STEWARDS REPORT
 
ROCKHAMPTON JOCKEY CLUB
 
FRIDAY 9th FEBRUARY 2024
 
WEATHER – FINE
TRACK RATING – GOOD(4)
RAIL – +3.5m
PENETROMETER – 5.3
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – E. Suli
Stewards – S. Larkins, T. Hudson & H. Gillett
Clerk of Scales – S. Stehbens
Judge – S. Bryant
Veterinarian – Dr S. Olsen
Swab Attendant – E. Burgess
Starter – T. Williams
 
GENERAL
 
As Mackay races scheduled for Tuesday 13th were unexpectedly cancelled, Trainer K. Smyth’s late declaration of NANO STAR was accepted.
 
 
Race 1: 2024 MAGIC MILLIONS MARCH YEARLING SALE QTIS 2YO HCP – 1050M
 
WELL HELD – Shifted out on jumping bumping with MORE STYLISH.
 
DALT JAZ – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
MORE STYLISH – Bumped on jumping by WELL HELD.
 
 
Race 2: GREAT NORTHERN QTIS 3YO HCP – 1200M
 
IN EVIDENCE – Shifted out under riding over the concluding stages and had to be corrected by its rider on several occasions.
 
DRAGON'S SNIP – Jumped awkwardly and was slow to begin. Overraced in the early stages. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
FINE SHOT – Slow to begin. 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.
 
 
Race 3: KENNAS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS MDN HCP – 1600M
 
MASTER RICH – A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the near hind. Trainer J. Wehlow was advised a veterinary certificate would be required prior to MASTER RICH racing again.
 
READY TO GROOVE – Jockey A. Spinks plead guilty to a charge under AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that he used his whip 7 times prior to the 100m, 2 more than permitted and was fined $300.
 
MR GREY – Jockey W. Satherley plead guilty to a charge under AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that he used his whip 9 times prior to the 100m, 4 more than permitted and was fined $400.
 
SOFTEN IT UP – Raced keenly near the 1400m when attempting to find cover and had to be restrained from the heels MASTER RICH. When questioned regarding today’s improved performance, Trainer D. Schultz stated that SOFTEN IT UP had the benefit of being able to obtain cover in today’s event after jumping well which was the main reason the horse was successful. He added that the gelding is a one-paced horse and needed the cover to be able to be settle and finish its race off. He further added that the extra 100m was beneficial to SOFTEN IT UP’s chances and was confident of a forward showing. Stewards’ noted the explanation.
 

Race 4: GET YOUR ST PATRICK'S DAY TICKETS OPEN HCP – 1400M
 
TIGER LEGEND – Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
STAMPEDE WARRIOR – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
FIGHTING COMMANDO – Laid in under pressure in the home straight. Jockey R. Wiggins plead guilty to a charge under AR211(1) in that he returned to scale in excess of 0.5kg overweight and was fined $400.
 
SHAMEDY – Held up from upon entering the home straight until obtaining clear running at a point near the 300m.
 
 
Race 5: TAB BM60 HCP – 1816M
 
DEVIL KICK – Near the 450m bumped heavily with PHOENIX FLYER when attempting to switch off the heels of VANA STAR to improve into clear running.
 
PANKHURST (NZ) – Slow to begin.
 
PHOENIX FLYER – Bumped heavily near the 450m when DEVIL KICK attempted to shift out to obtain clear running.
 
ROY'S ROAD – When questioned regarding whether there was an opportunity to improve into a run between LEICA BITA FUN and MOHAHNA shortly after straightening, Jockey B. Appo stated that he was initially anticipating a run opening between those two runners, however he was mindful of how tight the run was. He stated that due to the uncertainty of officially being able to establish a run and with his mount travelling well, he elected to shift to the outside of the heels of LEICA BITA FUN to guarantee clear running in the home straight. He added whilst the run did eventuate a short time later, he had already made the decision to switch off heels and was committed to this decision. Stewards accepted his comments.
 
FLYING ARION – Slow to begin.
 
