QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOOWOOMBA TURF CLUB – WEDNESDAY 27 MARCH 2019
 
WEATHER – OVERCAST/SHOWERS  
RAIL – 4M (1600M-800M), 5M (REMAINDER)
PENETROMETER – 5.1
TRACK RATING – GOOD 4
                                    SOFT 5 @ 11.30AM
                                    SOFT 6 @ 1.30PM
                                    SOFT 7 – AFTER R1 (RETROSPECTIVE)
                                    HEAVY 8 – AFTER R4
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – R. Hitchener
Stewards – E. Barron, L. Hicks, J. Childs
Clerk of Scales – Club
Judge – M. Fahey
Veterinarian – Dr. A. Murdoch
Swab Attendants – E. Hodges, A. Challen
Starter – C. Wallace
Jockeys Advocate – B. Saunders
Stewards Secretary – M. Weir
 
GENERAL
 
The track was downgraded from a Good 4 to a Soft 5 at 11.30am.
 
Due to continuing rainfall, the track was downgraded from a Soft 5 to a Soft 6 at 1.30pm.
 
Race 1: TAYLOR BUILDING GROUP QTIS 2YO MAIDEN PLATE – 1050M
 
LEADBURN LION – Slow to begin.
 
NAVAL STRIKE – Laid in in the early stages of the home straight. Lost the off-hind plate in running.
 
GOT NO DOUBT – Attempted to buck for a short distance shortly after the start. Momentarily steadied to avoid heels near the 500m. When questioned by Stewards regarding the seemingly disappointing performance, jockey B. Stewart advised that after the filly attempted to buck in the early stages it lost ground, and settled further back in the field than he had anticipated. He added that, as a result, the filly was reluctant to race through the kickback on the rain affected track and, in his opinion, this was the major contributing factor to the below market expectation performance. Stewards noted the explanation. Trainer T. Gollan was advised that a warning will be placed on the filly for its racing manners.
 
NAVAGIO BEACH – After beginning only fairly, the filly was steadied shortly after the start to avoid the heels of GOT NO DOUBT. Clipped heels and blundered when MALO TO THE MAX shifted in near the 950m. Apprentice M. Murphy, the rider of MALO TO THE MAX, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under AR. 131(a) in that near the 950m he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of NAVAGIO BEACH (M. Cahill) resulting in that runner clipping heels and blundering. Apprentice Murphy’s licence to ride in races was suspended for 9 days, to commence at midnight on Friday 5 April 2019 and expire at midnight on Sunday 14 April 2019. In determining penalty, Stewards took into consideration Apprentice Murphy’s prior good record in relation to this rule.
 
UNUSUAL AUNT – Laid in in the home straight.
 
MALO TO THE MAX – A post-race veterinary examination revealed that the gelding had sustained a significant tendon injury to its off-hind leg consistent with it being galloped on. Following advice from the veterinary surgeon, the gelding was transported to a local veterinary clinic for further assessment. Trainer C. Munce was advised that the gelding will require a veterinary clearance prior to resuming racing.
 
Following the running of this race, the track was further downgraded from a Soft 6 to a Soft 7 retrospective.
 
Race 2: NEIL MANSELL TRANSPORT MAIDEN H’CAP – 1640M
 
REPOSITION – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
MONROVIA – Stewards questioned Apprentice C. Bayliss in relation to the gelding racing in a more forward position today than its previous race starts. Apprentice Bayliss advised that he had been instructed to ride the gelding where it was comfortable and, bearing in mind that it had not been mustering speed during its previous starts, he elected to ride his mount aggressively in the first 50m in an endeavour to obtain a midfield position if possible. He went on to say that, as a result of him riding the gelding along early and the slow early tempo of the race, his mount settled in a position outside the leader approaching the 1500m where it raced comfortably. Apprentice Bayliss also added that, in all the circumstances, he had been somewhat surprised that the gelding was able to race as forward in the field as it did on this occasion. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
BRAZEN CHOICE – Slow to begin. Commenced to weaken near the 350m and, as a result, raced in restricted room when ZODIAC STAR, which was racing to the inside, shifted out to secure clear running and ROCK ‘N’ SOL, which was racing to the outside, laid in slightly. Jockey R. Goltz reported that the gelding raced keenly in the early stages and proved difficult to restrain and, for that reason, he permitted his mount to stride forward to obtain a position outside the leader near the 1100m.
 
COSMIC KITTY – Slow to begin.
 
MORE OF MARY – Improved onto the heels of another runner near the 750m and was steadied. Improved onto heels and was steadied near the 400m.
 
Race 3: PRYDE’S EASIFEED CLASS 3 H’CAP – 1640M
 
The start of this race was delayed when C. Eaton was dislodged from RED CALVARY in a seemingly harmless fall behind the barriers, which resulted in the gelding’s bridle coming off.
 
SEAHAMPTON – When asked to comment on the performance, jockey R. Fradd advised that the mare had travelled comfortably in a midfield position throughout, however when placed under pressure from the 600m it failed to quicken as he had anticipated and ran on only fairly in the home straight. He added that, in his opinion, the below market expectation performance could be attributed to the step up in weight and distance today, and that the mare did not feel entirely comfortable racing on the rain affected track. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
SKYLIGHT – Stewards questioned jockey K. Yoshida regarding the mare settling in a rearward position as opposed to a more forward position as was the case at its most recent start. Jockey Yoshida advised that prior to the race he had had a discussion with Trainer R. Stephenson about riding the mare with cover today if circumstances permit, as they had felt that it would be better suited when ridden in this manner. He went on to say that, after beginning fairly, he was reluctant to overly pressure the mare bearing in mind the instructions issued and, for this reason, he attempted to secure a trailing position following NAMIB, the eventual winner, which he was ultimately able to do, however this resulted in the mare settling further back in the field than anticipated. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
WESTBROOK WARRIOR – Momentarily raced in restricted room in the early stages.
 
