TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT TUESDAY 29.1.02

STEWARDS PANEL: D. GRIFFITHS (CHAIRMAN), W. BETHEL, C. BIRD, R. DOYLE

WEATHER – FINE TRACK – GOOD. RAIL – Out 3 metres from 1600 metres and 7 metres from 1000 metres to 400 metres and 3 metres to the winning post.

RACE 1: 2-YO CLASS 2 H'CAP – Total 5 starters

The start of this race was delayed by 35 minutes from the advertised starting time, due to the non-arrival on course of the ambulance. As a consequence, all advertised starting times were amended accordingly, Race 8 being rescheduled to start at 5.00 p.m.

OUR FIERY GIRL began awkwardly and made heavy contact with GLENERIN, which blundered and almost dislodged Jockey J. Cairns. As a result of this incident GLENERIN cast its near fore plate.

Making the home turn GLENERIN shifted out abruptly and made heavy contact with SUNACLANG, which had to be checked.


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

As a result of dead-heating for first at Atherton on 26/1/02 ALLEY SLEW and CHOKWE were both re-handicapped with a 1.5kg penalty, to 58kg.

Shortly after the start ALLEZ SLEW had to be momentarily steadied off the heels of ACES BLACK (App. S. Morris), which shifted in. Apprentice S. Morris was advised that he must allow a full two lengths clearance before crossing.

At the 1300 metres BLAZING JAKE commenced to race erratically and CHOKWE, which was trailing, had to be steaded off its heels. As a consequence CHOKWE shifted out, forcing JOCK’S CREW wider on the track.

At the 500 metres MCCAVITY shifted in, obliging BLAZING JAKE to race in restricted room.

At the 300 metres BLAZING JAKE had to be steadied off the heels of PRINCE BLAZE (P. Cullen). P. Cullen was cautioned for shifting ground when not quite clear.

In the middle stages ACES BLACK commenced to hang out and from the 800 metres onwards forced ALLEZ SLEW to race three wide.

RACE 3: CLASS 6 H'CAP - 1000 METRES – Total 8 starters

As Jockey D. Sewell was indisposed he was replaced on PRIOR PLANNING by P. Cullen, in Race 5 on FLOW by J. Cairns and in Race 6 on LA SOEUR by P. Cullen. Jockey Sewell will be required to furnish a medical certificate in relation to his failure to fulfil his commitments.

CITIZEN SYD was examined by the Club’s medical officer in the mounting yard and passed fit to race.

There were no racing incidents.

RACE 4: QRIS ADDED 3-YO CLASS 6 H'CAP – Total 11 starters

BORROLOOLA LAD jumped in at the start and made contact with CARN VILLA.

FOREVER BLESSED and HOT SLOT made heavy contact at the start.

At the 300 metres NEW YORK ROCKET, which was commencing to tire, shifted in and had to be steadied away from the heels of CARN VILLA, which at the same time had shifted out to commence a run. In the incident NEW YORK ROCKET became unbalanced and made heavy contact with BOSUN’S MATE, which also had shifted out to improve.

RACE 5: CLASS 4 H'CAP – 1200 METRES – Total 6 starters

BACK TO COURT was slow to begin. At the 1000 metres SEA DUSK commenced to race fiercely and when restrained by Jockey R. Ryan SEA DUSK commenced to hang out.

Jockey R. Pujolas and Trainer S. Attard were questioned about the disappointing performance of KENTAVROS, which compounded over the concluding stages. Jockey Pujolas advised that KENTAVROS was under pressure in the middle stages of the event and at the 250 metres the horse blundered, and again blundered after passing the winning post. He said that in his opinion KENTAVROS was showing signs of soreness. A post-race veterinary examination of KENTAVROS did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer S. Attard advised that in her opinion the horse may be favouring its off foreleg. She undertook to inform stewards should the condition worsen in the days following the event. KENTAVROS was sent to be swabbed.

RACE 6: MAIDEN H'CAP – 1200 METRES – Total 9 starters

BUNBURRA BOBBY was slow to begin.

Approaching the 1000 metres PRIMA DOLLA was checked when TAMUJAN hung in abruptly. TAMUJAN continued to hang in throughout the event and it was noted that Jockey J. Cairns was unable to fully test the gelding over the concluding stages. Trainer D. Birrer was advised that a warning had been issued concerning TAMUJAN hanging in.

RACE 7: H'CAP – OPEN HANDICAP – 1200 METRES – Total 11 starters

M. Cullen replaced R. Mules on MI MODEST when R. Mules was indisposed for personal reasons.

There were no racing incidents.

RACE 8: CLASS 3 PLATE – 1400 METRES – Total 12 starters

GRISMA was a late scratching at 2.00 p.m. on veterinary advice. Trainer T. Richards was informed that as GRISMA has a chronic arthritic condition the horse will not be permitted to race until a full veterinary clearance is supplied to the stewards.

Making the first turn MOONAGHEE lost ground when racing to the inside of MAGIC COMMAND and REAL ILLUSION. An inquiry into the incident was adjourned to a time and date to be fixed. IMTENT, which was trailing at the time of the incident, had to be steadied away from MOONAGHEE.

On the first turn REBEL ROUSER commenced to pull fiercely, got its head up in the air and shifted out, severely checking AZUCAR. REBEL ROUSER continued to overrace in the middle stages of the event. Trainer D. Birrer was advised that a warning was issued concerning REBEL ROUSER’s racing manners.

An inquiry was held into the reason for AZUCAR being checked at the 300 metres. After taking evidence from a number of riders it was established that making the home turn REAL ILLUSION had shifted out to improve and brushed MISS MADRID. As a consequence MISS MADRID became unbalanced, shifted out and checked AZUCAR. Whilst stewards considered that Jockey P. Cullen (REAL ILLUSION) had shifted only marginally in the3 inident, nonetheless he was advised to make a greater endeavour to keep his mounts straight

ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.