QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
ROCKHAMPTON TURF CLUB
SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER 2024
WEATHER – FINE
TRACK RATING – SOFT 5
RAIL – +8M ENTIRE
PENETROMETER – 5.79
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – E. Suli
Stewards – G. Wust, H. Gillett, S. Stehbens
GENERAL
Stewards accepted the reasons tended by Trainer J. Kuhn for the late declaration of the rider for TELMESOMETHIN’GIRL in Race 3.
The following overweights were approved by Stewards:
Race 3. Justin Huxtable – +0.5kg
Race 5. Justin Huxtable – +0.5kg
Race5. Tasha Chambers – +0.5kg
Race 1: TOTAL RURAL SUPPLIES LOCALLY OWNED MAIDEN PLATE (1400 Metres)
BIKER – Jumped away awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin. Held up in the home straight until a point near the 250m.
ARTHUR'S DREAM – Jumped away awkwardly and shifted outwards abruptly shortly after. Raced wide throughout. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight. When questioned in relation to the performance, Trainer/Jockey T. Chambers stated that ARTHUR’S DREAM had travelled well throughout the event and in the lead up to the final stages, however Jockey Chambers added that after shifting outwards abruptly at the start, which resulted in her mount racing wide throughout, this proved detrimental in the gelding’s chance. Jockey Chambers further added that in her opinion believes that ARTHURS DREAM would be better suited for further distanced races and stated that the gelding would now also be sent for a spell. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed a poor post-race recovery.
JUST LIKE ROSIE – Raced keenly in the early stages.
POPPY'S PRIDE – Jockey J. Murphy was fined $500 under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using his whip 9 times prior to the 100m, 4 more than permitted (10 in totality). In determining penalty, stewards took into account Jockey Murphy’s previous record in relation to the rule and the whip penalty guidelines.
LITTLE TOWN FLASH – When questioned in relation to the performance, Jockey J. Stanley stated he could offer no explanation for the seemingly disappointing performance in today’s event. Trainer C. Taylor advised that he and the filly’s connections would be looking into the immediate racing future of LITTLE TOWN FLASH within his stable.
Race 2: ZOETIS DECTOMAX V FOR PROVEN RESULTS MAIDEN PLATE (1100 Metres)
DREAM STEP – Shifted inwards shortly after the start and impeded JOLIE APOLLINE.
MYSTIC MOUNTAIN – Was declared a late scratching by order of stewards at 11:50am after MYSTIC MOUNTAIN had become fractious in the horse float and injuring itself en-route to the racecourse. Trainer G. Bell was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to MYSTIC MOUNTAIN’s next race start.
JOLIE APOLLINE – Bumped on jumping by MONDAY CHOICE which shifted out and was impeded shortly after by DREAM STEP which shifted inwards.
LATIN LOVE – Trainer R. Stenhouse was issued with a reprimand under the provisions of AR106(1) for presenting LATIN LOVE to race without blinkers. When assessing penalty, stewards took into consideration that this was Trainer Stenhouse’s first offence under this particular rule. Shifted out on jumping, bumping VINROSA.
MONDAY CHOICE – Jumped away awkwardly and shifted out, bumping JOLIE APOLLINE. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Inclined to hung out rounding the home turn and raced ungenerously in the early stages of the home straight. Held up in the home straight before shifting outwards abruptly, hampering VINROSA and carrying that runner wider when attempting to obtain clear racing room approaching the 200m. Trainer K. Hansen was advised that a warning would be placed on MONDAY CHOICE’s record for its racing behaviour.
VINROSA – Bumped on jumping by LATIN LOVE which shifted out. Approaching the 200m, was hampered, losing ground and carried wider by MONDAY CHOICE (T. Chambers) which was directed outwards abruptly when attempting to obtain clear running. Jockey T. Chambers pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR131(a) for electing to shift and direct MONDAY CHOICE outwards when attempting to obtain clear running, which resulted in VINROSA being hampered, carried wider and losing ground. Jockey Chamber’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 days, with the suspension to commence midnight 14th of December 2024 and to concluding midnight 21st of December 2024. In assessing penalty, stewards took into account the careless riding template, guilty plea and Jockey Chamber’s previous record which indicated one prior suspension under this particular rule within the previous two years.
Race 3: WARATAH FENCING FIRST - IT LASTS BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP (1200 Metres)
AGE OF AQUARIUS – Jumped away awkwardly.
SUNDARA – Held up for clear racing room until electing to shift outwards approaching the 200m and had bumped with HOLY CROWN.
SPIRITED SMILE – Jumped away awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin.
THE HAIRDRESSER – Raced wide in the early stages.
