A review of the meeting held at Doomben on Wednesday, February 18.
STEWARDS SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT:
Jockey M. Bennett was fined $200 for failing to produce a medical clearance to resume riding as required.
Race 1:
2yo Maiden Handicap - 1110m
1st - Sweepstaking; 2nd - Manhattan Angel; 3rd - Fragrant Star
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Gillian Heinrich: “She had a really small saddle on her. She hasn’t had one like that on before. I think that troubled her, and that was why she played up before the start. She’s not at all like that at home – she is not fractious at all - so something just disturbed her here today (on debut). She did well to turn things around and get a good result.”
Jockey Brad Stewart: “She was a little bit cantankerous going to the start. Once I got on her again and got her going she seemed to settle down a bit. She did want to get her head up a bit at one stage in the race, but she’s only having her first start, so she’ll be improving I suppose.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Sweepstaking): 3.40 out to 3.80 in to 3.60.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Fragrant Star (C. McIver) jumped away awkwardly and lost ground. Good Emperor (J. Bowditch) jumped outwards at the start, taking Dancingwithangels (D. Craven) out on to Our Charmaine (L. Cassidy). Near the 800m, Swell (E. Wilkinson) improved up on to the heels of Manhattan Angel (S. Scriven) and had to be steadied. At the same stage, Dancingwithangels (D. Craven), which commenced to race ungenerously, shifted out, hampering Our Charmaine. Passing the 700m, Sweepstaking (B. Stewart) improved up on to the heels of Sequalo Revenge (T. Pannell) and when being steadied shifted out, hampering Out Charmaine (L. Cassidy). Good Emperor (J. Bowditch), Dancingwithangels and Our Charmaine (L. Cassidy) raced wide throughout.
Race 2:
3yo & Up Maiden Plate - 1350m
1st - Local Talent; 2nd - Rogues; 3rd - Catwalk Strut
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Baldwin: “He’s actually owned by a trainer in Macau. Stephen Leung used to be Hong Kong trainer and then he went to Macau. I became friends with him over there and we’ve done business ever since. The horse hurt himself a little bit in the race at Doomben (in his second start, last August). Yeah, he pulled up lame and sore. So he had a fairly long spell then. Last start he just met one too good for him (Love’s A Challenge). He’s come back strong. I don’t know how far he will go. He is a strong horse. I tell you what he might do, he just might be one of those horses who can run a distance. If he can run a distance like that, you know, just bowl along in front, it might be interesting. At some stage we might try him over further.”
Jockey Larry Cassidy: “He is a little bit one-paced. The horse goes alright and I think he is getting better, because he’s still a little immature. I think when he gets up over ten furlongs it might suit him because he is very one-paced and there he can just role along at a nice clip.”
And the latest news on how Cassidy’s is coping with his hand injury.
“My fingers are taped today, just to give it some more support. I’m hoping it doesn’t swell up tomorrow. It’s still quite sore. If it swells up tomorrow, well I’ll think about whether I will have the week off after, because I need to get it right. Otherwise it is just going to linger. If I have the week off, I’ll ride the following Saturday. Hopefully that will be enough to get it right, because I know, with the two days, three days I’ve had off, I had it strapped the whole time and it is that much better today. Although that plan obviously depends on whether any further damage occurs today.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Local Talent): 1.30 out to 1.50.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Rumpapumpum (A. Erhart), which was slow to begin, was tightened for room shortly after the start between Sweet Magic (C. McIver) and Local Talent (L. Cassidy). Near the 600m, Bilinga Bay (B. El-Issa) shifted out to improve and in doing so forced Rumpapumpum (A. Erhart) wider on the track. Rumpapumpum was then obliged to race three wide for the remainder of the event.
Race 3:
3yo & Up Maiden Plate - 1630m
1st - Chi Chi Grande; 2nd - Sydney Or The Bush; 3rd - Manziedear
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Barry Miller: “She had a really bad pelvis injury as a two-year-old. It was a mystery how it happened. A lot of times in the stable a horse can kick out and somehow get its leg caught and hurt its pelvis. We can only guess how it happened. But it was a really bad injury. After a couple of years, we gave her a bit of work, but she got sore somewhere else. We turned her out and retired her. Then one day I was watching her run in the paddock and I phoned one of the part-owners. I said she is going beautiful in the paddock. I then galloped her with some other horses and decided it was worth giving her another go. She was unlucky when finishing second last time. Now she’s got the result here ... and she’ll win more races too, don’t worry about that. Probably give her a spell now and bring her back. She will run further. She is a beautifully bred mare.”
Jockey Andrew Spinks: “She got out at the right time, but I just had to wait probably a few strides before I could get right out. But once she got out she sprinted well. In the end it probably worked out good that we were held up just that little bit as the timing of her run was perfect. She got the measure of the other one pretty easily halfway down the straight, but then inside the last 100m she did have to dig deep as the other one threatened to come at her again. It is an enormous win when you consider she was never meant to race again. She’s probably looking for a spell again now, but she’s done really well.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Chi Chi Grande): 2.50 steady.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Jockey B. Pengelly was fined $300 for being overweight on Princess Of Monoco. R. Wiggins was substituted as the rider of that mare. Umhlanga Rocks (G. Baker) was slow to begin. Manziedear (J. Bowditch) got its head up and had to be steadied off the heels of Sydney Or The Bush (J. Taylor) rounding the first turn. Son Of Zaha (K. Banks) raced wide throughout.
Stewards questioned G. Baker in regards to his riding of Umhlanga Rocks in the home straight. G. Baker stated that he commenced to improve rounding the home turn, however shortly after was disappointed for a run between Licorice (L. Cassidy), which was weakening, and All Join Hands (N. Thomas), which shifted out. G. Baker added that subsequent to this he was held up behind All Join Hands, which shifted ground forward of him and therefore he was unable to fully test his mount. He further added that when placed under pressure in the latter stages of the straight, Umhlanga Rocks only finished the race off fairly. The explanation was noted.
Race 4:
3yo Maiden Handicap - 1200m
1st - Charter Boat; 2nd - Indy Go Gold; 3rd - Demonstrator
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Tracy Green: “I wasn’t that worried about the draw. In fact, he is probably a bit better out there. He got trapped on the fence the other day (on debut) and he over-raced really bad. So, yeah, he is probably a bit better when he has a bit of room. He was four-deep for the trip, so he has done really well. But he is a strong headed little rooster – so he’s going to get gelded now. A think he’ll end up a miler by the look of him, but he’ll go out now. Makes you feel better sending him out for a break with a win under his belt.”
Jockey Brad Pengelly: “He travelled wide from a wide barrier and he was going too keenly for me to drop back on him, so I just kept him balanced and he did the rest for me.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Charter Boat): 6.00 out to 7.00
Favourite (Demonstrator): 2.80 out to 3.80. Finished third.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Monching (C. Reith) jumped away awkwardly. Sassafras Boy (L. Cassidy), which was slow to begin, was tightened for room shortly after the start between Demonstartor (S. Scriven) and Indy Go Gold (R. Wiggins), both of which shifted ground. Shortly after the start, Monching (C. Reith) shifted in and brushed Diamond Dancer (A. Pattillo). Approaching the 800m, Monching shifted out and hampered Charter Boat. Monching raced wide in the early stages. Leaving the 200m, Monching raced in restricted room for a short distance between Lady Nike (T. Pannell) and Indy Go Gold (R. Wiggins). Regal Prince (K. Banks), Diamond Dancer and Charter Boat raced wide for the majority of the event.
Race 5:
F&M Class 3 Handicap - 1350m
1st - Taj Paru; 2nd - A little Dabl Doya; 3rd - Manaudou
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Allan Ross: “It’s all good. We’ll give her a blow now. We were going to scratch her because we weren’t totally comfortable about given her a bit of a quick back-up on heavy going, but we thought we’d give her a go on it. And the end of the day it’s all good, but that’s it for now. She’ll definitely go for a blow.
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Tai Paru): 7.00 out to 11.00
Favourite (Manaudou): 3.00 out to 3.50 in to 3.20. Finished third.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
French Move (L. Cassidy) was slow to begin. Taj Paru (B. El-Issa) laid in when placed under pressure in the straight, and approaching the 100m shifted in, inconveniencing Train Wreck (S. Seamer). A post-race veterinary examination of Smartaat, which raced wide throughout, failed to reveal an abnormality.
Race 6:
CG&E Class 3 Handicap - 1350m
1st - Aquaterra; 2nd - Telesto Warrior; 3rd - De Business
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bryan Guy: “He is going well. He was a bit unlucky the other day. They just out-sprinted him. They walked and then out-sprinted him. Today Jason (Taylor) was awake to that possibility and he got going on him and he kept finding. I think he is going to go further, you know, and I think the further he goes the better he is going to be. He handled the going well enough today. He didn’t feature the last time he was on heavy going, but I think that was because he was at the end of his tether then. It was the end of his preparation and he just didn’t put it in. We were a little bit concerned about that but he did race on a dead track the other day and he handled it quite well, so the going was only a little bit of a concern – and when you get the number one alley, it always helps.”
