QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
SUNSHINE COAST TURF CLUB
SUNSHINE COAST – FRIDAY 19th MARCH 2021
WEATHER – Fine TRACK RATING – Heavy 10 RAIL – 8 meters entire
PENETROMETER – 6.9
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – J Williamson
Stewards – D Aurisch, C Fedrick, K Daly
Clerk of Scales – T North
Judge – P Chilton
Veterinarian – Dr T Doherty
Swab Attendants – A Challen
Starter – R Hanson
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
Eagle Farm Stewards Room Thursday 18/3/2021
Stewards today concluded inquiries into the tactics adopted by jockey Ryan Maloney on COTTON FIELDS during the Race 5 at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club on 28/2/2021. The matter was adjourned to obtain betting records pertaining to the event, which were analysed with no areas of concern detected, however these records did support the evidence tended by trainer David Vandyke in relation to wagers in which had supporting COTTON FIELDS.
The area of concern for stewards was jockey Maloney’s actions from the 600m when there appeared an opportunity to shift out to be positioned following SHINSHINTO, which from the 500m would have allowed COTTON FIELDS to be directed wider on the track to improve to the outside of SHINSHINTO, which would have afforded the mare an unimpeded run to the finish of the event. Rather than the option taken, which was to improve to the inside of SHINSHINTO in order to follow KING OF THE DESERT, which ultimately resulted in COTTON FIELDS being disappointed for clear running near the 300m and again disappointed for clear running near the 200m and obliged to check.
The explanation provided by jockey Maloney indicated that he had considered shifting out when passing the 600m however elected to take the option to improve his position inside SHINSHINTO in order to follow KING OF THE DESERT as he formed the view that this horse was a strong chance in the event and appeared to be travelling favourably. He further added that as his mount was travelling strongly, he would obtain clear running when entering the home straight by shifting outside KING OF THE DESERT as he felt his mount was travelling stronger than SHINSHINTO and he would be able to force that horse wider to improve. He informed stewards that in hindsight he felt that he had made an error in judgement when racing between the 600m and 500m however after having improved inside SHINSHINTO he was left with very limited options due to runners forward of him failing to run on as expected.
Stewards agreed that this had been an error in failing to take the reasonable option to shift out near the 600m to follow SHINSHINTO, however were satisfied that the option to improve to the inside of SHINSHINTO and follow KING OF THE DESERT was not unreasonable in the circumstances and they were satisfied that this error in judgement did not constitute a breach of the rules and took no further action.
Race 1: TREVOR MILLER RACING Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate
1000 metres
ENDERLE – The start of this event was delayed when the mare proved difficult to load. Raced greenly throughout.
FAVOURITE THINGS – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Laid out in early stages of the home straight.
REGAL EYES – Raced three wide without cover for the majority of the event.
CURVETTA – Held up in the early stages of the home straight.
Race 2: JACK DUNCAN RACING Colts, Geldings and Entires Maiden Plate 1000 metres
LOUD NOISE – Trainer G Duncan was fined $100 under LR67 for the late declaration of rider on that gelding.
NORSE MYTHOLOGY – Slow to begin.
ALLEZ ZOU (NZ) – Slow to begin.
BYTACT – Rider L Tilley reported the gelding did not travel comfortably at any stage of the event.
DREAM CHANCE – Change of tactics, to be ridden with cover if circumstances permit. Ridden accordingly. When being restrained to obtain cover near the 900 metres became awkward at the heels of JOLLO. Over-raced in the middle stages.
JOLLO – Hung out rounding the home turn. Trainer P Duff was advised that the horse must officially trial prior to racing again. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
Race 3: ESPRIT RACING OPEN Handicap 1000 metres
No racing incidents.
Race 4: NAT MCCALL RACING RATINGS BAND 0 - 65 Handicap 1200 metres
RHYME TIME – Held up rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the home straight.
NICKS – Slow to begin.
Race 5: GERAN RACING QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 65 Handicap 1400 metres
OSWANA – A post-race veterinary examination revealed lameness in the near foreleg. Trainer T Smith was advised the gelding would require a veterinary clearance prior to its next race start.
SINO DEFEAT – Trainer P Butterworth was fined $200 under LR67 for the late declaration of rider on that gelding.
ZOU ZOU KACANARKIS – Over-raced in the early stages when being restrained. M Hellyer, rider of ZOU ZOU KACANARKIS, was reprimanded under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for use of the whip on six occasions, one more than permitted.
Race 6: TOMMY BUTTON RACING Class 2 Plate 1400 metres
ODDFELLOW (NZ) – Raced three wide without cover for majority of the event. Weakened from the 600 meters. Rider A Thompson reported ODDFELLOW hung out for majority of the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a poor post-race recovery.
ROUND OF APPLAUSE – Over-raced when the pace slackened leaving the 1000 metres and shifted out in consequence.
ZOUZOUZALO – Slow to begin. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn and again over the concluding stages resulting in the gelding not being able to be fully tested to the line. M Hellyer, rider of ZOUZOUZALO, was fined $300 under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for use of the whip on seven occasions, two more than permitted.
BOFORS – Slow to begin. Improved onto heels near the 900 metres and had to be checked.
BOLD INSPIRATION – Placed in restricted room and had to be steadied near the 800 metres.
Race 7: GARNETT TAYLOR RACING BENCHMARK 60 Handicap 1800 metres
The starting position of this event was moved forward a short distance when it was established that due to the rail position, the barriers would be situated on a newly installed crossing. This decision was made to reduce the possibility of horses’ slipping on jumping away.
WAR'S END – Rider M Rodd reported the gelding was inclined to hang out for majority of the event and failed to handle the heavy track conditions. M Rodd, rider of WAR’S END, was fined $300 under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for use of the whip on seven occasions prior to the 100 metres, two more than permitted.
CALL ME LEGEND – Slow to begin. Inclined to lay in for majority of the event.
INSTRUMENTS – The start of this event was delayed when on arrival at the barriers the near fore plate was refitted.
SCILAGO – Rider M Wishart reported the gelding failed to handle the heavy track conditions.
SWING SHIFT – Slow to begin. A Thompson, rider of SWING SHIFT, was fined $300 under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for use of the whip on six occasions, one more than permitted.
TIME STAMP (USA) – Change of tactics, to be ridden more forward if circumstances permit. Ridden accordingly.
SID – When asked to comment on the apparent improved performance trainer J Murdoch could offer no explanation other than the gelding was suited to settling in a more forward position in the race.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning licensees
Reprimands
Race 5: Jky M Hellyer – use of whip 6 times prior to 100 metres – AR132(7)(a)(ii)
Fines
Race 2: Trainer G Duncan - $100 – late rider declaration – LR67
Race 5: Trainer P Butterworth - $200 – late rider declaration – LR67
Race 6: Jky M Hellyer - $300 - use of whip 7 times prior to 100 metres – AR132(7)(a)(ii)
Race 7: Jky M Rodd – $300 - use of the whip on 7 occasions prior to the 100 metres – AR132(7)(a)(ii)
Race 7: App A Thompson – $300 - use of the whip on 7 occasions prior to the 100 metres – AR132(7)(a)(ii)
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 2: JOLLO – hanging out – trial – AR20(e)
Race 5: OSWANA – lame near foreleg – AR20(e)
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.