QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOOWOOMBA TURF CLUB
 
TOOWOOMBA – SATURDAY 19TH FEBRUARY 2022
 
WEATHER – Fine TRACK RATING – Good 4                    RAIL – 4 Metres
PENETROMETER – 4.96
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – G. Goold
Stewards – J. Childs, T. Preston
Clerk of Scales – A. Cuckson
Judge – S. Fahey, B. Poelstra
Veterinarian – Dr G. Cavanagh
Swab Attendants – D. Macdonald
Starter – B. Mallory, S. Woodham
 
 
GENERAL
 
Due to riders who had engagements at the Gold Coast being delayed, Stewards permitted the following changes:
 
Race 5: Licence To Rock – S. Stephan replacing I. Teh
Race 6: Bestie – A. Patis replacing Z. Lloyd.
 
 
Race 1: QUEENSLAND COTTON Maiden Handicap 1850 metres
 
DIS GO BOOM – raced keenly in the early stages when being restrained. Laid in for the majority of the event. Leaving the 200m shifted in and contacted the running rail and became unbalanced.
 
CHIEFS AND MAHOMES (NZ) - bumped shortly after the start. Over-raced in the early stages when being restrained.
 
DOUBLE DARE YOU (NZ) – shortly after the start shifted in and bumped CHIEF AND MAHOMES. Momentarily forced wider leaving the front straight.
 
OCEANARIUM (NZ) – made the crossing at the 1500 metres point awkwardly. Shifted out and bumped POWER PUNCH (NZ) upon entrance to the home straight.
 
Palpation – Stewards inquired into the reasons for PALPATATION shifting away from the rail whilst leading approaching the 600 metres point which availed the trailing DIS GO BOOM clear passage to improve to its inside. Apprentice S. Stephan, in the presence of senior rider G. Geran, advised stewards that PALPATATION was an awkward horse to ride and that at a point approaching the 600 metres she endeavoured to increase the tempo of the race however she was mindful of trying to keep her mount balanced and was unaware that she had left her racing line on the rail until DIS GO BOOM had improved to her inside. Apprentice Stephan further added that she had only limited experience riding at the Toowoomba track which may also have contributed to her being unaware of how far she had shifted away from the rail. After viewing the patrol vision, Apprentice Stephan agreed with stewards that she should have made greater effort in keeping her horse positioned racing on the rail. Whilst mindful of the perception these sort of incidents may have to the general and betting public, stewards in assessing the matter felt that whilst apprentice Stephan’s riding at that point of the race was of concern, given her relative inexperience as an apprentice rider, they did not feel that her actions were culpable under the rules and therefore took the matter no further other than to advise her that her ride would be referred to the Racing Queensland training department for further tutelage.

POWER PUNCH (NZ) – improved onto heels leaving the front straight and shifted out resulting in DOUBLE DARE YOU (NZ) being taken wider. Raced wide without cover for the majority of the event. Bumped by OCEANARIUM upon entrance to the home straight.
 
Race 2: HYPO HAULAGE Class 1 Plate 1000 metres
 
The start of this race was initially delayed due to barrier malfunction following the running of the Race 1 and was then further delayed when the rider of ZAKHEERA, H. Richardson, was dislodged on route to the barriers. As a result of these incidents all races were put back with new start times scheduled as followed,
 
Race 2: 6:25pm Race 3: 6:54pm Race 4: 7:30pm Race 5: 8:05pm Race 6: 8:38pm Race 7: 9:05pm
 
BULL DIMPLE RUM – steadied approaching the 800 metres when obliged to race in restricted room.
 
ELEGIST – slow to begin. Rider M. Murphy dropped his whip shortly after entering the home straight.
 
WIDE LOAD – laid in approaching the 800 metres causing tightening to inside runners. Held up for clear running approaching the home turn and had to be steadied after improving onto the heels of GOLDEN SYMPHONY.
 
ALL STASHED UP – hampered on jumping. Taken inwards by WIDE LOAD approaching the 800 metres when that runner laid in. Held up approaching the 400 metres and again rounding the home turn.
 
ZAKHEERA – dislodged rider H. Richardson on route to the barriers and galloped a significant distance. Rider H. Richardson was examined by the QAS officials and was transported to hospital for further assessment. ZAKHEERA was declared a late scratching by order of the stewards at 6:03pm. Upon the declaration of correct weight stewards ordered that all monies invested on ZAKHEERA be refunded with the following deductions to apply-

1st 0c the win, 1c the place
2nd 4c the place
3rd 7c the place
 
Trainer D. Reynolds was advised that ZAKHEERA would be required to officially trial prior to being permitted to race again.
CALINDA – slow to begin. Obliged to steady from the heels of BULL DIMPLE RUN approaching the 800 metres when that runner lost ground after being tightened for room.
 
Race 3: CLEWERT LAWYERS BENCHMARK 68 Handicap 1210 metres
 
LADY MELBA (NZ) – shifted in on jumping and bumped PUCKISH.
 
WOLFF BOSS – over-raced in the early stages. Failed to run on over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer L. Hatch advised stewards that if anything was to be apparent in the following days that may a have had a bearing on the performance of the gelding, he will forward this information to stewards.
 
I'MTWENTYFOURSEVEN - shifted out under pressure upon entrance to the home straight.
 
PUCKISH – bumped at the start and lost ground. Approaching the home turn was obliged to steady from the heels of LADY MELBA which shifted in despite the efforts of its rider.
 
Winter Rain - bumped at the start. Momentarily held up approaching the home turn. Rider M. Sava dropped her nearside rein leaving the 200 metres.
 
