SEVEN DAYS (THE WEDNESDAY REPORT): THE WEEKLY REVIEW (MARCH 5 - MARCH 11) - PART A

By Graham Potter | Wednesday, March 12, 2014

HRO's news and commentary feature - SEVEN DAYS (THE WEDNESDAY REPORT) - provides a weekly review of racing activity, both on and off the track.

A RARE FEAT RECALLED:

When Jim Byrne guided White Rain to a debut win at Beaudesert on Monday it prompted an obvious question. Prior to that result, when last did Byrne ride a winner at Beaudesert?

The question that I thought would probably give me just a single one line answer quickly expanded into a lot more than that. It never ceases to amaze me how many stories there are within a story and when I prompted Byrne on this matter it actually led to a rare feat being recalled.

“The horse’s name was Miss Secretariat,” said Byrne. “I won the Beaudesert Cup on her on the Friday and then she backed on the Saturday and won in town. She had a pretty soft win in the Cup and won by a nostril in town … and I was on her both times.

“I can’t how long ago that was. You’d have to phone Al. He’ll tell you.” (Alan Bailey was the trainer of Miss Secretariat).

That already was a story within a story, but it didn’t end there.

“She did win those two races,” Bailey confirmed, “and she Saturday before that too. She won three races in a week.

“Miss Secretariat was just a dry tracker. We ran her on the Saturday and she won pretty easy. I think it might have been at the Gold Coast. Then she went back and won the Beaudesert Cup on the Friday. Then I backed her up in town again on the Saturday where I think she won by a half-head.

“Some horses weren’t racing because at the time the tracks were that hard … you couldn’t walk on them … but she just loved the hard tracks. The harder the better!

“That must have been about fifteen years ago. At that time they used to back them up quite a lot but I personally don’t know of any other horse that won three in a week. If there are, there wouldn’t be many others that have won three in a week.

“Her feat was written about in all the papers. It was an Australian-wide story at the time so it must have been pretty unique I think.

“It was just that the races were there … they were the right distances … and the tracks were what made us run her. She was tough little thing. The only reason we ran her like that was we had been frustrated by wet tracks for a while and then we got all of these dry tracks and we thought we would just run her.

“She had a full sister called Lady Secretariat. Lady Secretariat hardly raced away from the Gold Coast. She won something like $100 000 at that time.

“I remember when they came to my stables I had a heap of nice horses. This bloke brought them to me from out in the country somewhere and when they came in I thought what did I take theses for?

“Little things they were … long tails, hair on them about an inch long and they looked like little ponies and I kept thinking what did I take them for … and yet I can still remember the two horses I had left out of the whole lot I started with were those two.

“Here I had paid all this money for all these other horses and these ones just kept going.”

“They were a great story.”

*Just as a final point of interest, Jim Byrne’s first career win was recorded at Beaudesert.

****************************************************************************************************

WHEN THE FINISHING LINE IS JUST A STONE’S THROW AWAY:

Racing is a multi-faceted industry. It is such a complex puzzle that it provokes arguments, such as which piece fits where and, to date, not surprisingly, nobody has managed to complete the puzzle to everybody’s satisfaction

Not least amongst the tasks facing racing administrators is the responsibility of keeping actual racetracks up to racing standard.

The workload asked of the track and how that relates to the often extreme, highly changeable weather conditions … or maybe just inherent management problems … makes that an awkward task at the best of times and the challenge can throw up a variety of somewhat unusual side-stories

Like the one of apprentice jockey Faith Elliot at Gympie.

Elliot was struck in the mouth by a stone thrown up in the kick-back which caused some damage to her front teeth during a race at the track on March 1.

I intrigued to learn that apparently flying stones are more than just a passing problem at Gympie.

“It happens all of the time,“ said one rider. “ I ride work there every morning. Stones … you’ve got to dodge them."

Seeing Racing Queensland’s track overseer Bill Shuck at Beaudesert yesterday I had to ask him about the Gympie situation. He immediately acknowledged the stone menace on the Gympie sand track.

“The club came to us some time ago,” said Shuck. “They had lost a lot of sand off the track with the floods. They were given money to enable them to add sand to the track … which was done.

