TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT FRIDAY 4.01.02

STEWARDS PANEL: D. GRIFFITHS (Chairman), C. BIRD, M. BRAUNBERGER, D. CHAPPELL, W. BETHEL.

WEATHER – Overcast TRACK – Fast/Good RAIL – Out 3 metres from 1400 to 1000 metres, then 6 metres to 400 metres and 3 metres to winning post.

RACE 1: OPEN HANDICAP – 1200 METRES – Total 5 starters

Trainer R. McLachlan (POWER PACK) WAS FINED $50 for presenting the gelding to race without pacifiers (AR.140B(3)). Following a heavy shower prior to the running of Race 1, the track reading was downgraded from Fast to Good.

No racing incidents.

RACE 2: CLASS 6 HANDICAP – 1630 METRES – Total 7 starters

Due to a prior injury R. Mules, the declared rider for RED BERRY LANE, was replaced by R. Pujolas. Jockey Mules will be required to supply to the stewards a medical certificate verifying his injury. Making the first turn MCCAVITY, which was overracing, was steadied off the heels of MISTER DANZIG and shifted out, hampering TRIDEKA. When placed under pressure at the 300 metres MCCAVITY commenced to hang out and when Apprentice L. Abbott attempted to straighten her mount she accidentally dropped her whip. It was noted that NEXT IN LINE was held up for clear running from the 700 metres until the home turn.

RACE 3: CLASS 6 PLATE – 1000 METRES – Total 7 starters

Trainer R. Chillemi was fined $50 for presenting SINOWIN in the enclosure without its correct gear (AR.140B(3)).

Jockey I. Toward, the rider of the third placegetter SINOWIN, lodged a protest against DEVIL’S DEN (Apprentice D. Lockwood) being declared second, alleging interference over the final 250 metres. After taking evidence from both riders and taking into account the margin between the two horses at the finish, stewards found that over the final 50 metres DEVIL’S DEN shifted in and hampered SINOWIN. As a consequence Jockey I. Toward had to stop riding SINOWIN. Accordingly the protest was upheld and the judge’s placings amended to read: PRIOR PLANNING first; SINOWIN second; DEVIL’S DEN third; COPRAKHAN fourth. App. D. Lockwood was reprimanded and advised to ensure that in similar circumstances in future she makes a greater effort to keep her mount on a straight course.

RACE 4: SUPER QRIS THREE-YEAR-OLD CLASS 4 HANDICAP – 1400 METRES - Total 9 starters

When the gates opened WICKED WONDA and OSCA ERIC brushed. At the 850 metres PRIMA DOLLA shifted in abruptly and checked WICKED WONDA. PRIMA DOLLA was immediately corrected by its rider. At an inquiry into the poor performance of KID CANDY Apprentice D. Crossland explained that whilst KID CANDY usually has to be ridden hard in the middle stages, in today’s event KID CANDY was under extreme pressure from the 700 metres and failed to respond to his hard riding. He further stated that KID CANDY does not relish being crowded by other runners and at no stage felt comfortable in today’s race. A post-race veterinary examination of KID CANDY revealed that the gelding was showing signs of lameness in the nearside hind leg. This was brought to the attention of trainer Mrs T. Crossland.

From the 500 metres until the final 100m WICKED WONDA was held up for clear running.

RACE 5: MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1200 METRES – Total 12 starters

CONIGLIO and DUSTY CHIEF were slow to begin. At the 1100 metres CREDIT LINE and DYNA GOLD were crowded for room by CAZMA, which shifted in. Apprentice L. Abbott, the rider of CAZMA, was advised that in similar circumstances she must allow a full two lengths clearance before crossing. Between the 1000 metres and the 800 metres TIO RAMA got its head in the air and overraced. At the 800 metres AZUCAR ran up onto the heels of DYNA GOLD and shifted out abruptly, forcing CONIGLIO wider on the track. DYNA GOLD was held up for a clear run until the final 300 metres.

RACE 6: CLASS 3 PLATE – 1200 METRES – Total 9 starters

At the start BELLESHANI and NATURAL SELECTION were tightened for room between PEMBROOK and LARNI, both of which shifted ground. Making the first turn TOP KNOCK shifted out, resulting in GRISMA being taken out onto ANNAZANDA. As a consequence PEMBROOK was taken out across the heels of LARNIA and had to be checked.

Jockey D. Canny (LARNI) was found guilty of careless riding under AR. 137(a) in that at the 850 metres he allowed his mount to shift in, resulting in ANNAZANDA having to be checked and PEMBROOK, which was trailing, also being inconvenienced. Jockey D. Canny was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on 5th January 2002 up to and including 19th January 2002 (three meetings). At the 600 metres TOP KNOCK was checked when crossed by LARNI. GRISMA and PEMBROOK, which were following, were checked in consequence. Jockey D. Canny, the rider of LARNI, was found guilty of a further charge of careless riding under AR.137(a) and was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on 5th January 2002 up to and including 26th January 2002 (four meetings). Stewards ordered that both periods of suspension be served concurrently.

Making the home turn KENTAVROS and NATURAL SELECTION were held up for clear runs. At the 300 metres TOP KNOCK shifted in under pressure, bumped KENTAVROS, which became unbalanced, shifted in abruptly and checked NATURAL SELECTION. After taking evidence from all riders stewards took no further action in the matter. At the 100 metres NATURAL SELECTION was accidentally struck across the nose by the whip of D. Canny (LARNI). Approaching the finishing line LARNI was severely checked when racing between NATURAL SELECTION, which shifted out abruptly, and GRISMA, which shifted in. Jockey G. Kliese, the rider of NATURAL SELECTION, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR.137(a) in that he shifted out when insufficiently clear of LARNI. G. Kliese was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence from midnight on 4th January 2002 up to and including 15th January 2002 (three meetings). Jockey P. Crich (GRISMA) was also reprimanded for allowing his mount to shift in under pressure over the concluding stages. A veterinary examination of PEMBROOK revealed that the gelding had sustained a laceration to the off fore cannon and had swelling of the off fore fetlock.

RACE 7: CLASS 1 HANDICAP – 1000 METRES – Total 12 starters

SUJECT and SAHARA SUZY made heavy contact at the start. Shortly after the start CELESTAMOR got its head up and then overraced for some distance in the middle stages. TOPEKO raced wide throughout the event. Making the home turn FAMA shifted out, taking REBEL ROUSER out onto CELESTAMOR.

RACE 8 – CLASS 5 HANDICAP – 1300 METRES – Total 10 starters

Apprentice L. Abbott (VELOCIDAD) was severely reprimanded for allowing her mount to shift in shortly after the start and causing AMPEZZO to be crowded and taken in onto ALLEZ SLEW, which had to be eased. A short distance later TELKALA, which was overracing, had to be eased away from the heels of VELOCIDAD, which shifted in when not clear. Apprentice L. Abbott was advised that in future she must allow two lengths clearance before crossing. A veterinary examination of TUDOR JAMES, which performed poorly, revealed no obvious abnormality.


ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.