QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB

TOWNSVILLE – TUESDAY 22nd February 2022

WEATHER – Fine TRACK RATING – Good 4 (at 10.45am) RAIL – In True Position

OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – P Lane
Stewards – P Gillard, D Griffiths, P Warren, D Lane
Starter – J Cullen
Clerk of Scales – L McKay
Judge – S Nosworthy
Veterinarian – Dr D Viero
Sample Collection Officer – L Chaplin

The following over-weights were permitted by Stewards:
Race 1. M Murphy +1kg
Race 3. S Sheargold +1kg
Race 4. J Felix +1kg
Race 5. S Sheargold +1kg

General
Apprentice K Swaffer was unable to attend today’s race meeting due to transport difficulties. Rider changes were made as per the Stewards summary.

Race 1. QTIS 3YO MAIDEN HANDICAP 1300m

BOOGIE MAN – Shifted out abruptly after being slowly away. Shifted wider passing the 700m.

ROTHERO ESSGEE – Shifted wider passing the 800m. Bumped passing the winning post when IMPEACHER was carried wider by RISK IN ROME which shifted out abruptly.

THE MAGIC ONE – Raced keenly in the middle stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a laceration to the near hind fetlock.

PURPLE HAT – Restrained off heels in the middle stages after commencing to over-race. Shifted wider passing the 700m. Near the 50m was severely checked and blundered.

YABULU PRINCESS – Hampered passing the 50m.

RISK ON ROME – Shifted out abruptly passing the winning post hampering IMPEACHER (L Morrison) and ROTHERO ESSGEE (A Spinks). Jockey G Kliese was severely reprimanded for careless riding under the provisions of AR131(a). Trainer Mr C Attard was severely reprimanded under the provisions of AR165(3) in that he removed RISK IN ROME from the venue prior to 30 minutes having elapsed.

Jockey L Morrison pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR131(a) in that near the 50m she permitted IMPEACHER to shift out under riding when insufficiently clear of PURPLE HAT (N Thomas) which was severely checked and blundered. YABULU PRINCESS (M Murphy) which was racing to the outside of PURPLE HAT was also hampered in this incident. Stewards did note that approaching the 50m RISK IN ROME (G Kliese) which was racing to the inside of IMPEACHER did shift out brushing with that runner, however, following this incident, Jockey Morrison continued to ride her mount out with the whip whilst it was shifting ground outwards. Jockey Morrison’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 10 days to commence Sunday 27th February 2022 up to and including Tuesday 8th March 2022. In determining penalty Stewards took into consideration the degree of inference, which was deemed to be in the mid-range, Jockey Morrison’s guilty plea, her relatively good record in relation to the rule, and her conduct during the inquiry.

Race 2. QTIS JEWEL QUALIFIER 2YO PLATE 1200m

MISSILE THUNDER – Slowly away.

MERSEY GIRL – Slowly away. Tired noticeably over the concluding stages. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no abnormalities.

ALTAR BOY – Over-raced in the early stages.

RED HOT POKER – Raced ungenerously for some distance in the middle stages. Shifted out and away from MR WHITTINGTON near the 250m and was inclined to lay in when placed under pressure from then on.

MR WHITTINGTON – Shifted in near the 250m.

Race 3. HYGAIN MAIDEN HANDICAP 1200m

Stewards accepted the explanation tendered by Trainer Ms B Thomson in relation to the late on-course arrival of both KILKENNY JACK and MARINASARA.

KILKENNY JACK – Slowly away.

TEVERINA – Slowly away.

WELL CHARRED – Shifted out on jumping bumping with MARINASARA. Raced wide from the 700m.

MARINASARA – Slowly into stride after being bumped on jumping.

MACKENZIE COUNTRY – Steadied off heels near the 500m.

GRISHAM – Stewards questioned Stable Foreman Mr B Herne in relation to the tactics adopted on GRISHAM (App R Shred). Mr Herne advised that he had anticipated that TINY TIARA would lead and that he had instructed App Shred to attempt to take a sit in a position just off the pace. App Shred confirmed those were the instructions, however after GRISHAM began well, and commenced to race keenly soon after, she elected to allow the gelding stride out rather than restrain and fight against it.

Jockey M Butler pleaded guilty to a charge of excessive whip use under the provisions of AR132(5) in that he used his whip on TINY TIARA a total of 18 times in running (4th offence). Jockey Butler’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 14 days to commence Sunday 27th February 2022 up to and including Saturday 12th of March 2022.

Jockey J Felix was fined the sum of $300 under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that he used his whip 6 times on GIANT THUNDER prior to the 100m (4th offence).

Race 4. VETTA CREATIVE BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1609m

AMUTHON – Slowly away.

CHOMPERS – Slowly away. Over-raced in the middle stages.

STAR SINGER – Slowly away.

ROLL THE BEANS – Over-raced in the early stages. Shifted out near the 450m resulting in HONORED VOW (W D’Avila) which was following having to be restrained. Jockey D Smith was severely reprimanded for careless riding under the provisions of AR131(a).

HONORED VOW – Raced wide for the majority. Near the 450m was momentarily restrained when ROLL THE BEANS shifted out.

