STEWARDS REPORT Clarence River Jockey Club GRAFTON RACECOURSE Monday 20 February 2017 Weather: Fine Track: Soft (6); Soft (5) retrospective of race 4 Rail: True STEWARDS: B J Kliese (Chairman), M A Holloway & F R Worrad RIDING CHANGES: As R McMahon was unavailable, due to transport difficulties, stewards permitted the following rider changes- Race 2 Race 4 Race 5 Race 7 Race 8 Race 9 M Palmer (Dream Starlet) R Murray (Our Blevic) J Taylor (Lolafrompensacola) B Looker (Duchilli) J Taylor (Cool Water) R Murray (Cent to be Good) RACE 1: Castle Heights (NZ) 2YO Handicap 1000m: Hebrides Maneuver Raced wideout cover throughout the early and middle stages. Passing the 75m shifted in abruptly under pressure. A post race veterinary examination of the filly revealed it to be suffering from shin soreness. Trainer Mr G Drury was advised that a veterinary clearance must be provided prior to filly s next start. Howick Passing the 75m was eased for a stride when momentarily inconvenienced by Hebrides Maneuver. Landsdowne Lass Approaching and passing the 800m was inclined to overrace after being ridden forward with vigour. Nayvadius Slow to begin and blundered shortly after. Approaching and passing the 500m was inclined to race greenly. Nickle Near the 900m when inclined to race ungenerously, became awkwardly placed close to heels, when being restrained. Valley Royal Raced greenly in the early stages. RACE 2: Twin Wing (NZ) 3YO+ Maiden Plate 1000m: Cheryl Anne Can Buffeted between runners on jumping. Near the 200m was steadied and lost ground when crowded by Sister Bertrille. 1
Fun for Me Shortly after the start was bumped on the hindquarters and became unbalanced. Miss Sminker Blundered slightly on jumping and was bumped shortly after. Rounding the home turn was inclined to lay out. Mutual Agreement Crowded at the start. Porn Star Pete A post race veterinary examination of the gelding, which was inclined to hung inwards inside the final 300m revealed no abnormalities. Sehaab Bumped shortly after the start. Sister Bertrille Began awkwardly. In the early stages raced ungenerously. Raced wide without cover throughout. Passing the 200m shifted out abruptly when weakening under pressure. A post race veterinary examination of the mare revealed it to have bled from both nostrils. Trainer Mr S Everson was advised that the mare would now incur the embargos as specified under AR53A. Smart Ali Near the 700m was eased and shifted out after improving onto heels. Approaching the home turn was held up and unable to improve for a short distance when awkwardly placed in restricted room. Valley Crossing Near the 700m was carried wider by Smart Ali. RACE 3: Warrior Within Maiden Handicap 1200m: Arloarlo Raced wide without cover throughout. Do Dar During the preliminary lost its near side hind plate and when unable to be reshod behind the barriers permission was given to allow the gelding to race bare behind, following a pre race veterinary examination. Near the 800m when inclined to race keenly was steadied when momentarily tightened for room. General Nelson Prior to the declaration of correct weight stewards considered an objection lodged by Ms R Murray, rider of 3 rd placegetter General Nelson, against Miss Marseille being declared the 2 nd placegetter of the event alleging inference near the 150m. After taking evidence from all relevant parties, and viewing the official video footage, stewards established that near the 150m General Nelson had to be checked from the heels of Miss Marseille, which shifted outwards when insufficiently clear. Stewards were not comfortably satisfied that given the beaten margin of 2.3 lengths and the proximity of the incident in relation to the winning post and further the manner in which both horses went to the line and were travelling prior to the incident occurring, that had the incident not occurred that General Nelson would have finished equal to or ahead of Miss Marseille and as such the objection was dismissed and correct weight declared. At a subsequent inquiry M Paget (Miss Marseille) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR137(a), in that he made insufficient effort to stop riding correct his mount, which was inclined to hang out. M Paget s license to ride in races was suspended for a period to commence on Saturday the 25 th of February 2017 and to expire on Saturday the 4 th of March 2017, on which day he may ride. Jewel du Rouge Was withdrawn by order of the stewards at 2.38pm after the filly refused to load. Stewards ordered that all monies placed on Jewel du Rouge be refunded in full and all successful wagers placed with bookmakers prior to 2.38pm be subject to the following deductions in the dollar on the face value of the ticket: 2
