QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB, 11TH MAY 2017
 
 
 
 
WEATHER      –   FINE       TRACK RATING – GOOD 3    PENETROMETER 3.8                    RAIL – OUT 4 METRES 1000 METRES TO WINNING POST; OUT 2 METRES REMAINDER  
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – Mr P Gillard
Stewards – Mr P Lane, Ms J Portch
Betting Steward – Stewards
Clerk of Scales – Mr R Pendreigh
Judge – Mr P McLeod
Veterinarian – Mrs D Viero
Swab Attendant – Ms A Lee
Bookmakers Supervisor – Stewards
Starter – Mr P Warren
Stewards Secretary – Mr B Palmer
 
GENERAL - As Jockey P Cullen and Jockey M Abe were indisposed and unable to fulfil their engagements, substitutions were made as per the Stewards Race Day Summary.
 
Due to technical errors blinkers did not appear in the Race Book for a number of runners: Race 1 HURAI, blinkers on the near side - not a gear change; Race 7 GOT YOU DOUBLE – Visor/Blinkers not shown in the Race Book. This was a gear change. Race 7 RAMSDEN STREET - not show in Race Book - not a gear change. RACE 7: CARLINO'S WAY - blinkers not shown in Race Book - not a gear change. Public announcements were made accordingly.
 
Race 1:  www.townsvilleturfclub.com.au Maiden Handicap - 1000 metres
 
BANOFFE - The start was delayed when the mare was difficult to load. Trainer Mrs L McCormack was advised that a warning will be placed on the mare's barrier manners. When questioned regarding the improved performance, trainer L McCormack stated that in her opinion the addition of a tongue-tie for the first time was very beneficial to the horse's improved performance. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
PROTECTIVE CUSTODY - Began awkwardly, lost ground and finished tailed off. Trainer R. Cussons was advised that the nomination of the gelding will be refused at TAB meetings until such time as it performs to the satisfaction of stewards at country meetings.
 
GRANDZONE ROCKET - Began awkwardly.
 
REVERBERATING - Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
HURAI - Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
GENERAL BEERS - Raced wide for the majority of the event and then raced very wide rounding the home turn.
 
SOME SUNNYDAY - Shifted in near the 250 metres and made contact with the running rail.
 
SERIOUS CAPER - Jockey L Tilley reported that the gelding had a tendency to hang out for the majority of the race. When questioned regarding the horse's performance, trainer J Wehlow explained that he was very disappointed with today's run and was at a loss to provide any explanation. Mr Wehlow undertook to advised stewards if anything arose in the coming days that had a bearing on today's run. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.
 
DORIS STAR - Slow to begin.
 
VALENTINE'S DAY - Slow to begin.
 
Race 2: Support Cancerqld.org.au QTIS 2-Years-Old Handicap - 1000 metres
 
SPECIAL STYLE - Slow to begin.
 
GREY MISSILE - Slow to begin and had a tendency to hang in for the majority of the race. Had difficulty obtaining clear running from entering the home straight until near the 200 metres, where it shifted out to improve and inconvenienced another runner. Rider S. Wilson was severely reprimanded.
 
LOST CONNECTIONS - Slow to begin.
 
ELITE JET - Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
CRAIGLEA VELVET - Began awkwardly, bumped heavily with another runner. Raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages and as a result raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
MOLONGLE FIRE - Bumped heavily with another runner at the start. Raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages and as a result raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
STUDMAN - Bumped by another runner on jumping.
 
CRAIGLEA CETINA - Shifted in shortly after the start and hampered another runner. Inconvenienced at the 200 metres and had to be steadied.
 
Race 3: Macca's Synthetic Grasses QTIS 3-Years Old Handicap - 1200 metres
 
HARVEST PRIDE - Began awkwardly.
 
WE JUST LOVE IT - Slow to begin. Shortly after the start was bumped by another runner. Hung in under pressure in the home straight. When questioned regarding the seemingly improved performance, trainer J Ryan stated that they had changed the horse's training preparation and freshened up the gelding. She said that they had also removed the blinkers from the horse's approved gear, which allowed the horse to settle better in the race, and attributed this to its improved performance today. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
DRAGON ROCKET - Slow to begin. Bumped shortly after the start. Steadied off heels for a short distance leaving the 500 metres.
 
MY GIRL'S A DRAGON - Raced 3 wide without cover for the majority of the event.
 
