STEWARDS REPORT
 
ROCKHAMPTON JOCKEY CLUB
 
FRIDAY 1 DECEMBER 2023
 
WEATHER – OVERCAST
TRACK RATING –  SOFT 5 (R1) GOOD 4 (R2-8)
RAIL – +7M ENTIRE
PENETROMETER – 5.45
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – T. Hudson
Stewards – H. Gillett, S. Stehbens, S. Coulthard & G. Meek.
Clerk of Scales – G. Wust
Judge – S. Bryant
Veterinarian – Dr S Olsen
Swab Attendant – E. Burgess
Starter – T. Williams
 
GENERAL
 
When arriving on the course jockey L. Tilley and apprentice O. Kendal informed stewards that their bags have been misplaced at the airport. Apprentice Kendal had access to her saddles, however jockey Tilley had no access to any of his gear and had to borrow spare gear of other riders at the venue. In the circumstances, stewards permitted the following late weight variation;
 
RACE 6 - #6 – SHADOWAY DRIVE – L Tilley +0.5kg to now ride at 56.5kg.
 
Race 1: ON SITE FLEET MAINTENANCE QTIS 3YO MDN HCP -1200M
 
ROBUST BOY – Bumped shortly after the start by DIVINE HALO. Jockey J. Huxtable reported to stewards that it wasn’t his intention to be so forward, however after jumping away moderately and noticing that other runners did not have much gate speed, he elected to make use of his position and race closer to the speed today.
 
SERGEANT'S PRIDE – When questioned regarding the performance jockey A Sewell stated that after being slow to begin, he was forced to race at the tail of the field in a race without much pace. He added that although he had to steady throughout the middle stages on a few occasions due to this pace, when he asked SERGEANT’S PRIDE for an effort, he was overall disappointed with the gelding’s response as it only went fairly to the line whereas he was under the impression that the gelding had more to offer.
 
DIVINE HALO – Jumped awkwardly bumping with ROBUST BOY.
 
SUNSHINE RUBY – Jumped awkwardly. Had difficulty obtaining clear running until approaching the 300m. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
LADY ACT – Pulled hard in the middle stages. 
 
RUBY SCARLET – Jumped awkwardly and was slow into stride.
 
TEEKUPP – Raced wide throughout. Apprentice O. Kendal was reprimanded under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip 6 times prior to the 100m, 1 more than permitted.
 
MOON OVER MATILDA – Laid in under pressure down the home straight. 
 
After the running of this race the track was upgraded to a Good 4.
 
Race 2: SPARROW CONSTRUCTIONS BM70 HCP - 1600M
 
TRICKY BEANS – When questioned on the performance jockey R. Wiggins stated that TRICKY BEANS raced well in the early stages, and he didn’t feel as though his mount had to do too much work to gain a position outside the lead. He added though that during the middles stages he noticed the gelding started to come off the bit and failed to respond when placed under pressure and went to the line in a disappointing manner. He further added that the 62.5kg his mount had to carry was detrimental to its chances and during the straight TRICKY BEANS was struck by the whip of another rider when racing tightly. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding sustained an injury to his near side hamstring. Trainer K. Smyth was advised that a veterinary certificate would be required prior to its next start.  
 
BONDURANT – When questioned on the performance of his mount jockey A. Butler stated that BONDURANT initially raced well in the early stages and found its customary leading position without having to do too much work. He added though that when approaching the 800m, the gelding started to not travel as strongly as it usually does and failed to respond to his urgings when placed under pressure in the home straight. Jockey Butler further stated that the heat and the 62kg imposed on his mount today was a factor in the performance today. Trainer J Wehlow echoed jockey Butler’s sentiments and undertook to report back on the condition of BONDURANT in the days subsequent.
 
MILITARY KINGS – Slow into stride and tailed off in the early stages. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
MAKEDON – Jockey T. Chambers was fined $300 under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip 8 times prior to the 100m, 3 more than permitted. 

Race 3: CALIBRE EARTHMOVING MDN HCP - 1400M
 
FLASH ILLUSION – Jockey A Butler reported to stewards that his mount never felt comfortable during the event and therefore refused to place FLASH ILLUSION under any more pressure from the 400m and as a result, was beaten approximately 93.5 lengths. Jockey Butler added that he felt FLASH ILLUSION may have displayed an abnormal breathing sound over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no immediate abnormalities. Trainer L. Clem was advised that in the circumstances, FLASH ILLUSION would be required to officially barrier trial due to its performance and would also need to produce a veterinary clearance prior to that trial.
 
UNLIKELY HERO – Laid in under pressure down the home straight. Jockey J. Huxtable was fined $300 under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for his use of whip 6 times prior to the 100m, 1 more than permitted. 
 
MY COUNTY – Slow to begin. Raced wide throughout.
 
ROCKY REBEL – Held up rounding the home turn.
 
DIVINE KAMEHALANI – Fractious in the barriers. Raced wide throughout.
 
GULF OF SIDRA – Raced wide throughout. Jockey J. Murphy was reprimanded under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using his whip 7 times prior to the 100m, 2 more than permitted. 
 
SOFTEN IT UP – Jockey W. Satherley reported that it was not his intentions to be so close to the lead but after beginning well he elected to use his gate speed rather than be trapped wide. Trainer D Schulz confirmed that he would continue that racing pattern for SOFTEN IT UP after being satisfied with the way SOFTEN IT UP finished its race off.
 
Race 4: CENTRE STATE SIGNS C3 HCP -1400M
 
SRINI – Began awkwardly. Shifted off the heels of TOY BLAZE when that runner hung out near the 250m.
 
BOLD HUSSAR – Had difficulty obtaining clear running from the 500m to a point near the 250m.
 
DEVIL KICK – Hung in over the concluding stages.
 
TOY BLAZE – Hung out under pressure in the home straight on several occasions.
 
THE BRUMBY – Had to be momentarily steadied near the 250m when SRINI shifted off the heels of TOY BLAZE to obtain clear running. Whilst stewards were mindful of the racing manners of TOY BLAZE in this incident, jockey J. Huxtable (SRINI) was nonetheless reminded to exercise more care when shifting in similar circumstances.
 
Race 5: DLV FINANCE C1 HCP- 1050M
 
SEISME – Jockey R Wiggins reported that after being slow to begin he elected to take a position closer to the rail and added that as the gelding was dropping back in distance today, his mount wouldn’t have the pace other runners had and was content to ride at the tail of the field. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
WHITTLESFORD – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
GILBERT'S GOLD – Jumped awkwardly. Raced in restricted room in the early stages and had to be steadied. Had difficulty obtaining clear running from rounding the home turn to a point near the 250m. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
BELLA BIANCA – Raced wide in the early stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed BELLA BIANCA to be showing signs of heat stress and was treated accordingly by the veterinarian.
 
DONMORE GIRL – When questioned on the performance of the filly jockey J. Stanley stated that although DONMORE GIRL had to do a little bit of work to obtain the lead, he was satisfied with the way she settled and how she was travelling up until the 400m. He added that when he asked DONMORE GIRL for an effort once headed by NOUVERE FILLE and then BOLD AND SMOOTH quickly after, she failed to respond and was disappointing from that point on. Stanley stated that DONMORE GIRL had sweated up quite poorly in the preliminaries and this may have been a factor in the performance. Trainer C. Taylor could offer no exact explanation for the performance however agreed with jockey Stanley’s summarisation, especially regarding the heat and mentioned that the filly was stepping up in grade and racing at Rockhampton for the first time. Although they were factors in the event, Taylor was still disappointed at the performance and would now look at a possible break from racing for DONMORE GIRL. Trainer C Taylor also undertook to report back to the stewards on the condition and immediate plans of the filly in the days subsequent. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
Race 6:HIGGINS COATINGS C1 HCP - 1050M
 
RUBUNKAR – Raced greenly in the home straight and approaching the 400m was tightened when racing in restricted room between KAMARCHER and STAZY, bumping with them on several occasions before then being able to obtain clear running.
 
OLIGARCHY – Declared a late scratching at 2:37pm after trainer N Walsh contacted stewards to inform them that he noticed OLIGARCHY had a foot abscess when he went to get the gelding out of its stable to transport him to the races. Subsequently, trainer N Walsh was advised that OLIGARCHY would require a veterinary certificate prior to its next start.
 
ALIKICK – Trainer J Devine was advised that a warning would be placed on the record of ALIKICK for being difficult to load. A post-race veterinary examination revealed ALIKICK to be showing signs of heat stress and was treated accordingly by the veterinarian.
 