Jockey J Felix was dislodged from GIANT THUNDER on pulling up. Jockey Felix who was suffering pain to the right ankle and was stood down by QAS Officers. Jockey Felix was advised that he would require a medical clearance prior to resuming race riding.

Race 5. DAVE MOORE MEMORIAL OPEN HANDICAP 1400m

SIDE HUSTLE – Raced keenly in the early stages. Restrained off the heels of another runner near the 600m.

STRIKE A BEAU – Steadied when crossed by another runner near the 1000m.

LET’S GO BOBBY – Raced keenly in the middle stages.

BRAINS – Momentarily tightened between runners passing the 150m.

Race 6. SIA MODEL MANAGEMENT BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP 1000m

MICAWBER – Prior to race day Trainer Ms C Williams contacted Stewards and advised that the gelding, which performed disappointingly at Townsville on February 14, 2022 underwent a Veterinary examination the following day and was found to be displaying symptoms of mild colic. Further investigation revealed this condition may have occurred due to a recent dietary change, which may not have been compatible with the horse’s gut health. A revised feed program was put in place. Ms Williams further advised that MICAWBER had worked pleasingly in the past week and that Jockey S Sheargold would be instructed to ride the gelding positively in the early stages to obtain a handy position in running, should circumstances permit. All of this information was conveyed to punters via social media and on-course public address. Knuckled soon after jumping. Tightened between runners a short time later. Lost its off fore plate in running.

BONDI BEAU – Lost ground when tightened between runners soon after jumping.

PALENCIA – Tightened between runners soon after jumping. Raced wide for the majority.

HIT SNOOZE – Raced wide in the early and middle stages.

BET ON LOVE – Steadied for some distance when racing tight to the inside of runners in the middle stages. Steadied near the 300m when disappointed for a run to the inside of FAMILY STAR which shifted in.

FAMILY STAR – Shifted in near the 300m resulting in BET ON LOVE which was following having to be steadied. Jockey M Murphy was reprimanded for careless riding under the provisions of AR131(a).

ALL STAR ROCKET – Shifted out bumping with JUST A LOVE SONG when attempting to obtain clear running soon after straightening. Jockey L McCoy was advised to exercise greater care under similar circumstances.

JUST A LOVE SONG – Bumped with ALL STAR ROCKET when that runner was attempting to obtain clear running to the inside, soon after straightening. Jockey W D’Avila was advised to exercise greater care under similar circumstances. Raced wide for the majority.

Race 7. TAB VENUE MODE RATINGS BAND 0-55 HANDICAP 1000m

ZULU TUK – As jockey J Felix was stood down by QAS Officers following the running of Race 4 ZULU TUK was declared a late scratching at 4:21pm due to no suitable rider being available. As on course betting had not yet commenced, no deductions were applicable.

LA READY ROSA – Stood flat-footed when the field was released losing considerable ground. Trainer Ms K Russell was advised that the mare would be required to trial satisfactorily prior to its next race start.

NEBARAZ – Slowly away.

HARRY ROCKET – Shifted in under pressure near the 100m momentarily crowding MURUNGAL.

MURUNGAL – Slowly away. Momentarily crowded near the 100m when HARRY ROCKET shifted in under pressure. Blundered passing the winning post and was found to have lost its off fore plate in running.

SPIRITOFTHEVALLEY – Inclined to shift ground when placed under pressure down the running.

CHEEKY REWARD – Raced wide for the majority.

OUR RECIPE – Raced wide for the majority.

SWAHILI MAI – Raced wide for the majority.


STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 1. Jockey G Kliese. Careless riding. AR131(a). Severe reprimand.
Trainer C Attard. Removed horse from designated area before prescribed time. AR165(3). Severe reprimand.
Race 4. Jockey D Smith. Careless riding. AR131(a). Severe reprimand.
Race 6. Jockey M Murphy. Careless riding. AR131(a). Reprimand.

Fines
Race 3. Jockey J Felix. Use of whip prior to 100m. AR132(7)(a)(ii). 4th offence. $300.

Suspensions
Race 1. Jockey L Morrison. Careless riding. AR131(a). 10 days to commence 27.02.2022 up to and including 08.03.2022.
Race 3. Jockey M Butler. Excessive use of whip. AR132(5). 4th offence. 14 days to commence 27.02.2022 up to and including 12.03.2022.

Medical clearance
Race 4. Jockey J Felix. Right ankle injury. Medical clearance prior to next race ride.

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Warnings/Bars
Race 6. LA READY ROSA. Stood flat footed. Satisfactory trial.

Horses swabbed pre-race
MICAWBER, BRAINS, SWAHILI MAI.

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners.

Late riding engagements
Race 4. COMBATTANT DE RUE was ridden by App T Fenlon.
Race 6. FAMILY STAR was ridden by M Murphy.

Late scratching
Race 7. ZULU TUK. Withdrawn by order of Stewards at 4.21pm. No suitable rider available.



The matters contained in this Stewards report may be subject to an internal or external review. The outcome of any internal review is published on the Commission’s website immediately after the release of the internal review decision to the Applicant. External reviews are managed by QCAT, and are not published on the Commission’s website.

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.