QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOOWOOMBA TURF CLUB
 
SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER 2024
 
WEATHER – Fine   TRACK RATING –  Good 4         RAIL – Out 2metres the entire
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – C Warren
Stewards – J Childs & S Coulthard
 
 
Race 1: THANK YOU TTC MEMBERS CLASS 1 HANDICAP  1000m
 
LEVAR- Bumped on jumping. Laid out leaving the 400m and bumped. Obliged to check from heels and lost ground near the 150m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow post-race recovery.
 
DECRYPT- Laid in and bumped leaving the 400m. Jockey M Murphy pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) in that passing the 150m he did exercise insufficient effort in preventing his mount from shifting in under riding, when insufficiently clear of LEVAR which was obliged to check and lost its rightful running. Jockey Murphys license to ride in races was subsequently suspended for a period of 10days to commence 8 December, up to and including 17 December 2024. In considering the matter Stewards noted Jockey Murphys record in relation to the rule and his guilty plea, as well as the degree of carelessness and severity of interference. Jockey Murphy was advised of his right to an appeal.
 
DRANG A TANG- Momentarily steadied near the 200m to shift to the outside of heels to obtain clear running.
 
TRY EVERYTHING- Raced wide for the majority.
 
BASIL'S GIFT- Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure down the running.
 
BLUE EYE DAME- Began awkwardly. Raced wide for the majority.
 
THE BELL JAR- Bumped on jumping. Laid in under pressure down the running.
 
 
Race 2: TONY'S COMMUNITY KITCHEN BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP  1200m
 
GODZILLA- Bumped near the 900m and was momentarily crowded. Held up for clear running over the final 50m.
 
CRACKER ESSGEE- Laid in under pressure down the running.
 
ANARCHY- After beginning only fairly was momentarily crowded near the 1100m and commenced to race keenly from that point. Bumped near the 1000m and then over-raced for some distance, shifting out and bumping again near the 900m before continuing to race keenly. Raced wide rounding the home turn. App S Willis advised that her mount never travelled comfortably throughout. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
 
VAST KAMA- Raced wide for the majority.
 
HARRY THE HORSE- Bumped on jumping.
 
DROP THE PILOT- Bumped on jumping. Bumped leaving the 1000m. Laid in under pressure down the running.
 
ELECTRIC ARROW- Began awkwardly. Raced wide for the majority. When asked to comment on the performance App C Baker advised that, in her opinion, being posted wide from the unfavourable barrier detrimentally effected her mounts performance, adding further that the mare may appreciate a softer racing surface.
 
ALFA LILY- Began awkwardly and contacted the barrier petition. Raced wide for the majority.
 
 
Race 3: RAY WHITE TOOWOOMBA CLASS 5 HANDICAP  1300m
 
MICRO- Proved reluctant to proceed to the barrier. Trainer D Groves was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding pre-race manners as a result.
 
TROPIC SANDS- Improved onto heels having to be steadied and was held up for clear running over the concluding stages.
 
WOWIT'S WILLYWONKA- Laid in near the 400m.
 
BELLA BABE- Raced wide from the 600m.
 
 
Race 4: EMPIRE OF JAPAN - STANDING @ HOPETOUN FARM QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE  1000m
 
BESIEGE- Buffeted and tightened on jumping and consequently lost ground. Laid in under pressure in the early stages of the home straight, shifted in near the 150m becoming awkwardly placed on heels before being steadied and shifted out before again becoming awkwardly placed on heels approaching the 100m having to be steadied, had difficulty obtaining clear running thereafter.
 
HAZ STYLES- Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
HE'S A WEAPON- Began awkwardly and bumped, shifted wider as a result and was bumped on the hindquarters becoming unbalanced and shifting out further tightening runners to the outside. Raced wide for the majority.
 
LUCKY MAN- Began awkwardly, laid in and bumped tightening runner to the inside. Laid in for the majority. Shifted ground when commencing to tire from the 150m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow post-race recovery.
 
OH NOT REALLY- Began awkwardly and bumped. Shifted out and around heels passing the 100m.
 
SZABOS PRIDE- Tightened having to be restrained on jumping and lost ground. Laid in approaching the 100m before being corrected and shifted back out. App L O’Donnell, was advised to desist from using the whip on her mounts when they are shifting ground and instead to stop and straighten sooner in similar circumstances.
 
TARMAC- Buffeted and tightened on jumping and consequently lost ground. Became awkwardly placed on heels near the 700m and again near the 450m.
 
CEEKAY'S CHOICE- Began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped. Laid in and away from another runner near the 200m and bumped the inside running rail.
 
DUBALENE- Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Raced wide for the majority.
 
ELEANOR NANCY- Stewards accepted the reasons tendered by Trainer C Geran for the late declaration of rider on the filly. Buffeted and tightened on jumping and consequently lost ground. Laid in near the 500m.
 
FLY MISS ARTIE- Bumped on jumping. Raced wide for the majority.
 
