QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB                  –           TUESDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2016
 
WEATHER -      FINE                                                         TRACK - GOOD  4
 
RAIL – TRUE ENTIRE COURSE                                
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – D Griffiths         
Stewards – C Warren
Clerk of Scales – R Pendreigh
Judge – P McLeod
Veterinarian – Dr. D Viero
Starter – P Warren
 
Race 1: Benchmark 70 Handicap - 1300 metres  
1st - FOREST WAY   2nd -   POWER SUPPLY 3rd - DEE MINISHING  4th  -  CYCLONE BILLY

SLIPPERY SAGA - Lost ground near the 900 metres after being tightened for room by another runner which had been taken in marginally.
 
CYCLONE BILLY – Shifted in near the 900 metres causing minor tightening to a runner to its inside. Jockey G Kliese was advised to exercise care in similar situations. 
 
Race 2: Benchmark 60 Handicap - 1609 metres
1st – FILLE VILLAINE  2nd  -  GLAMORGAN BABE  3rd -   DANZ THE MAN  4th  -  CORONATION JOURNEY
 
 WANTABETHEONE – Was fractious in the barriers.
 
GLAMORGAN BABE -  Was fractious in the barriers. Jumped outwards at the start.
 
DANZ THE MAN – Was hampered by another runner which jumped out at the start.
 
Jockey J Long pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR137A (5) in that he used his whip excessively on WANTABETHEONE prior to the 100 metres. Given Jockey  Long’s poor record in relation to the rule, his licence to ride in races was suspended to commence midnight 1 November 2016 up to an including midnight 12 November 2016.
 
Race 3: BenchMark 65 Handicap - 1000 metres  
1st -  CHECKOUT ME TRAVLA  2nd  -  JAGONAL 3rd -  CHINABOB  4th  -  BETTER CALL SAUL
 
CHINABOB– Bumped with another runner on jumping.
 
CHECKOUT ME TRAVLA – Bumped with another runner on jumping.
 
BETTER CALL SAUL -  Was slow to begin. Had to be steadied off the heels of another runner which had been taken in near the 750 metres.
 
CHECKOUT ME TRAVLA – Shifted in when not quite clear near the 750 metres causing minor tightening to inside runners. Apprentice N Nelson was advised to ensure she allowed full clearance to runners to her inside when crossing in similar situations in future.
 
When questioned as to the seemingly disappointing performance of STRICTLY MAGIC Jockey F Edwards advised that in his opinion, although disappointing, the gelding had not been as well suited by today’s firmer track conditions as opposed the soft track conditions at Innisfail when successful at its previous start.  Jockey Edwards explanation was noted.
A post race veterinary examination of STRICTLY MAGIC found no abnormalities.
 
Race 4: Open Handicap - 1000 metres
1st -  CHOI OI  2nd -  RAPT IN RUMBA  3rd -  HEARTFELT QUEST  4th  -  MORE THAN A SONG
 
MORE THAN A SONG - Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was passed fit to start. Was slowly into stride.
 
CHOI OI- Dislodged its near side front plate on jumping away.
 
Race 5: BenchMark 55  1200 metres
1st -  SERGEANT SHRIVER 2nd -  GESTICULATION 3rd -  ROAD FOX  4th  -  DELTA MAGIC
 
LOG CABIN, RED SOLOandULTRA REDwere all late scratchings at 11.30 a.m. when no riders were available.
 
HIDDEN DAISEY– Reared in the barriers and got its front off side leg momentarily caught in an adjacent barrier stall. Wasremoved from thebarriers and inspected by the Veterinarian before being declared fit to start.
 
DELTA MAGIC - hung out at the 1000 metres and had to be eased when racing tight to the inside of another runner.
 
On returning to scale a protest was lodged by Jockey P. Cullen (DELTA MAGIC) placed fourth by the Judge against GESTICULATION(J..Long) being declared second on the grounds of alleged interference over the final 150 metres. Jockey  Cullen alleged that he was forced to ease DELTA MAGIC and lose ground at that point due to GESTICULATION shifting out under pressure.  After taking evidence from both riders, viewing the patrol footage, and acting on their own observations Stewards dismissed Jockey Cullen’s objection. In reaching their decision Stewards were  of the opinion that the margin of 1.75 lengths between the 2 runners exceeded any ground lost by DELTA MAGIC in the incident.
 
A further protest was lodged by Jockey J Long (GESTICULATION) against SERGEANT SHRIVER (Ms B. Thomson) being declared the winner on the grounds that Jockey Thomson had gained an unfair advantage by using her whip outside the terms of AR137A (5).  After taking initial evidence from both riders, Jockey J Long withdrew the protest and correct weight was declared.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Fines: Nil
 
Jockey absenteeism: Nil
 
Suspensions: Race 2: Jockey J. Long AR137A (5) excessive whip use. To commence from midnight 1/11/2016 up to and including midnight on 12/11/2016.
 
Reprimands: Nil
 
Protests – Race 5: Protest4th (DELTA MAGIC) against second (GESTICULATION) dismissed.
Race 5: Protest 2nd (GESTICULATION) against 1st (SERGEANT SHRIVER) was withdrawn.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed: All winners
 
Warnings/Bars: Nil

Bleeders: Nil
 
Late scratchings
Race 5: LOG CABIN. Withdrawn by order of Stewards at 11:30am. No rider available.
Race 5: RED SOLO. Withdrawn by order of Stewards at 11:30am. No rider available.
Race 5: ULTRA RED. Withdrawn by order of Stewards at 11:30am. No rider available.
 
Summary of rider changes/late notifications
Race 2: WANTABETHEONE was ridden by J Long. Trainer’s explanation accepted.