QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
ROCKHAMPTON JOCKEY CLUB
 
ROCKHAMPTON - THURSDAY 19, DECEMBER 2024
 
WEATHER – Overcast     TRACK RATING –  Heavy 8          RAIL – + 1m   PENETROMETER – 6.2
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – H Gillett
Stewards – S Larkins, E Tickner, E Suli, S Stehbens & G Wust
 
GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted overweights as per the race day summary.
 
Stewards questioned Trainer Kerrod Smyth in relation to scratching dual accepted NOBLE HEART in race 7 with a veterinary certificate while remaining in the field for race 3. Mr Smyth stated that he had incorrectly advised Racing Australia of the reason for scratching (Veterinary) and that he was scratching NOBLE HEART in race 7 as it was a dual acceptor. Trainer K Smyth was advised to ensure he complied with all scratching times and procedures. Stewards ordered a pre-race veterinary examination of NOBLE HEART which revealed no abnormalities.
 
 
Race 1: REGIONAL INSURANCE BROKERS MAIDEN HANDICAP   (1200m)
 
AIN'T NOBODY – Bumped near the 600m with VINAROSA when attempting to shift out to obtain clear running. Held up in the early stages of the home straight. When asked to comment on the performance, jockey J Stanley stated that the gelding travelled well in the early and middle stages, however once becoming held up in the home straight proved one-paced thereafter. Mr Stanley further added that the gelding would be better suited to races over further distances than today’s event and firmer track conditions than today’s conditions.
 
AQUAHOLIC – Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
BOYFRIEND MATERIAL – Began awkwardly and bumped with FLY TRAP. Held up for clear running near the 600m.
 
FLY TRAP – Began awkwardly and bumped BOYFRIEND MATERIAL. Raced keenly in the early stages when being restrained to obtain a position with cover.
 
RUN FREDA RUN – Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
VINROSA – Began awkwardly. Bumped AIN’T NOBODY when that runner attempted to shift out near the 600m to obtain clear running. Apprentice O. Kendal reported that the mare’s tongue tie became undone during the race. When asked to comment on the mare’s forward position apprentice Kendal stated that in the mares most recent start it had been further forward in running and due to the early moderate tempo today, VINROSA was able to move forward without being placed under pressure throughout.
 
Following this race, the track was upgraded to a soft 7.
 
 
Race 2: KENNAS CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS BENCHMARK 62 HANDICAP (1805m)
 
MURRAJONG ROAD (NZ) – Began awkwardly. When questioned on the performance, trainer K Smyth stated that the gelding in the past had performed disappointingly on soft tracks and may not have suited today’s track conditions. Mr Smyth further advised that MURRAJONG ROAD had a lengthy preparation despite not racing frequently, and he would now consider giving the gelding a freshen up or a spell.
 
HOLLYWOOD PARK (NZ) – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination behind the barriers at the request of the rider and was declared a late scratching at 1:38pm on veterinary advice when found to be lame in the near foreleg. Prior to the declaration of correct weight stewards ordered all monies invested on HOLLYWOOD PARK (NZ) to be refunded in full with the following deductions applicable to all successful wagers placed prior to 1:38pm.
 
4 cent in the dollar for the win WATERMELON (1st)
6 cent in the dollar for the place on the winner WATERMELON (1st)
5 cents in the dollar for the place STREET GLORY (2nd)
 
Trainer G Bell was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to the gelding racing again.
 
KELLERS SHELTER – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
STREET GLORY – Raced keenly in the early stages. Stewards questioned apprentice O Kendal with the assistance of jockey J Huxtable, in relation to her tactics adopted rounding the home turn and entering the home straight, specifically her decision to not remain racing on the rail which subsequently permitted the eventual winner to obtain a clear and unimpeded run to her inside. Apprentice Kendal advised that she had walked the track earlier in the program, and in her opinion had identified that the inside of the track appeared to be more rain affected, and therefore she elected to allow her mount to race wider upon straightening. She further added her mount was inclined to lay out and changed strides immediately upon entering the home straight and subsequently took the home turn wider. Jockey J Huxtable reiterated that past experience riding on the track had supported the view of apprentice Kendal that the going closer to the inside proved to be inferior when rain affected. In considering the explanation provided and assessing the entirety of the evidence available stewards could not be satisfied that the tactics adopted were unreasonable in the circumstances so therefore noted apprentice Kendal’s comments. Apprentice Kendal pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that she did use her whip 9 times prior to the 100m, and 14 times in totality. Apprentice Kendal’s license to ride in races was suspended for 7 days, commencing midnight 28 December 2024 and to conclude midnight 4 January 2025. In assessing the matter, stewards considered apprentice Kendal’s previous record in relation to the rule and the QRIC whip penalty guidelines.
 
