QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOOWOOMBA TURF CLUB
 
SATURDAY 14TH DECEMBER 2024
 
WEATHER – Overcast/Showers          TRACK RATING –          Race 1 Soft 5; Race 2 Soft 6; Race 3-6 Soft 7          RAIL – Out 3metres 800m-400m; Out 5metres the remainder
 
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – C Warren
Stewards – J Childs, C Taylor & D MacDonald
 
 
Race 1: EMPIRE OF JAPAN - STANDING @ HOPETOUN FARM BENCHMARK 62 HANDICAP  1300m
 
PRIVATE BANKER- Began awkwardly. After being caught wide was permitted to stride forward from the 1200m and settled in a position outside the leader near the 900m. Laid in near the 500m and rounding the home turn.
 
SPOKE TO RAJIV (NZ)- Momentarily crowded before becoming awkwardly placed on heels soon after the start.
 
COMMAND APPROVED- Began awkwardly.
 
FIERY RING- Over-raced when being restrained near the 900m in an effort to obtain a position with cover. Lost a near-fore plate un running.
 
MISS MOZAMBIQUE- Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

 
Following the running of this event, the racing surface was downgraded to a Soft 6.
 
 
Race 2: TRAKIDA CLASS 2 PLATE  1200m
 
END ASSEMBLY- App R Thorburn advised that, in his opinion the gelding did not appreciate the softer track conditions.
 
MACHINE HEAD- Shifted wider from the 800m, taking RED DEFCON wider.
 
SOUTH SEA- As the gelding had undergone a tie-back procedure since last racing public announcement was made to that effect on social media and by way of on-course address. Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after slipping over in the area of the race day tie-ups and was subsequently declared a late scratching at 5:15pm. Trainer S Kirkwood was advised the gelding would require a veterinary certificate of fitness prior to again being permitted to start in a race.
 
RED DEFCON- Taken wider by another runner leaving the 800m and raced wide from that point.
 
 
Following the running of this event, the racing surface was downgraded to a Soft 7.
 
 
Race 3: OPTILINX BM65 HANDICAP  1625m
 
GRINZINGER KNIGHT- Stewards acceded to a request from Trainer H Richardson for the gelding to be scratched due to the prevailing track conditions after showers immediately prior to the commencement of the meeting, with the gelding being declared a late scratching at 4:23pm. Mr Richardson was advised that the gelding would now be restricted to racing on tracks rated Soft 5 or better.
 
POWERFUL EAGLE- Connections advised it would be the intention to have the gelding ridden more conservatively than in its most recent starts, should circumstances permit. After beginning well from the inside barrier raced keenly when being restrained in an effort to obtain cover, was unable to do so and raced in a leading position throughout.
 
ARCHER'S GAME- Buffeted on jumping and was obliged to steady soon after. Bumped near the 1500m. Raced wide from the 1300m after being taken wider by another runner. Laid in on entering the home straight and under pressure down the running.
 
PACKAGE- Raced keenly on heels near the 1300m, shifted wider and bumped. Continued to race keenly down the back straight. Laid in under pressure down the running.
 
COBURG- Began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped. Under pressure from the 600m and commenced to lose ground abruptly from the 500m. Finished significantly tailed off. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow post-race recovery. Trainer K Kemp advised on 15 December that the gelding had pulled up well following the event, however the intention would now be to consider the immediate racing future of the gelding with a mind to retirement. Mr Kemp was advised that, given the poor performance, the gelding would require a veterinary certificate of fitness prior to trialling satisfactorily being again being permitted to start in a race.
 
VISUAL ELEMENT- Began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped. Bumped near the 1500m when racing keenly. Raced keenly in the back straight, improving onto heels near the 800m having to be steadied. Obliged to steady and shift in and away from a tiring runner approaching the 400m. Held up for clear running on entering the home straight before shifting wider passing the 200m. Jockey L Tilley advised that, in his opinion, the mare may not have appreciated the softer track conditions. Trainer L Hatch advised that, in his opinion, the mare is best suited to events over further distances.
 
UNIQUE ELLE- As App S Willis was unavailable due to transport difficulties, App C Baker was substituted as rider of the mare. Began very awkwardly. Over-raced from the 1400m until the 1100m. Raced keenly again near the 800m before racing keenly on heels near the 600m.
 
 
Race 4: TORUS NETWORKS MAIDEN PLATE  1200m
 
ENCLASSIC- After being slow into stride became awkwardly placed on heels having to be shifted in soon after.
 
LUDIK- Crowded and bumped soon after the start. Laid in passing the 400m. Laid in and bumped the inside running rail near the 300m, before continuing to lay in under pressure down the running.
 
SHAKE'N'BAKE- Bumped soon after the start. Raced keenly on heels and bumped near the 700m and again near the 500m. Laid out under pressure from the 100m, having to be corrected and shifted in away from heels near the 50m.
 
THIRTY ODD FOOT- Laid in during the early stages and under pressure down the running.
 
