QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB –   24TH February 2017
 
 
WEATHER – FINE           TRACK RATING –     GOOD 4                  RAIL – IN TRUE POSITION ENTIRE COURSE
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – Mr P. Gillard
Stewards – Mr P. Lane, Mr T. Woodham, Mr R. Smith  
Clerk of Scales –   Mr R. Pendreigh
Judge – Mr P. McLeod, Mr I. Schultz
Veterinarian – Mrs D. Viero
Swab Attendants – Ms A. Lee
Bookmakers Supervisor – Mr A. Paton
Starter – Mr P. Warren
Stewards Secretary – Mr B. Palmer
 
Race 1: www.townsvilleturfclub.com.au Maiden Plate – 1300 metres
1st -  MOONLIT CLOUD  2nd  -  ST COVET LASS  3rd -  MISTY ISLAND  4th  -  ROBABANK
 
REMI ROCKS – Began awkwardly.
 
ST COVET LASS – Over-raced in the early and middle stages.
 
PRINCESS TORIO – Jockey M. Haley permitted the mare to improve into a run near the 500 metres where there was insufficient room between MISTY ISLAND (App. N. Summers) and MOONLIT CLOUD (App. Q. Krogh), resulting in that runner having to be restrained and lose ground. Jockey Haley was severely reprimanded and advised to show much greater care in similar circumstances.
 
ROBABANK – Jockey G. Kliese reported that his mount was held up for clear running from entering the home straight until a point leaving the 200 metres, however failed to respond to his riding and was disappointing.
 
 
Race 2: XXXX Gold Class 6 Plate – 1400 metres
1st -  FASTCAR/ LADY SIOUX (DH)    3rd -  JORDAN 4th  -  SHAFTESBURY
 
WRITTEN INTENT– When questioned about the reasons for scratching the gelding, trainer Mr R. Chillemi advised stewards that the horse had injured its near fore suspensory ligament and has been sent for an immediate spell. He further added that consideration will be given to retiring the horse from racing, after discussions with its owner. Nonetheless, Mr Chillemi was advised that a veterinary clearance must be provided should the gelding resume racing.
 
The declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow Jockey S. Wilson, the rider of FASTCAR, to view the official photo finish. Having done so, stewards were satisfied with the judge’s placings and correct weight was declared on the semaphored numbers.
 
FASTCAR– Had a tendency to over-race in the middle stages.
 
SHAFTESBURY– Began awkwardly and lost ground. In the early part of the home straight was unable to take advantage of a run between LADY SIOUX and FASTCAR, despite the efforts of its rider, until then switching across the heels of runners to gain a run on the outside, where it finished the race off strongly.
 
Race 3:  Magnetic Island Shopping Centre BenchMark 65 Handicap -1609 metres
1st – PERFECTLY ALIGNED  2nd  -  TRY ME DOL  3rd -  BLOUKRANS  4th  -  ALDREN
 
FILLE VILAINE– Over-raced in the early stages.
 
CRAIGLEA EPSOM– Over-raced when the pace slackened in the middle stages.
 
PERFECTLY ALIGNED– Over-raced until a point leaving the 800 metres, where its rider, App. Q. Krogh, elected to shift wider on the track and improve forward to race outside the leader. When questioned in regards to its performance today, compared to its previous start, at Rockhampton on 16th February 2017, when it finished 8th of 8 starters, stable representative M. Barnham stated that, whilst they were disappointed with the performance of the gelding on that occasion, they had formed the opinion that the horse is not suited to firm surfaces and performs much better on tracks that have some give in them. Stewards advised Mr Barnham that they had concerns with the inconsistent form, however, his explanation was noted.
 
ALDREN– Jockey F Edwards advised stewards that leaving the 600 metres, when the pace quickened, the gelding was unable to sprint despite his efforts at that stage of the race and was immediately under pressure.
 
Race 4: Northern Body Corporate QTIS 2-Y-0 Maiden Handicap – 1000 metres
1st -  CRAIGLEA VELVET2nd  -  CRAIGLEA CETINA  3rd – CRAIGLEA TICKER  4th  -  LOST CONNECTIONS
 
AL MAH ROCKET – Declared a late scratching, by order of the stewards at 8.00 a.m., when no rider was available.
 
