QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
ROCKHAMPTON TURF CLUB
FRIDAY 31ST MAY 2024
WEATHER – FINE
TRACK RATING – SOFT (5)
RAIL – +8M FROM 950M – 600M; +6.5M REMAINDER
PENETROMETER – 5.72
OFFICIALS
Chair – T Hudson
Stewards - S Larkins, E Suli, H Gillett & S Stehbens
GENERAL
All races were originally put back one time slot due to seven fly in jockeys being delayed due to fog in Brisbane and flight re-scheduling. Due to further flight delays, the entire programmed start times were rescheduled as follows; Race 1 – 12.35pm, Race 2 – 12.56pm, Race 3 – 1.15pm, Race 4 – 1.40pm, Race 5 – 2.10pm and Race 6 – 2.40pm.
Jockey Justin Huxtable was unable to attend the meeting due to his original flight being cancelled and being unable to obtain a suitable replacement flight. Replacements are as per the Stewards Race Day Summary.
As the majority of Brisbane based jockeys were significantly delayed with their flights due to fog in the Brisbane region, stewards permitted the following overweights; Race 3 R Wiggins (COURTESY BUS) + 1kg, Race 3 L Tilley (THISLAND IS MYLAND) + 1 kg, Race 5 L Tilley (LYNRIC LASS) + 1kg, Race 6 R Wiggins (ARBAT) + 0.5kg, Race 6 L Tilley (ROCKY REBEL) + 1kg.
Race 1: GREAT NORTHERN QTIS 2YO HCP - 1100M
I'LLTELLYOUGO – Began awkwardly. Hung out under pressure in the home straight and bumped AMBERINGER on a number of occasions.
CRYPTOSTAR – Bumped on jumping by AMBERINGER.
FRASER'S RIDGE – Began awkwardly.
DUBIOUS AUTHORITY – Began awkwardly.
AMBERINGER – Began awkwardly bumping CRYPTO STAR. Bumped on a number of occasions by I’LLTELLYOUGO over the concluding stages. Hung out under pressure over the final 200m.
Race 2: TAB MDN HCP - 1500M
RUMBLING BOY – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after becoming fractious in the float enroute to the course. The gelding was found to have minor grazes to the left foreleg and was cleared to start. When questioned in relation to performing under market expectations jockey W Satherley stated that he could offer no explanation and was very disappointed in the run to the line.
JUKE BOX JIMMY – A post-race veterinary examination revealed a laceration to off hind. The gelding was subsequently treated and the on course veterinarian advised that no stand down period was required.
HADMYTIME – Declared a late scratching at 8.17am due to no available rider close to the allotted weight.
PRIDE AN' JOY – Declared a late scratching at 12.56pm after undergoing an a pre-race veterinary examination after contacting the gate upon leaving the enclosure. Stewards ordered all monies invested on PRIDE AN’ JOY to be refunded in full and deductions to apply as follows;
14c the win NAHEIGHTKAY
17c the place NAHEIGHTKAY
21c the place MERLOMANN
Trainer L Wanless was advised that PRIDE AN’ JOY would require a veterinary certificate prior to its next start.
SUPER ROOSTER – When questioned regarding the performance, apprentice M Castle stated that overall, she was disappointed with the performance of the gelding. She added that was comfortable with how her mount was travelling throughout the event however near the 900m, she became awkwardly placed on the heels of JUKE BOX JIMMY and lost some momentum. Apprentice Castle further stated then when she asked SUPER ROOSTER for an effort, the gelding only responded fairly and went to the line in a disappointing manner and in her opinion, may benefit from the addition of blinkers.
Race 3: PINK RIBBON DAY SATURDAY 15 JUNE OPEN HCP - 1100M
CAPTAIN FOX – Declared a late scratching at 8.54am when trainer P Fleming advised the gelding was lame in the left foreleg. Mr Flemming was advised that a veterinary clearance is now required for CAPTAIN FOX.
MEDIA EMPIRE – Had difficulty obtaining clear running for the entirety of the home straight. Near the 100m had to be checked for a number of strides when attempting a tight run to the inside of COURTESY BUS.
IT'S GERRY – Jumped very awkwardly making heavy contact with the outside barrier partition. Raced wide throughout. When questioned in regards to the tactics to remain in a wide position throughout, apprentice B Johnson stated that after beginning poorly she was unable to obtain the outright lead and although she was placed wide in the event, she was mindful of restraining IT’S GERRY as at its previous start it had choked down when ridden in that manner and therefore elected to race wide and keep her mount where it was travelling and comfortable. Trainer T Bourke confirmed instructions and also added that he instructed apprentice Johnson to ensure that IT’S GERRY wasn’t overly restrained, as he is of the belief that the gelding resents that action. Trainer Bourke further added that he would now be considering the immediate racing future of IT’S GERRY and would report back to stewards on his intentions when known.
