QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB
 
Friday 17th May 2024
 
 
 
WEATHER – Fine    TRACK RATING –  Soft 5Upgraded to Good (4) at 10:35am
RAIL + 4.5 metres 1,000 metres to Winning Post; +3 metres for the remainder.
PENETROMETER – Not available.
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – R Neal
Stewards – D Griffiths.
 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
Mount Isa–Saturday 27th April 2024
On Wednesday 24th May 2024, Stewards conducted an inquiry into Jockey Ms. Amanda Thomson failure to attend the Mount Isa race meeting on Saturday 27 April 2024 where she had five booked riding engagements on that day. After consideration of all relevant considerations Stewards charged Ms. Thomson with a breach of AR127 (1) which reads -: 
 
AR 127 Failing to fulfil a riding engagement.
 
(1)  A jockey or apprentice jockey must not fail or refuse to fulfil a race riding engagement.
 
Ms Thomson pled guilty to the charge.
In determining penalty, Stewards recognised that Ms Thomson had been stood down from riding by Stewards from Saturday 27 April 2024, however imposed an additional 28-day suspension to commence midnight 15 May 2024 and conclude midnight 12 June 2024. In assessing penalty Stewards considered Jockey Ms Thomson’s previous record in relation to similar breaches.
 
Jockey Ms Thomson was advised of her right of appeal.
 
GENERAL
 
1.    Due to the extension of acceptances following the abandonment of the Cairns meeting on Wednesday, and the resultant congestion of the time provided for rider declarations, leniency was applied with respect to declaration made after the rider declaration deadline.
 
2.    Apprentice Rebecca Wilson did not attend the meeting due to illness – Ms Wilson was advised that she must provide a medical clearance prior to next riding.
 
3.    Stewards today conducted an inquiry into the circumstances of jockey Scott Sheargold being declared for two runners in Race 2 at the Home Hill meeting on Saturday 18th May 2024. These being ASPEN LAD and LILY ALLEZ (NZ). After consideration of all relevant matters Mr Sheargold was charged with a breach of AR127(1), with the particulars being that he accepted two rides in Race 2 at Home Hill on Saturday 18th May 2024 when he was unable to fulfill both engagements.
 
Mr Sheargold admitted the breach.                    
 
When considering the appropriate penalty to be imposed the Stewards were mindful of the repercussions of Mr Sheargold’s actions, being that one set of connections were significantly disadvantaged. The Stewards were also cognisant of Mr Sheargold’s record with respect to AR127(1) which was assessed as poor. This was considered an aggravating factor. However, against this was applied factors in mitigation, including Mr Sheargold’s personal circumstances, and measures he has adopted to better manage his riding activities. Weighing all factors, the Stewards determined that Mr Sheargold’s licence to ride in races be suspended from the close of racing on Saturday 18th May 2024, up to and including racing on Saturday 1st June 2024. In making this determination the Stewards were cognisant that today’s breach activated a stayed $1,000.00 penalty imposed for a similar breach on Saturday 16th March 2024. This will now be imposed.
 
 
 
Race 1:KEY MOTORS TOWNSVILLE SUBARU MAIDEN PLATE 1000 M
 
BOLD TONTO – raced greenly over the concluding stages.
LUCKY ROLLA – reluctant to load into the barriers – warning placed: held up passing the 300 metres and when taken into clear racing room near the 200 metres was inclined to lay out for the remainder.
OUR BENEFIT – jumped in abruptly at the start and hampered WHATSUPBUTTERCUP; raced wide until near the 500 metres.
BOGAN PRINCESS – raced greenly over the final 150 metres.
BUSHMAN LEGACY – jumped awkwardly.
ENUFF STOP IT – laid in over the final 400 metres.
WHATSUPBUTTERCUP – hampered on jumping and lost ground, settling back.
CRIMSON ECHO – jumped awkwardly from the outside barrier; raced greenly over the latter stages.
 
