RACING QUEENSLAND

STEWARDS REPORT

SUNSHINE COAST TURF CLUB – THURSDAY, 26 DECEMBER 2013

WEATHER – FINE TRACK RATING – GOOD 3/GOOD 2 AFTER RACE 4
RAIL – 5M PENETROMETER – 5.5

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – A. Reardon
Stewards – M. Knibbs, K. Daly, G. Dimsey
Clerk of Scales – C. Albrecht
Judge – P. Chilton
Veterinarian – C. Johnstone
Swab attendants – M. Johnstone, B. Andrews
Bookmakers Supervisor – W. Flynn
Starter – S. Elhers
Stewards Secretary – P. Carey

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
From GCTC, 21.12.13

When questioned as to his riding of LIKE A BIRD in the home straight Jockey Evans stated that the mare met with interference near the 1000m at which point it clipped the heels of another runner and blundered badly. Jockey Evans added that the was then forced to race 3 wide and as such attempted to improve his position during the middle stages of the race. However, shortly after entering the home straight LIKE A BIRD commenced to weaken as a result of the work it was required to do in the middle stages of the race and that he was then required to steady LIKE A BIRD near the 250m to avoid the heels of FIRST RELEASE. Jockey Evans also stated that he was concerned with the mare's action in the home straight and for that reason did not ride it out over the final 300m. Stewards reminded Jockey Evans of his obligations to report any issue that may have affected a horse's performance.

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Race 1: Hahn Premium Benchmark 75 H'cap – 2200m

GET ON (J. Byrne) raced 3 wide until a point near the 1400m.

HARDMAN HARRY (B. El-Issa) laid in under pressure in the straight.


T. Harrison reported at scale THAT SNOW ATHLETE lost its near fore plate near the 1400m and dipped a short time later and did not stretch out when placed under pressure prior to the home turn. A post race veterinary examination of THAT SNOW ATHLETE revealed the mare to be slightly lame in the near foreleg and a swab sample was taken. Trainer P. Duncan undertook to report to stewards any further abnormality that comes to light that may have had a bearing on today's performance.

Race 2: XXXX Gold Maiden H'cap – 1400m

T. Harrison was fined $100 for accepting engagements on LAKELANDS and DETER. B. El-Issa was substituted as the rider of LAKELANDS.

Trainer J. Thompson was fined the sum of $100 for failing to produce the identification card for LADY BLIGH.

MIAGRACE (A. Butler) was slow to muster speed in the early stages.

D. Browne, rider of ZELLARO, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding in that rounding the home turn near the 400m he allowed his mount to shift out with not clear of STAINCROSS (A. Taylor), which was weakening, resulting in STAINCROSS clipping the heels of ZELLARO and blundering badly. D. Browne was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 8 meetings, to commence at midnight, 28 December and to expire midnight, 11 January 2014. In assessing penalty, stewards took into account D .Browne was resuming race riding today after incurring a lengthy suspension in Western Australia.

STAINCROSS raced 3 wide throughout without cover.

POLOIDAL (M. McKenzie) raced wide throughout.

T. Harrison reported at scale it was not her intention to lead on DETER, however when the gelding began well she allowed it to stride forward and take up a position in the lead.


Race 3: XXXX Summer Bright Benchmark 75 H'cap – 1000m

RICHMOND GROVE was declared a late scratching at 7.57 pm.

The start was delayed when SIZZLING SONG (J. Johnson) lost its near fore plate when parading to the barriers, which necessitated it being replated.

The start was further delayed when EXPLORE THE WORLD broke through the barriers after being loaded and travelled a short distance before pulling up. The gelding was examined by the veterinary surgeon and cleared to take its place in the field.

EMERTON (T. Harrison) laid in under pressure in the straight.

T. Harrison was fined $100 for using her whip more than 5 times prior to the 100m on EMERTON.





Race 4: Hahn Super Dry Maiden Plate – 1000m

As P. Holmes was ill after riding in this event and was stood down from his engagement on MAN WITH THE PLAN in Race 7 and was replaced by apprentice J. Johnson when no senior rider was available.