 
Race 5: ARMSTRONG GWM BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP  1890m
 
KNEZE- Shifted in near the 1700m momentarily crowding LUMIERE. App S Willis was advised to exercise greater care and ensure her mounts do not unduly shift ground until fully clear in similar circumstances.
 
CAPITAN DE SEDA- Slow to begin and trailed the field for the majority. App D Bennett pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that he did use his whip 11 times prior to the 100m, 6 more than permitted, prior to the 100m. In considering the matter Stewards noted the totality of whip use being 15 times throughout the event, App Bennetts good record, guilty plea and forthright evidence. App Bennetts license to ride in races was subsequently suspended for a period of 7 days to commence 8 December up to and including 14 December 2024. App Bennett was advised of his right to an appeal.
 
SILVER GODDESS- Raced keenly near the 1200m. Raced wide from the 800m. Laid in for the majority.
 
ONOMATOPOEIA- Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was passed fit to start. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
LUMIERE- Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was passed fit to start. Momentarily crowded and shifted in and away from another runner near the 1700m. Bumped and crowded leaving the 900m.
 
ROYAL GEORGE- Raced wide in the early and middle stages. Shifted in leaving the 900m bumping with and crowding the running of LUMIERE.  Jockey M Savva was severely reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) and strenuously advised to review her riding practices. Stewards noted that interference in the incident was negligible largely due to the fact LUMIERE was travelling well at that stage of the event and was able to hold its position with minimal effort.
 
 
Race 6: CARPET ONE BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP  1625m
 
TUHINGA- Took the 1500m course proper crossing awkwardly and shifted out marginally. Bumped the inside running rail near the 900m. App B Moffatt was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(b) in that he did fail to ride his mount out of the final 2-3 stride of the event. In considering the matter Stewards were of the view that App Moffatt’s actions had no tangible effect on his mounts finishing position but fell well short of the expected standard.
 
CALM SEEKER (NZ)- Began awkwardly. Raced keenly when being restrained in an effort to obtain cover near the 1300m.
 
DOLLAR DOLLAR (NZ)- Began awkwardly. Laid in becoming awkwardly placed on heels near the 1500m, having to be steadied and raced keenly for some distance thereafter. Bumped and taken wider near the 1200m. Bumped again near the 1100m. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
 
HARBOURMASTER- Laid in under pressure down the running.
 
REGAL EDITION- Over-raced on heels near the 1300m, laid out and bumped near the 1200m and continued to over-race down the back straight, shifting out and bumping again near the 1100m. Again, laid out whilst over-racing near the 900m and 700m.
 
 
Race 7: ENTERPRISE LEGAL MAIDEN HANDICAP  1625m
 
ZOUWALER- Dwelt in the barrier. Laid in under pressure down the running. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow post-race recovery.
 
CONCADOR- Lost a near-fore plate in running.
 
SERAPUS- Momentarily held up for clear running near the 500m.
 
ALZURRI- Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the backs straight. Raced wide for the majority. App S Willis advised her mount had been inclined to lay out for the majority.
 
APFEL (NZ)- Raced keenly for the majority.
 
ROCK A BYE IVY- Jockey W O’Connell pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that he did use his whip 10 times prior to the 100m, 5 more than permitted, prior to the 100m. In considering the matter Stewards noted the totality of whip use being 10 times throughout the event, Jockey O’Connell’s record, guilty plea and forthright evidence. Jockey O’Connell’s license to ride in races was subsequently suspended for a period of 7 days to commence 5 December up to and including 21 December 2024. Jockey O’Connell was advised of his right to an appeal.
 
QUEEN OF THE SKIES- Faltered in its action near the 600m and was eased out of the event. Jockey K Yoshida advised his mount commenced to give ground despite his efforts before becoming very awkward in its action near the 600m and as such he elected to ease the mare out of the event. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. Trainer G Maroney was advised that, given the circumstances, a veterinary certificate of fitness would be required prior to the mare completing a satisfactory trial prior to again being permitted to start in a race.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 6- App B Moffatt- Riding mount out to the finish- AR131(b)- Reprimand
Race 5- Jockey M Savva- Careless riding- AR131(a)- Severe reprimand

Suspensions
Race 1- Jockey M Murphy- Careless riding- AR131(a)- 10days; 8 December – 17 December 2024 (inclusive)
Race 5- App D Bennett- Use of whip prior to 100m- AR132(7)(a)(ii)- 7days; 8 December – 14 December 2024 (inclusive)
Race 7- Jockey W O’Connell- Use of whip prior to 100m- AR132(7)(a)(ii)- 7days; 15 December – 21 December (inclusive)
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race.
DECRYPT, TRY EVERYTHING, ANARCHY, ELECTRIC ARROW, ZOUWALER, APFEL
 
Horses swabbed post-race.
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 3- MICRO- Pre-Race manners- Warning
Race 7- QUEEN OF THE SKIES- Poor performance- Veterinary clearance prior to Barrier Trial
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 4- ELEANOR NANCY was ridden by App E Molloy
 
 
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.