 
Race 2:TOWNSVILLE MAZDA BT50 OPEN HANDICAP         1400 M
 
PANIAGUA – raced wide without cover throughout.
ACROBATIC – inclined to over-race through the middle stages.
INVESTOR – hampered near the 200 metres.
MISS SEATTLE – brushed with STICK TO YOUR GUNS on jumping away; raced wide with cover throughout. Shifted wide making the home turn to obtain clear running.
INDICTMENT – held up rounding the final turn and when taken into clear racing room passing 200 metres bumped with VIENNA REIGN which was crowded wider out and out onto INVESTOR which was bumped. Rider Chris Whiteley (INDICTMENT) was advised to exercise greater care when in similar circumstances.
STICK TO YOUR GUNS – brushed with MISS SEATTLE at the start.
TINTINWIN (NZ) – slow to begin.
VIENNA RAIN – bumped and crowded wider near the 200 metres.
 
Race 3: LAWRENCE & HANSON 2YO QTIS CLASSIC PRELUDE   1200 M
 
HEAD HONCHO – jumped out at the start and hampered THAT’S IT; commenced to race fiercely passing the 950 metres and shifted out into the line of THAT’S IT which was compelled to steady. Over-raced proving difficult to control so was taken wide, and in doing so crowded THAT’S IT which had to steady. In assessing this incident, the Stewards were mindful that the easing of the tempo at this point of the race had resulted in consequential effects on other runners, including HEAD HONCHO which had then proved difficult to control. No further action was required other than to remind apprentice Ms. Semmens (HEAD HONCHO) of her obligations when in similar circumstances: Stewards also spoke with trainer Mr. Tom Button regarding HEAD HONCHO’s tractability and the suitability for the horse to be ridden by apprentice riders; Raced wide rounding the final turn.
THAT'SIT – hampered near the 950 metres and had to steady; laid out over the concluding stages.
HELL OF A BENTLEY - hampered on jumping.
UNDER THE SHADOW – over-raced and hung out through the early and middle stages when wide, proving difficult to control.
HAND GRENADE – thew its head in the air near the 1,100 when leading and came back on to LOOMING LEDGEND which in turn came back onto HEAD HONCHO; over-raced for a distance thereafter.
LOOMING LEGEND – shifted out at the start.
MISHANI BURN – slow to begin.
MISHANI I AM – hampered on jumping.
MISHANI WOLF – jumped in at the start.
 
Race 4: LADBROKE IT! BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP         1609 M
 
BATTALION (NZ) – raced wide in the early stages.
CENTRAL PARK – jumped out at the start and contacted the hind quarters of BOLD SPLENDOUR.
LIFETIME QUEST – shifted ground inward near the 1,100 metres when not clear tightening WHISKEY ROW which was checked. Rider Ms. Chelsea Jokic admitted a resultant breach of AR131a, and after consideration of penalty Ms Jokic’s licence to ride in races was suspended from the close of racing on Sunday 26th May 2024 up to and including racing on Sunday 2nd June 2024 - (7 days)
BOLD SPLENDOR – fractious in the barriers; bumped at the start and became unbalanced; held up rounding the final turn however when in clear racing room failed to respond when pressured. A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding revealed no significant findings.
MELANIN – held up rounding the final turn and had to be taken wider across heels near the 250 metres to improve.
EVERLAST – crowded wider after the start: raced 3-wide throughout.
IT'S BEEN A TREK – lay out shortly after the start and crowded EVERLAST wider for a short distance. Held up rounding the final turn until near the 200 metres.
WHISKEY ROW – tightened and checked near the 1,100 metres.
 
