QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
ROCKHAMPTON JOCKEY CLUB
 
ROCKHAMPTON – SATURDAY 9TH DECEMBER 2023
 
WEATHER – FINE            TRACK RATING – GOOD(4)           RAIL – TRUE
 
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – T. Hudson
Stewards – E. Suli, G. Meek, D. Macklyn & M. Heath
Clerk of Scales – G. Wust
Judge – S. Bryant
Veterinarian – Dr R. Olsen
Swab Attendants – E. Burgess
Starter – B. Burnell
 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORTS
 
EMERALD 3RD OCTOBER 2023
 
At Emerald on the 3rd October 2023, Mr Richard Hall, licensed stable hand with the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission, pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR228(b) which states:
 
“A person shall not engage in: misconduct, improper conduct or unseemly behaviour”.
 
The particulars of that charge being that, as a licensed stable hand, at the Emerald Jockey Club on the 3rd of October 2023 while in the wash bays, Mr Richard Hall forcefully struck the horse, PARA PARK CHANCE, with his lead rope in the neck and shoulder region.
 
In determining penalty, Stewards acknowledged Mr Hall’s record over a 40-year period in the industry and guilty plea. Stewards were also mindful of the need for deterrence and considered previous determinations of similar nature.
 
Mr Hall was fined $2000 with $1000 suspended for a period of 2 years, on the basis he does not re-offend under the conduct rules for that period.
 
Mr Hall was advised of his rights to appeal.
 
ROCKHAMPTON 1ST DECEMBER 2023
 
RACE 2 – BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP (1600 METRES)
TRICKY BEANS – Trainer K. Smyth reported that TRICKY BEANS had been examined by a veterinarian on two separate occasions since it’s run, who identified no abnormalities and mentioned that the initial hamstring problem may have been the result of muscle cramping from the heat conditions that day. He further stated that he hadn’t worked TRICKY BEANS this week and would now give it a short break from training.
 
Race 5 – DLV FINANCE CLASS 1 HANIDCAP (1050 METRES)
DONMORE GIRL – Trainer C. Taylor advised stewards that he had since obtain blood tests of the filly which revealed levels indictive of DONMORE GIRL not backing up so quickly. C Taylor stated that he would look to give the filly a freshen up and now space the runs of DONMORE GIRL more effectively in view of this report.
 
RACE 6 – CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1050 METRES)
BIG ROCKET – Mr D. Whyte advised stewards that BIG ROCKET had pulled up well and had subsequently worked well this week with the experimentation of gear. Mr White further stated that the gelding would continue with its current preparation.
 
RACE 8 – TAB CLASS 3 PLATE (1200 METRES)
TIOGA PASS – Trainer J. Wehlow advised stewards that TIOGA PASS had pulled up well since its previous performance and that the gelding would continue with its current preparation.
 
THANGOOL 2ND DECEMBER 2023
 
In the days subsequent Jockey H. Phillips reported that she was suffering from an injury sustained at the meeting. Stewards advised Miss Phillips that she would require a medical certificate prior to resuming riding.  Miss Phillips was reminded of her obligation to advise stewards at the race meeting of any incidents that occur at the meeting.
 
RACE 2 – QTIS MAIDEN PLATE (1200 METRES)
 
PICCOLO NIKKI – Trainer J Halpin advised Stewards that PICCOLO NIKKI will be retired from racing.
 
GENERAL
 
Stewards approved the following overweights:
 
Race 1 – T. Chambers – +1kg
Race 1 – J. Stanley – +1kg
Race 3 – A. Butler – +0.5kg
Race 3 – J. Stanley – +0.5kg
Race 3 – T. Chambers – +1kg
Race 5 – T. Chambers – +1kg
 
 
Trainer C. Taylor pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of LR43 in that on the morning of Tuesday 5th of December 2023 he did allow an unlicensed person to perform stablehand duties during trackwork at Callaghan Park and at his on course barns. Trainer C. Taylor was fined $500 with $200 suspended for a period of 2 years on the basis that another incident does not occur. When determining penalty, Stewards took into consideration the minimum penalty guidelines, Mr Taylor’s guilty plea, his total cooperation with the inquiry and that Mr Taylor had since made efforts to ensure that the particular stablehand is now licenced with QRIC.
 
