QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB
 
TOWNSVILLE – FRIDAY 26 FEBRUARY 2021
 
WEATHER – SHOWERS            TRACK RATING –   SOFT 6 (Race 1), SOFT 7 (Races 2&3), HEAVY 8 (Races 4-8)                    RAIL – 6m 1000m to Winning Post; 3.5m Remainder
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – P Lane
Stewards – K Braunberger, D Griffiths, P Warren
Clerk of Scales – T Shaxson
Judges – J Carter, K Dean
Veterinarian – D Viero
Swab Attendants – M Braunberger
Starter – J Cullen
 
Race 1: MM GOLD COAST 15-16 MAY QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 65 Handicap 1000m
 
WHICH LILY- Bumped with another runner on jumping.
 
CRACKER ESSGEE - Bumped with another runner on jumping.
 
RUBY JULY- Shifted in marginally near the 900m inconveniencing a runner to its inside.
 
SANCY ROSE – Shifted in and away from another runner near the 900m.
 
Race 2: BUY QTIS IN MARCH QTIS JEWEL QUALIFIER 2-Y-O Plate 1200m
 
Prior to the running of this race the track rating was downgraded to Soft 7.
 
BOOMED – The gelding which raced at Cairns on Tuesday March 23 underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was passed fit to start. Hampered soon after jumping. Raced ungenerously for some distance passing the 800m before shifting wider to avoid heels near the 750m. Jockey S Wilson advised in his opinion the gelding was not suited by today’s track conditions. Nonetheless Trainer R Chillemi was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing manners.
 
PRETTY SMILES – Shifted out abruptly after beginning awkwardly, bumping with a runner to its outside, before shifting in and bumping with a further runner to its inside.
 
HUSETTE – Became awkwardly placed near the 700m losing ground. Shifted in abruptly when in clear running near the 200m. 
 
CALPURNIA – Inconvenienced soon after jumping.
 
BEAUTIFUL TUNE – Slowly into stride. Became momentarily unbalanced passing the 750m.
 
Race 3: MAGIC MILLIONS RACE SERIES OPEN Handicap 1400m
 
BRAD – Jockey T Bannon advised the gelding which tired noticeably over the concluding stages had not been suited by the heavy track conditions. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. 
 
DALON – Raced wide for the majority.
 
JEMADAR – Shifted in near the 300m momentarily tightening a runner to its inside. App K Swaffer was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. App Swaffer who advised she had been instructed to ride the gelding positively was of the opinion JEMADAR had not been suited by the heavy track conditions. Trainer T Clive confirmed the instructions and advised that in hindsight a better option would have been to settle in the run just behind the pace. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. 
 
ZAMEX – Shifted in around heels to obtain clear running approaching the 300m. Soon after was momentarily tightened by another runner which shifted in under pressure when not fully clear.
 
ELLE A WALKING – Slowly away.
 
MASON'S CHANCE – Trainer O Cairns, when questioned in relation to the seemingly improved performance, advised that the gelding had raced consistently well prior to disappointing at its last start, and had pleased her in its work since. Ms Cairns also highlighted its very good 1400m record, stating she had expected MASON’S CHANCE to run an improved race today.
 
 
Race 4: $12.77 MILLION REASONS Class 6 Handicap 1200m
 
Prior to the running of this race the track rating was downgraded to Heavy 8.
 
HIT SNOOZE – Lost ground on jumping after beginning awkwardly.
 
MY ZEBRINKA – Inconvenienced when racing tight between runners near the 250m.
 
Following the running of this race connections of 2nd placegetter MY ZEBRINKA viewed patrol footage and elected to lodge an objection against 1st placegetter ASHTON BLAIR (F Edwards) being declared the winner on the grounds of excessive whip use on the part of Jockey Edwards. After hearing submissions from all parties and reviewing the footage Stewards, although acknowledging that Jockey Edwards had exceeded the permissible number of whip strikes in total, were unable to be comfortably satisfied that his actions had a material bearing on the race result, and dismissed the protest, declaring correct weight on the Judge’s numbers. At a subsequent inquiry Jockey Edwards was found guilty of excessive whip use under the provisions of AR132(5) in that he used his whip on the gelding ASHTON BLAIR a total of 18 times in running. Jockey Edwards’ licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 14 days to commence March 7 2021 up to and including March 20 2021. In considering penalty Stewards were mindful of Jockey Edwards’ poor record in relation to the rule.
 
