TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT

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

WEATHER – FINE TRACK – GOOD RAIL – IN THE TRUE POSITION

RACE 1: MAIDEN H'CAP – 1000 METRES

When the gates opened CURVE BALL blundered, shifted in and made contact with THRIVE GOLD.

At the start PALM PILOT was crowded for room between BLUMANI and LA SOEUR, both of which shifted ground.

Shortly after the start LA SOEUR shifted out abruptly and hampered PALM PILOT.

At the 900 metres CORPORATE EDGE shifted in and away from AUTOBARN. GIFTED HEART, which was following, had to be checked abruptly to avoid the heels of CORPORATE EDGE.

At the 750 metres TENYETI was momentarily tightened for room and had to be steadied when racing to the inside of LA SOEUR, which had been taken in marginally by BLUMANI.

Making the home turn SAFE LANDING (App. Z. Purton) ran extremely wide. When questioned Apprentice Purton stated that the gelding failed to respond to his efforts to keep the horse on the track. A post-race veterinary examination of SAFE LANDING revealed that the gelding had some soreness in the off fore fetlock. Stewards advised connections that SAFE LANDING would not be permitted to race again until it performed satisfactorily in an official barrier trial.

After passing the 250 metres BLUMANI commenced to race greenly when under pressure, shifted out and hampered GIFTED HEART.

At the 150 metres PALM PILOT, which had been unable to obtain clear running, had to be checked severely when TENYETI (A. Molino) shifted out abruptly. As Jockey A. Molino had to leave the course for personal reasons, an inquiry into the incident was adjourned until Tuesday, 12th February 2002.

On return to scale the stewards received a report from the Starter, Mr. P. Warren, and Apprentice Z. Purton (SAFE LANDING) that the gates on the barrier stall occupied by SAFE LANDING had been slow to open. Mr Warren said that just prior to the start being effected SAFE LANDING had attempted to get under the gates and in this incident had bent the gates, resulting in their being slow to open. After taking evidence from all parties and viewing the video film, stewards confirmed that the gates on the barrier stall of SAFE LANDING were slow to open and consequently the gelding had lost approximately 2 lengths at the start. However, taking into account that SAFE LANDING had been beaten some 20 lengths, stewards acting under the terms of AR.134A were not of the opinion that the incident had materially prejudiced the chances of SAFE LANDING and therefore the horse was declared a runner. The barrier stalls were repaired and checked prior to Race 2.

GLIMMERING GIRL bled from both nostrils during the race and was stood down from competing at licensed meetings for a period of 3 months (AR.53A).

RACE 2: 2-Y-O H'CAP – 1000 METRES

Trainers T. Davies (STRICTLY SMART) and T. Crossland (HEART RULES) were reprimanded for failing to have their respective runners on course one hour prior to the advertised starting time, as per LR.83(b).

SEA RUFFIAN and SIR ARCHIE were slow to begin. At the 600 metres GLENERIN shifted out, obliging HOOHAA HOOEY and FEELIN FRISKY to race wider on the track.

On returning to scale Apprentice Z. Purton, the rider of the winner, STRICTLY SMART, was found to be underweight. Apprentice Purton called for the bridle and was able to make his declared weight. Apprentice Purton and trainer Mr T. Davies were questioned in relation to the incident. Apprentice Purton advised that after weight out he had changed his racing colours and had gone to the toilet, however he could offer no other explanation for returning to scale underweight. Stewards reminded Apprentice Purton of the provisions of AR.143.

RACE 3: 3-Y-0 CLASS 4 SUPER QRIS ADDED STAKES – 1300 METRES

JUANITATAR and OSCA ERIC were slow to get into stride.

Approaching the 700 metres CAZMA (App. L. Abbott) shifted in and hampered MAGIC FALL. Apprentice Abbott was cautioned.

RACE 4: CLASS 5 H'CAP – 1400 METRES

In the middle stages QUICK STEEL overraced. Trainer E. Sewell reported that the tongue tie on VELOCIDAD broke during the race.

