TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB STEWARDS REPORT SATURDAY 8/05/04
STEWARDS PANEL: Mr P COOPER (CHAIRMAN), Mr C.Bird, Mr W. Birch, Mr W. Bethel
WEATHER: FINE TRACK: - DEAD
RAIL: TRUE
RACE 1: MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1200 Metres – 8 Starters
As D. Johnston was to be overweight, stewards permitted App. P. Hammersley to be substituted as the rider of PAMBRIGHT. D. Johnston was subsequently fined $100 under A.R. 120(b).
On jumping DIAMOND CROSSING (A. Lane) shifted in onto PAMBRIGHT (App. P. Hammersley).
NOTHIN’ LEICA BABE (A. Cox) was slow to begin.
RACE 2: CLASS 6 HANDICAP – 1400 Metres – 5 Starters
OUR BRISK BAY (J. Stopps) was slow to begin.
In the early and middle stages LION PRINCE (D. Crossland) pulled hard and had to be eased to avoid the heels of STRICTLY FAST (E. Kowald).
Rounding the home turn LION PRINCE (D. Crossland) and BACKSTAGE GIRL (S. Shield) brushed.
Near the 350 metres J. Stopps (OUR BRISK BAY) accidentally dropped his whip.
RACE 3: CLASS 5 HANDICAP – 1000 Metres – 10 Starters
Stewards considered an objection lodged by K. Mahoney, the rider of REAL DASH which finished fourth, against JAZZARK (J. Stopps) being declared second, alleging interference at about the 350 metres. After taking evidence from K. Mahoney, J. Stopps, part-owner of JAZZARK Mr K. Woodman, and Mr R. Long, trainer of REAL DASH, and viewing the video films, stewards dismissed the protest when they found that shortly after straightening for home REAL DASH had to be eased and lost ground when JAZZARK shifted in. However, they were of the opinion that had the interference not occurred REAL DASH would not have finished ahead of JAZZARK.
At a subsequent inquiry J. Stopps was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under A.R. 137(a) in that approaching the 350 metres he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of REAL DASH (K. Mahoney), which had to be checked and lost ground. J. Stopps was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on 8th May 2004, up to and including 20th May 2004, a period covered by three North Queensland meetings. In assessing the appropriate penalty stewards took into account the severity of the interference and J. Stopps’ good recent riding record.
On jumping ENDIUS (G. Kliese) and REAL DASH (K. Mahoney) came together.
Near the 600 metres JAZZARK (J. Stopps), which was racing on the fence, shifted out slightly, taking SHAMPANSKOYA (A. Cox), which was weakening, out across the heels of REAL DASH (K. Mahoney), which had to be eased and in. POOCHA (App. P. Hammersley), which was racing to the inside of REAL DASH, had to be checked, shifted in and brushed the running rail. J. Stopps was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. App. Hammersley was cautioned about the manner in which he gave evidence.
RACE 4: CLASS B HANDICAP – 1630 Metres – 7 Starters
As N. Day, the declared rider for RA ECLIPSE, was unable to fulfil his engagement, permission was granted for A.Cox to be substituted. N. Day was fined $100 under A.R. 85B.
Trainer Mr D. Crouch was fined $100 under L.R. 70(1) for failing to declare I. Toward as the rider of AGAIN A GAIN by the prescribed time.
Trainer Mr B. Laming was fined $50 under L.R. 42(2) for failing to lodge an amended stable return for the ownership of NEW TRADER.
As A. Lane was to be overweight, permission was granted for K. Mahoney to be substituted as the rider of FUME.
Making the turn near the 1400 metres MILLIEMAY (M. Elliott) was tightened and obliged to race in restricted room when pressured by runners to its outside. The incident was compounded by NEW TRADER (App. P. Hammersley), which made the turn awkwardly. Stewards deemed the interference to be a racing incident and took no further action.
OCCULAR (J. Stopps), which compounded badly after the 800 metres and raced ungenerously thereafter, was examined by the club’s veterinary surgeon, who could find no abnormality.
S. Shield (STAGE KING) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under A.R. 137(a) in that leaving the 1300 metres he permitted his mount to shift inwards when insufficiently clear of AGAIN A GAIN (I. Toward), which was dictated inwards and took the running of FUME (K. Mahoney), which had to be checked and lost its position in the field. S. Shield was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence at midnight on 8th May 2004, up to and including 21st May 2004, a period covering four North Queensland race meetings. In assessing penalty stewards took into account S. Shield’s record and the severity of the incident.
RACE 5: PARRY NISSAN GREAT NORTHERN QTIS 2-YEAR-OLD PLATE – 1200 Metres – 14 Starters
Prior to the race EMMABEE shifted a plate and suffered a prick from a nail. The filly was examined by the Club’s veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start.
BUNSEN HONEYDEW (App. P. Hammersley) shifted a tooth on the way to the barriers and had blood present in its mouth. The gelding was examined by the Club’s veterinary surgeon and passed fit to start.
QUICKAZZ (F. Edwards) began awkwardly.
Shortly after the start DEAR JILLY (P. Cullen) had to be eased slightly when crowded by GENERAL JAKE (I. Toward).
Approaching the 900 metres HACIDA (A. Molino) was severely checked when crowded for room between SPEEDY AFFAIR (A. Cox) and STAGE SHAKER (D. Johnston), which was racing on the inside of EMMABEE (S. Shield). Johnston was given the benefit of the doubt as to whether he was totally responsible for the incident and the evidence was noted.
S. Shield (EMMABEE) was severely reprimanded for permitting his mount to shift in near the 200 metres and tighten STAGE SHAKER (D. Johnston).
RACE 6: CLASS 2 HANDICAP - 1630 Metres - 15 Starters
A. Lane, the declared rider for EXPLOITS informed stewards that he was to be overweight. As no other rider was available to ride the mare at its allotted weight, permission was given for A. Lane to ride EXPLOITS 1kg overweight. Subsequently A. Lane was fined a total of $150 for being overweight on EXPLOITS and on FUME in Race 4.
REMEMBER TOM (D. Andrews) was slow to begin.
In the early stages GOLD BANDIT (App. L. Abbott) overraced.
Approaching the 450 metres STARSHAPER (S. Shield) shifted out and tightened AUTOBIOGRAPHY (K. Mahoney) which was taken out onto REMEMBER TOM (D. Andrews.) S. Shield was reprimanded and advised to exercise more care.
At about the 250 metres STARSHAPER (S. Shield), which was racing on the inside of REAL ASSET (App. P. Hamersley), which in turn was racing to the inside of MR MANDRAKE (I. Toward), shifted out abruptly and took the running of MR MANDRAKE , which had to be checked and lost ground. S. Shield was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under A.R. 137(a), in that near the 250 metres he permitted his mount to shift out when insufficiently clear of MR MANDRAKE, which was checked and lost its position in the field. S. Shield was suspended from riding in races for a period to commence on 8th May 2004, up to and including 21st May 2004. Stewards directed that the suspension be served concurrently with the suspension imposed on S. Shield in respect of Race 4 today.
Trainer C. Hurle reported that the off hind leg of MR MANDRAKE (I. Toward) had been galloped on.
ALL WINNERS WERE SENT TO BE SWABBED