KAMARCHER – Bumped with RUBUNKAR when racing tight for several strides approaching the 400m.
 
SHADOWAY DRIVE – Raced greenly in the home straight.
 
BIG ROCKET – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after becoming fractious when being reshod in the tie up stalls. The examination revealed no abnormalities. App O. Kendal reported approximately near the 300m her mount may have either resented the tongue control bit, or BIG ROCKET may have held its breathe for an extended period due the abnormal respiratory noise she heard BIG ROCKET display at that moment. Due to this noise, she allowed her mount to be eased down in the home straight shortly after. Trainer D. Whyte advised stewards that he would experiment with gear and look to replace the tongue control bit with a tongue tie, in an effort to narrow down the source of BIG ROCKET’s performance today. Trainer Whyte also informed stewards he will notify them if anything becomes apparent with BIG ROCKET in the days subsequent.
 
GRAND ASCENT – Fractious in the barriers and then reared several times as the gates opened. After eventually leaving the barriers, GRAND ASCENT then commenced to buck dislodging jockey J. Murphy. Trainer A. Stephens was advised that GRAND ASCENT would be required to officially barrier trial prior to its next start. A post-race veterinary examination revealed minor abrasions to the right hip.
 
Jockey J. Murphy was assessed by QAS officers and cleared to fulfill his remaining engagement.
 
STAZY – Bumped with RUBUNKAR when racing in restricted room approaching the 400m.
 
Race 7:GREAT NORTHERN OPEN HANDICAP -1100M
 
CAPTAIN FOX – Laid out under pressure near the 800m carrying KOSOWSKI wider.
 
SHAMEDY – Bumped on jumping with ARCHER’S TREASURE.
 
POET'S GIRL – Jumped awkwardly. App jockey O. Kendal was fined $300 under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip 6 times prior to the 100m, 1 more than permitted. 
 
MEDIA EMPIRE – Began awkwardly.
 
KOSOWSKI – Taken wider at the 800m when CAPTAIN FOX laid out and was forced to race wide from that point on.
 
ARCHER'S TREASURE – Jumped awkwardly bumping with SHAMEDY.
 
Race 8: TAB C3 PLT -1200M
 
TIOGA PASS – Lunged at the gates prior to that start of the race. Raced wide in the early stages. On scale jockey J Huxtable reported that when TIOGA PASS lunged at the gates, he was unaware what exact contact the gelding had made with the gates however did report that his shoulder had contacted the gates. This incident was observed by the veterinarian who was satisfied the incident didn’t require a pre-race examination and the start was affected quickly after. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
SHADOW PROJECT – Jockey W. Satherley was fined $400 under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using his whip 7 times prior to the 100m, 2 more than permitted. 
 
TOP SPY – Slow to begin.
 
WINTILLY – Began awkwardly.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 1 – Apprentice O. Kendal – use of whip prior to the 100m – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Reprimand
Race 2 – Jockey J. Murphy – use of whip prior to the 100m – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Reprimand
 
Fines
Race 2 – Jockey T. Chambers – use of whip prior to the 100m – AR132(7)(a)(ii) - $300
Race 3 – Jockey J. Huxtable – use of whip prior to the 100m - AR132(7)(a)(ii) - $300
Race 7 – Apprentice O. Kendal - use of whip prior to the 100m - AR132(7)(a)(ii) - $300
Race 8 – Jockey W. Satherley - use of whip prior to the 100m - AR132(7)(a)(ii) - $400
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
ROBUST BOY, MILITARY KINGS, SPOT THE DOT, BOLD HUSSAR, BIG ROCKET, TOP SPY
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 3 – FLASH ILLUSION - Poor performance – Vet certificate required and to officially barrier trial
Race 6 – ALIKICK – Difficult to load – Warning placed
Race 6 – OLIGARCHY – Late scratching on vets advice – Veterinary certificate required.
Race 6 – GRAND ASCENT – Reared on jumping – To officially barrier trial
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 2 - MOENAVE – J Huxtable
Race 5 - SEISME – R Wiggins
Race 8 - EYE PEE OH READY – J Stanley
              TRACK TALE – R Wiggins
 
Late scratchings
 
Race 6 – OLIGARCHY – Late scratching @ 2.37pm – Veterinary advice
 
 
 
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.