QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
CENTRAL QUEENSLAND AMATEUR RACING CLUB
 
ROCKHAMPTON – SUNDAY 30 APRIL 2023
 
WEATHER – Fine  TRACK RATING – Soft (5)         RAIL – +2.5M Entire
PENETROMETER – 5.46
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – J. Adams
Stewards – G. Goold, C. Allison, D. Aldridge, H. Gillett, A. Schofield
Clerk of Scales – M. Heath
Judge – S. Bryant
Veterinarian – Dr S. Flynn, Dr S. Olsen, Dr R. Olsen
Swab Attendants – E. Burgess
Starter – T. Williams

 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
Eagle Farm 29/04/2023 Race 6 - Trainer’s representative for the A. Neasham stable, Mr T. Pollard was fined $400 pursuant to AR100(1)(a) for failing to advise Stewards of a change of tactics for GWAN SO would be ridden in a manner differently to its most recent starts.
 
 
GENERAL
Stewards approved the following overweights:
Race 3. C. Whiteley +0.5kg
Race 5. C. Whiteley +0.5kg
 
 
Race 1: CLARK RUBBER QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Handicap 1100 metres
 
FINE SHOT – Shifted in on jumping, bumped heavily with HEROIC OSCAR and became unbalanced. Held up for clear running on entering the home straight, and was obliged to shift out. Passing the 600m, shifted out to improve and brushed BLUE WHISKEY. Jockey R. Wiggins reported on returning to scale that his whip broke passing the 400m placing him at a disadvantage for the remainder of the race.  
 
HEROIC OSCAR – Shifted out on jumping bumped heavily with FINE SHOT and became unbalanced. Commenced to over race approaching the 800m and shifted out. Passing the 600m, hampered and had to be directed off the heels of BLUE WHISKEY, who was carried out by FINE SHOT when insufficiently clear. Jockey R. Wiggins was reprimanded under the provisions of AR131(a) for this incident. Raced greenly in the home straight.
 
SWIFT STEP – Began awkwardly, shifted in abruptly contacting FINE SHOT and lost ground. Forced wider at the 800m and raced three wide from that point onwards. Momentarily inconvenienced at the 600m. Momentarily inconvenienced passing the 200m when HEROIC OSCAR shifted out when racing greenly.
 
BLUE WHISKEY – Began awkwardly. Brushed and then shifted out and away from FINE SHOT approaching the 500m.
 
SWEET CONFESSIONS – Began awkwardly. Passing the 400m raced in restricted room to the inside of FINE SHOT who shifted in abruptly after being struck by the whip.
 
Race 2: MILNE BROS COUNTRY CUP BENCHMARK 60 Handicap 1600 metres
 
SUPER BAZOOKA – Began awkwardly. A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the left foreleg. Trainer R. Williams was advised that SUPER BAZOOKA will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again. Trainer R. Williams advised Stewards that the gelding will be sent for an immediate spell.
 
CRAIGLEA BANDIT – Began awkwardly. Raced ungenerously when being restrained in the early stages. Approaching the 1200m when racing ungenerously improved onto the heels of RUFFIN’ IT and shifted out and raced three wide for a short distance. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight. Trainer K. Johnston was advised that a warning will be placed on the gelding’s racing manners.
 
NATIVE BEE – Slow to begin. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
Race 3: LEXUS ROCKY AMATEURS CUP OPEN Handicap 1600 metres
 
DEEP BREATH – Shifted ground under pressure in the home straight.
 
SNEAK PREVIEW – Began awkwardly. Approaching the 200m, was obliged to alter course and shift wider after becoming awkwardly placed on the heels of FESTIVAL PRINCE.
 
FESTIVAL PRINCE – Raced wide throughout. Became awkward in its stride turning into the home straight. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
JETSKI – Jockey J. Murphy was fined $400 pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using his whip seven times prior to the 100m, being two more than permitted.
 
EDIFICATION – Slow to begin. Approaching the 800m, improved onto the heels of FESTIVAL PRINCE and was obliged to shift wider. Raced wide throughout. Jockey B. Thompson, when asked to comment on the performance could offer no explanation for the gelding’s performance. A post race veterinary examination revealed no significant abnormalities.
 
KOTABHARU – Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages. Obliged to alter course on entering the home straight.
 
SEMAPHORE GIRL – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
Race 4: REO HEAVY EQUIPMENT REPAIRS BENCHMARK 60 Handicap 1400 metres
 
BONDURANT – When asked to comment on the performance of the gelding, apprentice Gibbons stated that BONDURANT became quite worked up prior to the event. He further added he was instructed to lead and that the gelding had a tendency to race keenly, however, in his opinion, travelled comfortably until asked for an effort in the home straight. Apprentice Gibbons went on to explain that he felt that being first up and carrying top weight, combined with the horse becoming worked up prior to the race, resulted in the horse failing to respond when asked for an effort in the home straight. Trainer J. Wehlow concurred with the comments of apprentice Gibbons and stated that the gelding will derive benefit from today’s event.
 
UNDER THE CAP – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.  
 
AIDENABET – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
SAW THAT COMING – Very slow to begin. Over raced during the early stages, improved onto heels at the 1200m.
 
COMMANDER'S WATCH – Slow to begin. Trainer J. Lewis was advised that a warning will be put on the gelding for poor performance.
 
Race 5: KNIGHT FRANK AGRIBUSINESS QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap 1100 metres
 
JUST SUPER – Passing the 600m shifted out to improve. Jockey R. Wiggins was advised to exercise greater care.
 
BETTER RAIN – Began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped BAUHINIA ROCK. Raced in restricted room shortly after the start.
 
KOBE LAD – Shifted in on jumping.
 
BAUHINIA ROCK – Began awkwardly and bumped with BETTER RAIN and blundered. Raced in restricted room shortly after the start. Raced wide throughout.
 
TIOGA PASS – Began awkwardly.
 
STUCK IN A DREAM – Obliged to steady when carried out across the heels of DEB’S ELLIE shortly after the start.
 
SIMPLY BETTER – Began awkwardly. Raced in restricted room passing the 300m between SWEET WAY’S and DIAMOND MONEY.
 
DIAMOND MONEY – Shifted in on jumping.
 
SKYMASTER – Began awkwardly and was bumped shortly afterwards. Became unbalanced and shifted outwards for a number of strides.
 
SWEET WAY'S – Got its head up when being restrained in the early stages. Inconvenienced passing the 600m. Passing the 200m when racing tight, had his hindquarters turned and became unbalanced.
 
Race 6: PARADISE LAGOONS 2023 THE FITZROY OPEN 1300 metres
 
MONTENEGRO MAN – Held up for clear running from entering the home straight until leaving the 400m. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
STARVIRGO – Jumped awkwardly. Improved onto heels at the 400m and had to be restrained. Improved onto heels at the 200m and had to be restrained.
 
BOLD AND LUCY – Began awkwardly and bumped with QUALITY ASSET.
 
ISIS CARMELLA – Trainer K. Miller was fined $200 pursuant to AR106(1) for presenting the mare to race without a tongue tie. Restrained from a wide barrier to take up a position closer to the rail.  
 
QUALITY ASSET – Bumped on jumping. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
GOOD CHAT – Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout.
 
STARSONIC – Began awkwardly.
 
Race 7: BENTLEYS 2023 THE ARCHER 1300 metres
 
VEGA ONE – When asked to comment on the tactics adopted, apprentice A. Jones stated though she did not expect the gelding to be so far forward, after beginning well, she found herself settling to the outside of EMERALD KINGDOM. She added that she expected to settle closer to midfield. Trainer T. Gollan concurred with the comments of apprentice Jones.
 
EMERALD KINGDOM – Began awkwardly. Held up for clear running on entering the home straight.
 
SURF DANCER (IRE) – When questioned regarding the performance of the gelding, jockey R. Bayliss stated that the gelding travelled well, however failed to quicken when asked for an effort in the home straight and was disappointing. A post race veterinary examination revealed SURF DANCER to be displaying a poor post race recovery.
 
WEONA SMARTONE (NZ) – Began awkwardly.
 
ALPINE EDGE – Held up until the 200m and obliged to alter course to improve.
 
NAMAZU – Apprentice J. Lloyd was fined $400 pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that he used his whip on eight occasions prior to the 100m, being three more than permitted.
 
MAOTAI – Raced wide throughout.
 
ANIMATE – Held up for clear running in the home straight. Obliged to alter course passing the 150m to obtain clear running.
 
BLAZE A TRAIL – Co-trainers C. Maher and D. Eustace was fined $200 pursuant to AR106(1) for presenting the gelding to race without a tongue tie. Raced wide throughout.
 
STARTANTES – When asked to comment on the performance of the mare, jockey J. Orman stated that STARTANTES travelled well. However, when asked for an effort in the home straight, failed to quicken as anticipated which he attributed to the pattern of racing which in his opinion suited horses running on speed and closer to the running rail.  Trainer R. Heathcote stated that in his opinion, STARTANTES was obliged to makes its run in the home straight on an inferior part of the track and would have been better suited if able to secure running closer to the inside rail. He further added that the mare had subsequently pulled up well and he was not disappointed in the mare’s performance.
 
COUNT DA BEANS – Raced in restricted room passing the 1200m. Improved onto heels at the 700m. Held up for clear running on entering the home straight.
 
Race 8: FRASERS TRANSPORT BENCHMARK 65 Handicap 1200 metres
 
CENTAUR – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.
 
SERGEANT HULKA – Began awkwardly. Passing the 800m, was momentarily inconvenienced by THE SQUIRE which rolled in marginally. Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
THE SQUIRE – Hampered on jumping. Raced wide throughout. When asked to comment on the performance of the gelding, apprentice J. Lloyd stated that his mount was  unable to find cover, and was obliged to travel wide. He also added that THE SQUIRE was first up, and consequently the gelding weakened noticeably over the concluding stages.
 
ENUFF HE SAID – Jumped awkwardly.
 
THISLAND IS MYLAND – Jumped awkwardly. Raced in restricted room to the inside of SERGEANT HULKA near the 1000m. Held up for clear running in the home straight until the 300m. Became awkward in its action approaching the 200m after being contacted by THE SQUIRE which shifted in. 
 
TYCOON TORI – Underwent a veterinary check on arrival at the barriers after kicking a sign leaving the enclosure, and was cleared to start. Fractious in the barriers.  Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure whilst weakening in the home straight. Underwent a post race veterinary examination which revealed the mare to be lame in the near foreleg. Trainer P. Fleming was advised that TYCOON TORI will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
 
HEROIC ANGEL – Jumped awkwardly and lost ground. Approaching the 800m had to be eased off the heels of THISLAND IS MYLAND.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 1. Jockey R. Wiggins – shifting out when insufficiently clear – careless riding – AR131(a).
 
Fines
Supplementary from Eagle Farm Race 6 29/4/2023 – Trainer’s representative – fail to notify change of tactics - $400 – AR100(1)(a).
Race 3. Jockey J. Murphy – use of whip on seven occasions prior to the 100m – AR132(7)(a)(ii) - $400.
Race 6. Trainer K. Miller – present horse with incorrect gear – AR106(1) - $200.  
Race 7. Apprentice J. Lloyd – use of whip on eight occasions prior to the 100m – AR132(7)(a)(ii) - $400.
Race 7. Co-trainers C. Maher & D. Eustace – present horse with incorrect gear – AR106(1) - $200.  
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
SUPER BAZOOKA, GRAND DE LAGO, NATIVE BEE, JAY JAY, MOST IMPRESSIVE, BETTER RAIN, MONTENEGRO MAN, CONSTANT FLIGHT, VILLA VILLEKULLA, VEGA ONE, GEN SONG, EMERALD KINGDOM, SURF DANCER, WEONA SMARTONE, ALPINE EDGE, NAMAZU, MAOTAI, ANIMATE, BLAZE A TRAIL, STARTANTES, COUNT DA BEANS, CENTAUR, THE SQUIRE.
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, EMERALD KINGDOM, NAMAZU.
 
Warnings/bars
Race 2. CRAIGLEA BANDIT – warning on racing manners.
Race 2. SUPER BAZOOKA – lame near foreleg – veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
Race 4. COMMANDER’S WATCH – warning – poor performance.
Race 8. TYCOON TORI – lame near foreleg – veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 2. 5. NATIVE BEE – S. Collett
Race 5. 6. THE SQUIRE – J. Lloyd 
 
 
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.