Jockey Jason Taylor: “He had a nice run here. The other day he just couldn’t let down as quick as some of the others. Today I got him out, wound him up and he hit the line beautifully.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Aquaterra): 3.50 out to 3.70 in to 3.00.
Favourite (De Business): 2.60 in to 2.40 out to 2.60. Finished third.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
C. Reith was examined by the club's doctor and stood down from his engagements on Diamond Pursuit and Tolart in race 8. A. Spinks and S. Scriven were substituted as the respective riders of those horses. Chaski (C. McIver) and Telesto Warrior (B. El-Issa) jumped away awkwardly. Leaving the 500m, De Business (K. Purdy) shifted out, taking Jovelon (R. Wiggins) wider on the track. Diamond Pursuit (A. Spinks) had a tendency to lay in rounding the home turn and had to be steadied away from the heels of Jovelon on several occasions in the straight. A post-race veterinary examination of Stormy Youth revealed the horse to be exhibiting an abnormal respiratory noise. Trainer B. Dodson was advised that he must provide a veterinary clearance for Stormy Youth, along with the results of an endoscopic examination prior to its next race start.
Race 7:
Class 4 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Dardan; 2nd - Hail Free; 3rd - Erembourg
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Trevor Bailey: “We got him from the boys in Melbourne. They said we should try him up here. He’s done well for the owner. I think he has won five up here now, so he has been a good little money-spinner for them. We couldn’t worry about the draw. There was nothing we could do about that. He (Scott Galloway) rode him well. He didn’t have a lot of pace at all and he got back, but Scott just let him run his own race and he came home strong.”
Jockey Scott Galloway: “He normally leads but he showed no pace today, so I just rode him quiet from the wide draw. I just had a nice chuck up three wide from about the 600m there. He was bolting from around the corner, so I was pretty confident that he had them covered.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Dardan): 3.40 in to 3.10 out to3.40.
The winner was the favourite.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Cherry Gaze (W. Clasohm) jumped away awkwardly and had to be steadied shortly after the start when tightened for room between Lord Lostock (M. Paget) and Winston (S. Scriven). Starman (C. McIver) jumped away awkwardly. Leaving the 800m, Erembourg (E. Wilkinson) improved up on to the heels of Winston and had to be steadied. Subtle Glance (R. McMahon) was held up in the early stages of the straight. Red Enzo (M. Heagney), Eternal’s Choice (C. Whiteley), Dardan (S. Galloway) and Breaking The Rules (R. Wiggins) raced three wide for the majority of the event.
Race 8:
Class 3 Handicap - 1630m
1st - Mauries Pick; 2nd - Tolart; 3rd - Drumshanbo
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Clive Sinton: “He’s going real well and Ken (Pope) rode him a treat. He rode him last time as well. We thought the horse might be ready for a spell, because he has been up a while. He has had a few short breaks in-between though, and we can’t let him have a spell when he’s getting these sort of results and while he seems to be enjoying it so much.”
Jockey Ken Pope: “I thought it would be hard to beat. I thought it was a very good effort the other day (at the Sunshine Coast). He travelled sweet all of the way, you know. One pulled out at the 600m, just in front of us, to go forward. We elected to stop and wait for it to go ... and then wait to straighten up and go ourselves. He responded like I thought he would and got the job done.”
PRICE FLUCTUATIONS:
Winner (Mauries Pick): 8.00 out to 12.00
Favourite (Tolart): 2.70 out to 3.20. Finished second.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Jockey J. Bowditch was fined $100 for being overweight on Bang On Broadway. M. Heagney was substituted as the rider of Bang On Broadway. Jockey B. El-Issa was examined by the club's doctor and stood down from his engagement on Jessie Street. M. Paget was substituted as the rider of that mare. Fly Misty (C. McIver) was slow to begin. Tolart (S. Scriven) and Showciti (S. Galloway) made contact on jumping away. Approaching the 1300m, Blickem (D. Green) improved up on to the heels of Frisco Darling (G. Baker) and had to be steadied. Showciti, which was following, had to be steadied in consequence. When the pace steadied approaching the 1100m, Mauries Pick (K. Pope) had to be restrained from the heels of Worthy Quest (A. Spinks) and shifted out, hampering Frisco Darling (G. Baker) and Blickem (D. Green). Near the 600m, Jessie Street (M. Paget) shifted out to improve and in doing so hampered Blickem (D. Green). Fly Misty (C. McIver) was held up and unable to improve rounding the home turn. Drumshambo (B. Evans) was obliged to race wide rounding the home turn. Leaving the 300m, Tolart (S. Scriven) shifted out around the heels of Jessie Street (M. Paget) to improve and in doing so made heavy contact with Blickem. Near the 200m, Mauries Pick (K. Pope) shifted in, inconveniencing Frisco Darling. K. Pope, rider of Mauries Pick, was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Approaching the finishing line, Fly Misty was forced to race in restricted room between Jessie Street and Blickem (D. Green), which shifted in under pressure.
When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Showciti, S. Galloway stated that after being slowly away, he was obliged to position the gelding in a more rearward position than he would have liked. He further stated that Showciti travelled well in the middle stages, however added that the gelding was a big-striding horse and he was unable to secure sufficient racing room to improve his momentum leaving the 600m. This, in his opinion, had a major bearing on the disappointing performance of Showciti today.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed - All winners
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
TOOWOOMBA RACING UNDER PRESSURE
Spare a thought for Toowoomba racing. By that I mean Toowoomba racing as a traditional, honourable racing community which plays a productive part in the business that is Queensland Racing.
The vote taken by Toowoomba Turf Club (TTC) members on Monday night in favour accepting the $10 million funding offer made to the club by Queensland Racing Ltd (QRL) – which includes the controversial issue of replacing the turf with a Cushion track – has decided an argument which had degenerated into an on-going, ugly mess which did the industry no favours.
For the last couple of months the Toowoomba racing community has been staggering around the ring like a punch-drunk boxer wondering from which direction the knockout punch would arrive.
After much public acrimony between those ‘for’ and ‘against’ the QRL proposal, it became clear that, in essence, no matter which side eventually won the vote, Toowoomba racing (read the TTC) was in a lose-lose situation.
Going into the vote, the TTC stood to lose the proposed funding package and be faced with a crippling financial burden, the demands of which were clearly laid out by QRL ... or, they would lose the patronage of those owners and trainers who, equally as unambiguously, had indicated that they were not only against the installation of the Cushion Track, but they would not support racing on that surface if it came into being.
The TTC members chose to accept the QRL offer. The official count was 124 votes in favour, 110 votes against.
Those against the proposal needed 51% to carry the vote. They got 47%. It is a pity that the vote, whichever way it went, ended up being so close. All Monday night’s result means is that Toowoomba racing remains a fractured community and that is going to take more than an olive branch, already extended by the TTC to licensees, to heal.
The TTC are seemingly betting on the fact that those trainers and owners who voted against the deal might find it difficult to live up to their word ... that they might reconsider their options when faced with the reality of having to change locations or limit where they will place runners.
The TTC underestimated the resolve of this group once before when failing to recognise their passion and commitment to their cause. They could be doing so again.
It is entirely understandably why 122 members voted for the proposal. QRL had said they had made an offer, not a demand. But while there was a carrot, there was also a stick.
The financial consequences of refusing the deal, as highlighted in no uncertain terms in a letter sent to TTC members by QRL prior to the vote, dictated that the TTC would be placed in dire financial straits should the vote go against the deal. For some there might have appeared to be shades of Don Corleone. It might have looked like an offer they couldn’t refuse.
The details of the carrot and the stick are repeated here as a matter of record, as it does help to put the motivation for the final decision in perspective. Both extracts repeated below are taken from the letter which QRL sent to TTC members.
The positive vote for the $10 million package brings the following into play:
“Conversion of the course proper to an all weather synthetic surface, and associated cambering and realignment. Regenerating both dams and lining with the latest dam liner. Sealed service ambulance road. Sealed horse walkways. Upgrade of existing lights to international standards. Retention of the Saturday night racing programme. Allocation of a metropolitan status meeting for the Weetwood. Racing will be suspended from 11 February 2009 - 11 July 2009.”
On the other hand, should a negative vote have been cast the following would have applied:
“QRL will proceed to recoup the costs already expended on the project, including the removal of the cushion track stockpile. QRL will require the TTC to upgrade the course proper to a suitable standard, at the Clubs expense. QRL will not allow racing at Toowoomba on a sub-standard track, including feature races.QRL will require TTC to upgrade the lights to an acceptable standard, estimated at $1 million at the Club’s expense. The funding for the lighting and cushion track will be offered to another club, and the ongoing allocation of future race dates will be considered, depending on the condition of the track.”
The decision would have been a ‘no brainer’ had the financial package not called for the installation of a Cushion Track to replace the turf surface. ‘To replace the turf surface’ was the point of contention. When no alternative to having both the turf and Cushion tracks available could be negotiated, the standoff took a seriously negative turn.
It is equally entirely understandable why 110 members voted against the proposal. Their concerns about the quality of the Cushion Track, with regard to it being able to provide a true and safe racing surface, were made quite clear to anyone who would listen.
The objections were roundly dismissed by QRL and any idea of searching for common ground became a non-event. The split in feeling and objectives reached a point of no return, leading to this group calling Monday’s Special General Meeting where they exercised their right to vote on the issue.
Synthetic racing surfaces remain a controversial entity throughout the world and to dismiss criticism of them as being based in ignorance is like the blind leading the blind.
Synthetic surfaces are sure to play a part in racing in future, but the jury, worldwide - including a host of racing professionals who, individually, have more experience of synthetic surfaces than any group in Australia - is still very much out on how big that role should be.
There are few qualms about it being utilised as a training track and pretty much the same applies to it being used as a limited, alternative racing surface when weather conditions dictate that to be a beneficial alternative. It is a work in progress which has yet to be embraced by the greater racing fraternity around the world.
As such, it comes with a risk factor – made all the greater if the track is installed as a club’s main, or only, racing surface - as certain owners and trainers will prefer to run their horses on a traditional turf surface and therefore might not support meetings at the synthetic track.
Thus Toowoomba racing now finds itself in an elevated risk situation where, ironically, the future of those who won at the ballot box lies, to a large degree, in the hands of those who they defeated in the vote.
If their traditional trainers and owners turn their backs on the TTC, being flush with cash and having new facilities might be a position bought at too great a cost. But then, as previously mentioned, events of the last nine months had painted the TTC into a corner, into that no-win situation.
This position of the TTC is made even more critical by the fact that Clifford Park will now be closed for racing until mid-July. (This closure was programmed irrespective of the outcome of the vote).
During this time, owners, trainers have to find somewhere else to race their horses and many jockeys, whose primary income was earned at the Toowoomba track, will have to look elsewhere for an income. How many will return at the end of the day is in question. There will be job losses as well as a negative impact on the local economy.
Throw in the fact that, when racing does return to Clifford Park in July, the TTC will not be able to have too many hiccups if it is to retain its usual Saturday evening slot, with its international broadcasts, as the night racing banner-bearer for racing in Queensland.
The retention of the valued Saturday night racing programme has been promised to the TTC in the deal struck with QRL, so there will be no problem if the racing product produced by the TTC is of a suitable standard.
Previously there was no alternative for night racing, but the Corbould Park track at the Sunshine Coast will be fully primed to take over from Toowoomba, in a worst case scenario, should the racing product produced by the TTC fall below standard, for whatever reason.
Thirty pylons filled with high intensity floodlights are now in place at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club (SCTC) track at Coloundra. The SCTC, who owns Corbould Park in partnership with QRL, will take over the Saturday night timeslot left vacant by the TTC while work is undertaken on the installation of the Cushion Track in Toowoomba. They will set a new standard in the intervening months, one which Toowoomba will have to match.
So while the turbulence of recent months might subside for Toowoomba racing, it will only be replaced by more testing times.
There is always change and change comes for better or worse.
Hopefully in the case of Toowoomba, when the dust has settled and the bloody battlefield has been cleared, there can still be a future for the TTC which will do Queensland racing proud.
Whether there is or not, the only sure bet is that racing at Clifford Park will never be the same again.
The vote taken by Toowoomba Turf Club (TTC) members on Monday night in favour accepting the $10 million funding offer made to the club by Queensland Racing Ltd (QRL) – which includes the controversial issue of replacing the turf with a Cushion track – has decided an argument which had degenerated into an on-going, ugly mess which did the industry no favours.
For the last couple of months the Toowoomba racing community has been staggering around the ring like a punch-drunk boxer wondering from which direction the knockout punch would arrive.
After much public acrimony between those ‘for’ and ‘against’ the QRL proposal, it became clear that, in essence, no matter which side eventually won the vote, Toowoomba racing (read the TTC) was in a lose-lose situation.
Going into the vote, the TTC stood to lose the proposed funding package and be faced with a crippling financial burden, the demands of which were clearly laid out by QRL ... or, they would lose the patronage of those owners and trainers who, equally as unambiguously, had indicated that they were not only against the installation of the Cushion Track, but they would not support racing on that surface if it came into being.
The TTC members chose to accept the QRL offer. The official count was 124 votes in favour, 110 votes against.
Those against the proposal needed 51% to carry the vote. They got 47%. It is a pity that the vote, whichever way it went, ended up being so close. All Monday night’s result means is that Toowoomba racing remains a fractured community and that is going to take more than an olive branch, already extended by the TTC to licensees, to heal.
The TTC are seemingly betting on the fact that those trainers and owners who voted against the deal might find it difficult to live up to their word ... that they might reconsider their options when faced with the reality of having to change locations or limit where they will place runners.
The TTC underestimated the resolve of this group once before when failing to recognise their passion and commitment to their cause. They could be doing so again.
It is entirely understandably why 122 members voted for the proposal. QRL had said they had made an offer, not a demand. But while there was a carrot, there was also a stick.
The financial consequences of refusing the deal, as highlighted in no uncertain terms in a letter sent to TTC members by QRL prior to the vote, dictated that the TTC would be placed in dire financial straits should the vote go against the deal. For some there might have appeared to be shades of Don Corleone. It might have looked like an offer they couldn’t refuse.
The details of the carrot and the stick are repeated here as a matter of record, as it does help to put the motivation for the final decision in perspective. Both extracts repeated below are taken from the letter which QRL sent to TTC members.
The positive vote for the $10 million package brings the following into play:
“Conversion of the course proper to an all weather synthetic surface, and associated cambering and realignment. Regenerating both dams and lining with the latest dam liner. Sealed service ambulance road. Sealed horse walkways. Upgrade of existing lights to international standards. Retention of the Saturday night racing programme. Allocation of a metropolitan status meeting for the Weetwood. Racing will be suspended from 11 February 2009 - 11 July 2009.”
On the other hand, should a negative vote have been cast the following would have applied:
“QRL will proceed to recoup the costs already expended on the project, including the removal of the cushion track stockpile. QRL will require the TTC to upgrade the course proper to a suitable standard, at the Clubs expense. QRL will not allow racing at Toowoomba on a sub-standard track, including feature races.QRL will require TTC to upgrade the lights to an acceptable standard, estimated at $1 million at the Club’s expense. The funding for the lighting and cushion track will be offered to another club, and the ongoing allocation of future race dates will be considered, depending on the condition of the track.”
The decision would have been a ‘no brainer’ had the financial package not called for the installation of a Cushion Track to replace the turf surface. ‘To replace the turf surface’ was the point of contention. When no alternative to having both the turf and Cushion tracks available could be negotiated, the standoff took a seriously negative turn.
It is equally entirely understandable why 110 members voted against the proposal. Their concerns about the quality of the Cushion Track, with regard to it being able to provide a true and safe racing surface, were made quite clear to anyone who would listen.
The objections were roundly dismissed by QRL and any idea of searching for common ground became a non-event. The split in feeling and objectives reached a point of no return, leading to this group calling Monday’s Special General Meeting where they exercised their right to vote on the issue.
Synthetic racing surfaces remain a controversial entity throughout the world and to dismiss criticism of them as being based in ignorance is like the blind leading the blind.
Synthetic surfaces are sure to play a part in racing in future, but the jury, worldwide - including a host of racing professionals who, individually, have more experience of synthetic surfaces than any group in Australia - is still very much out on how big that role should be.
There are few qualms about it being utilised as a training track and pretty much the same applies to it being used as a limited, alternative racing surface when weather conditions dictate that to be a beneficial alternative. It is a work in progress which has yet to be embraced by the greater racing fraternity around the world.
As such, it comes with a risk factor – made all the greater if the track is installed as a club’s main, or only, racing surface - as certain owners and trainers will prefer to run their horses on a traditional turf surface and therefore might not support meetings at the synthetic track.
Thus Toowoomba racing now finds itself in an elevated risk situation where, ironically, the future of those who won at the ballot box lies, to a large degree, in the hands of those who they defeated in the vote.
