RACING QUEENSLAND

STEWARDS REPORT


SUNSHINE COAST TURF CLUB – SUNDAY, 20 FEBRUARY 2011

WEATHER – FINE TRACK RATING – SLOW 6/DEAD 5 AT 11 AM/DEAD 4 AFTER RACE 7 RAIL – 7M


OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – D. Aurisch
Stewards – J. Hackett, R. Lawson, C. Albrecht
Clerk of Scales – C. Fedrick
Judge – P. Chilton
Veterinarian – C. Johnson
Swab attendants – R. Elsworthy
Bookmakers Supervisor – W. Flynn
Starter – P. Briton, R. Huxham
Stewards Secretary – P. Carey


Race 1: Perry’s Sunshine Coast Event Hire Maiden Plate - 1200m
1st – Melanotis 2nd – Purposs 3rd – Bikinsky 4th – Street Jam

BIKINSKY (M. Hellyer) overraced in the early stages and near the 800m had to be restrained to avoid the heels of EDZACCERI (B. Stewart).

After being held up in the early stages of the straight, ALANDY LAD (M. Palmer) was disappointed for a run approaching the 200m between BIKINSKY and EDZACCERI, which shifted out slightly. M. Palmer, rider of ALANDY LAD, then attempted to shift to the outside of BIKINSKY and made contact with LAUGHING CRUSADER (J. Taylor). Michael Palmer, rider of ALANDY LAD, was issued with a reprimand and advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances in future.

Stewards questioned G. Colless regarding the tactics employed on STREET JAM, which was restrained in the early stages today, which was in contrast with its normal racing pattern, whereby the horse raced near the lead at Doomben over 1110m on 21 January. G. Colless explained that he had received specific instructions today that from the wide draw to restrain his mount and settle back in the field. D. Bougoure, trainer of STREET JAM, confirmed the instructions and pleaded guilty of a charge under AR135A, in that he failed to notify a change of tactics on the mare and was fined $300.

D. Griffin, rider of OUR DUCHESS, which performed below market expectations, explained that the filly travelled well until placed under pressure after entering the home straight and failed to respond to his riding from that point. D. Griffin added that OUR DUCHESS will take a fitness benefit from today’s race and will be better suited in races over a longer distance than today’s 1200 metres.

Race 2: Noosa Civic TAB Class 1 H'cap – 1000m
1st – Red Husserati 2nd – Abbajazz 3rd – Nickera 4th – Spello

MIDNIGHT AGENDA (D. Gill) overraced in the early stages and approaching the 700m shifted in and made heavy contact with the hind quarters of RED HUSSERATI (M. Palmer).

NICKIERA (D. Griffin) was inclined to lay out under pressure over the concluding stages.

SPELLO (D. Browne) raced 3 wide for a major part of the race.


Race 3: PFD Foodservices QTIS 3yo Class 2 H'cap - 1000m
1st – Pixiu 2nd – Prince Liam 3rd – Bust ‘N’ Loose 4th -Croftside

M. Hellyer reported that BETTER OPTION, which raced wide throughout, hung out from the 700m and did not feel comfortable in its action in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination of BETTER OPTION failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

TEXAS RED (B. Wallace) raced wide throughout.

HUFF AND PUFF (A. Erhart) overraced when racing 3 wide without cover throughout.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of CRAIGLEA FIGHTER, which commenced to tire prior to the home turn and failed to run on over the concluding stages, rider K. Wharton explained that CRAIGLEA FIGHTER did not feel comfortable in its action. Trainer P. Fleming was at a loss to explain the performance today and stewards advised him that the gelding would be required to trial to their satisfaction before being permitted to race again. A post-race veterinary examination of CRAIGLEA FIGHTER failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

An inquiry was opened into A. Spinks riding of CRAIGLEA GAL, in particular over the final 500m of the race and his apparent vigour over the final 200m. After taking some evidence from jockey Spinks and trainer P. Fleming, the inquiry was adjourned to Queensland Racing Offices on Thursday, 24 February to enable managing part owner Mr S. Johnston to attend.

Race 4: Contour Consulting Engineers Class 2 H'cap – 2200m
1st – Toy Ruler 2nd – Merchant Girl 3rd – Candice 4th – Not A Lady

TOY RULER (E. Kehoe) overraced in the early stages and near the 1800m had to be restrained to avoid the heels of MERCHANT GIRL (N. Yamada).

MEDICI (S. Wiseman) raced 3 wide in the early stages before being ridden forward to be positioned outside the leader approaching the 1500m.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SONIC HILL, M. Hellyer stated that the horse was under pressure prior to the 1200m and felt that the gelding failed to run out the distance under its big weight.


Race 5: Sky Racing Maiden H'cap - 1800m
1st – Modern Al 2nd – Blackup Plan 3rd – Le Tour De France 4th – Bittermagic

As R. Wiggins failed to arrive at the track in time to ride NEYTIRI, apprentice J. Kropp was substituted as the rider of NEYTIRI when no senior rider was available. R. Wiggins was fined $100.

