance, jockey A. Spinks stated that the filly overraced in the early stages and was not suited by the slow tempo and as a consequence was unable to finish the race off as expected. He added that he had recommended to connections that consideration be given to racing the filly over shorter distances where the pace of the race is more genuine. Trainer J. Wigginton agreed with the comments of jockey Spinks and indicated that he would look at dropping the filly back in distance.
 
RUFFY ROAD – C. Jokic was fined $100 for excessive use of the whip prior to the 100m.
 
GLADISHING – Slow to begin. M. Stephens was fined the sum of $200 for excessive use of the whip prior to the 100m.
 
Race 2: THINKWATER/WANDAL NEED AND FEED MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1400M
 
After arriving at the barriers PIANO MAN underwent a veterinary examination at the request of rider A. Spinks and was cleared to start. However, as A. Spinks advised that he had concerns with the gelding’s action en route to the barriers and he was unwilling to fulfil his engagement on the horse, stewards declared PIANO MAN a late scratching at 1:38 pm. On the announcement of correct weight stewards ordered that all monies invested on PIANO MAN be refunded, with the following deductions to apply to successful wagers placed prior to 1:38 pm:
 
2 cents in the dollar for the win #2
2 cents in the dollar for place of winner #2
4 cents in the dollar for 2nd place #3
5 cents in the dollar for 3rd place #7
 
IMAY SHOUT – Began awkwardly.
 
SHE LIKES A DRINK – Tightened for room at the start. Had to be steadied near the 600m to avoid the heels of MILITARY PRINCE, which shifted out when not sufficiently clear. C. Jokic, the rider of MILITARY PRINCE, was reprimanded for this incident.
 
MILITARY PRINCE – Hampered at the start.
 
OUR DESERT ROSE – Blundered at the start.
 
Race 3: G & L DUNNETT PLASTERBOARD CONTRACTORS QTIS 2YO MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1100M
 
The start of this race was delayed when MARRON CHEVAL was reluctant to load.
 
SHAGRIMMY – Hampered shortly after the start by GRANDMA’S DYNAMO, which shifted out.
 
TALES OF EPSILON – Had to be eased near the 500m to avoid the heels of CRIME BOSS, which shifted out under hard riding. Apprentice A. Thompson, the rider of CRIME BOSS, was reprimanded for this incident. Steadied to avoid the heels of LA BELLE LA BELLE near the 200m when that runner shifted in abruptly under hard riding. Ms H. English, the rider of LA BELLE LA BELLE, was advised to exercise more care.
 
GRANDMA’S DYNAMO – Raced four wide for the majority of the event.
 
IDLE JACK – Slow to begin.
 
CRIME BOSS – Apprentice A. Thompson was fined $200 for excessive use of the whip prior to the 100m. In determining penalty, stewards considered the totality of apprentice Thompson’s whip use.
 
LA BELLE LA BELLE – Raced three wide without cover for the majority of the event.
 
MARRON CHEVAL – Reluctant to load. Began awkwardly, shifted in abruptly and bumped BONNY’S TREASURE. Raced four wide for the majority of the event.
 
WHIPPED CREAM – Began awkwardly. Hampered over the concluding stages.
 
BONNY’S TREASURE – Bumped at the start.
 
Race 4: XXXX GOLD CLASS 3 PLATE – 1050M
 
As A. Butler was to be overweight, R. Wiggins was substituted as the rider of ZUKAZ. A. Butler was fined $200.
 
FRUGAL – Raced three wide without cover throughout.
 
TOECANARGIE MAN – Raced wide throughout the event.
 
ZUKAZ – Overraced approaching the turn near the 900m and had to be steadied from heels. Steadied near the 350m when tightened for room between ASTRAL ODYSSEY, which shifted out slightly, and FRUGAL, which shifted in.
 
BLAZERAY – Began awkwardly. Had to be eased near the 500m when racing in restricted room to the inside of ASTRAL ODYSSEY.
 
TEVYE – Raced four wide without cover throughout the event. When questioned regarding the horse’s seemingly improved performance, trainer K. Smyth explained that in his opinion the addition of blinkers back on today contributed to the improved performance. Stewards noted his explanation.
 
RIO ROSIE – Began awkwardly.
 
Race 5: ROCKHAMPTON GRAMMAR SCHOOL RACEDAY – SAT 4 MAY CLASS 1 H'CAP – 1200M
 
As D. Simmons was not riding due to personal reasons, R. Oakford was substituted as the rider of ROCK’N’ROLL BOBBY.
 
COLORADO RIVER – Slow to begin.
 
ROCK’N’ROLL BOBBY – Raced three wide without cover throughout.
 
MISS DE MIRAGE – Lost its near hind plate in running.
 
