QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB
 
TOWNSVILLE - SUNDAY - 28TH JULY 2024
 
WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING –  Soft 5 
RAIL – True Entire Course
PENETROMETER – 5.53
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – R. Neal
Stewards – D. Griffiths, R. Hanson, P. Warren, J. McIntosh, S. Nosworthy (Cadet)
 
GENERAL
 
1.        Stewards today conducted an inquiry into the circumstances of jockey Scott Sheargold being declared for two emergency runners in Race 2 these being HEROIC NIC and GABBY’S READY. 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 on two emergencies in Race 2, which both regained the field and which resulted him being 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 and that one set of connections were disadvantaged. The Stewards were also conscious of Mr. Sheargold’s record with respect to AR127(1) which was assessed as poor, however this offence differed from previous matters insomuch that both horses, for which he was declared, obtained the services of other riders and that no horse had to be scratched as a consequence of his actions. Additionally, both runners were emergencies and this factor afforded Mr. Sheargold some relief. Given all factors, including Mr. Sheargold’s personal circumstances the Stewards imposed a $500.00 fine.
2.        Rider Samantha Collett advised the Stewards that she would be unable to fulfil her engagement in Race 2 on LADY DE VEGA due to her aircraft being delayed. Ms Collett was replaced by Justin Stanley.
 
3.        The Stewards inquired into the time of 0:54.32 for the 1,000 metres recorded by Queen Assassin in Race 5 which appeared inconsistent with the prevailing track rating of Soft 5. For completeness the Townsville Jockey Club advised that they would be surveying all track distances in the coming week with the outcome to be reported to the Stewards.
 
4.        Stewards adjourned a matter into Trainer Mr R Vale’s conduct following the delivery of the protest decision in Race 7.
 
5.        Stewards approved the following overweights:
Race 3. G. Kliese +0.5kg
Race 4. G. Kliese +1.0kg, C. Whiteley +1.0kg, S. Sheargold +1.0kg
Race 5. C Bayliss +0.5kg
Race 7. C. Bayliss +0.5kg, J. Stanley +0.5kg
 
 
Race 1:TOWNSVILLE EARTHMOVING QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP 1400 M
 
ASTRA STAR – Shifted in on jumping.
 
ACEDROD – Inclined to lay out over the concluding stages when struck with the whip.
 
KOBAYASTAR – Shifted out on jumping hampering SNEAKY FREDDY.
 
UNDERRATED –Rider J. Stanley reported that UNDERRATED began awkwardly then over-raced in the early stages.Raced wide in the early stages.
 
MORE STYLISH – Over-raced for the majority of the race.
 
MARCH MADNESS – Shifted to the outside of ASTRA STAR to gain clear running approaching the 200 metres.
 
MISHANI DESTINY – Began awkwardly then eased off the heels of ASTRA STAR.
 
MISHANI OPAL – Inclined to lay in approaching the first corner at the 1000 metres.
 
SNEAKY FREDDY – Hampered on jumping when KOBAYASTAR shifted out.
 
 
Race 2: EXPLORE PROPERTY MUNRO & CO QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD AND THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1000 M
 
TINDER SWINDLER – Began awkwardly and jumped in hampering MISSYPIE. Hung out rounding the home turn.
 
COSMIC ATOM – Began awkwardly. Hung out for the majority of the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormality.
 
LAKE VARNA – Fractious prior to the start. Began awkwardly. Raced in restricted room for a short distance passing the 800 metres. Raced wide throughout. Hung out rounding the home turn.
 
THE GENERAL TALKS – Shifted in at the start tightening RAZOR’S MAGIC then became unbalanced shortly after hampering MISSYPIE. Raced greenly over the concluding stages.
 
MAGIC INTENT – Rider G. Kliese was reminded of his obligations to ride his mount out fully to the line when circumstances permit after relaxing his ride approaching the post.
 
MYSTERIOUS BAY – Proved difficult to load. Began awkwardly. Travelled wide throughout.
 
RAZOR'S MAGIC – Tightened for room at the start between SUGAR QUEEN and THE GENERAL TALKS.
 
MISSYPIE – Hampered shortly after jumping by TINDER SWINDLER then hampered again shortly after when THE GENERAL TALKS became unbalanced after being bumped.
 
SUGAR QUEEN – Shifted out at the start tightening RAZOR’S MAGIC.
 
WEBS – Shifted out at the start.
 
HEROIC NIC – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
LADY DE VEGA – Raced in restricted room for a short distance passing the 800 metres. Laid out rounding the home turn and continued to lay out over the concluding stages.
 
