QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
 
YEPPOON RACE CLUB INC
 
4 NOVEMBER 2023
 
WEATHER – Fine            TRACK RATING – GOOD 3                  RAIL – True
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – H. Gillett
Stewards – S. Larkins, G. Meek, G. Wust
Clerk of Scales – Stewards
Judge – S. Bryant
Veterinarian – Dr P. McCosker
Starter – B. Burnell
 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
Springsure 16 September 2023
Stewards concluded an inquiry into the circumstances where a naso-gastric tube was located in the horse truck supplied by trainer Craig Smith for horses trained by himself and Cheryl Rogers to be transported to the race meeting.
After considering evidence from stable hands Stuart Rogers, Arthur Barwick and trainer Craig Smith, Mr Smith pleaded guilty to a charge under AR227(a) for negligence.
AR 227 Breaches of the Rules
Without limiting any other powers, a PRA or the Stewards may penalise any person who:
(a) commits any breach of the Rules, or engages in conduct or negligence which has led or could have led to a breach of the Rules;
 
The specifics of the charge being, as a licensed trainer, he provided a truck owned by him to stable hand Stuart Rogers to transport horses to the race meeting at Springsure and upon inspection of that truck he had negligently left a naso-gastric tube in the vehicle, and that implement being present could have led to a breach of AR251 which reads;
AR 251 Possession of a prohibited substance/equipment at race meeting
(1) A person must not, without the written permission of the Stewards, have in his or her possession:
(a) on a racecourse where a race meeting is being conducted; or
(b) in any motor vehicle, horse float or other mode of transport used for the purpose of transporting a horse/s to and/or from a race meeting, any prohibited substance, or a syringe, needle, naso-gastric tube or other instrument that could be used:
i                 (i) to administer a prohibited substance to a horse; or
ii                (ii) to produce a prohibited substance in a horse.
 
When assessing penalty stewards took into account that they were satisfied that stable hands Stuart Rogers and Arthur Barwick had no knowledge of the naso-gastric tube being present in the truck used by them.
Mr Smith’s forthright evidence, acceptance of errantly leaving the tube in the truck and immediate co-operation during the inquiry. His long-time involvement in the industry of 35 years without a breach of this nature in the past. Stewards were also satisfied that the race day inspection of the truck and race day gear bags failed to reveal any other instruments, utensils or products that would be associated with the practice of intubating horses. Stewards were also satisfied that the tube had not been used in recent times due to the significant amount of dried and built up dust, dirt and debris located on the inside of the tube.
Stewards considered prior penalties issued under similar circumstances and accordingly imposed a fine of $500.
 
 
GENERAL
Apprentice L O’Donnell was fined $300 under AR143(14)(a) for failing to be able to claim her  full allowance in race two on KEENZAP. Ms O’Donnell was replaced by apprentice B Moffatt.
 
 
Race 1: LION NATHAN QTIS Maiden Plate 1000m
 
AGNES WATERS – Slow to begin. Raced wide early.
 
COBBO – Jumped out at the start.
 
KALPOWAR KING – Slow to begin.
 
LERTCON – Over raced and raced wide in the early stages. Raced greenly throughout.
 
LET’S GO THEN – Bumped at the start. Raced wide early.
 
REAL QUEEN – Beagan awkwardly bumping with REBEL’S DAUGHTER. Lay inwards under pressure in the home straight.
 
REBEL’S DAUGHTER – Bumped at the start. Slow into stride. Lay inwards under pressure in the home straight.
 
SISTER MARGUERITE – Near the 250m shifted inwards to avoid the heels of LET’S GO THEN.
SPICCATO – Began awkwardly bumping with LET’S GO THEN. Trainer K Smyth explained that on face value the mare was disappointing. The trainer added that SPICCATO had two trials leading into the race, so he felt fitness was not a concern. App O Kendal advised that she felt the mare may be better suited over longer distances. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Apprentice O Kendal was reprimanded under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for applying the whip to her mount on 6 occasions prior to the 100m, 1 more than permitted.
 
 
Race 2: STAR LIQUOR YEPPOON BENCHMARK 65 Handicap 1000m
 
YULONG SOVEREIGN – Jumped inwards at the start bumping with SINGLE HONOR which in turn shifted in crowding TERRIUS. Near the 750m got its head in the air and shifted in when being crossed by KEENZAP resulting in SINGLE HONOR being tightened and checked. Inclined to lay in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
SINGLE HONOR – Bumped at the start. Tightened and checked near the 750m. Improved onto heels near the 450m and had to be restrained.
 