“Racing Queensland also undertook an investigation of the track to establish what were inherent problems and what were not.

“The base has never been done properly on the track and currently it is a case of the existing rock breaking off and coming up from underneath that is an inherent cause of the problem. So you can go and pick up as many rocks as you like and they’ll just come back the next day.

“Generally that is one of the biggest issues with sand tracks … stones on the track. There are one hundred and seven clubs and I think something like fifty of them are sand.

“With regard to Gympie, we’ve put a budget together to go forward and repair the base and fix it up one hundred percent.

“The problem is the track gets used every day for training so we can’t close it down for any extended time to actually do the work. There is an opportunity to do the work in May, when the show is on at Gympie and, at this stage, that’s where we are aiming. May would be the go.”

That work would come on the back of the re-laying of a section of the track at Ipswich (which is closed for racing while that work is being completed) and before the tentatively scheduled closing of Eagle Farm for its long awaited makeover. Kilcoy is another track under pressure at the moment where their loss of previous waste water supply (and the negative impact that has had on the state of the track) has coincided with an increase in race meeting numbers.

Successful track maintenance is becoming a fine balancing act.

What can’t be argued about is that it has always been a big piece of the puzzle.

*****************************************************************************************************

NOT GOING OUT TO SMASH HEADS

“It’s not as if I’m going out to smash heads. Nothing has changed.”

That was Chief Steward Allan Reardon’s response to a question in the media as he downplayed any suggestion that his team have ramped up the intensity of their role of policing racing to any marked degree.

He shrugged off the current rush of steward’s activity as nothing more than coincidence, but there are many weather watchers who this there has been a shift in the breeze.

In the three weeks since Reardon took the hot seat, sixteen suspensions have been handed down to fifteen different jockeys and $7100.00 have been collected in fines. The suspended jockeys are almost evenly split between senior riders apprentices meaning that … as it should be … stewarding is an across the board operation.

Added to that, a growing number of matters relating to questioning trainers about a horses particular performance or asking jockeys for feedback from the saddle on certain runs have been in play. Several of these ‘inquiries’ and ‘intentions to speak to …’ matters are still pending.

Not only has the total number of recent suspensions attracted attention, but the weight of some penalties has also created some discomfort.

While defending Premiership champion and current Premiership leader Michael Cahill accepted his recent six meeting ban without any comment, even though it was his first suspension since June last year, Chris Munce (outing for his ride on Tambo’s Jewel on Saturday) was surprised by the charge and even more by the penalty. “Seven meetings with a record like that? It’s a bit harsh,” Munce is reported to have said.

The highest profile case of all has been that of Damian Browne who was ‘shell-shocked’ at receiving a six week suspension after being found guilty of a handling charge which now goes to appeal.

In an article published on HRO shortly after Reardon’s recent appointment HRO suggested that, ‘it would do no harm if Reardon were to take a step back and re-evaluate procedures and duties to see if any improvement to their vigilance and follow-up actions might be possible. In other words, he should ascertain if stewards have any leeway to lift their game?’

Whether nothing has changed, as Reardon states, or whether there has been a subtle tweaking of the system, the fact is that the profile of stewards and the job they do has undeniably been raised in recent weeks and, most importantly, that increase in profile has not been lost on the riders.

The best racing precincts in the world are those where highly competent stewards rule (in a tough and uncompromising way) and are respected by a professional set of riders who understand that a transgression of the rules will be met with a proper penalty and not a slap on the wrist.

That is a workable model that we obviously still only aspire to in Queensland, but like I said, many feel there has been a shift in the breeze and that it might now at long last be blowing in the right direction.

****************************************************************************************************

SHORTS:

The Gerans (Gary and Kylie) had a good day out at Kilcoy where they combined to bring home the stable’s first double in the form of Rapt In Rumba (a $3.60 favourite), who won the opener on debut, and Lucks In ($7) who put the cherry on the top by taking out race six. (Kilcoy March 6).

After saluting on four winners at the five race card at Gympie on March 1, apprentice Billy-Rose Derbyshire had only one ride at Kilcoy and she made it count to the absolute delight of trainer Kristin Wenck as Epona Fire gave her first winner as a trainer. (Kilcoy March 6– Race 3).

