QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
ROCKHAMPTON TURF CLUB
 
TUESDAY 26TH MARCH 2024
 
WEATHER – OVERCAST
TRACK RATING – SOFT 7         
RAIL – +8m ENTIRE
PENETROMETER – 6.14
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – T. Hudson
Stewards – S. Larkins, E. Suli & S. Stehbens
Clerk of Scales – H. Gillett                                          
 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
SPRINGSURE – 9TH MARCH 2024
 
COBBO – Trainer C. Dore presented COBBO to the Rockhampton Jockey Club where a satisfactory blood sample was taken. Stewards therefore lifted the embargo listed on the gelding’s record and confirmed COBBO is eligible to nominate and accept for future events.
 
MACKAY – 19TH MARCH 2024
 
ANDIRON – Trainer T. Smith reported that he had ANDIRON undergo an endoscopic examination following its poor performance following its last start which revealed some minor breathing issues which have since been rectified. He further added that ANDIRON had continued to work well and that it was his intention to apply a tongue-tie and cross-over nose band for its next start and continue with the preparation.
 
MORANBAH – 23RD MARCH 2024
 
HOLLYWOOD PARK & STILL FEELING IT – Trainer G. Bell advised stewards that both HOLLYWOOD PARK and STILL FEELING IT pulled up well following both their races at Moranbah on the weekend. Trainer G. Bell further stated that both runners may have not handled the track conditions on the day and that it is her full intentions to continue both their current preparations.
 
GENERAL
 
Trainer S. Kendrick was fined $200 under the provisions of LR67 for the late declaration of the rider for TOUR DE FIELD.
 
Race 1: GREAT NORTHERN MAIDEN PLATE (1200 M)
 
FRESH START – Slow to begin. Near the 800m, bumped the hind quarters of TOUR DE FIELD and had to be steadied when awkwardly placed onto the heels of MASONRY MAN. Jockey T. Chambers was reminded of her obligations under the provisions of AR132(6)(c) in using her whip when out of contention.
 
Following the running of this race, the track was downgraded to a Heavy 8 retrospectively.
 
Race 2: CAPRICORNIA YEARLING SALE $600,000 CARNIVAL BM70 HANDICAP (1400 M)
 
FIGHTING COMMANDO – Raced keenly for a distance near the 900m. Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight.  
 
AWOL (NZ) – Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight and had to be steadied by its rider.
 
KOTABHARU – When questioned regarding the riding from a point near the 400m, Jockey L. Tilley stated that his intentions were to take a trail behind AWOL (NZ) and DOLLAR DOLLAR (NZ) as he was of the opinion they were the best options to take him into the race. He added however that when FIGHTING COMMANDO laid out for a stride near the 350m, a run momentarily presented itself between FIGHTING COMMANDO and AWOL (NZ) which he was anticipating to take before DOLLAR DOLLAR (NZ) ultimately took the run. Jockey Tilley added that he was also anticipating FIGHTING COMMANDO laying out further but when that runner stopped and corrected their mount, he was forced to restrain to avoid heels and then shift in to obtain clear running at a point near the 250m.  
 
STARHATTAN – Lost near-fore shoe in running. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight and had to straightened by its rider on a number of occasions. Apprentice M. Castle was fined $300 under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip 7 times prior to the 100m, 2 more than permitted.
 
TOP SPY – Slow to begin. Had to steady and shift out to avoid the heels of STARHATTEN which was taken wider near the 300m.
 
Race 3: A DAYS GRAZE CATERING BM65 HANDICAP         (1600 M)
 
Stewards questioned Trainer Z. Hohn regarding ROY’S ROAD being accepted for today’s meeting as at a previous meeting, she advised it was her intentions to space the mare’s runs. Trainer Z. Hohn stated that she was of the opinion that this race meeting may not have a large number of acceptors and with no favourable programming for the next month, she was of the belief that this would be a good option for connections to earn prizemoney. She further stated that after its last start win at Mackay the mare had pulled up well and was satisfied with its work leading into this event which ultimately led her to backing the mare up today. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
DEVIL KICK – Slow to begin.
 
