SEVEN DAYS (A WEEKLY REVIEW - STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACTS & COMMENTARY - QUEENSLAND (JUNE 1 – JUNE 7)
By Graham Potter | Tuesday, June 7, 2016
IS THIS BECOMING A NEW PROBLEM AREA?
Doomben, June 1 - Race 7
On the back of the excessive three-way speed battle that unfolded at the head of affairs in the Doomben 10,000 the Saturday before, stewards again had cause to actively quiz jockeys concerning a fast race tempo in the first Metropolitan meeting following the 10,000.
There has been a series of excessive speed examples in recent times where jockeys in the spotlight have (sometimes) used the excuse that they were unable to restrain their horse.
While you can understand how that could be true, you would also be forgiven for thinking that would be somewhat of a rarity these days, particularly when a horse is in the hands of a senior jockey.
If it happened often enough to apprentices they would be sent back to the riding academy for a refresher course!
Either way, you would certainly not expect it to be a common occurrence and hopefully we are not in the process of creating a new ‘problem’ area.
Here, stewards questioned jockey Michael Cahill, ‘regarding the riding tactics he adopted on KHALEEQ, particularly in the early and middle stages where he led with SKYLIMIT to his outside, which resulted in a fast tempo.
'Cahill explained that he had no specific instructions although KHALEEQ’S normal racing pattern is to lead. Cahill further added that approaching the 800m when SKYLIMIT improved to his outside he attempted to restrain KHALEEQ to allow SKYLIMIT to cross, however KHALEEQ commenced to over-race and improved to the inside of SKYLIMIT.
'Stewards noted jockey M. Cahill’s explanation.
'Jockey Tegan Harrison was questioned regarding her riding tactics she adopted on SKYLIMIT when racing to the outside of KHALEEQ passing the 900m and applied pressure to that runner until crossing to the lead near the 600m.
'Harrison explained that SKY LIMIT began well and approaching the first turn when it became apparent she would be unable to cross KHALEEQ, she was reluctant to overly restrain SKYLIMIT as it has previously had a breathing operation and she felt that this would be detrimental to the horse’s chances.
'Stewards advised jockey T. Harrison that, in their opinion, she should have made greater effort to restrain her mount and race to the outside of KHALEEQ to give her mount the opportunity to relax and finish the race off.
'Stewards did not feel her riding was culpable under the Rules of Racing and as a result took no further action.'
*SKYLIMIT, who looked the likely winner, was run down late but claimed second spot, 1.30 lengths behind the fast finishing MY COUSIN BOSSY. KHALEEQ finished unplaced, 3.90 lengths behind the winner.
Rockhampton, June 2 - Race 4
Different track. Different participant. Same story.
'When questioned regarding the tactics adopted on the filly, THE GIRLS IN PARIS. ‘Trainer Jim Rundle explained that the instructions given today were the same as at its most recent starts, that is to place the horse under pressure for first 200 metres and attempt to go forward and obtain cover.
'Apprentice N. Summers confirmed that those were her instructions; however in an attempt to comply, her mount commenced to over-race and refused to settle. She added that she was mindful that when restrained, the horse raced ungenerously and had not anticipated leading by the margin in which she did.’
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FUN AND GAMES AT EIDSVOLD
Eidsvold, June 4 - Races 1 and 2
‘Stewards permitted rider J King to ride the Mister Looseel 1.5kgs over its allocated weight when no other rider was available. J King was fined $100.
'Jumped away awkwardly resulting in the left foot of rider J King making heavy contact with outside barrier partition which placed him at a disadvantage for the remainder of the event.
'Following the event J King was examined by QAS staff and transported to Eidsvold hospital for further treatment.
’
‘After being loaded in the barriers MEDIA SAVVY reared up, became cast then after breaking away from barrier staff jumped an outside rail and was eventually restrained in the stabling area.
'A post-race vet examination failed to reveal any abnormality.'
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SHORTAGE OF JOCKEYS AT BOWEN/
Sad case for trainers and owners trying to do their bit to keep racing alive in their area.
Late scratchings as pre the stewards report:
‘Race 2: DIAMONDNET at 8.20am no rider available.
Race 2: BIRTHDAY WISHES at 8.20am no rider available.
Race 2: LA DIOSA at 8.20am no rider available.
Race 5: LOGAN’S RUN at 10.50am on veterinary advice.
Race 5: WINDSOR GOLD at 8.20am no rider available.
Race 5: UNDIAMO at 8.20am no rider available.’
On the day that represented an 11 per cent scratching rate due to lack of riders.
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THE BUMP AND GRIND AT ATHERTON
Atherton, June 4 – race 2:
In a nine horse field the only runner not to get a mention in the steward’s report was the winner Centerhalf Forward, who saluted at a starting price of $13.
‘VENCEREMOS – Began awkwardly after Jockey S Wiseman caught her leg on barrier upright and was subsequently placed at a disadvantage for the entirety of the event. AUSSIE JEWEL – Bumped soon after jumping. Was tiring approaching the winning post when inconvenienced by another runner which was inclined to shift in under pressure. WICKED THOUGHTS – Bumped by another runner soon after jumping. HONEST FRIEND – Bumped with another runner after beginning awkwardly. Shifted in under pressure approaching the winning post inconveniencing a tiring runner. GIVE ME TIME – Was bumped by another runner on jumping. FRENCHENKA – Was buffeted between runners when racing in restricted room near the 700 metres. DAZZLING LADY – Bumped with another runner near the 700 metres. SILVER STAR – Became unbalanced after bumping with another runner near the 700 metres.’
