QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TEXAS JOCKEY CLUB
 
TEXAS - SATURDAY, 8 DECEMBER 2023
 
WEATHER – Fine               TRACK RATING – Good 3                       RAIL – True
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – E. Tickner
Stewards – W. Glass
Clerk of Scales – Stewards
Judge – J. Beck
Veterinarian – Dr B. Lockie
Swab Attendant – Dr B. Lockie
Starter – D. Hodgson
 
GENERAL:
 
Due to the weather conditions, Stewards enacted Level 2 of the Racing Queensland Heat Policy.
 
Stewards permitted the following overweight:
Race 4, No. 9 VOULAIT – L. Miller +1kg (56kg)
 
Stewards conducted an inquiry into Apprentice J. Baker being found to have in his possession in the jockey’s room, a mobile phone following the running of Race 1. After considering the matter, Apprentice Baker pleaded guilty to a charge under AR218(4), and was fined $200. In assessing penalty, Stewards considered mitigating factors in that they were satisfied that the mobile phone had not been used during the race-meeting, this was Apprentice Baker’s third race-meeting he had attended as an apprentice, and his guilty plea. Apprentice Baker was advised of his rights to appeal.
 
 
Race 1: RAY BUNCH MACHINERY QTIS MAIDEN PLATE (900m)
 
Correct weight was delayed allowing Stewards and Apprentice L. Barr (NEW JET) to view footage of the start. Once satisfied that the gelding’s poor start was attributable to the gelding’s manners, correct weight was declared on the Judges’ semaphored numbers.
 
NEW JET – Slow to begin. Performed below market expectations. Apprentice L. Barr stated the gelding failed to handle the track conditions. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
NOW AND BEN – When questioned regarding the apparent improved performance, Trainer C. Allardyce stated that the gelding was well-down in class in the event, and benefitted from a favourable run throughout the event. She further added the gelding had matured throughout the preparation. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
DRANG A TANG – Inclined to hang-out from the 600m. Apprentice C. Sutherland stated the gelding was inclined to race keenly throughout the event, however the gelding proved slightly disappointing. The Currie Stable advised the gelding may have reached the end of its preparation and consideration would be given to its immediate racing future.
 
GLACIER PRINCESS – Began awkwardly.
 
STAR DIAMOND – Hung-out rounding the home-turn. Laid-in under pressure in the home straight.
 
WANTA WILLOW – Slow to begin. Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event.
 
ISLE OF BOOTY – Raced wide and without cover from the 600m.
 
MANDALONG HELLCAT – Stewards accepted the explanation for the late declaration of M. Savva as the rider of the mare. Began only fairly.
 
PARIS ART – Began awkwardly, before shifting in abruptly. Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Approaching the 100m, laid out, carrying AKEED’S GIRL wider.
 
AKEED’S GIRL – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Hung-out rounding the home-turn Rider R. Payne stated the mare was inclined to hang-out throughout the event and proved difficult to ride out.
 
 
Race 2: NH FOODS BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP (900m)
 
Correct weight was delayed allowing Stewards to view footage of the start in relation to the barrier of LICENCED AND READY. Once satisfied that although the right barrier gate had bounced back when the start had been effected, it had not affected the mare’s finishing position and correct weight was declared on the Judges’ semaphored numbers.
 
SAPPHIRE STEP – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Laid-out under pressure in the home straight.
 
LICENCED AND READY – Began awkwardly before making contact with the right barrier gate which bounced back after the start being effected. Carried wider rounding the home-turn. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
HERO’S TRINKET – Began only fairly and subsequently settled further back than may have been expected. Held-up for clear running rounding the home-turn. Raced in restricted room over the concluding stages. Apprentice C. Sutherland stated the mare failed to travel throughout the event and proved slightly disappointing.
 
SPEEDY MACHO – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Leaving the 700m, shifted in marginally, tightening LIVELY LASS onto COEUR DE PARIS, which made contact with the running rail. Rider A. Spinks was reprimanded under AR131(a) for careless riding and advised he must ensure he leaves sufficient room for runners to his inside.
 
