TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT FRIDAY 3/01/03

STEWARDS PANEL: D. GRIFFITHS (CHAIRMAN), W. BETHEL, G. HARGRAVES, R. DOYLE and M. STEHBENS (CADET)

WEATHER - FINE TRACK - GOOD RAIL - Out 6 metres from the 1000 metres
to 400 metres

RACE 1: THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1200 METRES

At the start ROMAN CHARIOT jumped inwards and hampered HAUGHTY NELL. At the 1000 metres GOLD BANDIT got its head up and commenced to race erratically, and for the majority of the event thereafter raced ungenerously.

Making the home turn PIRATE KINGDOM was held up and unable to improve.

At the 200 metres S. Simon dropped the offside rein on GOLD BANDIT, momentarily placing him at a disadvantage in riding his mount out.

RACE 2: THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1200 METRES

ROUGH LANDING and FINAL COUNTY bumped at the start.

Shortly after the start CHAT ROOM commenced to hang out and at the 500 metres brushed STAGE KING.

At the 200 metres ROUGH LANDING was disappointed for a run between MANZALA and OUR FRISKY FILLY.

A post-race veterinary examination of GOLD FIRE, which tailed the field throughout and finished distanced, did not reveal any significant abnormalities.

RACE 3: OPEN HANDICAP - 1200 METRES

A. Cox, the rider of KINGWIN, was reprimanded for weighing in ½ kg over his declared weight. In assessing penalty stewards took into account the good record of A. Cox.

There were no racing incidents.

RACE 4: MAIDEN HANDICAP - 1400 METRES

PRIMA DOLLA began awkwardly.

Making the first turn SOMEPORO (A. Molino) commenced to overrace, then at about the 550 metres shifted in abruptly and severely checked CENTURY SEA. When questioned A. Molino reported that just prior to the incident his mount became unbalanced and he was of the opinion that something was amiss with the horse. A short distance after the incident SOMEPORO lost ground sharply and again hampered CENTURY SEA. A post-race veterinary examination revealed that SOMEPORO may have had a heart murmur and been suffering the effects of arrhythmia. Trainer M. Preston was advised that SOMEPORO will not be permitted to race again until a satisfactory veterinary certificate of fitness, including the results of a full ecg examination, is provided. Mrs Preston indicated the intention of connections to retire SOMEPORO from racing.

When placed under pressure in the straight DANZADANE hung in.

RACE 5: CLASS 6 HANDICAP - 1630 METRES

Stewards considered an objection lodged by P. Cullen, the rider of SCRIBBLY GUM which finished fifth, against STARNOTION (D. Crossland) being declared the winner, alleging interference near the 200 metres. After taking evidence from the parties and viewing the video films, it was established that at the 200 metres SCRIBBLY GUM, which was under pressure, had to be checked when PITMAN (I. Toward) initially moved in and tightened SCRIBBLY GUM onto the heels of STARNOTION, which shifted out to improve. In the circumstances the protest was dismissed and the placings ordered to stand. Subsequently I. Toward was reprimanded for allowing his mount to shift in, and D. Crossland was cautioned for compounding the incident by permitting STARNOTION to move out when not quite clear.

When the gates opened MAHONGWE reared and lost ground.

TASTY DROP was slow to get into stride.

At the 1400 metres PRINCE BLAZE was tightened for room between PITMAN and BRITISH SPY, which made the turn awkwardly and shifted out.

F. Edwards, the rider of PERSIAN SPY, was reprimanded for weighing in ½ kg above his declared weight (AR.145). In assessing penalty stewards took into account F. Edwards' good record.

RACE 6: CLASS 3 PLATE - 1630 METRES

SWEET CITY SIOUX, which sustained an injury to its off hind leg en route to the course, was a late withdrawal by order of the stewards at 2.15 p.m.

Trainer W. Hetherington reported that on the morning of the race IMTENT was found to be suffering the effects of a minor stone bruise. Permission was granted for IMTENT to race in a bar shoe. The gelding was examined by the veterinary surgeon pre-race and passed fit to start.

Making the home turn MOUNTAIN AIR shifted in and slightly hampered SEA AMORE, which was taken in onto CORPORATE EDGE, which simultaneously shifted out to improve.

At the 250 metres FOREST PRIDE (J. Cairns) shifted ground, taking MOUNTAIN AIR (J. Felix) out onto CORPORATE EDGE. In consequence SEA AMORE was again forced wider on the track. J. Cairns and J. Felix were cautioned and advised that in similar circumstances they must ensure that they keep their mounts straight.

RACE 7: CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1000 METRES

HURRICANE BREWING began awkwardly and then was tightened for room by SEA RUFFIAN (J. Stopps), which shifted in when not clear. J. Stopps was reprimanded.

For the majority of the event MYCLASE hung out.

Making the home turn LOUISVILLE LIP (R. Pujolas) had to be checked off heels and shifted out abruptly, obliging DIAMOND WINGS to race extremely wide. R. Pujolas was cautioned for allowing his mount to shift out abruptly.

RACE 8: CLASS 5 HANDICAP - 1200 METRES

The start was delayed when MAGIC RUNNER reared after being placed in the barriers.

MAJIC RUNNER and REDWAY were slow to begin.

At the 100 metres POOCHA was checked by REDWAY (S. Simon), which shifted out to improve. At a subsequent inquiry it was also established that as REDWAY shifted out to improve MAGIC RUNNER shifted in marginally, which compounded the interference. However, in the opinion of the stewards S. Simon was the major contributor to the incident. In the circumstances S. Simon was found guilty of a charge of careless riding (AR.137(a)) in that he permitted his mount to shift out when not clear of POOCHA. S. Simon was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on 3rd January 2003, up to and including 18th January 2003 (3 meetings).

RACE 9: CLASS 2 HANDICAP - 1200 METRES

As G. Kliese, the declared rider for CREVHAWA, and F. Edwards, the declared rider for BOLD COMBINATION, were to be overweight A. Molino and S. Watkin respectively were substituted. G. Kliese and F. Edwards were fined $50 for being overweight (AR.120(b)).

Making the first turn REBEL ROUSER got its head up and commenced to race erratically and then continued to race extremely ungenerously for some distance.

At the 700 metres CREVHAWA began to pull fiercely and had to be steadied off the heels of ICE DROP.

At the 600 metres CURVE BALL and LONG DIN SILVER had to be steadied when disappointed for a run between BOLD COMBINATION and REBEL ROUSER, where there was doubtful room. A short distance later LONG DIN SILVER was severely checked when REBEL ROUSER hung out. Trainer P. Mullins was informed that the racing manners of REBEL ROUSER were unsatisfactory and that the gelding must trial to the satisfaction of stewards prior to being permitted to race again.

For some distance making the home turn JUNKETS was unable to obtain clear running and had to be steadied off the heels of STRAWBERRY KISSES.
Curve Ball was held up for clear running between the 400 and 200 metres.

ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED.