QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
STANTHORPE JOCKEY CLUB 15.10.2016
WEATHER – FINE TRACK – GOOD 4 RAIL – TRUE
 
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – G. Dimsey
Stewards – B. Cooke
Veterinarian – Dr. Chris Reardon
Starter – John Edmondstone
Judge – M. Grew
Clerk of Scales – David Rossiter
Bookmakers Supervisor –  Stewards
 
 
RACE 1: GREENLANDS TIMBER/STANTHORPE BORDER POST MAIDEN PLATE – 1000M
 
LIGHT OF DE WORLD – Hung out badly rounding the turn at the 600m. Trainer K. Monckton was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding.
 
FUZZY MELON – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
FINAL PERFORMANCE – Bumped with another runner near the 950m. Bumped by another runner and unbalanced near the 900m.
 
SHOW ME THE MUSIC – Began awkwardly. Bumped with another runner to the inside at the 950m. Restrained and lost ground near the 900m when GOLD SEARCH (N. Evans) shifted in when insufficiently clear. At a subsequent inquiry N Evans was found guilty of a charge of careless riding and his license to ride in races was suspended for a period of eight days, commencing midnight 15/10/16 and expiring midnight 23/10/16. In assessing penalty, Stewards were mindful of his good record in relation to this rule.
 
 
RACE 2: K & A BUILDING QTIS BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP – 1000M
 
CASUAL CONNECTIONS (7.50am), CHARZOOKA (8.15am) and CLOSE ENOUGH (1.00pm) were all late scratchings as no riders were available.
 
DANGEROUS DANICA – Began awkwardly. Held up for clear running over the concluding stages.
 
ZIP TO THE MOON – Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout.
 
BAIO –  Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
 
RACE 3: COUNTRY CLUB HOTEL/LIQUOR LEGENDS CLASS B HANDICAP – 1200M
 
The start of this race was delayed when jockey B. Appo fell ill and was replaced as the rider of WENSLEY ROAD. B. Appo was advised he will need to provide a medical clearance prior to riding again.
 
The announcement of correct weight was delayed to allow Stewards to view the video footage of the start to determine whether PALMER had been afforded a fair start. After viewing the footage, Stewards were satisfied that PALMER reared of its own accord as the start was effected, and subsequently declared correct weight on the judge’s placings.
 
HARD CHOICES – Began awkwardly, shifting out into another runner.
 
QUATTRO FANTASTICO – Extremely reluctant to proceed to the start and dislodged jockey L. Attard. Trainer’s representative R. Smith was advised the gelding will be required to trial satisfactorily prior to its next race start.
 
WENSLEY ROAD – After jockey B. Appo fell ill, he was replaced by apprentice C. Miles as no suitable senior riders were available. Stewards permitted apprentice C. Miles to only claim 1.5kg of her 4kg allowance. Raced wide throughout.
 
SURF SKI – Began awkwardly making contact with a runner to the outside.
 
LEADING STORY – Shifted out and made contact with another runner at the start.
 
SHE’S GOT CURVES – Shifted out to obtain clear running at the 100m.
 
PALMER – Reared at the start and lost considerable ground.
 
 
RACE 4: CENTRAL MOTORS HOLDEN STANTHORPE CUP OPEN HANDICAP – 1200M
 
SCENIC ROAD – When questioned regarding the disappointing performance, jockey L. Attard reported that he thought the gelding may have choked down and might benefit from the addition of a tongue tie. Trainer T. Sears advised Stewards in his opinion the gelding races better when able to settle in a more rearward position than in today’s event.
 
CASINO EXPRESS – As jockey B. Appo was ill, he was replaced by apprentice C. Miles as no senior riders were available. Steadied from heels near the 800m.
 
BILLY GOAT – Began awkwardly and shifted out.
 
SUMMERS DAY – Tightened for room at the start.
 
ZAHA’S ACE – When questioned regarding the disappointing performance, apprentice N. Keal reported that the mare, which was have its first start after a spell, did not travel strongly at any stage and in his opinion would derive a fitness benefit from the event. Trainer T. Sears advised stewards that in his opinion the mare was disadvantaged by the handicap weight of 64kg, and it would be his intention to continue with mare’s current preparation.
 
KATIKA – When questioned regarding the disappointing performance, apprentice M. Schrapel advised that in his opinion the gelding had to work too hard in the early stages to obtain a forward position and as a result failed to respond to his riding over the final stages.

 
RACE 5: STANTHORPE RSL/CRISPS COACHES BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP – 1400M
 
CEDA MISS – Refused to jump and took no competitive part in the event. Trainer’s representative R. Smith advised that the mare would now be retired, however nonetheless he was advised that the mare would be required to trial satisfactorily prior to racing again.
 
HEZA CHUMLEY – Shifted out at the start and bumped another runner. When questioned regarding the gelding’s performance, which was below market expectations, jockey N. Evans reported that he felt the gelding began well, however did not travel strongly at any stage of the event and was disappointing. Trainer T. Dougall subsequently advised Stewards that the gelding recovered well from the event, however HEZA CHUMLEY would now be spelled.
 
VIRTUITY – When questioned regarding the improved performance, trainer G. Schwenke reported that the mare did not handle the heavy track at Lismore 22/9/16, and was held up for clear running in the home straight at the Gold Coast 8/10/16. He added that the mare had been working well and he was expecting a forward showing in today’s event.
 
 
STEWARDS RACEDAY SUMMARY – STANTHORPE JOCKEY CLUB (15/10/2016)
 
Action concerning licensees
 
Suspensions
R1 – N. Evans – careless riding – AR.137(a) – 8 days (15/10/2016 – 23/10/2016)
 
Jockey absenteeism
Brad Appo – illness, medical required
 
Action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Warnings/Bars
R1 – LIGHT OF DE WORLD – hung out, warning – AR.8(t)
R3 - QUATTRO FANTASTICO – reluctant to proceed to start, official trial – AR.8(t)
R5 – CEDA MISS – refused to jump, official trial – AR.8(t)
 
Post-race samples
All winners
 
Late scratchings
R2 – CASUAL CONNECTIONS/CHARZOOKA/CLOSE ENOUGH -  no riders available
 
Rider replacements/Late notifications
R3 – WENSLEY ROAD – App. C. Miles
R4 – CASINO EXPRESS – App. C. Miles