When apprentice Sairyn Fawke scored on Arctic Red he was particularly pleased with the result at it gave him a winner for his boss Pat Duff. This was only the second time Fawke had won for his ‘home’ stable. (Kilcoy March 6 – Race 4).

Sunshine Coast based trainer Michael Jacobs had a good time on the road winning with Katzenpfoetchen at Doomben on Wednesday before following up with Kiss My Brass at Kilcoy on Thursday. (Kilcoy March 6).

Brad Stewart rode three out of the first four winners (all were favourites) at Rockhampton on Friday. Not quite as high profile but as value-effective as ever was Anthony Allen who scored at the same venue on the $15 chance Emotionally Yours. (Rockhampton – March 6).

Brad Stewart was reprimanded for using his whip in a forehand manner on Helarocity on more than 5 occasions prior to the 100 metres in its win at Rockhampton. Interestingly enough, when questioned regarding his unusual whip action Jockey Stewart stated that he had used the whip on the horse's shoulder and that he was not proficient using the whip in his right hand. (Rockhampton March 7 – Race 1).

When questioned regarding his riding tactics on Lindley's Lass, Jockey A. Coome stated that he was instructed to take up a position midfield, however from the inside barrier and after beginning well, he was able to lead. Jockey Coome said that the performance was disappointing and that being forced to lead had been detrimental to the performance of the mare today. Jockey Coome added that Lindley's Lass will be better suited when ridden back in the field. (Rockhampton - March 7).

The Len Treloar trained No Problem landed his third win from seven starts on Saturday and earned huge praise from his trainer. “I’ve been in racing for a long, long time,” said Treloar,” and I’ve never seen a two-year-old so tough, so resilient and the energy levels that this horse has got … his ability to bounce back after races is incredible. It’s like he is just connected up to a power source twenty-four hours a day just rejuvenating his energy.

"We do normal track work with him. Obviously he is a fit, young horse and he doesn’t need a lot of fast work. Geoff (Goold) is there every morning to ride him slow work. He only has one gallop all week. That’s all he needs. But his quiet work is not an easy ride for Geoff because he is just bouncing out of his skin. He absolutely thrives. No, we don’t let him out in the yard. I think he would demolish the yard if he got out. He just say’s, bring it on!” (Doomben March 8 – Race 1).

Trainer Matt Kropp scored a double at Dalby on Saturday but trumped that result by adding a city win with Kiss Me Deadly ($26) to his day’s results. As is its way, racing added an ironic twist to the Kiss Me Deadly result as the horse was previous trained by Rex Lipp, who saddled the beaten favourite, Sparkling Sound, in the race. For the record, a post-race veterinary examination of Sparkling Sound revealed the mare to have a slow post-race recovery and to be striding slightly short in front (Doomben – Race 2).

At HRO we believe in-form stables are great form pointers to results. Being aware of runners from in-form stables thus rates as one of the most important factors to take into account. It often seems to over-ride some of the negative factors that figure in a horse’s formline and examples keep popping up consistently to support that claim. Saturday was no exception when Heza Bobby Dazzler ($7.50) got home for trainer Lindsay Gough. It was not only Heza Bobby Dazzler’s third win from only four starts (so the horse was certainly travelling well) but it was also Lindsay Gough’s five win from ten starts in the last month. $7.50 … pretty good odds in the circumstances. (Doomben March 8 – Race 5).

The usual movers were on the scoreboard at Doomben on Saturday). Tony Gollan 1: Matthew Dunn 1. The Trainers’ Brisbane Premiership leader board. Tony Gollan 33. Matthew Dunn 33. Gollan won with The Storeman. Dunn had Buakaw add to his tally. Defending champion Robert Heathcote remains in a lonely third place five-and-a-half winners behind the leading duo and a full eleven-and-a-half winners ahead of the fourth placed Liam Birchley. (Doomben March 8 – Races 3 & 6).