GABBY'S READY – Raced wide throughout. Shifted in passing the 600 metres tightening THE GENERAL TALKS. Jockey Warwick Satherley, the rider of GABBY’S READY, pled guilty to a resultant charge under AR 131(a) in that he allowed his mount to shift in near the 600 metres when not fully clear of TINDER SWINDLER which was checked. After consideration of penalty Mr. Satherley’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period 8 days to commence at the close of racing on Tuesday 6 August 2024 up to and including racing on Wednesday 14 August 2024.
 
 
Race 3:LADBROKES MATES MODE RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP 1609M
 
MISSION HOUSE – Bumped by MCNAIR (NZ) passing the 200 metres when that runner laid in.
 
ZOUHOPE – Slow to begin. Over-raced in the middle stages.
 
BETTA AL – Taken out onto FLAMENCO ROSE by CITY PLAYBOY shortly after the start.
 
CITY PLAYBOY – Shifted out shortly after the start hampering BETTA AL which was taken onto FLAMENCO ROSE.
 
MCNAIR (NZ) – Laid in through the final straight and at the winning post shifted in and contacted the hind quarters of MISSION HOUSE.
 
FLAMENCO ROSE – Hampered at the start.
 
LITTLE RED PEPPER – Fractious in the barriers.
 
PLUCKERCARN – Slow into stride then hampered shortly after the start.
 
VOLARCHI – Raced keenly down the back straight.
 
 
Race 4: LADBROKE IT! OPEN HANDICAP 1609 M
 
SPEED LEGEND – Raced keenly entering the back straight and had to be steadied off heels at that point.
 
ARMOUR FORCE – Raced fiercely in the early and middle stages. Inclined to lay in over the concluding stages and when passing the 100 metres, shifted in and had to be corrected by its rider.
 
CASTILE – Slow to begin. Held up for a considerable distance between rounding the home turn before shifting to the outside of ARMOUR FORCE to gain clear running passing the 150 metres.  
 
JETSKI – Lost the off-hind plate in running.
 
FORGIATO (NZ) – Slow to begin. Inclined to lay in over the concluding stages.
 
TROPIC SANDS – Over-raced in the middle stages.
 
 
Race 5: GLOBAL WELDING SUPPLIES LIGHTNING OPEN HANDICAP 1000 M
 
HURTLE – Began awkwardly then jumped out and bumped ROWEINER’S DANCE.
 
AHWAHNEECHEE – Raced wide throughout.
 
ROWEINER'S DANCE – Blundered at the start. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
DEMON AWARD – Raced wide throughout. Inclined to lay in over the concluding stages.
 
EYEWITNESS – Slow to begin. Raced ungenerously passing the 800 metres.
 
BLUE KENTUCKY MOON – When questioned regarding the gelding’s performance rider Warwick Satherley stated that the gelding had been unsuited to racing second up from a spell.
 
BAKUHATSU – Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout.
 
 
Race 6: AQUIS BELLE OF THE BURDEKIN FILLIES AND MARES BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP 1400 M
 
LADY RAIN – Blundered at the start. Commenced to over-race from the 1200 metres up to a point passing the 950 metres. When questioned on the performance, rider L. Morrison stated that in her opinion the mare had failed to back up from racing last weekend. Rider Morrison also stated that LADY RAIN had been disadvantaged by the increase in weight carried today. Trainer G. Hughes advised that the mare would now be sent for a short spell.
 
TYCOON BABY – Bumped with BABY GUINNESS at the start.
 
BABY GUINNESS – Bumped with TYCOON BABY at the start. Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
WANNA TWEET – Over-raced through the middle stages.
 
INSPIRATION – Raced wide throughout.
 
EL OF A SENORITA – Commenced to over-race for a passing the 700m and as the tempo slackened. Held up rounding the home turn. Shifted across heels to gain clear running passing the 200 metres.
 
OLD SCHOOL – Shifted out when not clear passing the 200 metres hampering MAJESTIC WINGS. Jockey J. Murphy was reprimanded under AR 131 (a) for allowing his mount to shift ground when not sufficiently clear.
 
MAJESTIC WINGS – Raced wide with cover throughout. Hampered passing the 200 metres when the horse is not sufficiently clear.
 
Stewards questioned riders Lacey Morrison (LADY RAIN) and Warwick Satherley (WANNA TWEET) with respect to the tactics adopted in the early stages where WANNA TWEET surrendered the lead to stablemate LADY RAIN near the 1,100 metres. In explanation Ms Morrison stated that after being obliged to race wide through the early stages she had elected to go forward as there was little possibility of obtaining cover in the event. For his part Mr Satherley stated that his instructions were to obtain cover, if possible, given the step up in distance, and when Ms Morrison came forward, he elected to take a trail behind her given its form. Given all circumstances both explanations were noted.
 
 
Race 7: MAGIC MILLIONS TOWNSVILLE GUINEAS QTIS 3YO HANDICAP 1609 M
 
FINE SHOT – Got back from wide draw after the start.
 
PARADE GROUND – Tightened and badly checked approaching the post; rider protested against first and second dismissed.
 