STORM’S BELLE (K. Gates) was tightened for room shortly after the start between MORINGA’S SUNDANCE (Matthew Palmer) and AIRWORTHY (G. Colless), both of which shifted ground.

GANDY MAY (Michael Palmer) overraced in the early stages.

Near the 1500m, BITTERMAGIC (W. D'Avila) commenced to overrace and had to be steadied off the heels of BACKUP PLAN (M. Hellyer) and shifted out, resulting in LITTLE FLICKER (E. Kehoe), which was following, being inconvenienced and shifting out, hampering RUSTY TRAWLER (T. Huxham).

Passing the 1400m, SUNDAY BELLE (D. Griffin) overraced and had to be steadied to avoid the heels of NEYTIRI (J. Kropp).

Also near the 1400m, JIMMY CRACKCORN (B. Wallace) hung out despite the efforts of its rider and had to be checked across the heels of RUSTY TRAWLER (T. Huxham) and shifted out further and bumped MORINGA’S SUNDANCE (Matthew Palmer).

LE TOUR DE FRANCE (K. Wharton) raced 3 wide in the early stages.

STORM’S BELLE (K. Gates) raced 3 wide throughout.


Race 6: Mansell Bulk Haulage Class 6 H'cap - 1600m
1st – Mystical Grey 2nd – Dane Fortaine 3rd – Will Impress 4th – Slepner

JERRYLEE (M. Hellyer) was slow to begin.

DANE FONTAINE (R. Wiggins) was held up and unable to improve from the 500m until the early part of the home straight.

REBELLIOUS SPIRIT (D. McWhinney) raced 3 wide without cover throughout.

Jockey W. D’Avila reported that MACSQUIRE travelled comfortably until the 700m and then compounded badly from that point. He was of the opinion that something may have been amiss with the gelding. A post-race veterinary examination of MACSQUIRE revealed the horse was slightly distressed and had a slow recovery rate.

D. McWhinney, rider of REBELLIOUS SPIRIT, reported that after passing the 1000m it became apparent to him he was not going to obtain a trailing position and when he attempted to restrain the gelding he had difficulty doing so due to it commencing to overrace and his reins becoming entangled in the horse’s mane.

Apprentice T. Huxham, rider of the 4th placegetter SLEPNER, was fined $200 for failing to ride his mount out to the end of the race. AR135(b).

JERRYLEE bled during the event. Trainer R. Bradshaw was advised that the gelding would be barred from racing for a period of 3 months.


Race 7: Programmed Property Services Class 1 H'cap - 1400m
1st – Bellaspirit 2nd – Hi Jo Silver 3rd – Love that Chick 4th – All In Time

Near the 700m, SECRET WILL (D. Gill) shifted out slightly, which resulted in VINTAGE FLINT (M. Hellyer) being inconvenienced and taken wider on the track.

ALL THE TIME (D. Griffin) was held up and unable to improve rounding the home turn.

VINTAGE FLINT (M. Hellyer) raced 3 wide throughout.


Race 8: Best Security Pty Ltd Class 2 H'cap – 1200m
1st – Bustopher Jones 2nd – Domini 3rd – Avago 4th –Top Messiah

D. McWhinney, rider of AEQUITAS, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding, in that near the 900m he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of CHANFAL, resulting in CHANFAL having to be checked. D. McWhinney was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 8 meetings, to commence at midnight, 4 March, the expiry date of a previously incurred suspension, and to expire at midnight, 17 March 2011.

Near the 300m, AEQUITAS (D. McWhinney) shifted out under pressure and made contact with CHANFAL (D. Gill), placing that horse in restricted room and forcing it to come into contact with the hind quarters of SARGASSO (D. Griffin). AEQUITAS then raced in restricted room to the inside of SARGASSO which shifted in under pressure. Stewards will speak with D. Griffin, rider of SARGASSO, at a later date in relation to his obligations to take greater measures to keep his mounts on a straight course.

When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of PERSONAL GUARANTEE, N. Yamada reported that the horse’s best performances have been on synthetic surfaces as at the horse’s previous start at the Gold Coast it was also somewhat disappointing on the turf.

















STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Suspension
Race 8. Dean McWhinney – A/jockey – C/riding – 8 mtgs – M/n 4.3.11 to m/n 17.3.11 AR137(a)*

Reprimands
Race 1. Michael Palmer – Jockey – C/riding – AR137(a)*

Fines
Race 1. Danny Bougoure – Trainer – Fail to advise change of tactics – AR135A - $300*
Race 5. Ryan Wiggins – Fail to fulfil engagement - $100 – AR85B*
Race 6. Tyrone Huxham – A/jockey – AR137(b) – Fail to ride mount out – 4th - $200*

Adj inquiries
Race 3. Handling of Craiglea Gal (Jockey A. Spinks/Trainer P. Fleming)

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Bleeders
Race 6. Jerrylee – 3 mth bar from racing – AR53A

Warnings/bars
Race 3. Craiglea Fighter – Poor performance

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications

Race 5. Neytiri – J. Kropp

Late scratchings

Nil.



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