THREE TEES- Began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped. Bumped near the 800m. Laid out and bumped near the 700m. Laid in and away from another runner leaving the 200m, having to be corrected by its rider. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
 
GIDDAY GIDDAY- Held up for clear running from leaving the 500m until being shifted wider near the 350m.
 
ROIGARD- Began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Bumped approaching the 150m.
 
NOBLE VALOUR- Bumped and taken in on jumping. Laid in during the early stages of the home straight having to be steadied and shifted out across heels to obtain clear running, before laying in and away from another runner leaving the 200m and bumping.
 
ALFA DUNDEE- Bumped near the 800m and again near the 700m. Laid in leaving the 200m. Raced wide for the majority.
 
 
Race 5: THANK YOU ROBBIE LANAGAN MAIDEN HANDICAP  870m
 
HER EX- Trainer B Mair was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding after proving reluctant to load into the barrier. Obliged to steady from heels approaching the 800m.
 
JUNGLE JUICE- Delayed the start when needing to be re-saddled after packing shifted in the mounting yard.
 
DATA LEAK- Jockey M Savva pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding in that approaching the 800m she did permit her mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of TINKERBELLA, dictating that runners line in onto the running of TOSSIT which was obliged to steady and shifted in abruptly across the running of HER EX which was obliged to steady from heels. Jockey Savva’s license to ride in races was subsequently suspended for a period of 10days to commence 22 December up to and including 31 December 2024. In considering the matter Stewards noted Jockey Savva’s guilty plea, her record in relation to the rule, the severity of interference and degree of carelessness. Stewards also noted the racing manners of TOSSIT in the incident, however, were of the view that any inward shift from that runner would have placed it in the line of running of HER EX and Stewards were of the view that filly had been obliged to shift in away from heels as a result of the shift from DATE LEAK. Jockey Savva was advised of her right to an appeal. Laid in when not fully clear of TOSSIT leaving the 400m, Jockey Savva was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding as a result of this incident.
 
MISS DRAMATIC- Declared a late scratching at 7:47pm after refusing to load into the barrier and further delaying the start. Prior to the declaration of correct weight all monies invested on the mare were ordered to be refunded with the following deductions applicable to all successful wagers placed prior to 7:47pm:
 
0cents in the dollar for the win
1cent in the dollar for the place on the winner
3cents in the dollar for 2nd place
2cents in the dollar for 3rd place
 
Trainer L Barnes was advised the mare would require a further barrier certificate prior to again being permitted to start in a race.
 
 
PETITE PIERA- Bumped near the 600m.
 
TINKERBELLA- Taken in by another runner approaching the 800m.
 
TOSSIT- Obliged to steady and shifted in abruptly away from heels approaching the 800m. Laid in and bumped near the 600m.
 
MUSCATO CATH- Shifted out abruptly on jumping and lost considerable ground, as such took no real competitive part in the event. Trainer J Sims was advised the mare would be required to trial satisfactorily prior to again being permitted to start in a race.
 
 
Race 6: ASHLEIGH ELIZABETH MEMORIAL DASH BENCHMARK 62 HANDICAP  870m
 
MAMARAGAN- Momentarily steadied from heels and shifted in near the 700m.
 
FLANK SPEED- Began awkwardly. Momentarily crowded near the 700m. Hung out from the 700m until the early stages of the home straight. Trainer P Wallace was advised a warning would be placed on the mare as a result.

SNEAKY SHARK- Began awkwardly. Raced wide for the majority.
 
SHOWS A SIGN- Shifted in near the 700m and momentarily crowded runners to the inside. Jockey L Tilley was advised to exercise greater care when shifting ground in similar circumstances.
 
ALBION SQUARE (GB)- Dipped on jumping. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight before shifting in and bumping before again bumping when improving into a narrow run near the 150m.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 5- Jockey M Savva- Careless riding- AR131(a)- Reprimand
Race 6- Jockey L Tilley- Careless riding- AR131(a)- Reprimand

Suspensions
Race 5- Jockey M Savva- Careless riding- AR131(a)- 10days; 22 December – 31 December 2024 (inclusive)
 
Absent jockeys
App S Willis- Transport difficulties
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race.
PIA MIA, ARCHER’S GAME, DATA LEAK, TOSSIT, FLANK SPEED
 
Horses swabbed post-race.
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 2- SOUTH SEA- Injured tie-ups stalls- Veterinary clearance
Race 3- COBURG- Poor Performance- Veterinary clearance prior to Barrier trial
              GRINZINGER KNIGHT- Restricted to Soft 5 tracks and better
Race 5- HER EX- Difficult to load- Warning
              MISS DRAMATIC- Refused to load- Barrier Certificate
              MUSCATO CATH- Racing manners- Barrier trial
Race 6- FLANK SPEED- Hung out- Warning
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 3- UNIQUE ELLE was ridden by App C Baker
 
Late scratchings
Race 2- SOUTH SEA- 5:15pm
Race 3- GRINZINGER KNIGHT- 4:23pm
Race 5- MISS DRAMATIC- 7:47pm
 
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.