STEWARDS REPORT
 
ROCKHAMPTON TURF CLUB
 
FRIDAY 5 APRIL 2024
 
WEATHER – Overcast / Showers        TRACK RATING –          Soft 5           RAIL – True
PENETROMETER – 5.57
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – S Larkins
Stewards – T Hudson, E Suli, H Gillett
Clerk of Scales – S Stehbens
 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
Emerald 30/03/2024
VALENTINA EXPRESS – Trainer R Vale reported that in receipt of blood tests they showed that the mare had an elevated white blood cell count which could be signs of a virus or may be coming into season. He further added that he will conduct another blood test in the coming days and if the count returns to regular levels he would continue with the preparation.
 
GENERAL
 
Overweight permitted as per the Stewards Race Day Summary.
 
Prior to the running of race 1 at 1:15pm stewards downgraded the track to a soft 6 due to persistent rain.
 
Following the running of race 2 the track was further down graded to a heavy 8 due to the persistent rain.
 
Following the running of race 4 the track was further downgraded to a heavy 9 due to the persistent rain.
 
 
Race 1: LEN MILNER MEMORIAL TROPHY MAIDEN HANDICAP 1050 M
 
The start of the race was delayed when RUMBLING BOY had to be resaddled upon arrival at the barriers.
 
DIAMOND SKY – Slow to begin. Raced wide throughout.
 
FLAWLESS AMBITION – Raced keen in the early stages. Laid in on multiple occasions in the home straight.
 
SALEM – Jockey R Wiggins was replaced by Jockey L Tilley as he was unable to make weight after his flight was significantly delayed, which disadvantaged him in making the declared weight. Over raced in the early stages and had to be restrained for some distance rounding the 900m turn. Rider L Tilley explained that when rounding the 900m turn he elected to restrain and shift inwards to obtain a position on the rail due to a number of runners in advance of him over-racing and shifting ground.
 
CUMIN SPINNER – Raced wide in the early stages.
 
RAPID INSTINCT – Raced wide throughout. Jockey M Wishart was reprimanded under AR132(6)(c) for her use of the whip when out of contention.
 
STREET NEEDS – Began awkwardly and slow to begin as a result.
 
DIVINE KAMEHALANI – Raced keenly approaching the 900m turn and became awkwardly placed on the heels of HEDON’TWANTME and had to be restrained. Held up for clear racing room until a point leaving the 400m.
 
HEDON'TWANTME – Momentarily tightened nearing the 300m when FLAWLESS AMBITION laid inwards when under pressure before being corrected.
 
 
Race 2: GREAT NORTHERN 2024 QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1100 M
 
The start of the race was delayed when the vet and farrier had difficulty proceeding to the barriers due to the prevailing conditions.
 
ASTRA STAR – Jumped outwards at the start bumping LITTLE TOWN FLASH which in turn bumped MISHANI AMORE. Jockey J. Huxtable was fined $300 under AR132(5) for his use of the whip 15 times in total, 1 more than permitted. Jockey J. Huxtable was also reprimanded under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for his use of the whip 7 times prior to the 100m, 2 more than permitted.
 
THE HOME TEAM – Began awkwardly. Lost both front shoes in running. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
TRISCAY'S WAR PASS – Raced wide throughout.
 
GREEN LABEL – Slow to begin. Raced wide throughout.
 
GOOD GIRL POLLY – Began awkwardly contacting the outside barrier partition.
 
ACTIVATED – Began awkwardly and slow to begin as a result. Raced wide throughout.
 
CLUCK – Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout.
 
LITTLE TOWN FLASH – Bumped on jumping by ASTRA STAR and in turn bumped MISHANI AMORE.
 
QUERIDA – Began awkwardly and slow to begin. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
SUN WORSHIPPER – Began awkwardly.
 
ITHINKBETTA – Declared a late scratching at 7:59am due to an injury while being loaded onto the float. Trainer J Manzelmann was advised that a veterinary certificate will be required prior to the filly returning to racing.
 
MISHANI AMORE – Bumped by LITTLE TOWN FLASH on jumping.
 
 
Race 3: MAGIC MILLIONS 2024 COUNTRY CUP BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1600 M
 
MOORABINDA MICK – Jumped outwards at the start bumping COCO CUBER. Raced wide in the early stages.
 
HOLLYWOOD PARK (NZ) – Rider L Tilley explained when questioned regarding the performance, that the gelding failed to handle the wet conditions. He further added that whilst pressured during the middle stages by the stablemate COCO CUBER had some bearing on the performance, he stated that his mount never travelled at any stage. A post-race veterinary examination revealed minor abrasions to the near side hock.
 
SETHLANS – Shifted ground outwards when placed under pressure in the home straight resulting in apprentice B. Johnson having to stop riding and straighten her mount on numerous occasions.
 
COCO CUBER – Bumped on jumping by MOORABINDA MICK.
 
 
Race 4: ALLENSTOWN SQUARE MEATS QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1300 M
 
ANDYORSE – Had to switch in across the heels of YEAH COPY when placed in restricted room at a point near the 500m, when that runner shifted out to obtain clear racing room. Jockey M Wishart was reprimanded under AR131(a) for shifting ground when not clear to do so. Apprentice A. Donald reported that she dropped her whip at a point near the 300m.
 