Stewards accepted the reasons for the late declarations of both riders from trainer J Devine.
 
Race 1: HIGHGROVE BATHROOMS OPEN HANDICAP – 1400M
 
LETMELETGO – Laid in when placed under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
KOTABHARU – Held up for majority of the home straight before electing to shift out to obtain clear racing room near the 250m. Approaching the 100m, was taken in slightly by LETMELETGO and as a result bumped heavily with the hind quarters of FRESH PRINCE. Jockey R. S. Olivera was reminded of his obligations in straightening his mounts earlier.
 
MAKEDON – Jumped away awkwardly. Overraced in the early stages.
 
FRESH PRINCE – Bumped in the hind quarters by KOTABHARU which was taken in slightly approaching the 100m.
 
After the running of this race the track was upgraded to a Good(4) retrospectively.
 
Race 2: WINDSCREEN AMBULANCE BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP – 1200M
 
FIGHTING COMMANDO – Jumped away awkwardly. Apprentice O. Kendal was fined $300 under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip on 6 occasions prior to the 100m, 1 more than permitted.
 
THISLAND IS MYLAND – Raced wide throughout. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
OCEAN EMPEROR – Near the 1000m had to steady and then check shortly after to avoid the heels of JANEAN which shifted in when insufficiently clear. At a subsequent inquiry, Apprentice B. Johnson was reprimanded under the provisions of AR131(a) for allowing her mount to shift in when insufficiently clear to do so.
 
REAL KEY – Slow to begin. Overraced in the early stages. Raced in restricted room when awkwardly placed onto the heels of FIGHTING COMMANDO near the 900m.
 
SINGLE HONOR – Upon returning to scale, Jockey J. Stanley reported that his mount was inclined to hang out throughout the event, even more noticeably from the 500m. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no abnormalities. Trainer N. Walsh reported to stewards that he will now be assessing the immediate racing future of SINGLE HONOR in his stable.
 
SABOR – Slow to begin. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
Race 3: LJ HOOKER ROCKHAMPTON MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1100M
 
PLAYFUL KISS – Bumped on jumping with AZURE DE LAGO. Raced wide throughout.
 
SIR GRACE (NZ) – Shifted in shortly after jumping bumping DIVINE KAMEHALANI.
 
EXCITE CHOO – Slow to begin. Hung out rounding the home turn.
 
POTESTAS – Bumped on jumping by OUR GOLD CLAIM which shifted out. Raced wide throughout. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.  
 
QUARTERSHARE – Jumped away awkwardly.
 
OUR GOLD CLAIM – Shifted out on jumping, bumping POTESTAS. Passing the 400m shifted in abruptly when weakening.
 
DIVINE KAMEHALANI – Was fractious in the barriers prior to jumping. Bumped shortly after the start by SIR GRACE (NZ) which shifted in.
 
AZURE DE LAGO – Upon entering the course proper AZURE DE LAGO became fractious, dislodging Jockey T. Chambers before galloping a short distance before being recaptured by the clerk of the course. Jockey T. Chambers was assessed by the on-course QAS officers and was cleared to fulfill her remaining engagements. AZURE DE LAGO underwent a pre-race veterinary examination behind the barriers and was passed fit to start. Trainer J. O’Sing was advised that a warning would be placed on the mare’s record for its pre-race behaviour.
 
ROSE ALICE – Jumped away awkwardly.
 
Race 4: TAB RATINGS BAND 0 - 60 HANDICAP – 1100M
 
FIGHT IN THE DOG – Shifted out on jumping, bumping with KEFALONIA. Overraced onto the heels of PARA PARK CHANCE near the 900m.
 
