QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
ROCKHAMPTON JOCKEY CLUB
 
SATURDAY 24 FEBRUARY 2024
 
 
WEATHER – Overcast     TRACK RATING –  Good 4          RAIL – True
PENETROMETER – 5.18
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – H. Gillett
Stewards – S. Larkins, D. Macklyn, G. Wust
 
 
GENERAL
 
Race 6 - Stewards permitted jockey A. Butler to ride SHEEZALITTLETOURQE 0.5kg overweight as there were no other jockeys available.
 
Trainers J. O’Sing and Z. Hohn were questioned in relation to the late declaration of riders on runners at today’s meeting. Stewards accepted the explanation provided and took no further action.
 
Stewards intend to enquire into the circumstances for jockey C Lennon failing to fulfill his engagement in race four on DON’TCHALOOKDOWN.
 
Race 1: GREAT NORTHERN BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1400 M
 
TAKE THE LEAD – Laid out rounding the home turn.
 
CAPITAL GIRL – Slow to begin and trailed the field throughout. Jockey A Sewell advised that he attributed poor performance to the mare being first up from a spell and not having the benefit of a trial. Trainers representative J Doolan concurred with thoughts of the jockey and added that the mare will better suited when racing over further distances than that of today’s event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Connections were advised that a warning has been placed on the mares’ record for a poor performance.
 
THE LAST SAGA – Slow into stride. Held up for a clear run until leaving the 300m and was then shifted wider to obtain clear racing room.
 
LYNRIC LASS – Raced keen in the early stages. Raced three wide until a point nearing the 700m when able to obtain cover.
 
 
Race 2: THE AGENCY OPEN HANDICAP 1100 M
 
SIR ROCKET – Buffeted by READY FOR MAGIC for some distance leaving the 500m when that runner was attempting to shift wider to obtain clear racing room. Laid in under pressure from a point leaving the 400m.
 
BLUE KENTUCKY MOON – Raced keen in the early stages.
 
COURTESY BUS – Began awkwardly, brushed the inside barrier partition and was marginally slow to begin. Jockey A Sewell advised that after beginning moderately his mount then settled further back than anticipated. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
READY FOR MAGIC – Held up for clear racing room leaving the 500m and then buffeted SIR ROCKET for some distance when attempting to shift outwards, before obtaining clear room leaving the 400m.
 
 
Race 3: GARRARDS HORSE AND HOUND BENCHMARK 62 HANDICAP 1200M
 
VALTINO – Began awkwardly and was slow to begin.
 
WHOSHOTTHEMAGICIAN – Apprentice B Johnson, when questioned in relation to the performance of her mount, advised that after enduring some work in the initial stages WHOSHOTTHEMAGICIAN failed to travel well and proved extremely disappointing. Trainer D Whyte advised, that in view of the disappointing performance, the gelding would now be spelled. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
BEYOND STAR (NZ) – Jockey J Stanley, when questioned regarding the apparent disappointing performance, advised that despite being trapped three wide, his mount failed to travel well and when placed under pressure felt awkward in its action and consequently did not pressure his mount over the final stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Stewards intend to follow up with trainer N Walsh with regards to the post-race recovery of the gelding.
 
NANO STAR – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
SUNDARA – Commenced to over race for a distance leaving the 800m until entering the home straight.
 
 
Race 4: TAB QTIS JEWEL QUALIFIER 2YO PLATE 1100 M
 
MISHANI BURN – Held up for clear racing room in the early part of the home straight.
 
MISHANI I AM – Slow to begin. Commenced to lay in under pressure from the 250m.
 
MISHANI WOLF – Slow to begin and was then impeded soon after the start when WHAT A DOOZY jumped outwards.
 
DON'TCHALOOKDOWN – Apprentice Brooke Johnson was approved as the late rider for the filly due to declared jockey Colin Lennon not attending the meeting. Appeared awkward in its action for a number of strides soon after the start. Apprentice B Johnson explained that the filly resented her use of spurs soon after the start and raced awkward for a short distance before she desisted from riding her mount along which resulted in DON’TCHALOOKDOWN becoming more fluent in its action. The circumstances were noted, and no further action was taken. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
MISHANI AMORE – Bumped at the start by SIMPLY TINA. Raced wide throughout. Tired over the final 200m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a minor wound to the off-hind leg, with no lameness detected.
 