TOTAL DESTRUCTION (A. Taylor) stood flatfooted at the start and lost ground.

MAXIRODS (R. Wiggins) began awkwardly.

DEVIL HEART (R. McMahon) dipped on jumping away.

Making the home turn, MOSITES (J. Hoopert) shifted out, taking SOUTHERN THREAT (K. Wharton) wider.

Near the 200m, TOTAL DESTRUCTION (A. Taylor) was tightened for room by the tiring OUR STARLIGHT (P. Homes), which shifted in.

Following this event the track rating was upgraded to Good 2.

After riding in this event, P. Holmes became indisposed and was stood down from his remaining engagements. Riding changes were made as per the Stewards Summary Sheet.


Race 5: Tooheys Extra Dry QTIS 3yo Maiden H'cap 1000m

Connections advised that MARACOOLA would be ridden back in the field from the wide barrier. MARACOOLA was ridden accordingly, albeit very wide.

Trainer R. Hurley was fined $100 for presenting DOWNEY JUNIOR with a crossover noseband, which was not part of that horse’s gear.

PRICELESS HEART (K. Wharton) was very slow to begin.

DOWNEY JUNIOR (J. Morris) and LA BELLA GRACE (J. Hoopert) were crowded for room on jumping away between SECRET PROCESS (T. Harrison), which shifted out, and HARK ANGEL (R. Jamieson), which shifted in.

DOWNEY JUNIOR raced erratically in the early stages, and near the 600m when racing keenly, hung out badly across the heels of MARACOOLA (G. Colless) and PIVOTAL POINT (J. Byrne). As a consequence, HIDDEN LOVE (C. McIver), which was following, was obliged to steady, became unbalanced and lost considerable ground. Trainer R. Hurley advised that DOWNEY JUNIOR may go for a spell. He was nevertheless advised that the colt would be required to trial satisfactorily prior to starting again.

Passing the 800m, NORDIC STORY (A. Butler) shifted in and struck the rail.

Leaving the 800m, MAGIC FORMULA (B. Appo) shifted in when racing greenly and struck the heels of HENNY’S HOPE (M. Hellyer) and blundered.

In the early stages of the straight, SECRET PROCESS (T. Harrison) was disappointed for a clear running between SCREAMING JET (R. Wiggins) and PIE LADY (B. El-Issa), both of which shifted ground.

PIVOTAL POINT (J. Byrne) was inclined to lay in under pressure in the straight.

MAGIC FORMULA raced greenly in the straight.

SCREAMING JET (R. Wiggins), MARACOOLA and PIVOTAL POINT (J. Byrne) all raced wide throughout.

G. Colless reported at scale that MARACOOLA was inclined to hang in under pressure in the straight.


Race 6: Coron F&M Class 3 H'cap – 1200m

BEACH BABE, which finished near the rear of the field, was examined by the veterinary surgeon with no significant abnormalities detected.

Stewards afforded jockey G. Colless the opportunity to comment on the disappointing performance of BEACH BABE. G. Colless stated that after travelling fairly in the early and middle stages he was then held up shortly after straightening. He added that he then elected to shift to the inside of other runners to obtain clear running, however the mare proved disappointing in its finishing effort. G. Colless added that, in his opinion, BEACH BABE may have resented racing to the inside of other runners.

Race 7: Toohey’s New C,G&E Class 3 H'cap – 1200m

Trainer L. Wheeler was fined $100 for failing to declare a rider for WARHOGG by the prescribed time.

On return to scale a protest was lodged by B. El-Issa, rider of the 3rd placegetter, GRAYSON SQUARE, against DOCTOR DAVID (A. Butler) being declared the winner, alleging interference near the 800m. After reviewing the film, jockey El-Issa then sought leave to withdraw the protest on the grounds that any interference suffered by him could not be directly attributable to any shift from DOCTOR DAVID.

On jumping away, GRAYSON SQUARE was checked and MAN WITH THE PLAN (J. Johnson) crowded for room between CALL ME RUSTY (D. Browne) and DOCTOR DAVID (A. Butler), which was taken out by FRAGEZEICHEN (G. Goold).