BEAU RAIN –Raced 3-wide with cover throughout.
 
VIENNAWAITSFORYOU – Over-raced in the middle stages.
 
OBLIQUITY – Held up rounding the final turn. Had to steady near the 250 metres when WHITE ARENDALE shifted out. Had difficulty obtaining clear running throughout the final straight.
 
SAILOR'S RUM – Laid out under hard riding in the final straight, and near the 50 metres shifted out dictating PARADE GROUND out onto BEAU RAIN, with PARADE GROUND being badly checked and BEAU RAIN being badly unbalanced.Jockey R. Stewart, rider of SAILOR’S RUM, admitted a resultant breach of AR 131(a) and after consideration of penalty Jockey Stewart’s licence to ride in races was suspended from the close of racing on Saturday 3rd August 2024 up to and including racing on Tuesday 13th August 2024 (10 days).
 
DECRYPTING GOLD – Travelled wide without cover throughout.
 
RELIABLE WITNESS – Tightened for room when going for a narrow run rounding the home turn then resultantly had to be checked off the heels of RINGER’S REWARD. Faltered when easing down fracturing the near fore leg dislodging rider Nathan Thomas. The gelding was immediately attended by the on-track veterinarian and humanely euthanised. Mr Thomas was attended by the course medical personnel and cleared of any injury.
 
On returning to scale, jockey Ryan Wiggins, rider of 3rd placegetter PARADE GROUND, advised he wished to lodge an objection against 1st placegetter BEAU RAIN and 2nd placegetter SAILOR’S RUM alleging interference over the final 50 metres.  After consideration of all relevant factors, including evidence from the respective riders and connections, together with reviewing vision of the alleged incident, the Stewards found that while PARADE GROUND had been checked passing the 50 metres, there was no blame attributable to BEAU RAIN, and that while SAILORS RUM had shifted ground out and taken PARADE GROUND out onto BEAU RAIN, resulting in both PARADE GROUND and BEAU RAIN becoming badly unbalanced, this occurred in close proximity to the finish and given this factor, together with the margin between second and third (1/2 length), the Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that notwithstanding the interference the placing’s should be amended. Resultantly both protests were dismissed with correct weight declared on the Judge’s numbers.
 
 
Race 8: COWBOYS LEAGUES CLUB BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1200 M
 
TEMPO (NZ) – Raced wide throughout.
 
LIDDER VALLEY – Raced wide throughout. Shifted across heels to gain clear running in the final straight.
 
SPIRIT MEISTER – Had to be steadied off heels passing the 1000 metres.
 
DARK ARCHER – Began awkwardly.
 
DELUXE LEGEND – Had to momentarily steadied when SUPER TWENTY THREE laid in.
 
SET THE SAILS – Raced wide throughout.
 
ELLEVES – Crowded shortly after the start. Laid in over the concluding stages.
 
CAVENTE – Bumped at the start.  Over-raced in the middle stages. Had difficulty obtaining clear running passing the 200 metres and was unable to be fully tested.
 
INDICATIVE – Raced wide throughout.
 
HELL – Bumped with SUPER TWENTY THREE on jumping.
 
ZORAYDAH – Began awkwardly.
 
SHIPS AHOY – Shifted out and bumped CAVENTE.
 
SUPER TWENTY THREE – Bumped with HELL on jumping. Over-raced in the middle stages. Held up for clear running when rounding the home turn and to be steadied off the heels of DELUXE LEGEND at that point. Laid in over the concluding stages.
 
DICKIN MEDAL – Had difficulty to gain clear running over the concluding stages and was unable to be fully tested.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 6. Jockey J. Murphy – careless riding – [AR 131(a)] – shifting ground when not clear.
Fines
Race 2. Jockey S. Sheargold – dual engagement – [AR 127 (1)] - $500 Fine.          
Suspensions
Race 2: W. Satherley -– [AR 131(a)] – careless riding – suspended 8th to 14th August 2024 (inclusive) – 8 days
Race 7: R.  Stewart – [AR 131(a)] – careless riding – suspended 4th to 13th August 2024 (inclusive) – 10 days.
Race day injuries/illness.
Nil
Absent jockeys
Nil
Adjourned inquiries          
Race 7. Mr R Vale
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race.
RAZOR’S MAGIC, ALL TIME LEGEND, QUEEN ASSASSIN, PARADE GROUND, ISHOTTHEDEPUTY
Horses swabbed post-race.
All winners
Warnings/bars
Nil
Bleeders
Nil
Falls
Nil
Adjourned inquiries
Nil
 
Protests
Race 7: 3rd verses 1st and 2nd – dismissed.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 2. No 18. LADY DE VEGA – Justin Stanley replacing Samantha Collett
Race 2. No 19. GABBY’S READY – Warwick Satherley replacing Scott Sheargold
 
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.