If their traditional trainers and owners turn their backs on the TTC, being flush with cash and having new facilities might be a position bought at too great a cost. But then, as previously mentioned, events of the last nine months had painted the TTC into a corner, into that no-win situation.
This position of the TTC is made even more critical by the fact that Clifford Park will now be closed for racing until mid-July. (This closure was programmed irrespective of the outcome of the vote).
During this time, owners, trainers have to find somewhere else to race their horses and many jockeys, whose primary income was earned at the Toowoomba track, will have to look elsewhere for an income. How many will return at the end of the day is in question. There will be job losses as well as a negative impact on the local economy.
Throw in the fact that, when racing does return to Clifford Park in July, the TTC will not be able to have too many hiccups if it is to retain its usual Saturday evening slot, with its international broadcasts, as the night racing banner-bearer for racing in Queensland.
The retention of the valued Saturday night racing programme has been promised to the TTC in the deal struck with QRL, so there will be no problem if the racing product produced by the TTC is of a suitable standard.
Previously there was no alternative for night racing, but the Corbould Park track at the Sunshine Coast will be fully primed to take over from Toowoomba, in a worst case scenario, should the racing product produced by the TTC fall below standard, for whatever reason.
Thirty pylons filled with high intensity floodlights are now in place at the Sunshine Coast Turf Club (SCTC) track at Coloundra. The SCTC, who owns Corbould Park in partnership with QRL, will take over the Saturday night timeslot left vacant by the TTC while work is undertaken on the installation of the Cushion Track in Toowoomba. They will set a new standard in the intervening months, one which Toowoomba will have to match.
So while the turbulence of recent months might subside for Toowoomba racing, it will only be replaced by more testing times.
There is always change and change comes for better or worse.
Hopefully in the case of Toowoomba, when the dust has settled and the bloody battlefield has been cleared, there can still be a future for the TTC which will do Queensland racing proud.
Whether there is or not, the only sure bet is that racing at Clifford Park will never be the same again.
SUNSHINE COAST REVIEW (SUN, FEB 15)
A review of the meeting held at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, February 15.
Race 1:
Maiden 3yo & Up Plate - 1000m
1st - Questify; 2nd - One For The Girls; 3rd - Stalwart Garza
WINNER FEEDBACK:
The Ray Dart trained Questify tracked the early frontrunners before switching out at the head of the straight and beginning her winning, forward move. The mare’s challenge was met with significant resistance by One For The Girls, who kicked in the straight and made Questify (Hirotaka Hamada) work hard for victory.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Hootson (G. Baker) was slow to begin. Beyond The Bikini (C. Spry) blundered on jumping away and lost ground. Jockey C. Spry was dislodged from Beyond The Bikini on pulling up when that horse shifted out abruptly. After being examined by the club's doctor and was found to have injured his left ankle. Jockey C. Spry was stood from his remaining engagements. Jockey C. Spry will be required to produce a medical clearance before riding again.
Race 2:
QTIS 3yo Maiden Handicap - 850m
1st - Lots Of Allure; 2nd - Triple Ay; 3rd - Nonethewiser
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mick Mair had an anxious wait as Lots Of Allure made her way back to the winners’ enclosure. The filly had bled previously, and it is thus always going to be a worry when she pulls up after a run. All ended well.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Triple Ay (R. McMahon) was slow to begin. Dodge County (J. Wood) raced wide. Wedding Lily (M. Hughes) raced wide for the majority of the event. An inquiry was opened in to the reason for Dodge County (App. J. Wood) falling near the 450m. After taking evidence from app. Jockey M. Hughes, rider of Wedding Lily, app. Jockey O. Turpin, rider of Nonethewiser and jockey G. Baker, rider of Clayton, the inquiry was adjourned to a date to be fixed due to app jockey J. Wood being transported to hospital for further observation. A post-race veterinary examination of Dodge County failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Race 3:
3yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 1400m
1st - Golden Balls; 2nd - Croix De Fer; 3rd - Vistula Belle
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Troy Hall: “The run in town last time, which was his first run for me, was good the other day. They ran slow sectionals and he got home good. I thought he would be very hard to beat today, but we were very concerned about the heavy track. That other one was really coming at him and thought we were gone but (Damian) Browne got him over the line. I think he’ll definitely get 1600m and I’m hoping he’ll get 2000m. That’s where we are heading at this stage. Being a three-year-old, if he can get up and stay a bit, well, there’s more in it for them, you know. Yeah, thankfully, I am enjoying a nice strike-rate with new horses that have been given to me. I just hope they keep coming through the door.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Croix De Fer (G. Baker), Golden Balls (D. Browne) and Mythical (A. Erhart) were slow to begin. Danseur Pick (A. Spinks), Diamond Lane (R. Stewart) and Super Moon (J. Taylor) were all tightened for room at the start between Miss Attanagh (A. Pattillo), which shifted out, and Vistula Belle (B. El-Issa), which shifted in. Vistula Belle (B. El-Issa) raced wide in the early stages. Danseur Pick (A. Spinks) raced wide in the early and middle stages. Elton’s Son (S. Holcombe) raced wide for the majority of the event. Danseur Pick was retired from the race after leaving the 500m. A post-race veterinary examination of Danseur Pick revealed the filly to have pulled up in a distressed state. Trainer R. Milne was advised that Danseur Pick must trial to the satisfaction of the stewards in an official trial, and that he would be required to provide a veterinary clearance for Danseur Pick prior to its next race start. The veterinary surgeon also reported that Super Moon had ruptured a tendon in the off foreleg. Trainer S. Dwyer was advised that he would be required to provide a veterinary clearance for Super Moon prior to its next race start.
Race 4:
Class 2 Handicap - 1400m,
1st - Snackman; 2nd - Guns; 3rd -Bigger Than
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bruce Brown: “He’s just been drawing bad alley’s mate. He’s drawn eleven, eleven, eleven. He wasn’t even going to start. I was going to scratch him, but when they got down to a field of six we decided to go around. One start he had here on a heavy track he got beaten about eighteen lengths, so it just shows you, you just got to try them on it once in a while. He was the right body-weight today. He has always been a little bit fat. He was 528kg today. That’s his winning weight.”
Jockey Christian Reith: “The trainer told me on Saturday morning that he won’t be going around because he doesn’t handle the going. He did say that when he didn’t handle it before he was a younger horse. He decided to go for it in the end. The horse certainly had a lot more confidence this time around. Today, he just ploughed through it.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Radio Star (A. Spinks) was slow to begin. Red Shadow (J. Taylor) and Snackman (C. Reith) both had a tendency to over-race in the early and middle stages.
Race 5:
Class 3 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Heartsun; 2nd - Inprivato; 3rd - Tangler
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Stewart McKinnon: “He’s taken the next step every-time and that is all we can ask of him, you know. I don’t know how far he’s going to get this prep ... whether we give him another one or not. I’ll just let the horse tell me. He is quite an easy horse to train, but he has got a bit of the Show A Heart tendency where they are just a little bit hot. It’s just in the head. He does switch off in the race very well which we’ve been trying to teach him. That’s half the battle, so it’s going well.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start was delayed when Love Hit Me became fractious in the barrier stalls and became cast. After undergoing a veterinary examination, Love Hit Me was cleared to race. Trainer T. Hall was advised that a further barrier certificate would be required for Love Hit Me prior to its next race start. Inprivato (M. Hughes) and Akoya (C. McIver) were slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination of Akoya revealed the mare to have a small laceration to its off foreleg.
Race 6:
Class 1 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Dual Code; 2nd - Ready Asset; 3rd - Fernardi
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Trevor Bailey: “Yeah, he’s getting better and I think he’ll probably be better again after a couple of more runs. He did have a little setback there the other week. He just had a little stone bruise that popped out of his foot like they do on these wet weather, hot days. The results are good and time is not an issue with him. We’ll just take the steps as they come.”
Jockey Kelly Purdy: “It’s an up-and-coming horse. Still a little bit green. He’s been unlucky in his first couple of starts. Even though he won last star, he only got out the last bit. Today is the first time he has had an uninterrupted run and he controlled things well. He still stargazes a little bit, so he’s still going to learn and improve further.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards accepted the explanation from trainer K. Schweida for the late declaration of a rider for Top Ross. The saddle on Waitaseq shifted when proceeding to the barriers, resulting in that gelding having to be re-saddled prior to the start. Frenardi (G. Baker) began awkwardly and shifted in, making contact with Stalwart Honey (C. Reith). Ready Asset (A. Merritt), which was slow to begin, had to be steadied shortly after the start to avoid the heels of Skifort (A. Spinks), which shifted in. Top Ross (K. Pope) raced wide in the early stages. Approaching the 700m Stalwart Honey had to be steadied when the paced eased. Frenardi (G. Baker), which was following, had to be steadied as a consequence. Passing the 600m, Waitaseq (T. Chambers) shifted wider on the track to improve. Near the 500m, Frenardi (G. Baker) was held up for some distance on the heels of Isti Polly (J. Kropp). Passing the 450m, Isti Polly (J. Kropp) had to be steadied when tightened for room between Stalwart Honey and Top Brass (K. Pope), which shifted out. Leaving the 100m, Isti Polly improved up on to the heels of Stalwart Honey and had to be steadied. Near the 50m, Pull The Wool (O. Turpin) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Top Ross (K. Pope), which shifted in under pressure. Stalwart Honey raced wide for the majority of the event.