Race 5: HORAN & BIRD QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP         1400 M
 
BEAU RAIN – shifted ground inward passing the 1,100 metres and tightened MISHANI PERFECTION which was checked. Apprentice Lachlan Overall (BEAU RAIN) admitted a breach of AR131a being that he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear. After consideration of penalty apprentice Overall’s licence to ride in races from the conclusion of racing on Saturday 18th May 2024 up to and including racing on Friday 24th May 2024. (6 days): hung out making the home turn and lost ground – warning placed on the racing manners of BEAU RAIN.
MISHANI PERFECTION – tightened and checked near the 1,100 metres when BEAU RAIN which shifted ground inward when not clear.
BOLD TYRANT – slow to begin; hung out under pressure in the final straight.
MOON MISSILE – shifted ground inward shortly after the start and tightened MISS FARSTAR which had to steady. Rider Jason Taylor (MOON MISSILE) was reprimanded and AR131a for shifting ground when not clear.
MISS FARSTAR – jumped awkwardly and then tightened after the start when MOON MISSILE shifted in, losing considerable ground.
 
Race 6: MM ELECTRICAL TOWNSVILLE QTIS CLASS 3 HANDICAP 1200 M
 
Apprentice Rebecca Wilson was replaced on QUE CEE SPADE by Apprentice Isabella Teh.  
SERGEANT HULKA – slow to begin.
DEVIL'S INN – jumped out at the start and bumped heavily with HUNT THE HUNTER.
FINSCEAL – very slow into stride.
FODOR – hung in abruptly near 1,000 metres when wide.
HUNT THE HUNTER – bumped heavily at the start.
MR KOBO – raced wide for most of the event.
 
Race 7:HIGGINS COATINGS BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP         1000 M
 
BAKUHATSU - raced wide throughout.
VENTURA OCEAN (IRE) – severely checked at the start; raced wide throughout.
BOHO BEAUTY – jumped out at the start taking WANNA TWEET out onto CROWNING MOMENT which in turn shifted out and checked VENTURS OCEAN.
TORQUE SENSATION – jumped awkwardly and lost ground.
CROWNING MOMENT – raced wide throughout.
SOUTH PARADE – severely checked at the start and settled back.
WANNA TWEET – raced wide throughout.
COLD POWER -raced wide throughout.
NEVER CRY – shifted in abruptly at the start and severely checked SOUTH PARADE (NZ); held up making the home turn until near the 200 metres.
 
Race 8: WENTWORTH ELECTRICAL RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICA1000 M
 
SOUTHERN FRONT – eased down in the final straight and was distanced at the finish. A post-race veterinary examination of SOUTHERN FRONT revealed no significant findings.
ANOTHER JACK – jumped in at the start.
IMPERIUM - raced 3-wide throughout.
CATALINA DREAMING - raced 3-wide throughout.
PARA PARK CHANCE - raced 3-wide throughout.
WICKLOW LASS (NZ) – raced 3-wide throughout.
NELLYATION – tightened for room on jumping between TANOSHI which jumped out and ANOTHER JACK which shifted in.
TANOSHI – shifted out on jumping.
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands: R5 Jason Taylor [AR131a] – shifted ground after the start.
 
 
Fines: Nil
 

Suspensions: R4 - Ms Chelsea Jokic [AR131a] –suspended from the close of racing on Sunday 26th May 2024 up to and including racing on Sunday 2nd June 2024 - (7 days)
                        R5 – Lachlan Overall [AR131a] – suspended from the conclusion of racing on Saturday 18th May 2024 up to and including racing on Friday 24th May 2024 - (6 days)
                        Home Hill - Scott Sheargold – [AR127(1)] - suspended from the close of racing on Saturday 18th May 2024, up to and including racing on Saturday 1st June 2024 – (14-days)
 
 
 
Race day injuries/illness: Nil
 
 
Absent jockeys: -ApprenticeRebecca Wilson – medical clearance required.
 
 
Adjourned inquiries: Nil   
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race: HEAD HONCHO; CENTRAL PARK; READY TO PARDON; TORQUE SENSATION.
 
Horses swabbed post-race: All winners.
 
Warnings/bars LUCKY ROLLA – warned barrier manners.
 
Bleeders
 
Falls
 
Adjourned inquiries
 
 
Protests
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
 
Late scratchings
 
 
 
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.