QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB

TUESDAY 20 FEBRUARY 2024

WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING – Soft 5; Upgraded to Good 4 following Race 6.
RAIL – +5.5m 1000m-W/Post, +2m Remainder

OFFICIALS

Stewards Panel: – R. Neal (Chair), D. Griffiths and S. Nosworthy (Cadet).

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT


GENERAL


Stewards permitted the following rider overweights:
Race 3 – A.Layt +1.0kg
Race 6 – T.Chambers +1.0kg
Race 8 – J.Stanley +1.0kg
Race 8 – C.Whiteley +0.5kg


Race 1: LAWRENCE & HANSON QTIS JEWEL QUALIFIER 2YO PLATE 1000 M

DANCE FOR ME RANDY - Jockey R. Wiggins was unable to make the required weight for and was replaced by A. Sewell. Jockey Wiggins admitted a resultant breach of AR 190(3) and was fined $300.00. Lost the near-hind plate during the event.

HELL OF A BENTLEY – Raced greenly and over-raced when making the junction onto the course proper near the 700 metres. Raced wide throughout. When questioned on the performance, jockey C. Whiteley stated that after racing wide for the majority, the colt failed to run on over the concluding stages. Trainer L. Gordy advised that HELL OF A BENTLEY would now be gelded.

HAND GRENADE – Held up rounding the home turn, then raced in restricted room until passing the 200m.

MARGOT BARBIE – Changed stride passing the 200 metres.


Race 2: LADBROKES RACING CLUB BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1609 M

CONQUERING JUDAS – Began awkwardly.

MAKE IT FLASHY – Slow into stride. Gave ground over the concluding stages and finished well back. When questioned regarding the performance of the gelding Apprentice jockey G. Semmens reported that the gelding had never travelled at any stage and was disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.

PLUCKERCARN – Held up rounding the final turn before shifting wider to gain clear running.

RUN RAMPANT – Settled back from a wide barrier.


Race 3: MEMBERSHIPS ON SALE NOW MAIDEN HANDICAP 1400 M

PASSING OUT – Stood flat footed at the start and lost considerable ground. Trainer J. Caught was advised that the gelding would be required to trial satisfactorily prior to resuming racing.

KAI COME – Brushed with SPRING’S GIFT near the 150 metres.

KEEP ON RUNNING – Raced wide with cover from the turn out of the back straight.

KAISA – Slow to begin.

SPRING'S GIFT – Brushed with KAI COME near the 150 metres. Inclined to lay out over the concluding stages.

ALONTRO – Over-raced in the middle stages., Shifted in near the 1000 metres crowding the running of HITCHEDINMANHATTAN which had to steady momentarily. Apprentice Jockey G. Semmens was reprimanded under AR 131(a) and advised that when in similar circumstances, she must ensure she provides sufficient clearance to all runners.

GEORGE TOWN – Inclined to over-race in the middle stages. Raced wide without cover for the majority.

MOHS SCALE – Slow into stride.

HITCHEDINMANHATTAN – Began awkwardly. Placed in restricted room near the 1,000 metres and had to steady for several strides when racing inside ALONTRO, which shifted ground inward.

IMPERIUM – Raced wide for the majority.

SHADOW ECLIPSE – Inclined to lay out over the concluding stages.


Race 4: LADBROKE IT! BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1200 M

TIOGA PASS – Shifted in abruptly on jumping making contact.

BETTER DAYS AHEAD – Improved on to heels near the 1,000 metres when over-racing and had to be retrained.

STRATHCONA – Jockey J. Taylor was reminded of his obligations when shifting ground after inconveniencing GINGER MICK near the 500 metres when taken outward to improve. Laid out when under pressure over the concluding stages.

MISS FUBULICIOUS – Hampered after jumping and lost ground. Lost both hind plates during the event.

GINGER MICK – Tightened for room after jumping and lost ground. Over-raced in the middle stages. Inconvenienced near the 500 metres.

PRIVATE SECTOR – Began awkwardly and shifted out. Apprentice Jockey B. Johnson accidentally dropped her whip at the 200 metres.

Race 5: THE BRILLIANT GROUP BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1000 M

INDICTMENT – Slow into stride. Hung out over the concluding stages. Stewards questioned jockey M. Abe with respect to the performance of the gelding, which after being slow away, lost further ground through the middle stages. In explanation, Jockey Abe stated despite being pressured, the gelding had never travelled throughout. Jockey Abe added that in his opinion, the gelding would gain improvement from today’s run. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.

STRATEGIST – Raced wide in the middle stages.