Race 7:
Open Handicap - 1400m
1st - Longstreet; 2nd - Fools Rush In; 3rd - Doonan Dancer
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bruce Hill: “He got the run of the race. The 1400m – that’s his distance. He likes that distance. The heavy going didn’t bother him. He has placed on that sort of ground. Ah, he’s just a nice old horse. I’ve had him for about twelve months. I’d have liked to have had him three or four years earlier. The hardest thing has been to find the right races for him, you know. But, like I say, he’s a nice old horse and it is good to get a result with him.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Doonan Dancer (A. Pattillo) jumped outwards at the start, making contact with Spy Zaim (G. Baker). Passing the 800m, Telegrand (M. Hughes) had to be momentarily steadied to avoid the heels of Longstreet (B. El-Issa), which shifted in. When questioned, C. Reith was unable to offer any tangible explanation for the disappointing performance of Noreil. A post-race veterinary examination of Noreil failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Race 8:
Class 1 Handicap - 1600m
1st - More Than Primed; 2nd - Bellamour; 3rd - Manziedear
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bruce Hill (who completed a double on the day): “This is nice horse, this horse. Just a little bit light though. His problem is that there is not much of him. He is only a little fellow. That’s why we gave him some time out to try and build him up. He’s stepped up in distance every start this prep. He’s done a good job today on a bog track over a mile. He is going to get ground. He’ll go beyond the mile. He is promising.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards accepted the explanation from trainer B. Bowditch for the late declaration of rider for Fly Misty, however he was fined $100 for failing to declare a rider for Manziedear by the prescribed time. Manziedear (A. Spinks) slow to begin. More Than Primed (K. Pope) and Fly Misty (G. Baker) were tightened for room at the start between Through The Waves (O. Turpin), which shifted out, and Slepner (J. Kropp), which was taken in by So Long (A. Badger). Fly Misty over-raced from a point approaching the 1400m and continued to do so for some distance, and after leaving the 800m, improved up on to the heels of Slepner (J. Kropp) and had to be steadied. Near the 400m, Pride Of Poland (E. Wilkinson) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Fly Misty (G. Baker), which shifted out to obtain clear running. Pride Of Poland (E. Wilkinson) and So Long (A. Badger) raced wide for the majority of the event. A post-race veterinary examination of So Long, which finished tailed off, revealed the horse to be lame in the off-hind leg. Trainer M. Lloyd was advised that he must provide a veterinary clearance for So Long prior to its next race start.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed: All winners
Race 1:
Maiden 3yo & Up Plate - 1000m
1st - Questify; 2nd - One For The Girls; 3rd - Stalwart Garza
WINNER FEEDBACK:
The Ray Dart trained Questify tracked the early frontrunners before switching out at the head of the straight and beginning her winning, forward move. The mare’s challenge was met with significant resistance by One For The Girls, who kicked in the straight and made Questify (Hirotaka Hamada) work hard for victory.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Hootson (G. Baker) was slow to begin. Beyond The Bikini (C. Spry) blundered on jumping away and lost ground. Jockey C. Spry was dislodged from Beyond The Bikini on pulling up when that horse shifted out abruptly. After being examined by the club's doctor and was found to have injured his left ankle. Jockey C. Spry was stood from his remaining engagements. Jockey C. Spry will be required to produce a medical clearance before riding again.
Race 2:
QTIS 3yo Maiden Handicap - 850m
1st - Lots Of Allure; 2nd - Triple Ay; 3rd - Nonethewiser
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Mick Mair had an anxious wait as Lots Of Allure made her way back to the winners’ enclosure. The filly had bled previously, and it is thus always going to be a worry when she pulls up after a run. All ended well.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Triple Ay (R. McMahon) was slow to begin. Dodge County (J. Wood) raced wide. Wedding Lily (M. Hughes) raced wide for the majority of the event. An inquiry was opened in to the reason for Dodge County (App. J. Wood) falling near the 450m. After taking evidence from app. Jockey M. Hughes, rider of Wedding Lily, app. Jockey O. Turpin, rider of Nonethewiser and jockey G. Baker, rider of Clayton, the inquiry was adjourned to a date to be fixed due to app jockey J. Wood being transported to hospital for further observation. A post-race veterinary examination of Dodge County failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Race 3:
3yo & Up Maiden Handicap - 1400m
1st - Golden Balls; 2nd - Croix De Fer; 3rd - Vistula Belle
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Troy Hall: “The run in town last time, which was his first run for me, was good the other day. They ran slow sectionals and he got home good. I thought he would be very hard to beat today, but we were very concerned about the heavy track. That other one was really coming at him and thought we were gone but (Damian) Browne got him over the line. I think he’ll definitely get 1600m and I’m hoping he’ll get 2000m. That’s where we are heading at this stage. Being a three-year-old, if he can get up and stay a bit, well, there’s more in it for them, you know. Yeah, thankfully, I am enjoying a nice strike-rate with new horses that have been given to me. I just hope they keep coming through the door.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Croix De Fer (G. Baker), Golden Balls (D. Browne) and Mythical (A. Erhart) were slow to begin. Danseur Pick (A. Spinks), Diamond Lane (R. Stewart) and Super Moon (J. Taylor) were all tightened for room at the start between Miss Attanagh (A. Pattillo), which shifted out, and Vistula Belle (B. El-Issa), which shifted in. Vistula Belle (B. El-Issa) raced wide in the early stages. Danseur Pick (A. Spinks) raced wide in the early and middle stages. Elton’s Son (S. Holcombe) raced wide for the majority of the event. Danseur Pick was retired from the race after leaving the 500m. A post-race veterinary examination of Danseur Pick revealed the filly to have pulled up in a distressed state. Trainer R. Milne was advised that Danseur Pick must trial to the satisfaction of the stewards in an official trial, and that he would be required to provide a veterinary clearance for Danseur Pick prior to its next race start. The veterinary surgeon also reported that Super Moon had ruptured a tendon in the off foreleg. Trainer S. Dwyer was advised that he would be required to provide a veterinary clearance for Super Moon prior to its next race start.
Race 4:
Class 2 Handicap - 1400m,
1st - Snackman; 2nd - Guns; 3rd -Bigger Than
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bruce Brown: “He’s just been drawing bad alley’s mate. He’s drawn eleven, eleven, eleven. He wasn’t even going to start. I was going to scratch him, but when they got down to a field of six we decided to go around. One start he had here on a heavy track he got beaten about eighteen lengths, so it just shows you, you just got to try them on it once in a while. He was the right body-weight today. He has always been a little bit fat. He was 528kg today. That’s his winning weight.”
Jockey Christian Reith: “The trainer told me on Saturday morning that he won’t be going around because he doesn’t handle the going. He did say that when he didn’t handle it before he was a younger horse. He decided to go for it in the end. The horse certainly had a lot more confidence this time around. Today, he just ploughed through it.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Radio Star (A. Spinks) was slow to begin. Red Shadow (J. Taylor) and Snackman (C. Reith) both had a tendency to over-race in the early and middle stages.
Race 5:
Class 3 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Heartsun; 2nd - Inprivato; 3rd - Tangler
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Stewart McKinnon: “He’s taken the next step every-time and that is all we can ask of him, you know. I don’t know how far he’s going to get this prep ... whether we give him another one or not. I’ll just let the horse tell me. He is quite an easy horse to train, but he has got a bit of the Show A Heart tendency where they are just a little bit hot. It’s just in the head. He does switch off in the race very well which we’ve been trying to teach him. That’s half the battle, so it’s going well.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
The start was delayed when Love Hit Me became fractious in the barrier stalls and became cast. After undergoing a veterinary examination, Love Hit Me was cleared to race. Trainer T. Hall was advised that a further barrier certificate would be required for Love Hit Me prior to its next race start. Inprivato (M. Hughes) and Akoya (C. McIver) were slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination of Akoya revealed the mare to have a small laceration to its off foreleg.
Race 6:
Class 1 Handicap - 1200m
1st - Dual Code; 2nd - Ready Asset; 3rd - Fernardi
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Trevor Bailey: “Yeah, he’s getting better and I think he’ll probably be better again after a couple of more runs. He did have a little setback there the other week. He just had a little stone bruise that popped out of his foot like they do on these wet weather, hot days. The results are good and time is not an issue with him. We’ll just take the steps as they come.”