COEUR DE PARIS – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start being effected. Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and passed fit to start. Leaving the 700m until the 600m, raced in restricted room to the inside of LIVELY LASS, which was being marginally tightened by SPEEDY MACHO, contacting the running rail on a number of occasions.
 
LIVELY LASS – Leaving the 700m, tightened for room onto COEUR DE PARIS when SPEEDY MACHO shifted in.
 
Following the running of this event, remedial work was undertaken on Barrier 7 to ensure it was in satisfactory working condition.
 
 
Race 3: HAYMANS ELECTRICAL WARWICK MAIDEN PLATE (1200m)
 
The running of this race was delayed when it was identified that GUERNSEY and SALOON GIRL had been fitted with the incorrect saddles when presented to the mounting yard. Trainer N. Hemmings pleaded guilty to a charge under AR106, that she, as the trainer of both GUERNSEY and SALOON GIRL, had presented both runners to the mounting yard respectively with the incorrect saddles which subsequently required rectification. Ms Hemmings was fined $300. In assessing penalty, Stewards considered her genuine remorse for the incident, her guilty plea and her unblemished record in relation to the rule. Stewards however took into account the significant weight allocation difference between the runners and the consequences this may have had on the result of the event. Ms Hemmings was advised of her right to an appeal.
 
GUERNSEY – Hung-out rounding the home-turn.
 
GUNNABEREADY – Late scratching at 8:07am by order of Stewards. Trainer D. White was reprimanded under LR68(1) for failing to scratch the gelding by the prescribed time when he had been advised by Stewards that the horse would be ineligible to compete in the event. In assessing penalty, Stewards considered it did not affect any emergencies obtaining a start.
 
REDVEDEV (NZ) – Slow to begin.
 
TEQUILA STEALER – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
DUSTYIAM – Late scratching at 2:30pm when the gelding became fractious in the barriers resulting in its off-foreleg becoming cast. Prior to the declaration of correct weight all monies invested on the gelding were ordered to be refunded with the following deductions applicable to all successful wagers placed prior to 2:30pm;
 
1st – 8 cents Win, 8 cents Place
2nd – 8 cents Place
3rd – 10 cents Place
 
Trainer S. Sixtus was subsequently advised the gelding would be required to gain a further barrier certificate prior to racing again.
 
IMPOSING TIGER – Slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
Race 4: JEFF HANNAFORD TEXAS CUP OPEN HANDICAP (1200m)
 
ELUSIVE EAGLE – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
ROLLINWITHTHEFLOW – Laid-out rounding the home-turn.
 
TINTINWIN (NZ) – Began awkwardly.
 
IN’HINCHABLE – Lunged at the gates prior to the start being effected, before beginning very awkwardly, badly unbalancing Apprentice J. Golden for several strides. Approaching the 900m, tightened onto the running rail when ZAIDIN shifted in for several strides, before becoming awkwardly placed on that runner’s heels for several strides. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a minor laceration to the gelding’s right corneal which required treatment.
 
LIGHTFAST – Commenced to race very wide from the 900m, before rounding the home-turn, failed to make the turn and subsequently almost made contact with the outside running rail before taking minimal competitive part in the event thereafter. Stewards will refer to the Racing Queensland Apprentice Training Team. In assessing the matter, Stewards considered that Apprentice Baker had shown inexperience in his ability to manage the gelding, the gelding’s majority of recent race-starts had been with claiming apprentices, LIGHTFAST’S unblemished record in relation to embargoes of such nature, and the comments of Trainer P. Webster that he would engage a more experienced rider in its next race-start.

ZAIDEN – Stewards accepted the explanation for the late declaration of Apprentice C. Krahnen as the rider of the gelding. Approaching the 900m, attempted to shift in to obtain a position closer to the running rail, tightening IN’HINCHABLE onto the running rail for several strides. Apprentice C. Krahnen was severely reprimanded under AR131(a) for careless riding.
 
HIRAISHIN – Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Performed below market expectations. Apprentice C. Hillier stated the gelding failed to handle the track conditions. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be displaying an abnormal upper respiratory noise, Trainer R. Wilson was advised a veterinary clearance including an endoscopic examination would be required prior to racing again.  
 