MISS CELITA – Slow to begin.
 
WE’LL BEAT IT – Slow to begin. Raced greenly in the early stages.
 
ZULU TUK – Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
ROCKET OF GOLD – Raced wide for the majority of the event.
 
FANCY POLO – Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
Race 5: Sexton Developments Open Handicap – 1200 metres
1st – CANNY AND THE JET 2nd  - FOREST WAY  3rd – HEARTFELT QUEST 4th -  THANKGODFORFRANC
 
BLU AXIS– A pre-race veterinary examination of the mare, which had not raced for a considerable time, did not reveal any abnormalities and was cleared to start.
 
THANKGODFORFRANC– Tightened for room at the start and lost ground.
 
CANNY AND THE JET -  Began awkwardly. Had to be steadied near the 400 metres when racing in restricted room. Jockey N. Day pleaded guilty to a charge under A.R. 175(k) in that he sent his saddle out without officially weighing out before this matter was notified by the Clerk of Scales. Whilst stewards noted the seriousness of this breach of the rules, they were satisfied that it was an oversight on the part of Jockey Day, and accordingly he was fined $200
 
LOVER OF LIFE - Laid out near the 400 metres and inconvenienced another runner. Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
Race 6: Town Automatics 4WD & Mechanical BenchMark 65 Handicap – 1000 metres
1st – OURBOYBYRON  2nd  -  CHECKOUT ME TRAVLA3rd -  CHINA TOWN  4th  -  CHEERING
 
CHINA TOWN - Slow to begin. Rider Q. Krogh reported to stewards following the race that the horse raced flat today and gave him the impression that it was looking for further ground.
 
AROUND THE MOON – Slow to begin.
 
FOUR JAYS– Slow to begin. Commenced to over-race leaving the 700 metres. Improved onto heels near the 500 metres and had to be checked.
 
CHEERING– Raced 3 wide without cover for the majority of the event.
 
CHINABOB– Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
Race 7: ASAP Scaffolding BenchMark 60 Handicap – 1300 metres
1st -  DAMKY  2nd -  INTIMATE KINGDOM  3rd -  BIG TOMEE  4th  -  MODEL TO EXCEED
 
Jockey P. Cullen, the rider of UNION JUKEBOX, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under A.R. 137(a) in that near the 50 metres he permitted his mount to shift out under hard riding around the heels of BIG TOMEE (Jockey D. Simmons) and continued to ride the horse out with the whip when insufficiently clear of MISS HAVISHAM (Apprentice N. Summers), which had to be checked. Jockey Cullen was suspended from riding for a period covering 9 days, to commence at midnight on 4th March 2017, up to and including midnight on 13th March 2017.
 
BIG TOMEE – Slow to begin. Raced 4 wide without cover for the majority of the race.
 
RANGILA – Slow to begin.
 
TERIO TOOL – Began awkwardly, shifted in shortly after the start and bumped UNION JUKEBOX. Stewards questioned Apprentice Z. White regarding her riding of the gelding, particularly in the early and middle stages, where the horse led by some distance. Apprentice White stated that her instructions were to lead, and after being awkwardly away she rode her mount to instructions, however once obtaining the lead, TERIO TOOL refused to settle and raced strongly in the lead, though it was not her intention to lead by such a margin. Trainer J. Sigvart confirmed the instructions given to Apprentice White, however he added that the gelding can be a difficult horse to ride. Stewards noted the explanations.
 
UNION JUKEBOX – Raced 3 wide without cover for the majority of the race.
 
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
 
RACE 1: Jockey M. Haley –  Severe reprimand, careless riding (A.R. 137(a))
 
Fines
 
RACE 5: Jockey N. Day Negligence in weighing out: $200 (A.R. 175(k))                             
Suspensions
P. Cullen – Careless riding AR137(a) 9 days M/N 4/03/2017 – 13/03/2017
 
Race day injuries/illness
Race 4: App Z. White – Hit in face by horse.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
RACE 5: BLU AXIS – Resuming from long break. Cleared to start.
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
 
Late scratchings
 
RACE 4: AL MAH ROCKET - No rider available.
 
 
 
Published subject to correction upon revision