FIGHT IN THE DOG – Over-raced in the middle stages. Held up rounding the home turn before shifting wider to gain clear running passing the 200 metres.


Race 6: HYGAIN BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP 1000 M

HIT SNOOZE – Began awkwardly and shifted out hampering BRAVE MISSILE. Raced wide without cover for the majority.

FREDDY BARBAROSSA – Slow into stride. Improved onto heels passing the 600 metres and had to be restrained. Laid out in the home straight.

FLUTTERING – Slow into stride. Was held up and unable to be tested over the final 200 metres.

TENNAGAIN – Began awkwardly. Over-raced in the middle stages. Became awkwardly placed on the heels of HIT SNOOZE passing the 400 metres and had to be steadied.

RUBY SPARKLES – Jockey J. Stanley reported concerns with the mare’s action over the concluding stages when returning to scale. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.

CHILLI JAM – Contacted the running rail shortly after the winning post.

RISKED IT – Began awkwardly.

FUSED MAGIC - Raced wide for the majority.

BRAVE MISSILE – Hampered on jumping.

Following the running of Race 6, the track was upgraded to a Good 4.


Race 7: LADBROKES MATES MODE OPEN HANDICAP 1400 M

HE'S XCEPTIONAL – Began awkwardly. Hung out for a short distance passing the 700 metres.

BATTLE CRY – Jockey R. Wiggins changed whip hands near 250 metres due to the geldings tendency to lay in.

FAMILY STAR – Over-raced in the middle stages due to the moderate tempo. Held up rounding the home turn up until passing the 150 metres.

FRESH PRINCE – Shifted in on jumping hampering JOE’S GIGGLE.

JOE'S GIGGLE – Hampered by FRESH PRINCE on jumping.


Race 8: LADBROKES BET TICKER CLASS 3 HANDICAP 1400 M

SEALION - Over-raced in the early stages due to the moderate tempo. Lost the near-hind plate during the running.

COUNTER COMMAND – Commenced to race fiercely in the middle stages and near the 1,000 shifted out and bumped with DECRYPTING GOLD on several occasions.

SACRED LEGACY – Lost the near-hind plate in running.

LET'S RIDE – When questioned on the performance, jockey J. Stanley reported that after travelling well, the mare had been found wanting over the concluding stages, and in his opinion may not have handled the step up to 1,400 metres.

DECRYPTING GOLD – Over-raced in the middle stages.

SEBROSSA – Raced wide in the middle stages.


Race 9: PROSECCO HOUR MARCH 5TH @ CLUDEN PARK CLASS 6 PLATE 1200 M

LIGHTHORSE LAD – Raced wide throughout.

OCEAN EMPEROR – Raced three wide without cover in the early stages.

DEMON AWARD – Stewards questioned Jockey A. Butler regarding the run of the heavily supported DEMON AWARD which finished runner-up in the event. Jockey Butler reported that after beginning fairly, he allowed DEMON AWARD to improve forward to race adjacent to the leader, however shortly after the gelding began to over-race, then pull fiercely. Jockey Butler added that he had elected not restrain DEMON AWARD at this point as, in his view, this may have proved been detrimental to his chances given the gelding’s tractability and keenness at this stage of the event. In conclusion Jockey Butler stated that the gelding’s tendency to race fiercely, together with this being a second up run, may have proved detrimental DEMON AWARD’s chances today. Jockey Butler’s explanation was noted.

WANNA TWEET – Restrained at the 1,000 metres when racing to the inside of DEMON AWARD. When questioned, jockey C. Whiteley stated that after racing prominently in the early stages, he elected to steady off the strong tempo, and that when doing so was in clear running. Given all circumstances no further action was required.




STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 3 – Apprentice G. Semmens – AR 131(a) – careless riding.

Fines
Race 1 – Jockey R. Wiggins – AR 190(3) – $300.00 – accept ride when overweight.

Suspensions
Nil

Race day injuries/illness
Nil

Absent jockeys
Nil

Adjourned inquiries
Nil

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
MAKE IT FLASHY, KAI COME, HURTLE, DEMON AWARD
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 3 – PASSING OUT – stood flat-footed – satisfactory trial required.
Bleeders
Nil
Falls
Nil
Adjourned inquiries
Nil

Protests
Nil

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1. No 1. DANCE FOR ME RANDY – Adam Sewell (Replacing Ryan Wiggins)

Late scratchings
Nil


The matters contained within this Stewards report may be subject to external review. The Racing Appeals Panel manages external reviews and the Racing Appeals Panel publishes its decisions on its 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.