Jockey Kelly Purdy: “It’s an up-and-coming horse. Still a little bit green. He’s been unlucky in his first couple of starts. Even though he won last star, he only got out the last bit. Today is the first time he has had an uninterrupted run and he controlled things well. He still stargazes a little bit, so he’s still going to learn and improve further.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards accepted the explanation from trainer K. Schweida for the late declaration of a rider for Top Ross. The saddle on Waitaseq shifted when proceeding to the barriers, resulting in that gelding having to be re-saddled prior to the start. Frenardi (G. Baker) began awkwardly and shifted in, making contact with Stalwart Honey (C. Reith). Ready Asset (A. Merritt), which was slow to begin, had to be steadied shortly after the start to avoid the heels of Skifort (A. Spinks), which shifted in. Top Ross (K. Pope) raced wide in the early stages. Approaching the 700m Stalwart Honey had to be steadied when the paced eased. Frenardi (G. Baker), which was following, had to be steadied as a consequence. Passing the 600m, Waitaseq (T. Chambers) shifted wider on the track to improve. Near the 500m, Frenardi (G. Baker) was held up for some distance on the heels of Isti Polly (J. Kropp). Passing the 450m, Isti Polly (J. Kropp) had to be steadied when tightened for room between Stalwart Honey and Top Brass (K. Pope), which shifted out. Leaving the 100m, Isti Polly improved up on to the heels of Stalwart Honey and had to be steadied. Near the 50m, Pull The Wool (O. Turpin) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Top Ross (K. Pope), which shifted in under pressure. Stalwart Honey raced wide for the majority of the event.
Race 7:
Open Handicap - 1400m
1st - Longstreet; 2nd - Fools Rush In; 3rd - Doonan Dancer
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bruce Hill: “He got the run of the race. The 1400m – that’s his distance. He likes that distance. The heavy going didn’t bother him. He has placed on that sort of ground. Ah, he’s just a nice old horse. I’ve had him for about twelve months. I’d have liked to have had him three or four years earlier. The hardest thing has been to find the right races for him, you know. But, like I say, he’s a nice old horse and it is good to get a result with him.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Doonan Dancer (A. Pattillo) jumped outwards at the start, making contact with Spy Zaim (G. Baker). Passing the 800m, Telegrand (M. Hughes) had to be momentarily steadied to avoid the heels of Longstreet (B. El-Issa), which shifted in. When questioned, C. Reith was unable to offer any tangible explanation for the disappointing performance of Noreil. A post-race veterinary examination of Noreil failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.
Race 8:
Class 1 Handicap - 1600m
1st - More Than Primed; 2nd - Bellamour; 3rd - Manziedear
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Bruce Hill (who completed a double on the day): “This is nice horse, this horse. Just a little bit light though. His problem is that there is not much of him. He is only a little fellow. That’s why we gave him some time out to try and build him up. He’s stepped up in distance every start this prep. He’s done a good job today on a bog track over a mile. He is going to get ground. He’ll go beyond the mile. He is promising.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Stewards accepted the explanation from trainer B. Bowditch for the late declaration of rider for Fly Misty, however he was fined $100 for failing to declare a rider for Manziedear by the prescribed time. Manziedear (A. Spinks) slow to begin. More Than Primed (K. Pope) and Fly Misty (G. Baker) were tightened for room at the start between Through The Waves (O. Turpin), which shifted out, and Slepner (J. Kropp), which was taken in by So Long (A. Badger). Fly Misty over-raced from a point approaching the 1400m and continued to do so for some distance, and after leaving the 800m, improved up on to the heels of Slepner (J. Kropp) and had to be steadied. Near the 400m, Pride Of Poland (E. Wilkinson) had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Fly Misty (G. Baker), which shifted out to obtain clear running. Pride Of Poland (E. Wilkinson) and So Long (A. Badger) raced wide for the majority of the event. A post-race veterinary examination of So Long, which finished tailed off, revealed the horse to be lame in the off-hind leg. Trainer M. Lloyd was advised that he must provide a veterinary clearance for So Long prior to its next race start.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed: All winners
Monday, February 16, 2009
EAGLE FARM REVIEW (SAT, FEB 14)
A review of the meeting held at Eagle Farm on Saturday, February 14.
Race 1:
QTIS 2yo Handicap - 1000m
1st - Bob And Dolly; 2nd - Neeson; 3rd - Easy Knight
Co-trainer Jason McLachlan: “We thought it was an enormous run last time (on debut). He just got a bit lost first start in a race. He has just gone ahead in leaps and bounds. We were just desperate to try to find a 1200m race for him, but we couldn’t. The wet track’s brought them back to him and he finished hard. He is a very strong horse. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is a very nice horse further down the track.”
Jockey Eddie Wilkinson: “From the jump the horse was on one rein and it was hanging out the whole way. He hang out badly in the straight. Over the final hundred metres, it was just sort of do or die, so I just let him do his own thing. I went for him and he was too strong. He is a real nice horse. It was only his second start and he is obviously still learning. I don’t know why he was hanging like that, but we’ll work him out. He handled the going alright. At the top of the straight, just before the straight, there was a patch he hit where he scrambled a bit, but he got through that. Other than that he went through it pretty good.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Bob And Dolly (E. Wilkinson) blundered on jumping away. Neeson (P. Wolfgram) shifted in and made contact with Easy Knight (B. Evans) on jumping away. Bob And Dolly shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages. The Club's veterinary surgeon reported that Perfect Option (C. Spry) sustained a small laceration to the front of the off-hind coronet.
Race 2:
Class 6 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Tisani Boy; 2nd - Admiral Gherkin; 3rd - Sir Monashee
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Lindsay Hatch: “He’s is a lovely horse. He proved he’s got a touch of class. It was a super win. I think he’s got a great future. He is going to win a big race for sure. He’s probably not even suited over 1000m. He probably wants a lot further, you know. He is a 1200m ... 1400m horse. I think he is a serious horse. He didn’t seem to handle the going today yet still produced the win. He has got his problems. He got bruised heels – bad feet. We just ice them. Brett (Evans) does a lot of work on him, icing him and so forth. ”
Hatch will be leaving Toowoomba on March 1 and moving to Wadham Park, a 200 acre facility which is located in the Gold Coast hinterland on the outskirts of Canungra.
Hatch: “It’s just a great opportunity to get a better class of horse and a better owner. A lot of owners ring up and say they are interested in getting horses to train and they won’t have them trained in Toowoomba for one reason or other. The move has been in the mix for six to eight months and I just think it is a great opportunity.”
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans: “Oh mate, I don’t think he knew what he was doing early. The first fifty yards he had no idea in the heavy going. I just kept a hold of his head and rode him and kept him as close as I could while keeping him happy enough back there. Then when I asked him to go he responded well and did a good job. I do know the horse well. I work with him all the time and do his feet every morning.”
Brent Evans is apprenticed to the Lindsay Hatch stable. He transferred there from Brett Kavanagh and he has enjoyed eye-catching success since arriving in Toowoomba where he currently has a clear-cut lead in the Toowoomba Jockey’s Premiership.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
No incidents.
Race 3:
1MW Handicap - 1800m
1st - Malela; 2nd - Kings Artist; 3rd - Ostras
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kevin Kemp: “It’s the fourth Saturday in a row that we’ve had a winner in Brisbane. That is just unbelievable. I hope I’ve got something in the stable I can bring down here next week. Just when you’re hot, you got to try to stay hot. This one will also be going to Sydney (with Dance Girl Dance). I didn’t want to say she was definitely going before the race, because when you say they’re definitely going, they run last. I hope Ric (McMahon) will ride them. We’ll ask him.”
Jockey Ric McMahon: “I was sort of happy to drop off the speed at one stage. Look, the leader Ostras, it runs along, but it hasn’t been racing real well so I knew it would come back to me. So I let him go. I knew I had a lot of horse under me. I was pretty lucky actually because the two in front of me, they chased it a little bit. When they chased from the half mile it was too hot for me, I just travelled up and I got her on the bit, you know. As soon as I asked her to just get a little bit closer she kept up picking up good. The way she made up ground so quickly was bit of a combination of her improving and the others stopping. I was never worried about moving up inside horses at the top of the straight. I was still four or five off the fence. I never moved ... I never hit her until inside the furlong, because I knew I pretty much had it. She handled the going well. Yeah, I probably will go to Sydney with Kevin’s two horses.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Malela (R. McMahon) and Riseupsinging (E. Wilkinson) made contact on jumping away.