Race 5: QTIS QUALITY @ MAGIC MILLIONS Maiden Handicap 1200m
 
BRAZEN RASCAL – Bumped with another runner on jumping. A post-race veterinary examination revealed mild soreness in the near foreleg.
 
BLUMISS – Raced wide in the early and middle stages. Shifted out under pressure down the running.
 
MALLYUMKIN – Bumped with another runner on jumping.
 
SASSI ASSASSIN – Slowly away. Raced wide for the majority.
 
SNEAKY GAL – Fractious in the barrier. Raced wide from the 800m.
 
Race 6: REAL REWARDS WITH 417 QTIS YEARLINGS BENCHMARK 58 Handicap 1609m
 
The start of this race was delayed due to QAS officers being required to attend to Jockey N Day who was taken ill. A minor adjustment was also required for the starting time of Race 8. Jocket Day was advised a medical clearance will be required prior to his next race ride.
 
OUR HOT DATE – Raced wide for the majority.
 
OPINIONS – Raced wide in the early and middle stages. Over-raced for some distance passing the 1300m.
 
Race 7: VISIT THE GOLD COAST IN MARCH Class 3 Plate 1300m
 
CHEVAUX – Bumped by another runner on jumping.
 
FINAL WARNING – Shifted out under pressure near the 250m. Shifted out again near the 100m bumping with another runner.
 
TUTELAGE – Began awkwardly, shifting in and bumping with another runner. Was momentarily tightened between runners near the 250m. Jockey C Whiteley advised the gelding had never travelled comfortably in the heavy track conditions.
 
PONDEROSO – Jockey F Edwards replaced the indisposed N Day as the rider of the gelding. Knuckled over on jumping and lost ground. Shifted in under pressure near the 200m. Was bumped by another runner near the 100m.
 
STAR RAIDER – Slowly away.
 
TAINTED AFFAIR – Knuckled over on jumping.
 
WILLYGOOD – Began awkwardly.
 
Race 8: FIND THE NEXT MASTER JAMIE BENCHMARK 55 Handicap 1000m
 
HARD MERCHANDISE – Raced wide for the majority.
 
OCTOBER STORM – After beginning awkwardly, shifted out bumping with a runner to its outside, losing ground as a result. Raced wide for the majority.
 
THE SWELL – Shifted out marginally under pressure approaching the winning post.
 
AMMATE – Began awkwardly. Raced wide for the majority.
 
SPLENDARAMA – Raced wide for the majority.
 
INVISIBLE GIRL – Raced wide for the majority. Shifted in under pressure approaching the winning post.
 
SCARAMOUCHE – Slowly away after beginning awkwardly. Over-raced in the middle stages. Connections viewed home straight patrol footage to determine whether there were grounds to lodge a protest against 1st placegetter THE SWELL. After doing so connections elected not to proceed and correct weight was declared on the Judge’s numbers.
 
MISS POWDER KEG – Raced wide for the majority.
 
MISS CLAIR – Was bumped by another runner on jumping. Raced wide for the majority.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees

Suspensions
Race 4. Jockey F Edwards. AR132(5).  Excessive use of whip - 18 times in total. To commence 07/03/2021 up to and including 20/03/2021 (14 days).
 
Race day injuries/illness
Jockey N Day. Dehydration. Medical clearance required.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
ANNIEMARIAH, VERBALIZER, MISS FUBULICIOUS, LOVE FLIES, PONDEROSO.
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners.
 
Warnings
Race 2. BOOMED. Racing manners.
Protests
Race 4. MY ZEBRINKA (2nd) vs ASHTON BLAIR (1st). Dismissed.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 7 PONDEROSO was ridden by F Edwards.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
This report and the Stewards Comments for this meeting may be amended at any time, at the sole discretion of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Stewards as races are reviewed.