ROY'S ROAD – Held up for clear running near the 300m.
 
SADDLES – Slow to begin. Over-raced in the early and middle stages.
 
 
Race 3: JOHN GOSS PROJECTS BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP (1400m)
 
SRINI – Near the 1300m shifted in and momentarily crowded WHATJEUDOIN’. Jockey J Huxtable was reminded of his obligations to ensure he leaves sufficient room for runners to his inside. Laid in under pressure in the early stages of the home straight.
 
WHATJEUDOIN' – Steadied off the heels of SRINI soon after the start which shifted in.
 
GENERAL WOLFFE – Began awkwardly. Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Held up for clear running for some distance past the 600m. Laid in under pressure in the home straight proving difficult to ride out. Over the concluding stages obliged to shift out to avoid the heels of NOBLE HEART.  
 
ROSE OF TAORMINA – Began awkwardly. Over-raced in the middle stages.
 
 
Race 4: HAPPY RETIREMENT GRAEME & JULIE GREEN MAIDEN PLATE (1500m)
 
MOISSANITE – Bumped by FICTIVE (NZ) on jumping. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
ONE PERCENT – Began awkwardly. When questioned in relation to the performance, jockey R Wiggins stated that his mount had travelled well through the early and middle stages, however when asked for an effort in the home straight was one paced and failed to quicken as expected. He further added that in his opinion, that the gelding failed to handle the softer track conditions. When questioned trainer R Vale concurred with jockey Wiggin’s statements.
 
FICTIVE (NZ) – Began awkwardly and bumped with MOISSANITE.
 
JOLIE APOLLINE – Began very awkwardly and lost ground. Apprentice L O’Donnell was reprimanded under the provisions of AR132(6)(b) for using her whip when out of contention.
 
MY PEPPERJACK – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination at the barriers which revealed a minor laceration to the right hind and was cleared to start.
 
SEND THE MONEY – Raced keenly in the early stages. Held-up for clear running until a point near the 300m.
 
DARLING CLEMENTINE – Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
Race 5: HILCHER SIGNS CLASS 1 PLATE (1050m)
 
CARRARA KING – Raced wide throughout. Jockey R Olivera was reprimanded under the provisions of AR132(6)(b) for using his whip when out of contention.
 
MASALI RAFFA – Bumped at the start with DISCOVERED GOLD. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
PHANTOM FLIGHT – Slow to begin. Impeded soon after when DISCOVERED GOLD shifted out after being bumped by D’ESPRIT.
 
ALLOUTATIME – Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight.
 
D'ESPRIT – Began awkwardly and bumped with DISCOVERED GOLD.
 
DISCOVERED GOLD – Began awkwardly and soon after was crowded between D’ESPRIT and MASALI RAFFA both of which shifted ground. Apprentice M Apel pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR210(1) in that she failed to weigh in when required to do so following the race. Apprentice Apel was subsequently fined $500. Stewards also considered the provisions of AR210(2) as to whether DISCOVERED GOLD ought to be disqualified due to the rider failing to weigh in. When electing to disqualifying the horse the stewards were mindful of the jockeys current riding weight, and despite apprentice Apel entering the jockeys room stewards were satisfied that the gear used on DISCOVERED GOLD when correctly weighed on the scales reflected the elected weight she had weighed out at.
 
MONDAY CHOICE – Slow to begin. Raced wide in the middle stages. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
Following this race, the track was upgraded to a soft (6).
 