 
Race 6: CA PEST CONTROLLER BM60 HCP – 1300M
 
MAJESTICS REQUEST – Held up for clear running from entering the home straight to 300m. When questioned whether there was an opportunity to improve into a run in between LYNRIC’S LASS and HEZAGEM near the 300m, Jockey A. Butler stated that he was anticipating a run eventuating between those runners, however as he was held up until the 300m and with a big weight imposed, he elected to make a decision to come around the heels of LYNRIC LASS to ensure clear running. However, after he made this decision to shift out, LYNRIC LASS also shifted out and closed any potential run that MAJESTICS REQUEST could improve into. Due to this, he then shifted back to the inside to improve into the run that opened up between LYNRIC LASS and HEZAGEM. Jockey Butler further stated that upon reviewing the films, he concluded that he would’ve been better served to persist for a few more strides for the run, however with the race coming to its’ concluding stages, felt he needed to make an immediate decision to attempt to give his mount every possible opportunity. Stewards accepted his comments.
 
SRINI – Pulled hard in the early and middle stages and had to be restrained near the 800m. Held up for clear running from entering the home straight to a point near the 300m.
 
HEZAGEM – Jockey J. Stanley reported that his intentions were not to lead, however after beginning well and with no other runners showing any urgency to lead, he assumed a leading position. He added that his mount travelled well throughout the early and middle stages, however near the 400m, HEZAGEM started to put in a few concerning strides and after not responding to his urgings, he elected to ease HEZAGEM down over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a poor post-race recovery. When questioned regarding the performance, trainers representative N. Schofield could offer no explanation for the performance. He stated that although the gelding had worked well during the lead up to the race and was expecting to see a forward showing, the gelding had recently missed a run at Townsville that could’ve attributed to the poor performance. He further stated that he would advise stewards on the condition of HEZAGEM in the days subsequent.
 
MISHANI TULIP – Stood flat footed as the start was affected (5L) and lost considerable ground. Trainer J. Manzelmann was advised that MISHANI TULIP would be required to obtain a further barrier certificate.
 
STREET GLORY – Jumped awkwardly making contact with the barrier partition after anticipating the start.
 
NINE CARATS – Held up for clear running from entering the home straight to a point near the 350m.
 
LYNRIC LASS – Approaching the 200m shifted out abruptly over the heels of STREET GLORY and had to be restrained by its rider.
 
MATERIAL MISTRESS – Jumped away awkwardly and was slow to begin. Held up for clear running from entering the home straight to a point near the 300m.
 
 
Race 7: WALKERS HOT BREAD SHOP BM55 HCP – 1050M
 
BEYOND STAR (NZ) – Raced wide in the early stages.
 
FAY FAYE – Jumped away awkwardly with its rider Y. Lewis becoming momentarily unbalanced in the saddle. Apprentice Y. Lewis plead guilty to a charge under AR132(5) in that she used her whip 15 times in totality and was issued with a reprimand. Stewards’ inquired into Apprentice Y. Lewis’ use of the whip after the winning post where it appeared that she struck FAY FAYE once after the post. Whilst stewards’ noted that apprentice Lewis did use the whip shortly after the winning post, they were mindful that Apprentice Lewis was riding at Rockhampton racecourse for the first time in a significant period and FAY FAYE was in a tight finish in which she was attempting to get the most out of her mount.
 
NANO STAR – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
CROWN REACH – Slow to begin and Overraced in the early stages. Made contact with the inside running rail upon straightening. Jockey J. Stanley reported that his mount was inclined to hang in during the event which placed him at a disadvantage throughout the event.
 
WINDSONG – Shifted in on jumping bumping BIG ROCKET. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
BIG ROCKET – Bumped on jumping by WINDSONG. Overraced throughout the event. Held up upon entering the home straight to a point near the 400m.
 
LOVE MY LOUIS – Raced keenly near the 800m and had to be steadied. Held up for clearing from entering the home straight to a point near the 250m.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
 
Race 2.         Jockey J. Stanley – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Use of whip 7 times prior to the 100m, 2 more than permitted.
Race 7.         Apprentice Y. Lewis – AR132(5) Use of whip 15 times in totality.
 
Fines
 
Race 3.         Jockey A. Spinks – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Use of whip 7 times prior to the 100m, 2 more than permitted - $300.
                     Jockey W. Satherley – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Use of whip 9 times prior to the 100m, 2 more than permitted - $400.
Race 4.         Jockey R. Wiggins – AR211 – Returned to scale in excess of 0.5kg - $400.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
SIMPLY TINA, IN EVIDENCE, SHAMEDY, LEICA BITA FUN, HEZAGEM, BEYOND STAR (NZ)
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 3.         MASTER RICH – Lame near hind – Veterinary certificate required prior to next start.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications

Race 7.         NANO STAR – W. Satherley
 
 
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.