HOLY CROWN – Raced wide throughout. Bumped with SUNDARA when that runner shifted outwards approaching the 200m. When questioned in relation to the performance, Jockey J. Huxtable reported that it was his intention to attempt to obtain a position closer to the rail, however, was unable to do so after being trapped wide. Jockey Huxtable further stated that his mount had travelled well upon entering the home straight, however over the concluding stages HOLY CROWN had failed to respond to his riding and went to the line in a disappointing manner.
OUR HEART THROB – Jumped away awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
Race 4: COOPERS EXZOLT FOR CATTLE TICKS & FLIES QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP (1200 Metres)
HEAD HONCHO – Raced wide throughout. When questioned in relation to the performance, Jockey A. Butler stated that HEAD HONCHO was inclined to hang throughout the event which resulted in the gelding proving difficult to be fully tested. Jockey Butler further added that upon straight, his mount commenced to travel well, however had failed to respond to his riding over the concluding stages and had gone to the line in a disappointing manner, which in Jockey Butler’s opinion, was a result of being trapped wide which was overall detrimental to the gelding’s chances.
BOLD ARTIC – Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
ACEDROD – Jumped away awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin.
UNDERRATED – Held up in the early stages of the home straight until a point near the 400m.
DUBIOUS LOVE – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Held up in the home straight until a point nearing the 200m.
OUTBACK BANDIT – Jumped away awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages.
Race 5: DATAMARS LIVESTOCK BM62 HANDICAP (1050 Metres)
CHARLIE SPHENE – Blundered shortly after jumping. Trainers’ representative reported that it would be the stables intention to look into the immediate racing future of the gelding within the stable.
GOLD ACADEMY – Held up until electing to shift outwards, bumping CALL ME MARILYN, when attempting to obtain clear racing room near the 300m. Laid in when placed under pressure in the early stages of the home straight. Approaching the 200m, had to shift inwards to avoid the heels of PRETTY SLICK which had laid outwards. Laid out when placed under pressure over the concluding stages. Stewards intend to inquiry into Jockey Satherley’s whip use in totality in the event.
PRETTY SLICK – Laid out when placed under pressure in the early stages of the home straight.
CALL ME MARILYN – Raced wide throughout. Near the 300m, was bumped by GOLD ACADEMY which shifted out.
COBBO – Jockey R. Silvera Olivera reported that he had dropped his whip at a point near the 200m.
ANDIRON – When questioned in relation to the performance, Jockey J. Murphy reported that after being slow away, ANDIRON had to settle further back than anticipated and had failed to show any early speed. Jockey Murphy added that ANDIRON had begun to respond to his riding upon entering the home straight and had gone to the line in a strong manner, however after being too far back in the early stages, it had proved detrimental in the mare’s competitive chances over the final stages. Trainer T. Smith concurred with the statements from Jockey Murphy.
RUBUNKAR – Near the 900m, had to momentarily steady when placed in restricted room by CALL ME MARILYN which was dictated inwards by CHARLIE SPHENE. Apprentice N. Olzard was issued a reprimand under the provisions of AR1319(a) in that she failed to show significant effort in relieving pressure to runners to her inside. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Laid in rounding the home turn. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight. Held up until a point near the 300m. When questioned regarding the improved performance, Trainer T. Bourke stated that RUBUNKAR benefitted from the inside barrier position and not racing in a wide position, in comparison to its previous starts. Trainer Bourke added that RUBUNKAR was ridden to instructions today, where upon its previous starts where circumstances did not permit, and that the gelding had been working well in the lead up to today’s event and was expecting the improved performance.
SWEET FANTASY – Jumped away awkwardly. Near the 400m, had to shift out to avoid the heels of CALL ME MARILYN and obtain clear running.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning licensees
Reprimands
Race 2. Trainer Rob Stenhouse – AR106(1) – Presented without correct gear
Race 5. Apprentice Nikki Olzard – AR131(a) – Careless Riding
Fines
Race 1. Jockey Jackson Murphy – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – $500 – Use of the whip prior to the 100m
Suspensions
Race 2. Jockey Tasha Chambers – AR131(a) – Careless riding – 7 Day Suspension – m/n 14/12/2024 until m/n 21/12/2024.
Adjourned inquiries
Race 5. Jockey Warick Satherley – Use of the whip
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses swabbed pre-race.
JOLIE APOLLINE, MONDAY CHOICE, HOLY CROWN, HEAD HONCHO, CALL ME MARILYN & ANDIRON
Horses swabbed post-race.
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 2. MONDAY CHOICE - Warning – Racing manners
Race 2. MYSTIC MOUNTAIN – Veterinary Clearance required
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 3. TELMESOMETHIN’GIRL – Raul Silvera Olivera
Late scratchings
Race 2. MYSTIC MOUNTAIN – Late Scratching @ 11:50am
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.