LOVESON - shifted in on jumping and bumped WINTER RAIN.
 
Race 4: WHOLESALE HORSEWEAR HOUSE BENCHMARK 60 Handicap 1210 metres
 
I'M HITCHIN' BRO – jumped awkwardly. Laid in leaving the 600 metres.
 
ISSAQUAH – slow to begin.
 
URALBA – due to a clerical error the mare did not have the barrier blanket applied which was part of its registered gear. Rider S. Lacy reported to stewards that mare may have choked off and recommended to connections that a tongue tie be added. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
LOVE YA BLUE – raced wide early before being permitted to stride forward to the position outside the leader approaching the 600 metres.
 
Race 5: RAY WHITE PITTSWORTH Maiden Handicap 1000 metres
 
The start of this race was delayed approximately 12 minutes as result of ARGYLE LANE becoming cast after being loaded into the barriers and then breaking free and galloping rideress before being captured at the 1600 metres chute.
 
ARGYLE LANE – upon being loaded in the barriers, became fractious resulting in the gelding becoming cast before then breaking away and galloping riderless for a significant distance. ARGYLE LANE was subsequently declared a late scratching by order of the stewards at 8:09pm. Upon the declaration of correct weight stewards ordered that all monies invested on ARGYLE LANE be refunded with the following deductions to apply

1st 19c the win, 16c the place
2nd 10c the place
3rd 23c the place
 
Trainer S. Tregea was advised that ARGYLE LANE would be required to obtain a further barrier certificate prior to being permitted to race again.
 
BRIGHT REALM – jumped awkwardly and shifted in bumping HUNTING GOLD. Approaching the 900 metres was obliged to steady from the heels of SIR SLEW which shifted in when not fully clear. The rider of SIR SLEW, G. Geran, was reprimanded pursuant to AR 131(a) for this incident. Crowded for room approaching the 600 metres by DOLLOP which shifted in when not fully clear. The rider of DOLLOP, M. Sava, was reprimanded pursuant to AR 131(a) for this incident.
 
HUNTING GOLD - jumped awkwardly and was then tightened for room between BRIGHT REALM and JOHNNY THUNDER which both shifted ground on jumping.
 
JOHNNY THUNDER - jumped awkwardly and shifted out bumping HUNTING GOLD.
 
BEAN COUNTER – slow to begin and was taken inwards by SIR SLEW resulting in BEAN COUNTER bumping with LICENCE TO ROCK.
 
SOOCONTENT – laid in upon entrance to the home straight. Held up for clear running leaving the 200 metres until approaching the 100 metres.
 
SIR SLEW – jumped awkwardly.
 
LICENCE TO ROCK – shortly after the start was bumped by BEAN COUNTER when that runner was taken inwards by SIR SLEW. Race wide in the early stages.
 
MISTER QUICKSTEP – slow to begin. Over-raced in the early stages. Approaching the 800 metres improved onto heels and shifted out. Raced greenly for the majority of the event. Connections advised stewards that they intended to spell the gelding.
 
 
Race 6: K&R PLUMBING SUPPLIES BENCHMARK 75 Handicap 1000 metres
 
The start of this event was slightly delayed due to the delay in the previous event.
 
ICED – slow to begin.
 
BESTIE – jumped awkwardly.
 
AVOWAL – jumped awkwardly and lost ground.
 
WINSIDE – hung out rounding the home turn. Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
Race 7: VANDERFIELD RDO EQUIPMENT Class 3 Handicap 1640 metres
 
As a result of the delays in the previous events, the start time for this race was amended to 9:16pm
 
WAITAKERE – raced wide for the majority of the event. Rider S. Lacy advised Stewards that the gelding failed to travel from the 600 metres and felt that there may be something amiss with the horse. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Stewards will follow up with trainer P. Wallace in the following days regarding the post–race recovery of WAITAKERE.
 
ELEUTHERA – shifted wider approaching the 1000 metres point and race without cover for the remainder of the event. Stewards question apprentice A. Jones regarding the tactics she adopted at the 1000 metres point. Apprentice Jones advised stewards that after settling in rearward trailing position, she was of the opinion that her mount was travelling well approaching the 1000 metres and with the favourite SHEPPY positioned racing forward of her, she allowed her mount to improve around that runner in an attempt to gain an advantage over SHEPPY and keep that runner racing closer to the rail. Upon viewing the patrol vision, apprentice Jones advised stewards that she had erred in adopting these tactics at that particular point of the race and may have been better served to have remained in a trailing position for a further distance before allowing her mount to improve into the event. Stewards in assessing the matter felt that the explanation provided by apprentice Jones was not entirely unreasonable and took no further action other than to note her explanation.
 
KOHIKO – slow to begin.
 
YOUNG CLIFFY – shifted out abruptly approaching the 200 metres before being corrected by its rider and again shifted out approaching the 100 metres.
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 5: G. Geran – careless riding – AR 131(a)
Race 5: M. Sava – careless riding – AR 131(a)
 
 
 
Race day injuries/illness
H. Richardson – injury – medical required
 
 
Absent jockeys
Race 5: I. Teh – delayed at another venue.
Race 6: Z. Lloyd - delayed at another venue.
 
 
 
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
Black Whitto, Dollop, Winside
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 2: ZAKHEERA – official trial before starting again.
Race 5: ARGYLE LANE – barrier certificate required.
 
 
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 5: Licence To Rock – S. Stephan replacing I. Teh
Race 6: Bestie – A. Patis replacing Z. Lloyd.
 
 
Late scratchings
ZAKHERA @ 6:03pm
ARGYLE LANE @ 8:09pm
 
 
 
 
 
The matters contained within 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.