 
Race 6: TAB MAGIC MILLIONS COUNTRY CUP QUALIFIER OPEN HANDICAP (1200m)
 
NAMAZU – Began awkwardly. Commenced to hang-out upon entering the home straight. Went amiss near the 300m and eased out of the event. An immediate post-race veterinary examination revealed an injury to the near foreleg. The gelding was subsequently transported off course for further veterinary treatment and assessment. Stewards will follow up with trainer R Vale on the condition of the gelding in the coming days.
 
UNDER THE CAP – Bounded on jumping. Laid in when placed under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
SVINDAL – Bumped near the 100m when JUST SUPER attempted to obtain clear running.
 
JUST SUPER – Held-up for clear running leaving the 100m and bumped SVINDAL when attempting to shift out.
 
FINE SHOT – Held-up for clear running until leaving the 100m. Detained on course for 2 hours for post-race blood sampling.
 
Following the running of this race, Stewards undertook a track inspection of the home straight and identified no concerns with the racing surface.
 
 
Race 7: GREAT NORTHERN CLASS 3 PLATE (1200m)
 
The start of this race was delayed until 5pm to allow the equine ambulance to return to the course following the previous race.
 
MIL CIENTO – Began awkwardly.
 
THE LAST SAGA – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
GRAYSONG – Held up for clear racing room near the 250m. Laid out when place under pressure in the home straight.
 
MONEY MAN – Raced wide throughout.
 
SAILOR'S RUM – Began awkwardly and slow to begin as a result.
 
ANDIRON – Elected to shift wider to obtain clear racing room near the 200m.
 
FLYING MAPLE – Late scratching at 3:52pm on veterinary advice after the mare became fractious in the tie up stalls and sustained lacerations to its head. Trainer R Vale was advised that that the mare would require a veterinary certificate prior to racing again.
 
SPIRITED SMILE – Began awkwardly and slow to begin as a result. When questioned in relation to the performance trainer J Lancaster stated that in her opinion the gelding had failed to handle the softer track conditions today and that SPIRITED SMILE would be better suited to races over further distance.  A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
LOVE MY LOUIS – Race keenly in the early and middle stages.

WHAT A DOOZY – Raced wide in the early stages.
 
YOSEMITE FALLS – Held up for clear running for some distance approaching the 200m. Obliged to steady from the heels of DECIDIOUS near the 150m when that runner shifted outwards. Jockey R S Olivera (DECIDUOUS) pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR131(a) for careless riding in that he permitted his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of YOSEMITE FALLS which was obliged to restrain and lose its rightful run. Jockey Olivera’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 10 days, commencing midnight 26 December 2024 and to conclude midnight 5 January 2025. In assessing the matter, Stewards placed the carelessness and interference to be in the mid-range, his guilty plea and record in relation to the rule.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 4 – Apprentice L O’Donnell – AR132(6)(b) – Whip use when out of contention
Race 5 – R S Olivera – AR132(6)(b) – Whip use when out of contention
 
Fines
Race 5 – Apprentice M Apel – Failed to weigh in – AR210(1) - $500

Suspensions
Race 2 – Apprentice O Kendal – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – whip use prior to the 100m - 7 days to commence midnight 28 December 2024 and to conclude midnight 4 January 2025
 
Race 7 – R S Olivera – AR131(a) – Careless riding – 10 days to commence midnight 26 December 2024 to conclude midnight 5 January 2025
 
Overweights
Race 4 – Michael Murphy +1kg
Race 6 – Justin Stanley +1kg
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
BOYFRIEND MATERIAL, SADDLES, NOBLE HEART, FICTIVE (NZ), DISCOVERED GOLD & NAMAZU
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, FINE SHOT, SAILORS RUM
 
Warnings/bars
Race 2 – HOLLYWOOD PARK (NZ) – Lame near foreleg – Veterinary certificate required.
Race 6 – NAMAZU – Near foreleg injury – Veterinary certificate required.
Race 7 – FLYING MAPLE – Laceration to the head – Veterinary certificate required.
 
Late scratchings
Race 2 – HOLLYWOOD PARK (NZ) @ 1:38pm – Veterinarian advice
Race 7 – FLYING MAPLE @ 3:52pm – Veterinarian 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.