VOULAIT – Jockey L. Miller was allowed to ride 1kg over the allotted weight of 55kg. Laid-out under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
Race 5: WILSHIRE & CO BENCHMARK 45 HANDICAP (1200m)
 
The running of this was delayed when ABB ROY was presented to the mounting yard with the incorrect saddlecloth. Apprentice E. Pomfrett and Trainer N. Hemmings were both reprimanded under AR106 for failing to ensure the gelding was presented with the correct saddlecloth number.
 
Correct weight was delayed allowing connections of QUEST OF QUESTS (2nd) to view footage of the home straight. Upon viewing, Trainer O. Cairns and Rider A. Spinks lodged an objection against EASY COME (1st), alleging interference in the home straight. It was established that while EASY COME (Apprentice L. Barr) marginally rolled out approaching the 100m, resulting in QUEST OF QUESTS becoming momentarily awkwardly placed on that runners heels, taking into account the manner in which both runners finished off the event, Stewards being of the opinion that both riders were able to full test their mounts for majority of the home straight, and the short-head margin, Stewards subsequently couldn’t be comfortably satisfied that QUEST OF QUESTS would have finished in advanced of EASY COME, and the protest was dismissed.
 
Correct weight was further delayed allowing Stewards and Apprentice J. Golden (ARTIE’S DREAMTIME) to view footage of the start. Once satisfied that the gelding’s poor start was not directly attributable due to the barriers, correct weight was declared on the Judges’ semaphored numbers.
 
POET’S DAY – Approaching the 1000m, Apprentice J. Baker lost the use of his left stirrup, placing him at a significant disadvantage before regaining its use approaching the 400m. As a consequence, raced very wide and erratically throughout the event. Hung-out rounding the home-turn.
 
QUEST OF QUESTS – Approaching the 100m, became momentarily awkwardly placed on the heels of EASY COME when that runner rolled out. Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.  
 
ARTIE’S DREAMTIME – Slow to begin. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
EASY COME – Approaching the 100m, rolled out momentarily. Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
MOUNTBATTEN – Carried extremely wide leaving the 1000m when racing to the outside of POET’S DAY when Apprentice J. Baker lost the use of his stirrup. As a consequence, became very awkwardly placed to the outside of that runner when Apprentice Baker had limited control of the mare, and carried to the outside of the track before severely restraining and obtaining a position inside POET’S DAY approaching the 600m.  
 
KUROLATION – Began awkwardly. Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event.
 
CADOUIN – Began awkwardly.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees:
 
Reprimands
Race 2 – A. Spinks – Careless Riding (AR131(a)) – Reprimand
Race 3 – D. White – Failure to scratch by the prescribed time (LR68(1)) – Reprimand
Race 4 – Apprentice C. Krahnen – Careless Riding (AR131(a)) – Severe Reprimand
Race 5 – Apprentice E. Pomfrett – Presenting the incorrect saddlecloth (AR106) – Reprimand
Race 5 – N. Hemmings – Presented runner with incorrect saddlecloth (AR106) – Reprimand
 
Fines
General – Apprentice J. Baker – Possession of Mobile Phone - (AR218(4)) - $200
Race 3 – N. Hemmings – Presented horses to the mounting yard with incorrect saddles – (AR106) - $300
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All Winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 3 – DUSTYIAM – Suspension – Barrier Manners
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications:
 
Race 1:           9 MANDALONG HELLCAT - Ms Montanna Savva
                       11e AKEED’S GIRL - Ms Rhiannon Payne
Race 3:           14e IMPOSING TIGER - Ms Rhiannon Payne
Race 4:           7 ZAIDIN - Ms Colleen Krahnen (a3/51kg),
Race 5:           11e CADOUIN - Ms Chelsea Hillier (a1.5/53.5kg),
 
Late scratchings:
Race 3 – GUNNABEREADY – 8:07am – Order of Stewards
Race 3 – DUSTYIAM – 2:30pm – Fractious in Barriers
 
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.