RACE 5: CLASS 6 H'CAP – 1200 METRES

DEEP MOSS was slow to begin. Making the home turn RAW SPORT commenced to hang out and lost ground, enabling TELKALA to obtain a run to its inside. RAW SPORT, which finished a considerable distance behind the remainder of the field, was inspected by the Club’s veterinary surgeon, who reported that the gelding had a breathing problem. Trainer Mr S. Wellby was advised that RAW SPORT will not be permitted to race again until a veterinary certificate of fitness is provided.

Stewards considered an objection lodged by Jockey T. Kowald, the rider of HOTTENTOT which finished second, against TELKALA being declared the winner, alleging interference at the 1000 metres. After taking evidence from both riders and taking into account the stewards’ observations, stewards dismissed the protest and confirmed the Judge’s placings of: TELKALA first; HOTTENTOT second; and CITIZEN SYD third. In reaching their decision stewards found that whilst HOTTENTOT received interference at the 1000 metres, it was not attributable to TELKALA. At a subsequent inquiry it was established that approaching the 1000 metres RAW SPORT had dictated the line of TELKALA, placing that horse and HOTTENTOT in extremely cramped racing room. A short distance later CITIZEN SYD shifted out and made contact with HOTTENTOT. As a consequence HOTTENTOT bumped TELKALA and shifted in abruptly, making heavy contact with the hindquarters of CITIZEN SYD. In the opinion of the stewards the combination of CITIZEN SYD shifting out and RAW SPORT shifted in had been responsible for the incident. Jockey M. Cullen, the rider of RAW SPORT, was severely reprimanded for dictating the line of TELKALA coming to the first turn.

RACE 6: CLASS 2 H'CAP – 1200 METRES

As M. Seagren, the declared rider for PRECIOUS STYLE, was to be overweight, J. Lewis was substituted. M. Seagren was fined $50 for being overweight (AR.120(b)).

DYNA GOLD was a late scratching, at 3.07 p.m., by order of the stewards acting on veterinary advice after it was reported that the gelding had been kicked when parading behind the barriers and had sustained a small laceration to the off foreleg. Subsequently stewards directed that all bets made on DYNA GOLD be refunded in full and that all bets made with bookmakers prior to the withdrawal of DYNA GOLD be paid less the following deductions in the dollar on the face value of successful tickets: win 20¢; place 16¢.

Making the home turn MESCALERO was unable to obtain clear running and had to be steadied off the heels of BALDRICK. In the incident MESCALERO became unbalanced.

Over the final 300 metres TAMUJAN HUNG IN.

When placed under pressure in the straight ANNAZANDA failed to obtain a clear run until the 150 metres.

RACE 7: OPEN H'CAP – 1000 METRES

At the start MOONLIGHTER jumped outwards and brushed MI MODEST. Shortly after the start MI MODEST and MOONLIGHTER were severely checked when NADIR SHAH shifted in abruptly after beginning awkwardly.

At the 700 metres NADIR SHAH had to be steadied off the heels of GLENELLA LAD.

RACE 8: CLASS 3 PLATE H'CAP – 1630 METRES

At the 1500 metres MILLIEMAY shifted in and crowded AMBITIOUS YEATS and MY BILBOA. IMTENT, which was following, was checked off the heels of those runners. Jockey S. Morris (MILLIEMAY) was severely reprimanded for dictating the line of runners to his inside (AR.137(a)).

Approaching the 1400 metres IMTENT and QUICK HELLO overraced.

P. Cullen, the rider of MOLLIE, was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on 10th February 2002 up to and including 23rd February 2002 after he pleaded guilty to contravening AR.137(a) by riding in a careless manner, in that approaching the 150 metres he allowed MOLLIE to shift in, resulting in MILLIEMAY and MAGIC RUNNER being severely checked.

ALL WINNERS AND GLIMMERING GIRL, which bled, WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.