If you don’t succeed at first, just try, try and try again. Some still don’t succeed of course, but in the race of the Pat Duff trained Steel Zip perseverance did pay off when the grey took out the Open Handicap on the card in a blanket finish. As Duff put it, “I said the other day … I quoted Bert Bryant the famous racing commentator who said his luck was so bad ‘if it was raining actresses I would get Lassie.

“He’s been a lovely horse for us. I love to space his runs … and he loves that Sandgate beach. He hasn’t had a gallop since he last raced. He just loves the beach. He spends an hour there every morning. He hasn’t got the greatest of joints so we just swim him. He’ll head to the Weetwood now. I’d love to win the Weetwood on the grass. It’s been a long time since I won the last one.” (1980 – with Imacheta ridden by G Birrer). (Doomben March 8 – Race 7).

Dan Griffin took another step in his successful comeback by landing a double at the Gold Coast. Both winners were for the Gillian Heinrich stable. Griffin has now ridden four winners in thirteen rides since returning to action on February 22. (Gold Coast – March 8).

Beseech, the horse that had so much to do with the highs and lows of Nathan Schofield’s training career, gave Schofield a big lift when he outgunned the $3 favourite Quick Witted at the juicy odds of $10 at the Gold Coast. (Gold Coast March 8 – Race 6).

Good to see Scott Galloway back in the winners’ enclosure. The veteran rider produced Show A Strength on cue in the last at the Gold Coast to get up by a length from Seqsea. (Gold Coast March 8 – Race 8).

Kingtantes, whose run under the guidance of Damian Browne in his previous start was the subject of much debate, fared poorly at Toowoomba on Saturday finishing eighth of eleven runners. (Toowoomba March 8 – Race 1).

It doesn’t happen often. Ashley Butler has been handed an eight meeting suspension after being found guilty on a charge of using his whip in a forehand manner on more than 5 occasions prior to the 100m. This type of offence generally picks up a monetary penalty but in assessing penalty in this case, stewards took into account the fact that jockey Butler used his whip in the vicinity of 17 occasions, of which 10 were in consecutive strides, which stewards deem to be a major breach of this rule. Stewards furthermore took into account jockey Butler's poor record in relation to this rule. (Race 3).

The signs weren’t good when the $1.80 favourite when the David Pffeiffer trained Zodiac was beaten by 10.90 lengths at Toowoomba. Pffeiffer's stable foreman expressed his disappointment at the ride of Skye Bogenhuber as both were questioned by stewards with regard to the disappointing performance of the horse. After due deliberation, stewards could find no impropriety in the riding of jockey Bogenhuber. (Toowoomba March 8 – Race 4).

Bogenhuber didn’t leave anything else open to question. She landed a treble on the night to extend her lead at the top of the Toowoomba Jockey’s Premiership. (Toowoomba March 8).

Following the third race at Dalby, on return to scale, J. Baker the rider of fourth placed Currawee Lass, dismounted and collapsed with exhaustion. As J. Baker was unable to weigh in, Stewards under the provisions of AR142 were satisfied that CURRAWEE LASS had carried its correct weight and therefore gave correct weight on the Judges semaphored numbers. (Dalby March 8 – Race 3).

If it’s not one thing, it’s another. Prior to the running of the fourth race at Dalby stewards were contacted by the photo-finish operator whilst the runners were being loaded for this race to advise that due to an equipment malfunction, the photo finish image would not be available for this race. No surprise what happened next. The declaration of correct weight was delayed, when the connections of Statue Bro, who finished fifth, actually lodged an objection against the judges placing's on the belief that Statue Bro had run fourth. After taking evidence from trainer D. Wilson, jockey A. Badger, the judge and viewing the stewards patrol footage, stewards were satisfied with the judge's decision and therefore under the provisions of AR156 correct weight was given (Dalby March 8 – Race 4).

The Schmidt sisters continue to do their family proud. It might just have been another day at the office for the two hard-working, much travelled riders at Beaudesert but they continue to reap due rewards for their efforts and both came away with a winner from the seven race meeting. Priscilla saluted aboard Heza Lonhro for trainer Rodney Hurley while Cassandra shared in the celebration by piloting Sippin’Bundy to victory for trainer Eric Hayes in the last. (Beaudesert March 10).

More articles