QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
SUNSHINE COAST – SUNDAY 10th DECEMBER 2023
WEATHER – Fine TRACK RATING – Good RAIL – +8m
PENETROMETER – 6.71
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – J Williamson
Stewards – K Daly, R Hanson, S Heidke
Clerk of Scales – J Robinson
Judge – P Chilton
Veterinarian – Dr S Flynn, S McGinness
Swab Attendants – J Crompton, M Sutton
Starter – S Mackinnon, D Breed
Race 1: SAIRCARE SUPPORT QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1200M
Prior to the declaration of correct weight, and after viewing the patrol footage in the home straight, D Smith, rider of second placegetter VALLEY OF OWLS, lodged a protest against first past the post MISHANI FEARLESS for alleged interference near the 100m. After hearing submissions from the connections of both runners and viewing the available patrol footage, Stewards found that near the 100m MISHANI FEARLESS shifted out abruptly resulting in VALLEY OF THE OWLS being taken out at that point however bearing in mind the ¾ length margin and the degree of interference suffered by VALLEY OF THE OWLS, Stewards dismissed the protest and correct weight declared on the semaphored placings.
MISHANI FEARLESS – Bumped at the start.Raced greenly passing the 800m and inclined to lay in.Shifted out abruptly near the 100m. Trainer L Ross was advised a warning would placed on the racing manners of MISHANI FEARLESS.
INVADING JILLY – Jumped out at the start and bumped ROSE OF LIBERTY.
ROSE OF LIBERTY – After beginning awkwardly was bumped and lost ground.
VALLEY OF OWLS – Began awkwardly and lost ground.Shifted wider to improve passing the 700m and as a result raced wide from that point.
Race 2: EPOXY BY DESIGN QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD BENCHMARK 62 HANDICAP 1200M
RINGER'S REWARD – Began awkwardly. Over-raced and raced greenly in the middle stages of the event. After leaving the 250m until approaching 100m, had difficulty obtaining clear running.
TORQUE I TEE – Began awkwardly. Laid out under pressure over the final 100m and approaching the winning post bumped SOO SWEET.
NO BETTER TIME – Approaching the 800m steadied from the heels of WHAT A WEEKEND when that runner shifted in when not fully clear. B Wheeler, rider of WHAT A WEEKEND, was advised to exercise greater care in this incident.
FLEETING CHANCE – A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
SOO SWEET – Bumped approaching the winning post when TORQUE I TEE shifted out under pressure.
Race 3: PARFOS BRICK & BLOCK LAYING CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1800M
TAMBOURINE MAN – Slow to begin.
DUNZOOMING – Rider J Huxtable reported the horse over-raced in the middle stages.
AMERICAN PIONEER – When leading the event was inclined to over-race in the early stages.
BOOG'S BOY – Slow to begin.
WHEN DOVES FLY – Approaching the 200m rider M Castle dropped her whip.
Race 4: ALEX SURF CLUB OPEN HANDICAP 1400M
FLASH AAH – Slow to begin.
AZZAREACH – When leading the event was inclined to over-race in the middle stages. Laid out under pressure over the concluding stages.
SHEZA FIRECRACKER – From the wide barrier restrained at the start to a rearward position closer to the rails.
COLLAY'S SPIRIT – Laid in under pressure over the final 200m and when directed out to straighten approaching the 150m, then became awkward in its action and weakened. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the horse to have a poor post-race recovery and be displaying symptoms of the thumps.
STARVIRGO – Laid out over the final 200m.
Race 5: BLADESY CIRCA 1963 CLASS 3 HANDICAP 1600M
CAPTAIN HOOK – Weakened in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
TWICE ON SUNDAY – Began awkwardly.
REDENTE CHOICE – Raced wide with cover for the majority of the event.
CHAMPAGNE POP – Inclined to lay out for the majority of the event.
WICKED'N' LOVIN'IT – Raced wide without cover for the majority of the event. Leaving the 400m steadied from the heels of HARMONY REIGNS when that runner shifted out to improve.
WILLNOTQUIT – From the wide barrier restrained at the start to a rearward position closer to the rails.
ATLANTIC ROYAL – Approaching the 300m was disappointed for a run before being obliged to shift out a short distance later to secure clear running.
Race 6: HLB MANN JUDD BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP 1400M
LAUNCH PAD – Slow to begin.
HE KNOWS – Had some difficulty securing clear running rounding the home turn.