MAJESTICS REQUEST – Held up and had to shift out to obtain clear racing room near the 400m. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed stiffness in both fore-legs, however the abnormality wasn’t deemed sufficient enough to require a veterinary clearance. Trainer J. Wigginton was advised to report to stewards on the gelding’s condition in the days subsequent.
 
POET'S DAY – Overraced in the early stages. Put in an awkward stride near the 550m. Jockey C. Whiteley was reprimanded under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using his whip 6 times prior to the 100m, 1 more than permitted.
 
ROY'S ROAD –Raced wide in the early stages. Overraced in the early and middle stages.
 
Race 4: TAB BM60 HANDICAP (1050 M)
 
BOSTON CITY – Raced wide in the early stages.
 
FAY FAYE – Shifted out on jumping, hampering SANTORINI SUMMER.
 
SANTORINI SUMMER – Hampered on jumping by FAY FAYE which shifted out.
 
FIGHT IN THE DOG – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
BLUE JACKET – Slow to begin. Raced wide in the early and middle stages.
 
LOVE MY LOUIS – A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to have bled both nostrils for the first time. Trainer D. Schultz was advised the provisions of AR79(4).
 
 
Race 5: CAP YEARLING SALE CALCUTTA FRIDAY APRIL 5 QTIS THREE-YEARS-OLD CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1050 M)
 
RISKY INVESTMENT – Declared a late scratching at 4:13pm on veterinary advice after becoming fractious in the barriers and reared, striking its head on two occasions. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, stewards ordered that all bets placed on RISKY INVESTMENT be refunded with the following deductions to apply to successful wagers:
 
4 cents in the dollar for the win DESERT KOBY
6 cents in the dollar for the place of the winner DESERT KOBY
7 cents in the dollar for the 2nd place SHEZAPEARLER   
 
Trainer J. O’Sing was advised that RISKY INVESTMENT was required to obtain a further barrier certificate prior to its next future race start.  
 
DESERT KOBY – Laid out when placed under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
ROBUST BOY – Slow into stride. Bumped the hind quarters of SHEZAPEARLER over the concluding stages.
 
PARA PARK CHANCE – Raced wide in the early stages. Had to momentarily steady to avoid the heels of DESERT KOBY which shifted in near the 900m. 
 
SHEZAPEARLER – Raced keen in the early stages and had to momentarily steady to avoid the heels of DESERT KOBY which shifted in near the 900m when insufficiently clear. Jockey J. Huxtable was reminded of his obligations in ensure he is clear when allowing his mounts to shift in future. Bumped the hind quarters of ROBUST BOY over the concluding stages. Apprentice E. Lang was fined $400 under the provisions AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip 6 times prior to the 100m, 1 more than permitted.
 
HEDON'TWANTME – Jockey C. Lennon was reprimanded under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(i) for using his whip on 2 occasions consecutively prior to the 100m. Jockey Lennon was further reprimanded under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using his whip 7 times prior to the 100m, 2 more than permitted.
 
 
Race 6: SAVE THE DATE ROCKY CUP JULY 13 MAIDEN HANDICAP (1500 M)
 
The start of this event was delayed approximately 3 minutes to allow farrier work to be done on BANKONAJET at the barriers.
 
ISLE EIGHT – Shifted in abruptly on jumping, hampering READY TO GROOVE. Held up for clear racing room in the early stages of the home straight before shifting out to obtain clear racing room near 450m. Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight. 
 
MASTER RICH – Raced wide in the early stages. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any abnormalities. Trainer A Briskey stated that he was of the belief that MASTER RICH may not have handled the track conditions today and undertook to report back on the condition of the gelding in the days subsequent.
 
NAVILLUS HELLFIRE – Slow to begin.
 
BANKONAJET – Stood flat footed as the start was affected. Jockey T. Chambers was fined $400 under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip 7 times priors to the 100m, 2 more than permitted. In determining penalty, stewards took into consideration Jockey Chambers previous record.   
 