TIME FOR LILLI – Began awkwardly, making heavy contact with the outside barrier partition, and lost ground. A post-race veterinary examination revealed that the mare was lame in the near hind leg. Trainer A Coome was advised that the mare will require a veterinary clearance prior to its next start.
 
TAMBO’S VIXEN – Raced three wide throughout.
 
LADY BEC – Slow to begin.
 
Race 6: CALLAGHAN PARK FUNCTIONS AND EVENTS CENTRE OPEN H'CAP – 1100M
 
CASINO THOUGHTS – When questioned regarding the horse’s disappointing performance, jockey B. Pengelly explained that despite travelling wide throughout, he was confident of a forward showing as the gelding was travelling strongly, however, when placed under pressure near the 500m, it failed to quicken on the soft surface and in his opinion this was a contributing factor to the disappointing performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a poor post-race recovery. Stewards will follow up with trainer K. Hansen in ensuing days regarding the horse’s post-race recovery.
 
MAMSELLE CORDAY – Raced three wide for the majority of the event.
 
RAGAZZO DEL CORSA – When questioned regarding the horse’s disappointing performance, jockey J. Stanley stated that after beginning only fairly, instead of being caught racing extremely wide, he restrained to obtain a position with cover. He added that the gelding failed to travel comfortably and was disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a poor post-race recovery.
 
BARACHIEL – Slow to begin.
 
SPRING CREEK – Began awkwardly. Had to be restrained near the 800m after improving on to heels.
 
Race 7: J.A.F. ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS BENCHMARK 69 H'CAP – 1300M
 
The declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow apprentice H. English, the rider of 2nd placegetter STELLA’S DREAM, to view the photo finish image for 1st place. After doing so, apprentice English indicated that she was satisfied with the Judge’s placings, and as the stewards were also satisfied with the Judge’s placings, correct weight was declared.
 
MYSTIC FORCES – Bumped by ALOOF’S TURF near the 500m on a couple of occasions.
 
HELLUVA HOFFA – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
MEDIA VITA – When questioned regarding the horse’s disappointing performance, jockey J. Stanley explained that he had to pressure the gelding to obtain a forward position. He added that after travelling well outside the leader during the middle stages the gelding then failed to finish the race off and in his opinion was most disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a poor post-race recovery. Stewards will follow up with trainer J. McConachy in coming days as to the horse’s post-race recovery.
 
MALKARA – Inconvenienced near the 400m by MEDIA VITA, which shifted out slightly.
 
ALOOF’S TURF – Shifted in when attempting to secure clear running near the 500m, making contact with MYSTIC FORCES on a couple of occasions.
 
LE DRAMA – When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, jockey N. Day stated that his instructions were to obtain a position off the pace as the gelding can overrace when ridden forward. He added that when he restrained to obtain cover in the early stages, the gelding commenced to overrace, which resulted in him settling further back than anticipated. Trainer D. Hansen confirmed the instructions. Stewards noted the explanations.
 
ROCKSETTA – Slow to begin.
 
STELLA’S DREAM – Shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages. Ms H. English was fined the sum of $100 for excessive use of the whip prior to the 100m. In determining penalty, stewards took into account Ms English’s good record in relation to this rule.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 2. C. Jokic – careless riding – AR131(a)
Race 3. App. A. Thompson – careless riding – AR131(a)
 
Fines
Race 1. M. Stephens – $200 – excessive use of the whip prior to 100m (12 times) – AR132(7)(a)(ii)
Race 1. C. Jokic – $100 – excessive use of the whip prior to 100m – AR132(7)(a)(ii)
Race 3. App. A. Thompson – $200 – excessive use of the whip prior to 100m (11 times) – AR132(7)(a)(ii)
Race 4. A. Butler – $200 – overweight – AR190(3)
Race 7. App. H. English – $100 – excessive use of the whip prior to 100m (12 times) – AR132(7)(a)(ii)
 
Absent jockeys
N. Thomas – injured – medical clearance req'd
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
Romakash, Mac’s Mettle, Top Evie, Mystery Element, Ruffy Road
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 5. TIME FOR LILLI – lame near hind leg – veterinary clearance – AR20(e)
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 1.         RUFFY ROAD – C. Jokic
Race 2.         MILITARY PRINCE – C. Jokic
Race 3.         CRIME BOSS – A. Thompson
                     LITTLE SID – H. Phillips
Race 4.         ZUKAZ – R. Wiggins
Race 5.         ROCK’N’ROLL BOBBY – R. Oakford
Race 6.         PRINCELY – H. English
 
Late scratchings
Race 2.         PIANO MAN – 1:38 pm
 
Published subject to correction upon revision