QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
ROMA TURF CLUB
 
ROMA – SATURDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 2024
 
WEATHER – FINE   TRACK RATING – SAND   RAIL – TRUE
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – E. Tickner
Stewards – F. Hartford
 
GENERAL
 
Trainer W. Baker pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to LR43 in that he did have an unlicensed person performing strapping and saddling duties throughout the race-meeting. Mr Baker was subsequently fined the sum of $200. He was further advised of his rights to an appeal.
 
 
Race 1: PICKANJINNIE BENCHMARK 60 Handicap (900m)
 
BAG OF WHITT – Proved reluctant to proceed to the start which necessitated the removal of the tongue-tie. When this gear was unable to be refitted behind the barriers, permission was given for the mare to race without this part of its approved gear.
 
NUTSO – Began awkwardly before losing significant ground in the early stages of the event. Hung-out rounding the home-turn. When questioned regarding the performance, Jockey B. Newport stated the gelding resented the kick-back in the early stages, however, in his opinion, finished off the event well.
 
COUNTRY BOYZ – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
RUNAROUND SUE – Blundered on jumping. Apprentice S. Wilcock advised the mare in her opinion, which was having its first start on sand, failed to handle the track conditions and resented the kick-back.
 
JOEY JAWS (NZ) – Began awkwardly.
 
SEQUACIOUS – Hampered on jumping and lost ground. Raced wide and without cover from the 600m.
 
SETLIN SAGE – Eased down in the home-straight. Jockey M. Butler stated the mare felt uncomfortable in its action and that in his opinion, had performed below expectations in its two most recent runs. A post-race veterinary examination revealed bilateral lameness in front which required veterinary treatment. Trainer D. Rideout was advised a veterinary clearance would be required prior to racing again.
 
 
Race 2: MUGGLETON & SOPHIE WILCOCK BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP (1200m)
 
DEEP MILLIONS – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event.
 
CURIC – Began awkwardly.
 
BEST SIDE – Raced wide and without cover until the 800m. Carried wider rounding the home-turn when HOT SUNDAE laid out.
 
BICEPS – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed minor lacerations consistent with being galloped on.  
 
HOT SUNDAE – Laid-out rounding the home-turn.
 
MERVEN – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination having not raced for an extended period and passed fit to start. Slow to begin before losing ground and failing to take any competitive part in the event. Jockey B. Newport stated the gelding felt uncomfortable in its action throughout the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer W. Baker was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s record for being uncompetitive.
 
WHITE CHOCOLATE – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
BLOODBLISTER – Slow to begin.
 
 
Race 3: BRANDON & ASSOCIATES / REX & CATHERINE SMITH MEMORIAL QTIS MAIDEN PLATE (1000m)
 
NYTHE – Slow to begin. Tailed the field throughout the event before being eased down in the home straight. Jockey D. Baker stated in his opinion, the gelding resented racing with a tongue-tie for the first occasion. Trainer C. Storch concurred with the views of Jockey D. Baker. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer C. Storch was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s record for being uncompetitive.
 
SWISS GRAND – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
THE UPRISING – Bumped on jumping.
 
MOFF FIGHTER – Began awkwardly.
 
LADY MANTAGNA – Proved reluctant to proceed to the barriers which necessitated the removal of the tongue-tie, before being refitted behind the barriers. Began awkwardly, resulting its rider becoming unbalanced and losing ground. Tailed the field throughout the event. Performed below market expectations. Trainer M. Goodwin subsequently advised that the mare had pulled up well, and in his opinion, was significantly disadvantaged by the poor start. He further added that he would now experiment with the mare’s gear and indicated preference would be given to utilising a senior jockey in future starts.
 
ARTOPIA – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event.
 
SHADYVALE SPIRIT – Bumped on jumping. Jockey B. Newport stated the mare would derive significant fitness benefit from the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
 
 
Race 4: SQS RODNEY HOFFMANN MEMORIAL Class B Handicap (1000m)
 
CRUISING BILL – Began awkwardly. Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
MURPHY’S RIVER – Carried wider approaching the 200m and momentarily steadied. Approaching the 100m, became awkwardly placed behind heels for several strides.
 
OPAQUELY – Approaching the 200m, when attempting to obtain clear running, improved onto the heels of CATALYSE, becoming awkwardly placed resulting in MURPHY’S RIVERS, which was racing to the outside, having to relinquish its position and be dictated outwards to ensure sufficient room for OPAQUELY. Continued to shift out under pressure, resulting in MURPHY”S RIVER becoming awkwardly placed on heels approaching the 100m. Apprentice T. Noble was severely reprimanded under AR131(a) for careless riding. Whilst Stewards’ acknowledged the low degree of interference, they noted the actions of T. Brummell (MURPHY’S RIVER) having to relinquish its rightful position to that runner’s outside and be carried wider to ensure OPAQUELY did not race too close to heels when attempting to improve.
 
JULIMAR – Began awkwardly.
 
 
Race 5: SYDEVA HAULAGE BENDEMERE CUP OPEN PLATE (1000m)
 
LOUIE LA’JOY – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination having not started in an extended period and passed fit to start.
 
MURION – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event.
 
CRAIG AND HOFF – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
DEFERENCE – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event.
 
MISHANI OPERATOR – Performed below market expectations. Apprentice S. Wilcock stated the gelding would gain a significant fitness benefit from the event. Trainer S. Iverson concurred with the views of Apprentice Wilcock and was of the opinion the gelding was over-represented in the market. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 4 – Apprentice T. Noble – Careless Riding – Severe Reprimand
 
Fines
General – W. Baker – Unlicensed Stable-hands – LR43 - $200

 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 1 – SETLIN SAGE – Veterinary Clearance – Bilateral lameness
Race 2 – MORVEN – Warning – Uncompetitive
Race 3 – NYTHE – Warning – Uncompetitive
 
 
 
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.