SHOPPING WISE – Slow to begin. Laid in under pressure from the 300m.
ULTIMATE OUTCOME – Slow to begin.
COURT WHISPERS – After settling in a forward position, weakened when placed under pressure in the home straight. When asked to comment on the performance, rider J Byrne reported COURT WHISPERS did not run out a strong 1400m and had recommended that the horse now drop back in distance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
Race 7: CORRECT WEIGHT TEAM MAIDEN HANDICAP 1400M
MISTER HEMSWORTH – Change of tactics, more forward if circumstances permit. Ridden accordingly. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the home straight.
BENFICA LASS – Over-raced in the middle stages. Had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the home straight.
CENTRAL PARK – Slow to begin. Raced wide for the majority of the event.
MISS BACALL – Raced wide for the majority of the event.
GRAND ACADEMY – Following his ride in the previous event J Huxtable was examined by the Club doctor and stood down from his remaining engagements. Stewards subsequently permitted K Zechner to ride the horse. J Huxtable was advised he would require a medical clearance prior to his next race or trial ride. Proved very reluctant to proceed to the start. Given its poor record in this regard, Trainer D Murphy was advised GRAND ACADEMY must trial satisfactorily prior to its next race start. As a result, the start of this event was delayed approximately 5 minutes.
SCOTTISH FARMER – Slow to begin. Weakened in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
ANOTHER DIME – Trainer J Sweeney was fined $200 under LR 67(1) for the late declaration of rider of ANOTHER DIME. J Sweeney was also reprimanded under AR206(3) for failing to present the horse to race with a bit lifter, which is part is its approved gear.
DIVINE CHARM – Slow to begin. Over-raced for a short distance near the 1200m.
Race 8: BRIGHTAIRE PROPERTY SERVICES RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP 1200M
Due to the delay incurred from race 7, the start of this event was delayed approximately 2 minutes.
KARAOKE AL – As M McGillivray did not arrive on course, he was replaced by M Hellyer as the rider on KARAOKE AL. M McGillivray was subsequently fined $100 under AR127(1) for failing to fulfill an engagement.
TRAIN ROCK – Weakened when placed under pressure in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the horse to be displaying symptoms of the thumps. Trainer M Palmer advised he would now consider removing the winkers from TRAIN ROCK’s gear.
CHANCE WITH WOLVES – Change of tactics, to be ridden with cover if circumstances permit. Over-raced in the early stages and was unable to be restrained and as a consequence raced wide with cover for the majority of the event.
KING DICK – As the horse competed at the Doomben meeting on Friday 8th November, underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start. When J Huxtable was unable to fulfill his commitment, Stewards permitted R Dolan to ride KING DICK. Raced wide for the majority of the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a laceration to the off-hind leg. Trainer J Morris advised Stewards he would now send KING DICK for a spell.
STEP ON FIRE – Bumped on jumping.Held up rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the home straight. Raced wide for the majority of the event.
SEIRYU – Held up rounding the home turn.
TOP BIRD – Change of tactics, mid field with cover if circumstances permit. After beginning very well and being caught wide in the early stages was permitted to stride forward and lead the event from the 1100m.
SUKICHE – Had difficulty securing clear running over the final 150m and went to the line unable to be fully tested by its rider.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning licensees
Reprimands
Race 7: Trainer J Sweeney – AR206(3) -fail to race in approved gear
Fines
Race 7: Trainer J Sweeney - $200 – LR67(1) – late rider declaration
Race 8: Jockey Mathew McGillivray – $100 - AR127(1) – fail to fulfill engagement.
Race day injuries/illness
Race 7: Justin Huxtable – medical required
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses swabbed pre-race
Race 3: TAMBOURINE MAN
Race 4: STARVIRGO
Race 5: WILNOTQUIT
Race 6: HE KNOWS
Race 6: SHOPPING WISE
Race 8: STEP ON FIRE
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 7: GRAND ACADEMY – very reluctant to proceed to the barriers – trial satisfactorily prior to racing
Protests
Race 1: 2nd v 1st dismissed
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 6: LAUNCH PAD – Jasper Franklin
Race 7: ANOTHER DIME – Elione Chaves
Race 7: AYNAT – Samantha Collett
Race 7: GRAND ACADEMY – Karl Zechner
Race 8: SUKICHE – Samantha Collett
Race 8: KARAOKE AL – Micheal Hellyer
Race 8: KING DICK – Robbie Dolan
Late scratchings
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.