YOUNG HENRY – Raced keen throughout the event. Held up in the early stages of the home straight before electing to shift out to obtain clear racing room near the 400m.
 
READY TO GROOVE – Hampered on jumping by ISLE EIGHT which shifted in abruptly.
 
SUPER ROOSTER – Raced wide in the early stages. Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
Race 7: SUNDAY APRIL 7 CAPRICORNIA YEARLING SALE 0 - 55 HANDICAP (1400 M)
 
SOFTEN IT UP – Raced wide in the early stages.
 
GILBERT'S GOLD – Declared a late scratching after stewards’ acceded to a request from trainer P. Dillon to withdraw the gelding due to the deteriorating track conditions. In acceded to this request, stewards’ placed an embargo on GILBERT’S GOLD in relation to accepting on heavy tracks in the future.
 
LYNRIC LASS – Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight. When questioned regarding today’s performance, Apprentice Y. Lewis stated that her mount only handled the wet track conditions fairly today and during the home straight, she was unable to gather any momentum on the mare as AZURE DE LAGO was consistently laying in down the home straight. 
 
WHATJEUDOIN' – Tightened on jumping. When questioned regarding the improved performance in today’s event, Trainer S. Rundle advised stewards that this is WHATJEUDOIN’ second preparation and had previously raced well third up. Trainer Rundle further added that the appointment of an apprentice with their claim, the drop back in distance and a minor drop in grade attributed to today’s performance. Stewards noted Trainer Rundle’s explanation.
 
FLAMENCO ROSE – Upon returning to scale, Jockey L. Tilley stated that he wasn’t overly disappointed in the performance in today’s event with the step up in class and added that the mare would derive benefit from today’s run in his opinion.
 
THE LAST SAGA – Raced greenly in the home straight. When questioned regarding the seemingly improved performance in today’s event, Trainer A. Jenkinson stated that at its most recent start, the gelding drew a wide barrier and raced wide from the 700m that day. Whilst somewhat surprised in how THE LAST SAGA handled the heavy track conditions so well today, Trainer Jenkinson further stated that he was still expecting an improved performance from its last start in Mackay and was pleased with the performance of the gelding.
 
MOONSCAPE – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
AZURE DE LAGO – Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
RUFFIN' IT (NZ) – Raced wide throughout.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
 
Race 3.         Jockey Chris Whiteley – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – 6 times prior to the 100m
Race 5.         Jockey Colin Lennon – AR132(7)(a)(i) – Use of whip 2 times consecutive prior to 100m
Race 5.         Jockey Colin Lennon – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Use of the whip 7 times prior to the 100m
 
Fines
 
Race 1.         Trainer Stuart Kendrick – LR67 – Late Rider Declaration – $200
Race 3.         Apprentice Melea Castle – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Use of the whip 7 times prior to the 100m – $300
Race 5.         Apprentice Emily Lang – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Use of the whip 6 times prior to the 100m – $400
Race 6.         Jockey Tasha Chambers – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Use of the whip 7 times prior to the 100m – $400
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
DOLLAR DOLLAR (NZ), ROY’S ROAD, BENCOOLEN, DESERT KOBE, READY TO GROOVE & FLAMENCO ROSE
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 5.         RISKY INVESTMENT – Reared in Barriers – To obtain a further barrier certificate.
 
Bleeders
Race 4.         LOVE MY LOUIS – Bled Both Nostrils – 3 month ban and to gallop 1000m in presence of stewards or official trial/gallop prior next future race start.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 1.         TOUR DE FIELD – Mr Justin Stanley
Race 7.         MOONSCAPE – Ms Tasha Chambers
 
Late scratchings
 
Race 5.         RISKY INVESTMENT – Late Scratching @ 4:13pm – Vets advice
Race 7.         GILBERT’S GOLD – Late Scratching @ 3:17pm – Due to track downgrade to the heavy range
 
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.