1 st ) Do Dar less 13 cents win, 9 cents place 2 nd ) Miss Marseille less 18 cents place 3 rd ) General Nelson less 13 cents place Trainer Mr M Dunn was advised that the filly would be required to compete in an official barrier trial to the satisfaction of the stewards prior to being permitted to start again. Lady of Lincoln A post race veterinary examination of the mare which was beaten 23.2L, revealed no abnormalities. Trainer Mr E Ensby was advised that a warning for being uncompetitive would be placed on the racing record of the mare. RACE 4: Shamardashing Open Handicap 1200m: Crooked Blaze When questioned in relation to not leading the event in what appeared to be a relevantly slow tempo race, rider M McGuren explained whilst he was aware there didn t appear to be a lot of speed in the event, he said after his mount began awkwardly he was reluctant to urge forward with vigour to obtain a leading position in fear his mount would either get caught wide without cover or take charge and commence to overarce, as he felt the gelding was inclined to do at its most recent start. M McGuren said he was able to obtain a position with cover just worst then midfield, in a relevantly small field, where his mount travelled comfortably throughout. M McGuren said approaching the home turn he was able to improve to position, where on straightening he was level with the eventual winner, without overtaxing his mount. M McGuren said his mount responded well when asked for an effort, however weakened slightly over the concluding stages, which he attributed to the soft track conditions and the top weight of 61kgs imposed in comparison to eventual winner, which carried 55kg. RACE 5: Mr O Ceirin (NZ) Maiden Plate 1400m: Boy in a Million Trainer Mr S Lee was $100 for failing to obtain approval for late application of the blinkers to the geldings approved race day gear (AR140B). Lolafrompensacola Began awkwardly and shifted out abruptly. In the early part of the home straight was inclined to lay in when awkwardly placed in restricted room for a short distance. Noble Ethics COT: to be ridden further forward in an attempt to settle just forward of midfield; settled back after being badly crowded on jumping. Sciolta Near the 1100m was checked and lost ground after being awkwardly placed close to heels. Shrewd n Drac Near the 50m was steadied when tightened by Silkscape, which shifted in. Silkscape When questioned regarding the performance of the gelding, Ms S Young said her mount travelled reasonably well throughout the early and middle stages, however when placed under full pressure approaching home turn the gelding commenced to weaken and from that point failed to respond to her urgings in its effort to the line. Ms S Young said on return to scale she was made aware by trainer Mrs S Grills that the gelding had its tongue over the bit and in her opinion the gelding choked down during the event. Trainer Mrs S Grills concurred with comments made by Ms S Young and advised she would experiment with the gelding s approved race day gear in an attempt to rectify the issue prior to the gelding s next start. A post race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. 3
The Skrill Passing the 1100m was steadied to avoid heels when momentarily hampered. RACE 6: Queenstown Benchmark 55 Handicap 1400m: Classroom Destiny Overraced in the middle stages. Harvard Graduate Overraced in the middle stages. Between the 700m and the 500m was inclined to hang out. Onslow In the early part of the straight was inclined to lay in and inside the final 100m laid out when being placed under pressure. Power Receiver When questioned in relation to her riding between the 650m and 500m, apprentice Ms C Dougherty said after being urge forward to establish the lead, her mount was inclined to overrace in the middles stages, before eventually settling passing the 900m. Apprentice Ms C Dougherty said approaching the 650m when head and head with Classroom Destiny, in fear she was travelling at too strong of a tempo she attempted to restrain her mount for some distance, before asking the gelding to then improve passing the 500m. Further apprentice Ms C Dougherty explained she was also mindful of her instructions to not place her mount under pressure to early in its run to the line and for this reason restrained her mount as to afford it the opportunity to sustain a finishing effort. Apprentice Ms C Dougherty was advised that she had erred in attempting to restrain her mount between the 650m and the 500m, when it was unreasonable to expect her mount to respond strongly, when fitful in her riding and under the heavy weight imposed. Given the beaten margin and manner in which the gelding responded to the line no further action was taken. Radiologists Crowded shortly after the start. RACE 7: Bonfire (GB) Class 3 Handicap 1100m: Dance Chelle Slow to begin. Prior to the declaration of correct weight stewards considered an objection lodged by P Graham, rider of 8 th placegetter Dance Chelle, against Quelle Liaison being declared the 3 rd placegetter of the event alleging inference inside the final 350m. After taking evidence from all relevant parties, and viewing the official video footage, stewards established that shortly after straightening Dance Chelle shifted outwards to establish a run making contact with the hindquarter of Quelle Liaison, resulting in that runner becoming slightly unbalanced. Between the 300m and the 100m Dance Chelle races in restricted room to the inside of Quelle Liaison and makes contact with the hindquarters of that runner, which is inclined to lay in, on a number of occasion. Near the 100m Dance Chelle has to be severely checked when crowded between Rothbury, which shifts out slightly and Quelle Liaison, which is bumped heavily on the hindquarters and turned inwards onto the geldings running. Stewards were not comfortably satisfied that given the beaten margin of 3.1 lengths and the proximity of the incident in relation to the winning post and further the manner in which both horses went to the line and were travelling prior to the incident occurring, that had the incident not occurred that Dance Chelle would have finished equal to or ahead of Quelle Liaison and as such the objection was dismissed and correct weight declared. At a subsequent inquiry stewards were not of the opinion that the level of carelessness shown by any one rider was to a point where they were of a mind to issue a charge of careless riding under AR137(a), given a number of contributing factors displayed by horse and rider and as such all riders were reminded of their obligations under the rules and asked to exercise greater care in similar circumstances. 4