Race 4:
3yo Handicap - 1400m
1st - High Roll'n Woman; 2nd - Phebetay; 3rd - Star Of Ombra
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “They asked if I could put her in just behind the pace ... sort of sit third or fourth. I ended up sitting fifth or sixth. I got back more than I wanted. That was because they went quite hard in front and also because of the heavy going. My horse didn’t quite handle it. Yet she still managed to win through having a bit of heart, you know. I saved her all up until the furlong and then asked her to go and she toughed it out real good.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Trainer R. Heathcote was fined $100 under LR. 70 for failing to declare R. Stewart as the rider of Star Of Ombre by the prescribed time. Stewards accepted the explanation of trainer K. Schweida for the late declaration of B. El-Issa as the rider of Upgrading. Universal Brave (C. Reith) was slow to begin. Castiglione Kid (R. Wiggins) jumped out at the start making contact with Zsazsa (D. Craven). Universal Brave and Kbenrenrun (L. Cassidy) over-raced in the early stages. Near the 800m Castliglione Kid and Universal Brave made contact. Universal Brave and Castiglione Kid raced wide for the majority of the event. Approaching the 400m Zsazsa shifted out in an endeavour to obtain clear running and in doing so made contact with Universal Brave on several occasions. Professor (A. Pattillo) was inclined to lay in when placed under pressure in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination of Kbenrenrun revealed a laceration inside the cheek on the off side.
Race 5:
Open Handicap - 1600m
1st - Sam's Express; 2nd - Rebounded; 3rd - Onalar
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Michael Nolan: “He’s just been unlucky this horse. He always gets cluttered up. You have a look at his form. His first run up he was wide (from an eleven draw). Next run at Doomben he never got out and then his last run he never got out. He is a real honest horse, but things just haven’t gone his way. The extra ground did help, because the mile (which he got here) and further is his best distance.”
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans (who completed a double on the day): “It was a great battle actually. I just bounced him out of the gates and I was always going to sit second to Rebounded. I got a nice run there. Rebounded was just pulling a bit during the race. I just got a beautiful run. He relaxed. Shifted up a bit closer at the 600m. Then I just waited, waited, waited until well in the straight. I made my move and we went up there and headed him (Rebounded). My horse fought well. He dug deep. I’ve never rode a city winner before. Today’s my first – and now it’s a double.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Onalar (S. Scriven) was slow to begin. Tariki (P. Gesler) raced wide for the majority of the event. Rebounded (Michael Palmer) and Sam’s Express (B. Evans) bumped at the 100m. When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Pentacity, jockey J. Taylor stated that he felt the mare travelled well during running, however when placed under pressure failed to stretch out and in his opinion failed to handle the prevailing track conditions. J. Taylor added that although the mare had won on a rain-affected track it was only against maiden company on that occasion. The explanation was noted.
Race 6:
1MW Handicap - 1200m
1st - Abbacina; 2nd - Sir Teles; 3rd - Bazzooka
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Larry Cassidy (who is carrying a hand injury): “I really am suffering. It’s way more sore than the other day. The swelling has come down, but it’s still incredibly painful. I was very happy because I brought the swelling right down. Even though I thought it would be sore, I didn’t think it would anywhere as sore as it is. I had a scan and the ligaments are intact. They are not pulled away from the bone. So they are intact, but there is an incredible amount of fluid around the joint. So the ligaments aren’t torn, but they said I’ll need two weeks for the injury to heal. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. I’ve got very good rides Wednesday. I could probably ride a treble on Wednesday. I’ll just have to see how I pull up after this.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Base Dancer (E. Wilkinson) over-raced in the early stages and when being restrained near the 800m got its head up and raced ungenerously. J. Atkins, the trainer of Bazzooka, which bled from both nostrils during the event, was advised that the horse would be barred from racing for a period of three months under the provisions of AR. 53A. A swab sample was taken from Bazzooka.
Race 7:
Quality Handicap - 1200m
1st - Vocalic; 2nd - Momentously; 3rd - Sommersea Drive
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Ron Maund: “He likes the Eagle Farm 1200m, and he doesn’t seem to mind it soft , even though I think the Semipalatinsk side, with Telitina, (the damline influence) stops him a little. That’s where he hovered halfway up the straight. He seemed to mark time a bit for a while there. Yeah, he’s a bit of a track specialist. Most of his city wins, I think all of his city wins, have been here at Eagle Farm. It takes a good horse to win six at Eagle Farm and I think he has sailed past $400 000 in stakes now.”
Jockey Ric McMahon (who completed a double on the day): “He is a lovely horse. Does everything right. Jumps good. Travelled well. Then, they steadied. From the 600m he just grabbed the bit and he towed me into it, you know. I pretty much didn’t have to do anything. He pretty much did it for me. He just travelled so well and then I let him down. Because they went so slow up till then, they sprinted pretty good. I was always going to get there, it just took a little bit longer than I thought. He half laboured for a little bit there, he changed strides, but then the over the last 100m he knuckled down again and he hit the line good.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Sneaky Long (R. Wiggins) jumped away awkwardly and shifted in making contact with Watchyerback (C. Reith). Sommersea Drive (K. Pope) had a tendency to lay out throughout the event. When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Crosswise, jockey J. Bowditch stated that the horse travelled only fairly in the early and middle stages and when asked for an effort to improve near the 700m was under pressure and did not finish the race off as expected. A post-race veterinary examination of Crosswise failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 8:
4yo and up Class 6 Handicap - 1400m
1st - Yass River; 2nd - Dawn's Pride; 3rd - Manic Monday
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Shane Scriven: “Yeah, mate. There was a few of them coming. I struggled to get to the leader. No sooner got to the leader and John’s other old horse (Red Sphere – which is also trained by John Morrisey) put up a hell of a fight. My bloke really had to dig deep, but to his credit he did and he got there in the end. It was a good tough win.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Dartbolt (R. Wiggins) jumped awkwardly and missed the start. Near the 1200m Dartbolt improved on to the heels of Bann Ruby (J. Bowditch) and had to be steadied. The Club's veterinary surgeon reported that Dawn’s Pride was found to be suffering heat stress following the event.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed pre-race:
Western Warrior, Hearty Laughter, Phebetay, Kings Artist, Ostras, Cajun Moon, Dartbolt, Bann Ruby, Red Sphere, Honour Happy List, Tariki, Onalar.
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, 2nd placegetters in Races 1, 3, 4 and 8, and Bazzooka.
Race 1:
QTIS 2yo Handicap - 1000m
1st - Bob And Dolly; 2nd - Neeson; 3rd - Easy Knight
Co-trainer Jason McLachlan: “We thought it was an enormous run last time (on debut). He just got a bit lost first start in a race. He has just gone ahead in leaps and bounds. We were just desperate to try to find a 1200m race for him, but we couldn’t. The wet track’s brought them back to him and he finished hard. He is a very strong horse. I wouldn’t be surprised if he is a very nice horse further down the track.”
Jockey Eddie Wilkinson: “From the jump the horse was on one rein and it was hanging out the whole way. He hang out badly in the straight. Over the final hundred metres, it was just sort of do or die, so I just let him do his own thing. I went for him and he was too strong. He is a real nice horse. It was only his second start and he is obviously still learning. I don’t know why he was hanging like that, but we’ll work him out. He handled the going alright. At the top of the straight, just before the straight, there was a patch he hit where he scrambled a bit, but he got through that. Other than that he went through it pretty good.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Bob And Dolly (E. Wilkinson) blundered on jumping away. Neeson (P. Wolfgram) shifted in and made contact with Easy Knight (B. Evans) on jumping away. Bob And Dolly shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages. The Club's veterinary surgeon reported that Perfect Option (C. Spry) sustained a small laceration to the front of the off-hind coronet.
Race 2:
Class 6 Handicap - 1000m
1st - Tisani Boy; 2nd - Admiral Gherkin; 3rd - Sir Monashee
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Lindsay Hatch: “He’s is a lovely horse. He proved he’s got a touch of class. It was a super win. I think he’s got a great future. He is going to win a big race for sure. He’s probably not even suited over 1000m. He probably wants a lot further, you know. He is a 1200m ... 1400m horse. I think he is a serious horse. He didn’t seem to handle the going today yet still produced the win. He has got his problems. He got bruised heels – bad feet. We just ice them. Brett (Evans) does a lot of work on him, icing him and so forth. ”
Hatch will be leaving Toowoomba on March 1 and moving to Wadham Park, a 200 acre facility which is located in the Gold Coast hinterland on the outskirts of Canungra.
Hatch: “It’s just a great opportunity to get a better class of horse and a better owner. A lot of owners ring up and say they are interested in getting horses to train and they won’t have them trained in Toowoomba for one reason or other. The move has been in the mix for six to eight months and I just think it is a great opportunity.”