SIMPLY TINA – Jumped outwards at the start bumping MISHANI AMORE. Raced keen in the early stages.
 
WHAT A DOOZY – Jumped outwards at the start and impeded MISHANI WOLF.
 
 
Race 5: GET YOUR CAP YEARLING SALE CALCUTTA TICKETS MAIDEN PLATE 1200 M
 
EXCITE CHOO – Late scratching at 12.23pm when unable to be loaded and transported to the track.
 
FULMEN (IRE) – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination behind the barriers and was cleared to start. Bumped at the start with SUPER ROOSTER. Over raced in the early stages. Jockey J Stanley advised when questioned, that the gelding proved to be disappointing and may be better served ridden in a very conservative manner in future. Trainer C Taylor advised, that while he had been satisfied with the geldings work and trial leading into today’s race, he was mindful that the form surrounding the recent trial had not been franked by race day performances from other runners that had competed. The trainer also added that the gelding had pulled up well, but he was mindful that today’s performance was of a similar standard to the exposed race form of FULMEN (IRE) prior to joining his stable.
 
READY TO GROOVE – Jumped outwards at the start. Raced in restricted room approaching the 200m for some distance when TOUR DE FIELD shifted inwards under pressure. C McIver, rider of TOUR DE FIELD, was reminded of his obligations with regard to ensuring he takes corrective measures when his mounts commence to shift ground.
 
SUPER ROOSTER – Buffeted between runners at the start. Raced keen in the early stages.
 
WHAKAMIHARO – Jumped outwards at the start checking DIVINE KAMEHALANI. Trainer J Wehlow was queried regarding the seemingly improved performance of the gelding by comparison to its most recent starts. Mr Wehlow advised that after having a long spell the gelding had matured well and derived significant fitness benefit from two recent winning jump outs. The trainer further added that he has always had a high opinion of WHAKAHARO and was very confident of a good showing and to his awareness the gelding was supported by connections.  
 
YOUNG HENRY – Began awkwardly.
 
TOUR DE FIELD – Shifted ground inwards under pressure near the 250m.
 
DIVINE KAMEHALANI – Slow to begin and then checked soon after the start when WHAKAMIHARO jumped outwards sharply. Commenced to over race at a point near the 800m and had to be restrained from the heels of READY TO GROOVE.
 
DIVINE SIENNA – Over raced in the early stages.
 
 
Race 6: 16 MARCH ST PATRICK'S DAY RACES RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1100 M
 
 
TAKERU – Began awkwardly and contacted the outside barrier partition resulting in jockey C Whiteley becoming unbalanced. Over raced in the early stages.
 
GILBERT'S GOLD – Began awkwardly. Over raced in the early stages. Laid in under pressure in the early stages of the home straight. Held for clear racing room until near the 400m.
 
AFROGINASOCK – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
BORNEES LAD – Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight resulting in apprentice B Johnson having to stop riding and straighten her mount on a number of occasions.
 
PARA PARK CHANCE – Raced wide throughout.
 
PRUDISH – Slow to begin. Raced wide throughout. Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
SHEEZALITTLETORQUE – Held for clear racing room until approaching the 400m.
 
AZURE DE LAGO – Near the 1000m commenced to lay in, became awkwardly placed on the heels of DOUBTING EYE and was momentarily restrained.
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Absent jockeys
C Lennon
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
READY FOR MAGIC, BEYOND STAR (NZ), SUNSHINYDAY, TOUR DE FIELD, TAKERU
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 1 Capital Girl – Warning poor performance.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
R4 - DON’TCHALOOKDOWN - Brooke Johnson
 
Late scratchings
 
Race 5 EXCITE CHOO - @ 12.23pm unable to be loaded and transported to the track.
 
 
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.