KEFALONIA – Shifted in on jumping bumping with FIGHT IN THE DOG. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
MAGIC ON ICE – A swab sample was taken for analysis due to being a notable mover in the market.
 
HEZAGEM – Upon returning to scale, Apprentice B. Johnson advised stewards that upon entering the home straight, HEZAGEM made heavy contact with the inside running rail for a number of strides. Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination which revealed no abnormalities. Trainers representative N Schofield advised that HEZAGEM has only ever performed moderately first up in the stable and whilst not overly satisfied with the performance, the stable would still be expecting HEZAGEM to improve over the next couple of runs.
 
DESERT MOON – Hampered on jumping when PARA PARK CHANCE shifted out and when KIRAELLA SHORES shifted in. Raced wide throughout.
 
KIRELLA SHORES – Shifted in on jumping, hampering DESERT MOON. Raced wide throughout.
 
DRAGON'S SNIP – Bumped by PARA PARK CHANCE shortly after jumping. Jockey J Stanley reported that his mount commenced to hang in the early stages placing him in difficulty for that stage of the event, however improved its manners during the running of the event.
 
PARA PARK CHANCE – Shifted out on jumping, hampering DESERT MOON and was carried inwards, bumping DRAGON’S SNIP. 
 
 
Race 5: GREAT NORTHERN BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP – 1400M
 
The start of this event was delayed when THUNDER KNOB momentarily got its leg up on the barrier partition. A subsequent veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities and THUNDER KNOB was able to take its place in the event.
 
ENCROACHMENT – Had the off-hind re-shod prior to the event by the on-course farrier. Jumped away awkwardly.
 
I'M BLUEY – Jumped away awkwardly. Jockey J. Stanley was reprimanded under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using his whip on 7 occasions prior to the 100m, 2 more than permitted.
 
JUST LET IT OUT – Overraced in early stages.
 
ADAM'S APPLE – Slow into the stride. Bumped with GENERAL WOLFFE upon entering the home straight.
 
TOM ROCKS – Jockey D. Evans was fined $300 under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using his whip on 6 occasions prior to the 100m, 1 more than permitted.
 
GENERAL WOLFFE – Awkwardly placed onto the heels of PARAMEDIC (NZ) near the 650m. Bumped with ADAM’S APPLE upon entering the home straight. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
THUNDER KNOB – Prior to the start, underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after getting its leg up on the barrier partition and was cleared to start. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
LYNRIC LASS – When questioned regarding the tactics adopted Trainer L. Sullivan advised stewards that it is the stables intention to always have LYNRIC LASS racing in a forward position and whilst it was not the intention to out-right lead today, Sullivan still understood and was satisfied with jockey T. Chambers’ decision to lead. Trainer Sullivan stated that she has issued this instructions in previous runs, however circumstances have led to LYNRIC LASS not being able to race in that pattern. Sullivan further stated that she would continue with this racing pattern. Stewards noted her comments. Jockey T Chambers was fined $300 under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip 6 times prior to the 100m, 1 more than permitted.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
Reprimands
 
Race 2 – Brooke Johnson – AR131(a) – Careless Riding
 
Race 5 – Justin Stanley – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – 7 times prior to the 100m, 2 more than permitted
 
Fines
 
Race 2 – Olivia Kendal – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – $300 – 6 times prior to the 100m, 1 more than permitted
 
Race 5 – Dale Evans – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – $300 – 6 times prior to the 100m, 1 more than permitted
 
Race 5 – Tasha Chambers – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – $300 – 6 times prior to the 100m, 1 more than permitted
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
SABOR, SIR GRACE (NZ), HEZAGEM, GULF OF SIDRA
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners and MAGIC ON ICE
 
Warnings/bars
Race 3 – AZURE DE LAGO – Pre-Race Behaviour – Warning
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 4 – MAGIC ON ICE – D Evans
Race 5 – ADAM’S APPLE – C Lennon
 
 
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.