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans: “Oh mate, I don’t think he knew what he was doing early. The first fifty yards he had no idea in the heavy going. I just kept a hold of his head and rode him and kept him as close as I could while keeping him happy enough back there. Then when I asked him to go he responded well and did a good job. I do know the horse well. I work with him all the time and do his feet every morning.”
Brent Evans is apprenticed to the Lindsay Hatch stable. He transferred there from Brett Kavanagh and he has enjoyed eye-catching success since arriving in Toowoomba where he currently has a clear-cut lead in the Toowoomba Jockey’s Premiership.
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
No incidents.
Race 3:
1MW Handicap - 1800m
1st - Malela; 2nd - Kings Artist; 3rd - Ostras
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Kevin Kemp: “It’s the fourth Saturday in a row that we’ve had a winner in Brisbane. That is just unbelievable. I hope I’ve got something in the stable I can bring down here next week. Just when you’re hot, you got to try to stay hot. This one will also be going to Sydney (with Dance Girl Dance). I didn’t want to say she was definitely going before the race, because when you say they’re definitely going, they run last. I hope Ric (McMahon) will ride them. We’ll ask him.”
Jockey Ric McMahon: “I was sort of happy to drop off the speed at one stage. Look, the leader Ostras, it runs along, but it hasn’t been racing real well so I knew it would come back to me. So I let him go. I knew I had a lot of horse under me. I was pretty lucky actually because the two in front of me, they chased it a little bit. When they chased from the half mile it was too hot for me, I just travelled up and I got her on the bit, you know. As soon as I asked her to just get a little bit closer she kept up picking up good. The way she made up ground so quickly was bit of a combination of her improving and the others stopping. I was never worried about moving up inside horses at the top of the straight. I was still four or five off the fence. I never moved ... I never hit her until inside the furlong, because I knew I pretty much had it. She handled the going well. Yeah, I probably will go to Sydney with Kevin’s two horses.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Malela (R. McMahon) and Riseupsinging (E. Wilkinson) made contact on jumping away.
Race 4:
3yo Handicap - 1400m
1st - High Roll'n Woman; 2nd - Phebetay; 3rd - Star Of Ombra
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Apprentice jockey Owen Turpin: “They asked if I could put her in just behind the pace ... sort of sit third or fourth. I ended up sitting fifth or sixth. I got back more than I wanted. That was because they went quite hard in front and also because of the heavy going. My horse didn’t quite handle it. Yet she still managed to win through having a bit of heart, you know. I saved her all up until the furlong and then asked her to go and she toughed it out real good.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Trainer R. Heathcote was fined $100 under LR. 70 for failing to declare R. Stewart as the rider of Star Of Ombre by the prescribed time. Stewards accepted the explanation of trainer K. Schweida for the late declaration of B. El-Issa as the rider of Upgrading. Universal Brave (C. Reith) was slow to begin. Castiglione Kid (R. Wiggins) jumped out at the start making contact with Zsazsa (D. Craven). Universal Brave and Kbenrenrun (L. Cassidy) over-raced in the early stages. Near the 800m Castliglione Kid and Universal Brave made contact. Universal Brave and Castiglione Kid raced wide for the majority of the event. Approaching the 400m Zsazsa shifted out in an endeavour to obtain clear running and in doing so made contact with Universal Brave on several occasions. Professor (A. Pattillo) was inclined to lay in when placed under pressure in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination of Kbenrenrun revealed a laceration inside the cheek on the off side.
Race 5:
Open Handicap - 1600m
1st - Sam's Express; 2nd - Rebounded; 3rd - Onalar
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Michael Nolan: “He’s just been unlucky this horse. He always gets cluttered up. You have a look at his form. His first run up he was wide (from an eleven draw). Next run at Doomben he never got out and then his last run he never got out. He is a real honest horse, but things just haven’t gone his way. The extra ground did help, because the mile (which he got here) and further is his best distance.”
Apprentice jockey Brent Evans (who completed a double on the day): “It was a great battle actually. I just bounced him out of the gates and I was always going to sit second to Rebounded. I got a nice run there. Rebounded was just pulling a bit during the race. I just got a beautiful run. He relaxed. Shifted up a bit closer at the 600m. Then I just waited, waited, waited until well in the straight. I made my move and we went up there and headed him (Rebounded). My horse fought well. He dug deep. I’ve never rode a city winner before. Today’s my first – and now it’s a double.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Onalar (S. Scriven) was slow to begin. Tariki (P. Gesler) raced wide for the majority of the event. Rebounded (Michael Palmer) and Sam’s Express (B. Evans) bumped at the 100m. When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Pentacity, jockey J. Taylor stated that he felt the mare travelled well during running, however when placed under pressure failed to stretch out and in his opinion failed to handle the prevailing track conditions. J. Taylor added that although the mare had won on a rain-affected track it was only against maiden company on that occasion. The explanation was noted.
Race 6:
1MW Handicap - 1200m
1st - Abbacina; 2nd - Sir Teles; 3rd - Bazzooka
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Larry Cassidy (who is carrying a hand injury): “I really am suffering. It’s way more sore than the other day. The swelling has come down, but it’s still incredibly painful. I was very happy because I brought the swelling right down. Even though I thought it would be sore, I didn’t think it would anywhere as sore as it is. I had a scan and the ligaments are intact. They are not pulled away from the bone. So they are intact, but there is an incredible amount of fluid around the joint. So the ligaments aren’t torn, but they said I’ll need two weeks for the injury to heal. I don’t know what I’m going to do yet. I’ve got very good rides Wednesday. I could probably ride a treble on Wednesday. I’ll just have to see how I pull up after this.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Base Dancer (E. Wilkinson) over-raced in the early stages and when being restrained near the 800m got its head up and raced ungenerously. J. Atkins, the trainer of Bazzooka, which bled from both nostrils during the event, was advised that the horse would be barred from racing for a period of three months under the provisions of AR. 53A. A swab sample was taken from Bazzooka.
Race 7:
Quality Handicap - 1200m
1st - Vocalic; 2nd - Momentously; 3rd - Sommersea Drive
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Trainer Ron Maund: “He likes the Eagle Farm 1200m, and he doesn’t seem to mind it soft , even though I think the Semipalatinsk side, with Telitina, (the damline influence) stops him a little. That’s where he hovered halfway up the straight. He seemed to mark time a bit for a while there. Yeah, he’s a bit of a track specialist. Most of his city wins, I think all of his city wins, have been here at Eagle Farm. It takes a good horse to win six at Eagle Farm and I think he has sailed past $400 000 in stakes now.”
Jockey Ric McMahon (who completed a double on the day): “He is a lovely horse. Does everything right. Jumps good. Travelled well. Then, they steadied. From the 600m he just grabbed the bit and he towed me into it, you know. I pretty much didn’t have to do anything. He pretty much did it for me. He just travelled so well and then I let him down. Because they went so slow up till then, they sprinted pretty good. I was always going to get there, it just took a little bit longer than I thought. He half laboured for a little bit there, he changed strides, but then the over the last 100m he knuckled down again and he hit the line good.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Sneaky Long (R. Wiggins) jumped away awkwardly and shifted in making contact with Watchyerback (C. Reith). Sommersea Drive (K. Pope) had a tendency to lay out throughout the event. When questioned regarding the seemingly disappointing performance of Crosswise, jockey J. Bowditch stated that the horse travelled only fairly in the early and middle stages and when asked for an effort to improve near the 700m was under pressure and did not finish the race off as expected. A post-race veterinary examination of Crosswise failed to reveal any abnormalities.
Race 8:
4yo and up Class 6 Handicap - 1400m
1st - Yass River; 2nd - Dawn's Pride; 3rd - Manic Monday
WINNER FEEDBACK:
Jockey Shane Scriven: “Yeah, mate. There was a few of them coming. I struggled to get to the leader. No sooner got to the leader and John’s other old horse (Red Sphere – which is also trained by John Morrisey) put up a hell of a fight. My bloke really had to dig deep, but to his credit he did and he got there in the end. It was a good tough win.”
STEWARDS REPORT EXTRACT:
Dartbolt (R. Wiggins) jumped awkwardly and missed the start. Near the 1200m Dartbolt improved on to the heels of Bann Ruby (J. Bowditch) and had to be steadied. The Club's veterinary surgeon reported that Dawn’s Pride was found to be suffering heat stress following the event.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY EXTRACT:
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses:
Horses swabbed pre-race:
Western Warrior, Hearty Laughter, Phebetay, Kings Artist, Ostras, Cajun Moon, Dartbolt, Bann Ruby, Red Sphere, Honour Happy List, Tariki, Onalar.
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, 2nd placegetters in Races 1, 3, 4 and 8, and Bazzooka.
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