MURPHY’S PROSPECT (T. Brooker) was slow to begin.

Approaching the 800m, GRAYSON SQUARE (B. El-Issa) had to be checked to avoid the heels of DOCTOR DAVID (A. Butler), which shifted in when being steadied to avoid the heels of LUCKY BAA (R. McMahon), which in turn shifted in slightly away from WARHOGG (J. Morris). Whilst it was acknowledged that the racing manners of DOCTOR DAVID had played a significant part in this incident, R. McMahon, rider of LUCKY BAA, was nevertheless reprimanded and advised he must be fully clear before shifting ground. As a consequence, ARCTIC PASSAGE (M. Hellyer), which was following GRAYSON SQUARE, was steadied.

Over the concluding stages, FRAGEZEICHEN (G. Goold) shifted out and brushed LUCKY BAA (R. McMahon) on 2 occasions.

MURPHY’S PROSPECT raced wide for the majority of the race.


Race 8: Hahn Super Dry 3.5 Class 2 H'cap – 1400m

As A. Holt was injured, K. Matheson was substituted as the rider of HARD TICKER.

On return to scale a protest was lodged by B. El-Issa, rider of the 2nd placegetter MS BA BELLA, against CROCODILE DANCER being declared the winner on the grounds of interference over the concluding stages. Stewards found that near the 50m CROCODILE DANCER shifted out under pressure and made contact with MS BA BELLA which was then forced wider by CROCODILE DANCER. After taking into account the short half head margin involved, the protest was upheld and the placings amended to read: No. 13 – MS B A BELLA – 1st No. 11 – CROCODILE DANCER No. 9 – ROJO GRANDE – 3rd No. BIT OF A HERO – 4th

Shortly after the start, PALMERA LAD (C. McIver) was steadied when CROCODILE DANCER (M. Vance) shifted in slightly.

BIT OF A HERO (J. Byrne) was held up rounding the home turn and a short distance later had to be steadied away from the heels of PLAY LUCK (J. Johnson).

CLIFF’S DREAM was held up from rounding the home turn and until the 250m.

Shortly after entering the straight, ARAWAK (G. Goold) had to be steadied away from the heels of CROCODILE DANCER, which shifted out.

G. Colless reported TAHOE CITY, after enjoying a good run throughout the race, did not finish the race off as expected and, in his opinion, was disappointing.















STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Suspensions
Race 2. Damian Browne – Jockey – C/riding – 8 mtgs – M/n 28.12.13 to m/n 11.1.14 AR137(a)

Fines
Race 2. Tegan Harrison – Jockey - $100 – Dual engagements – AR85B
J. Thompson – Trainer - $100 – No ID card (Lady Bligh) – AR59A
Race 3. Tegan Harrison – Jockey - $100 – Use whip 9 times prior to 100m – AR137A(5)(a)(ii)
Race 5. Rodney E. Hurley – Trainer – Present horse with incorrect gear – $100 - AR140A
Race 7. Lennie Wheeler – Trainer – Late rider - $100 – LR67

Race day injuries/
illness
P. Holmes – Illness – Cert. required.

Absent jockeys
Aiden Holt – Injured – Cert. required.

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
Hardman Harry, Sonic Hill

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, Zellaro, Kiss By Brass, Maracoola, Beach Babe, Crocodile Dancer

Warnings/bars
Race 5. Downey Junior – Raced erratically, hung out – Trial – AR8(t)

Protests
Race 7. 3rd (Grayson Square v. 1st (Doctor David) – interference near 800m – Withdrawn
Race 8. 2nd (Ms Ba Bella) v. 1st (Crocodile Dancer) – interference over concluding stages - Upheld.

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1. Sonic Hill – B. Appo
Race 2. Lakelands – B. El-Issa
Race 4. Likeness – A. Butler
Our Starlight – P. Holmes
Race 7. Warhogg – J. Morris
Man With The Plan – J. Johnson
Race 8. Palmera Lad – C. McIver
Castledale Lad – R. Jamieson

Late scratchings
Race 3. Richmond Grove – 7.57 am