Race 4: GET YOUR CALCUTTA DINNER TICKETS 12 JULY QTIS 3YO HCP - 1200M
DESERT KOBY - Raced keenly in the early stages. Soon after the start shifted out and bumped with MOUNT MARGARET. Jockey L Tilley reported that his mount was inclined to lay out throughout the run.
DRAGON'S SNIP – Underwent a saddle adjustment upon arrival at the barriers. Shifted out under pressure in the home straight.
STREET GOD – When queried in relation to the disappointing performance, jockey J Stanley advised that his mount travelled well in the run however laid out over the final 400m when asking for an effort and proved disappointing thereafter. Trainer J Wigginton advised that he could offer no explanation for the performance and was of the opinion that STREET GOD may have an underlying virus. He added he would now undertake blood tests and would report the results to stewards. He further added that it is his intention to send the gelding for a spell. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be experiencing a poor post-race recovery.
THE UNDERGROUND – Raced keenly in the early stages when being restrained to obtain a position toward the rear.
MOUNT MARGARET – Bumped soon after the start when DESERT KOBY shifted outwards.
Race 5: WARNER BUILDING GROUP PTY LTD BM60 HCP - 1300M
FROSTY BEAR – Bumped with STRUCK TWICE at the start.
STRUCK TWICE (NZ) – Began awkwardly and bumped with FROSTY BEAR.
LUVIN' OUR GRACE – Slow to begin. Raced wide with cover throughout.
PAULI – Raced wide throughout.
LYNRIC LASS – Bumped rounding the 900m turn.
CRAIGLEA ETNA – Hampered shorty after jumping. Near the 900m had to be restrained from the heels of STRUCK TWICE.
TOY BLAZE – Stewards accepted the reasons of trainer L Petersen for the late declaration of apprentice Brooke Johnson. Pulled very hard in the early stages and made the 900m turn awkwardly and shifted outwards bumping with LYNRIC LASS. Raced ungenerously for some distance between the 850m and the home turn when racing fiercely and obtaining cover. When questioned regarding whether there was an opportunity to allow her mount roll forward to obtain the lead rather than continually restrain, apprentice B Johnson stated that she was mindful of her mounts mannerisms and also the specific instructions of connections to find cover, she further added that once obtaining cover she was satisfied in the way that the mare settled although inclined to race ungenerously at various stages.
Race 6: ROCKHAMPTON ENGINEERING AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES RATINGS 0 - 55 HCP - 1600M
KELLERS SHELTER – A post-race veterinary examination revealed minor cuts in the geldings gums.
MONT ROYAL – Began awkwardly and raced wide with cover throughout.
BANKONAJET – Stood flat footed.
ROBUST BOY – Jockey J Stanley was the approved late rider replacement for J Huxtable.
ARBAT – Jumped outwards at the start.
GENERAL WOLFFE – raced keenly in the early stages.
SILENT ANGEL – When questioned regarding the performance jockey H Richardson stated that her mount failed to handle the significant rise in distance and would benefit from a drop back in distance and grade.
ROCKY REBEL – Held up for clear racing room until a point near the 300m. When questioned in relation to the performance jockey L Tilley reported that the mare had travelled well throughout the run and after finding clear running in the home straight ROCKY REBEL failed to respond in the manner he anticipated.
SILENT ANGEL – Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight.
RUFFIN' IT (NZ) – Laid out when placed under pressure until the 250m and then commenced to lay inwards thereafter. Raced wide throughout.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning licensees
Absent jockeys
J Huxtable – Flight cancellation.
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses swabbed pre-race
ASTRA STAR, SUPER ROOSTER, EXETER, MEDIA EMPIRE, ALL THE SHOPS & GENERAL WOLFFE
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 3 CAPTAIN FOX – Vet clearance required.
Race PRIDE AN’ JOY – Vet clearance required.
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 3 THISLAND IS MYLAND - Les Tilley (replaced J Huxtable)
Race 4 DESERT KOBY - Les Tilley (replaced J Huxtable)
Race 5 STRUCK TWICE (NZ) - Justin Stanley (replaced J Huxtable)
TOY BLAZE - Brooke Johnson (a3/49kg),
Race 6 ROBUST BOY - Justin Stanley (replaced J Huxtable)
DIVINE KAMEHALANI - Ms Georgina Cartwright
Late scratchings
Race 2 - HADMYTIME @ 8.17 – No available rider near the allotted weight.
Race 2 - PRIDE AN’ JOY @ 12.56pm – Lame in the off hind.
Race 3 - CAPTAIN FOX @ 8.54am – Lame in the near fore.
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.