BIKER – Apprentice M. Castle reported that her mount hung out through the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Apprentice M Castle was fined $400 under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for her use of the whip 7 times prior to the 100m, 2 more than permitted.
 
JERIDAH – Slow into stride. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight. Jockey G. Cartwright was suspended for 7 days under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for her use of the whip 10 times prior to the 100m, 5 more than permitted. The suspension was ordered to commence at M/N 14/04/2024 and conclude at M/N 14/04/2024.
 
ME TIME – Raced keenly in the early stages. Raced wide throughout.
 
YEAH COPY – Began awkwardly. Shifted out near the 500m to obtain clear racing room.
 
RIVERVIEW RED – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
SOMBOR SHUFFLE – Fractious prior to the start and began awkwardly. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
Race 5: TAB 2024 RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1500 M
 
FULMEN (IRE) – Began awkwardly. Raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages when pulling hard. Jockey J. Stanley stated when questioned that the gelding travelled strongly during the initial stages, then after settling travelled well till leaving the 400m and when asked for an effort battled moderately until the finish. The rider further added that FULLMAN dipped and became awkward in its stride leaving the 50m and may not have appreciated the wet track conditions. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
SIR GRACE (NZ) – Bounded in the air upon jumping. Over-raced in the early and middle stages.
 
COMMENTS – Raced wide throughout. Lost ground noticeably over the final 300m. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
SHADOW PROJECT – Fractious prior to the start and slow to begin as a result. Lost ground noticeably over the final 300m. Jockey J. Murphy reported that the gelding travelled well in the early and middle stages however failed to handle the heavy going in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
DIVINE HUNTER – Jockey G Cartwright was fined $300 under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for her use of the whip 7 times prior to the 100m, 2 more than permitted.
 
RUFFIN' IT (NZ) – Raced wide throughout.
 
 
Race 6: PHIL PEEL JEWELLER CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1100 M
 
 
SKYLIGHT SONG – Jumped inwards upon jumping impeding OBLIQUITY. Raced wide throughout.
 
PENMAN – Jockey J. Stanley reported that the gelding hung out throughout and laid out considerably in the home straight when placed under pressure which made it difficult to ride out to the finish. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
LITTLE SHOW – Began awkwardly.
 
SWEET JINA – Raced wide throughout.
 
OBLIQUITY – Began awkwardly and slow to begin as a result. Impeded shortly after the start when SKYLIGHT SONG shifts in.
 
APRIL LOVE – Began awkwardly. Raced wide in the middle stages. Had to be restrained at a point near the 900m when tightened for room between SWEET JINA to the inside and LITTLE SHOW which was racing to the outside. Jockey M Wishart (LITTLE SHOW) pleaded guilty to a charge under AR131(a) for careless riding, in that near the 900m she permitted her mount to shift inwards when insufficiently clear of APRIL LOVE resulting in that runner being checked and losing its position. Ms Wishart’s license to ride in races was suspended for 8 days to commence M/N 14/04/2024. In assessing penalty stewards considered the rider’s guilty plea, recent offence record which indicated two suspensions in the past twelve months, the careless riding penalty template and the degree of interference suffered by APRIL LOVE. Raced wide in the middle stages.
 
DIVINE SIENNA – As Jockey C Whiteley was unable to attend the meeting due to flight issues Jockey G Cartwright was approved as the replacement rider. Stewards were satisfied of Mr Whiteley’s circumstance on the provision of suitable photographic evidence provided. Jumped inwards at the start. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
MOONSCAPE – Apprentice M. Castle was fined $300 under AR 132(7)(a)(ii) for her use of the whip 8 times prior to the 100m.
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
R1 – Madeliene Wishart – AR132(6)(c) – Use of whip when out of contention
R2 – Justin Huxtable – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Use of the whip 7 times prior to the 100m
R4 – Madeliene Wishart – AR131(a) – Careless riding
Fines
R2 – Justin Huxtable – AR132(5) - $300 – Use of the whip 15 times in total
R4 – Malea Castle – AR132(7)(a)(ii) - $400 - Use of the whip 7 times prior to the 100m
R5 – Georgina Cartwright – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – $300 - Use of the whip 7 times prior to the 100m
R6 – Malea Castle – AR132(7)(a)(ii) - $300 – Use of the whip 8 times prior to the 100m
Suspensions
R4 – Georgina Cartwright – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – 7 days – M/N 14/04/24 till M/N 21/04/24 – use of the whip 10 times prior to the 100m
R6 – Madeliene Wishart – AR131(a) – 8 days – M/N 14/04/24 till M/N 22/04/24 – Careless riding
 
Overweight
Race 6 OBLIQUITY – L Tilley + 0.5 kg
 
Absent jockeys
Chris Whiteley – Transport difficulties
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
ASTRA STAR, MOORABINDA MICK, JERIDAH, YEAH COPY, SOMBOR SHUFFLE, JENNI SWENESSEE (NZ)
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 6 – ITHINKBETTA – Stood down veterinary clearance.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
R1 – SALEM – Jockey L Tilley
R6 – DIVINE SIENNA  - Jockey G Cartwright
 
Late scratchings
 
ITHINKBETTA - @ 7.59am 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.