Duchilli Near the 300m was hampered slightly when buffeted between runners. Rothbury Near the 300m was eased and shifted out when momentarily hampered by Duchilli, which was taken out when bumped by Queen Charlotte, which shifted out slightly. M McGuren was asked to exercise greater care in future. Sky Brook Shortly after the start was steadied when crowded by Carry On Jake, which was taken inwards by Ridges Pride (S Traecey), which shifted in when not clear. S Traecey was asked exercise greater care in future when shifting ground. Queen Charlotte Near the 300m became unbalanced after being bumped on the hindquarters. Quelle Liaison Prior to the declaration of correct weight stewards considered an objection lodged by Ms R Murray, rider of 3 rd placegetter Quelle Liaison, against Rothbury being declared the winner of the event alleging inference inside the final 200m. After taking evidence from all relevant parties, and viewing the official video footage, stewards established that near the 100m Quelle Liaison, which is inclined to lay in for some distance is severely unbalanced and turned inwards onto the running Dance Chelle, when bumped on the hindquarters by that runner, which is slightly tightened by Rothbury at the point of the incident. Further over the concluding stages Quelle Liaison becomes unbalanced when bumped by Rothbury, which is carried out slightly by Queen Charlotte, which shifted out. Stewards were not comfortably satisfied with the level of contribution attributed to the involvement of Rothbury in the incidents and given the beaten margin of 0.2 lengths and the proximity of the incidents in relation to the winning post, that had the incidents not occurred that Quelle Liaison would have finished equal to or ahead of Rothbury and as such the objection was dismissed. In addition stewards considered lodging a further objection on behalf of the 3 rd placegetter Quelle Liaison against 2 nd placegetter Queen Charlotte, in relation to the incident over the concluding stages, however given the manner in which both horses ran to the finish, prior to and following the incident and the proximity of incident in relation to the winning post, stewards could not be comfortably satisfied, that had the incident not occurred that Quelle Liaison would have finished equal to or ahead of Queen Charlotte and as such correct weight was declared. RACE 8: Rednav Class 3 Handicap 1700m: Backhouse Billy Near the 150m bumped with another runner and was slightly unbalanced. Cantillate Slow to begin. On straightening was momentarily inconvenienced when hampered by Cool Water, which shifted out away from I Too Can Dance, which shifted out slightly. Crichton Bumped on jumping. Raced ungenerously for some distance in the early stages. Dolphin Tale Began awkwardly. I Too Can Dance Raced keenly in the early stages. Near the 150m bumped with Backhouse Billy and was slightly unbalanced. Jester Dane A post race veterinary examination of the gelding, which weakened noticeably in its run to the line revealed no abnormalities. 5
Oakfield Invader Bumped on jumping. Thundering Heart Blundered on jumping. RACE 9: Join The 2017 Kensei Club Class 1 Handicap 1000m: Consolari Began awkwardly with its head up. Near the 900m was eased for a stride and made contact with Samuel James when hampered slightly by Pat Kash. Natural Connection Raced wide throughout. Pat Kash Crowded on jumping. When question regarding the performance, rider B Looker stated his mount travelled well throughout the event and approaching the home turn felt his mount was going to respond strongly in its efforts to the line, however passing the 300m when placed under full pressure, his mount failed to respond as expected and in his opinion was disappointing in its efforts to the line. A post race veterinary examination of the gelding revealed it to be displaying an elevated heart rate. Trainer Mr J Shelton explained on return to scale he was of the opinion the gelding had got its tongue over the bit and had choked down during the event. Further trainer Mr J Shelton advised he would experiment with geldings approved race day gear in endeavour to rectify the issue. Samuel James Approaching the 900m was eased after being bumped. SWABS: Swab samples were taken from all winners and the following runners: Race 2: Sehaab. SUMMARY Fines: Race 5: trainer S Lee failed to obtain approval for late gear change $100 (AR140B). Reprimands: Suspensions: Race 3: M Paget careless riding (AR137(a)) commence on 25/2/2017 and to expire on 4/3/2017. Bleeders: Race 2: Sister Bertrille both nostrils. Certificates: Race 1: Hebrides Maneuver (trainer G Drury) shin soreness. Warnings: Race 3: Lady of Lincoln (trainer E Ensby) uncompetitive. Trials: Change of Tactics: Falls/Injuries: Change of Gear: Follow-up: Retired: Race 3: Jewel du Rouge (trainer M Dunn) refused to load. Race 5: Noble Ethics COT: to be ridden further forward in an attempt to settle just forward of midfield; settled back after being badly crowded on jumping. Race 5: Boy in a Million blinkers ON. 6