RED CALVARY – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
Race 4: CREATE WITH COTTEE MAIDEN H’CAP – 1300M
 
PROUD ROC – Tightened for room passing the 1200m. Bumped by another runner on 2 occasions leaving the 400m.
 
NORMANTON – Stewards permitted the late scratching of the gelding at 3.15pm due to further downgrade of the track.
 
TOUCAN SAM – Tightened for room passing the 1200m. Shifted out to secure clear running leaving the 400m and, as a result, bumped another runner on 2 occasions. Momentarily held up for clear running near the 150m.
 
TONY’S DECREE – Tightened for room and checked passing the 1200m, resulting in the gelding losing its rightful running at this point in the race. Jockey D. Smith, the rider of CUNARD, was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under AR. 131(a) in that passing the 1200m he permitted his mount to shift in resulting in a number of runners being tightened, namely TONY’S DECREE (R. Goltz), KING ZOFF (J. Oliver), TOUCAN SAM (B. Stewart) and PROUD ROC (J. Orman), and which ultimately resulted in TONY’S DECREE (R. Goltz) having to be checked and lose its rightful running at this point in the race. Jockey Smith’s licence to ride in races was suspended for 9 days, to commence at midnight on Friday 5 April 2019 and expire at midnight on Sunday 14 April 2019. In determining penalty, Stewards took into consideration jockey Smith’s prior good record in relation to this rule.
 
KING ZOFF – Tightened for room passing the 1200m. Hung out rounding the home turn.
 
Following the running of this race, the track was further downgraded from a Soft 7 to a Heavy 8.
 
Race 5: LIVING TURF CLASS 2 PLATE – 1300M
 
KOTA FLYER – Slow to begin.
 
Race 6: COCA COLA AMATIL FILLIES AND MARES BENCHMARK 65 H’CAP – 1210M
 
WOOSHKA – Stewards permitted the late scratching of the mare at 11.44am due to the downgrade of the track.
 
ANGEL DANE – Slow to muster early speed.
 
IZZAH – Apprentice J. Guthmann-Chester could offer no explanation for the mare’s seemingly disappointing performance. Trainer B. Currie advised that in light of the performance today, he will now review the horse’s future in his stable. A post-race veterinary examination of the mare revealed no significant findings.
 
COOLMUNDA – Jockey M. McGillivray reported that, in his opinion, the mare felt short in its action on returning to scale. A post-race veterinary examination of the mare revealed no significant findings. In light of jockey McGillivray’s comments, Stewards will follow-up with Trainer P. Sexton in the coming days regarding the horse’s post-race recovery.
 
SNICKI MINAJ – Stewards permitted the late scratching of the filly at 2.30pm due to the further downgrade of the track.
 
SONADOR FIRE – Stewards accepted the explanation tendered by Apprentice C. Bayliss in relation to him claiming only 2.5kg of his 3kg allowance. Steadied to avoid heels near the 900m.
 
Race 7: PRO-CLEAR COLTS, GELDINGS AND ENTIRES BENCHMARK 65 H’CAP – 1210M
 
ALASKA – Slow to begin and lost ground.
 
DOCTOR ZED – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
REAL SUPREMACY – Jockey E. Ljung reported that her mount failed to handle the rain affected track conditions today. A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
GETS SMOKIN’ – Bumped on jumping away and became unbalanced. Disappointed for a run and lost ground approaching the 100m.
 
AIOLOS – Bumped by another running approaching the winning post.
 
BLACK CRUSADE – Bumped by another runner approaching the winning post.
 
Race 8: HANNAS BENCHMARK 70 H’CAP – 1000M
 
JETSONIC – Raced in restricted room shortly after the start and lost ground. A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding, which was eased down over the concluding stages, revealed the horse to be suffering from cardiac arrhythmia.  Trainer T. Gollan was advised that prior to racing again the gelding must barrier trial to the satisfaction of Stewards, and that it would require a veterinary clearance, including the results of an ECG.
 
CRUSHER – Knuckled badly on jumping away.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Suspensions
Race 1. App. M. Murphy – careless riding – 9 days (m/n 05.04.19 – m/n 14.04.19) – AR. 131(a)
Race 4. D. Smith – careless riding – 9 days (m/n 05.04.19 – m/n 14.04.19) – AR. 131(a)
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
Adamdeeant, Lady Belzone, Navagio Beach, Reposition, Undaunted
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, and the second placegetters in Races 1, 2, 4 and 6
 
Warnings/bars
Race 1. GOT NO DOUBT – racing manners – warning.
Race 1. MALO TO THE MAX – injured off-hind leg – veterinary clearance req’d – AR. 20(e)
Race 7. JETSONIC – cardiac arrhythmia – trial, vet clearance inc. results of ECG - AR. 20(e)
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1.           LADY BELZONE – Mark Du Plessis
                        MALO TO THE MAX – App. Michale Murphy
Race 8.           LOVESON – Ron Goltz
 
Late scratchings
Race 4.          NORMANTON – 3.15pm
Race 6.          WOOSHKA – 11.44am
Race 6.          SNICKI MINAJ – 2.30pm
 
Published subject to correction upon revision