YOU ANGEL YOU - Began awkwardly. Crowded for room near the 150 metres. Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
Race 4:  thehuntinghouse.com.au BenchMark 70 Handicap - 1200 metres
 
CLEAVER - Slow to begin. Had difficulty obtaining clear running rounding the home turn until near the 100 metres.
 
I'M NOT SURE - Slow to begin.
 
BELORUM - Slow to begin. Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
FOUR EXCEL - When questioned regarding the disappointing performance, rider A Coome said that in his opinion the gelding never travelled comfortably in the race, failed to respond to his riding when placed under pressure and was disappointing. Trainer L Wright agreed with Jockey Coome's comments and he was at a loss to explain the performance, other than that it may not have appreciated today's firm track surface. A post-race veterinary examination of FOUR EXCEL did not reveal any abnormality. Mr Wright gave an undertaking to advise stewards should anything come to his attention in the near future that may have had a bearing on the horse’s performance.
 
PINCER STRIKE - Apprentice E. Cass was unable to claim down to her riding weight and was fined $100 under AR92(12).
 
ROCHALLOR – Reluctant to take a run to the inside of FOUR EXCEL near the 200 metres, was steadied and shifted wider.
 
Race 5: The Rack'n Stack Warehouse Open Handicap - 1609 metres
 
NOOGOORA BURR -As Jockey L Attard was unable to ride the gelding at its allotted weight, Jockey B Thomson was substituted. Jockey Attard was fined $200 under AR120(b).
 
HOT SAGA - Bounded in the air as the start was effected and lost ground.
 
GO BY RIO - Over-raced in the early and middle stages.
 
MASTER AVATAR - When questioned regarding the disappointing performance, rider D Hayse advised stewards that he was most disappointed with today’s effort, however was of the opinion that the gelding was making slight respiratory noises when placed under pressure in the home straight. Trainer J Ryan was disappointed with the performance, but was unable to offer any tangible explanation, other than that the horse may have got its tongue over the bit. Mrs Ryan added that she will give consideration to adding a tongue-tie to the horse's gear for its next start. A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding did not reveal any significant abnormalities. Mrs Ryan gave an undertaking to advise stewards should anything come to her attention in the near future that may have had a bearing on the horse’s performance.
 
Race 6: Bank of Queensland BenchMark 55 Handicap - 1000 metres
 
RAINING DOLLARS - Slow to begin. Leaving the 500 metres commenced to over-race and was restrained from heels. Had difficulty obtaining clear running over the concluding stages.
 
BACKTOSPEC - Raced in restricted room for a short distance near the 600 metres. Approaching the 100 metres improved onto heels and had to be steadied for a short distance.
 
DUNNYS STAR - Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
KAP IT OFF - Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
MOLONGLE CHIEF - Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
OLSSON - Raced extremely wide throughout. Hung in under pressure in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
Race 7: RSL Townsville Ratings Band 0 - 65  Handicap - 1609 metres
 
ALDREN - Slow to begin. Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
GREAT PRETENDER – After being initially slow to begin, was tightened for room and lost ground.
 
RAMSDEN STREET - Improved onto heels near the 900 metres and was checked.
 
LINE BREAKER - Steadied near the 600 metres when racing in restricted room. Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
CRAIGLEA ZING - Improved onto heels near the 600 metres and was steadied.
 
CARLINO'S WAY - Shifted 3 wide leaving the 900 metres and raced wide from that point on.
 
GLACIER EXPRESS - Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
RACE 2: Jockey S. Wilson - A.R. 137(a). Severe Reprimand.
 
Fines
RACE 4: Apprentice E. Cass - $100: Fail to claim down to riding weight AR92(12).
RACE 5: Jockey L. Attard - $200: Overweight - AR120(b).

Absent jockeys
Jockey P. Cullen - indisposed. Medical clearance required.
Jockey M. Abe - indisposed. Medical clearance required.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 1: BANOFFE – Warning – difficult to load.
Race 1: PROTECTIVE CUSTODY – Nominations to be refused at TAB meetings until further improvement.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
RACE 1:  SOME SUNNYDAY - When no senior jockey was available to ride the gelding at its allotted weight, stewards permitted Apprentice A. Thomson to be substituted.
RACE 1: HURAI - D. Sparks
RACE 2: CRAIGLEA AIRLIE - L. Tilley
RACE3: HARVEST PRIDE - D. Simmons
RACE 5: NOOGOORA BURR - B. Thomson
RACE 7: CARLINO'S WAY - D. Sparks
 
Late scratchings
Nil
 
 
 
 
 
Published subject to correction upon revision