Twenty one out of the thirty five runners spread over the five races were reported to have either been bumped or inconvenienced in the runner ... a quite troubling statistic given that the biggest field numbered only nine horses!
The constant reference to ‘another runner’ is an on-going problem with steward’s reports in Queensland. If they choose to note that a horse was bumped by ‘another runner’, why they do not identify that horse in the same description is an astounding oversight and amounts to as a disservice to punters.
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PROTESTS
A WHIP RULE PROTEST IN ROCKY
Rockhampton June 2 - Race 7
'Prior to the declaration of correct weight after race 7, ‘jockey A. Coome, the rider of CHANGING NOTES, viewed the official video films, and after doing so lodged an objection against TREMONT (Apprentice Q. Krogh) being declared the winner in that Apprentice Krogh had used his whip excessively prior to the 100 metres.
‘'After taking evidence from the parties, stewards established that Jockey A. Coome had used his whip on one more occasion than is permitted by the rule and that Apprentice Q. Krogh had used his whip on 4 more occasions than is permitted by the rule.
'Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that the use of the whip in excess of what is permitted had affected the placings, given the margin of a long neck. Therefore, the protest was dismissed and the placings ordered to stand.
‘Jockey A. Coome was reprimanded and Apprentice Q. Krogh was fined $200 under A.R. 137A for use of the whip more than permissible. In assessing penalties stewards took into account the unblemished record of both riders.’
IPSWICH PROTEST UPHELD
Ipswich, June 3 - Race 2
After viewing the stewards' patrol footage following race 2, J. Lloyd, the rider of LOFN, placed 3rd by the Judge, lodged an objection against NO MORE MISTAKES being declared 2nd, alleging interference over the concluding stages.
'After taking evidence from all parties and viewing the videos, it was established that NO MORE MISTAKES shifted in under pressure over the final 50m when not clear of LOFN, impeding that runner, which in turn shifted in making heavy contact with RELAMPAGO (the winner).
'As a result, stewards upheld the objection and declared correct weight on the amended placings. At a subsequent inquiry apprentice L. Attard, the rider of NO MORE MISTAKES, was severely reprimanded.’
DOUBLE PROTEST DISMISSED
Sunshine Coast, June 5- Race 6
'On return to scale following race 6 a protest was lodged by jockey N. Tomizawa, rider of the 4th placegetter, MATTY’S GIRL, against ST REMY being declared 3rd and IN THE KITTY being declared 2nd, alleging interference rounding the home turn.
'After taking evidence from the parties concerned and after viewing the stewards’ patrol videos, stewards established that both MAGICAL PRINT and MADDY’S GIRL were both placed in restricted room and had to be steadied between IN THE KITTY and ST REMY, which after having shifted out to secure clear running was taken slightly wider by AUDELLA (S. Eilbeck).
'Stewards were satisfied therefore that IN THE KITTY which had been placed 2nd had not had a bearing on the incident and that any shift from ST REMY had been influenced by AUDELLA shifting ground.
'Furthermore, stewards could not be satisfied that the interference suffered was sufficient to affect the placings and therefore dismissed both objections.
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SUSPENSIONS
From Doomben (June 1): Jockey Matthew McGuren was suspended from riding in races for a period of 9 days, to commence at midnight, 8 June and to expire at midnight, 17 June.
From Eidsvold (June 4): The riding licence of N Summers was suspended for a period of 9 days to commence midnight 11th June up to and including midnight 20th June 2016.
From Sunshine Coast (June 5): Jockey Michael Hellyer was suspended from riding in races for a period covered by 9 days, to commence at midnight, 12 June and to expire at midnight, 21 June.
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INTO THE WHIP RULE COLLECTION BOX
$1400 was paid in fines for the week by jockeys for various breeches of the whip rule.
From Doomben, June 1 - Race 1.
Jockey Michael Cahill – Use whip 7 times prior to 100m - $200 - AR137A*
From Rockhampton, June 2 – Race 7.
Apprentice Q. Krogh $200 use of whip 4 times more than permitted.
From Gladstone, June 3 – Race 3.
Jockey D. Evans $400 - use of whip (A.R. 137A) 2 occasions more than is permissible under the rule, 3 of which were in consecutive strides.
From Atherton, June 4:
Jockey J Lambie the sum of $100.00 under the provisions of AR137A for using the whip on 7 occasions prior to the 100 metres – Race 1.
Jockey S Kaya the sum of $200.00 under the provisions of AR137A for using the whip on 9 occasions prior to the 100 metres – Race 2.
Jockey K Stone the sum of $100.00 under the provisions of AR137A for using the whip on 6 occasions prior to the 100 metres – Race 2.
From Toowoomba, June 4. – Race 4.
Jockey N. Tomizawa - $200 – used whip 7 times and in consecutive strides prior to 100m – AR.137A(5)(a)(i) and (i1)
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