BEPPE – Slow to begin.
 
KEENZAP – Jumped inwards at the start.
 
TERRIUS – Crowded at the start. Slow into stride.
 
 
Race 3: REGALS DENTAL BENCHMARK 55 Handicap 1200m
 
The start was delayed when a gear adjustment was required to the saddle on TOY BLAZE.
 
CRAIG AND HOFF – Raced wide early. Laid in under pressure throughout the home straight.
 
GLOWSTICKS – Began awkwardly.
 
GIDGET – Began awkwardly.
 
TOM ROCKS – Raced wide early. Tightened momentarily near the 750m and shifted out across the heels of CRAIG AND HOFF.
 
TOY BLAZE – Trainer L Petersen was fined $200 under AR206(2) for failing to saddle her runner correctly which resulted in the mare being re-saddled at the barriers and a delay to the start of the race.
 
PARA PARK CHANCE – Raced wide early. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
IMAGINE THAT – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
Following the running of this race some jockeys expressed concern regarding a section of the track between the 800m and 600m where there was significant chop out. Stewards and a delegation of senior riders inspected the section of the track and it was determined that remedial work would be carried out and all race start times were put back one race with race five re-scheduled to 4.45pm.
 
Race 4: G.J. GARDNER YEPPOON CUP / COUNTRY CUPS CHALLENGE QUALIFIER OPEN Handicap 1400m
 
 
ART BY CONCORDE – Raced keen in the early stages. Raced wide throughout. Laid inward under pressure in the home straight. App L O’Donnell reported she struck her right knee on the barrier partition upon jumping and was subsequently cleared by QAS of any significant injury.
 
WREN’S DAY (USA) – Slow to begin. Raced wide throughout. Laid inwards under in the home straight.

MOST IMPRESSIVE (NZ) – Began awkwardly. When questioned trainer G Bell advised that the fast tempo of today’s event did not suit the mare and made it difficult to make ground.

TORBRECK – Raced keen in the early stages.
 
TRICKY BEANS – Was held up for clear racing room until near the 150m and was then shifted wider to improve.
 
NATIVE BEE – Trailed the field in the early and middle stages.
 
 
Race 5: HUNTLYS HEAVY EQUIPMENT Class B Handicap 1400m
 
SMIKO – Raced wide early. Hung in under pressure in the early part of the home straight. Bumped with SOFTEN IT UP near the 150m. Bumped heavily near the 150m when ARBAT shifted out and was checked for some distance. Apprentice M Apel pleaded guilty to a charge under AR131(a) for careless riding in that she permitted ARBAT to shift out causing SMIKO to be checked and lose ground. The license to ride in races of Miss Apel was suspended for 9 days to commence midnight the 7th November 2023 and conclude at midnight 16th November 2023.
 
ARBAT – Began awkwardly and was slow to begin. Rider dropped her whip near 200m. Laid inwards under pressure in the early stages of the home straight then shifted out noticeably approaching the 150m bumping with SMIKO which as a result was checked and lost ground.
 
ADAM’S APPLE – Over raced in the early stages. Shifted wider entering the home straight.
 
TELMESOMETHIN’GIRL – Raced wide early.
 
BODY AND SOUL – Apprentice T Noble was reprimanded under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for applying the whip to her mount on 6 occasions prior to the 100m, 1 more than permitted.
 
SOFTEN IT UP – Raced wide early. Shifted in under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 1 App O Kendal – AR132(7)(a)(ii) use of the whip on 6 occasions prior to the 100m, 1 more than permitted.
Race 5 App T Noble - AR132(7)(a)(ii) use of the whip on 6 occasions prior to the 100m, 1 more than permitted.
 
Fines
Race 2 App L O’Donnell – AR143(14)(a) fined $300 - failure to claim her full allowance.
Race 3 Trainer L Petersen – AR206(2) fined $200 – failed to saddle her runner correctly.                    
Suspensions
Race 5 App M Apel – AR131(a) careless riding – 9 days m/n 7/11/23 to m/n 16/11/23

 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race.
ART BY CONCORDE, TRICKY BEANS.
Horses swabbed post-race.
All winners
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 2 – KEENZAP – Brodie Moffatt
 
 
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.