STEWARDS REPORT

Clarence River Jockey Club GRAFTON RACECOURSE

Monday 4 May 2020

Weather: Fine Track: Good (4) Rail: +4.5m COMMITTEE OF STEWARDS: M. A. Holloway (Chairman), J. T. Penfold & R. W. Loughlin

General: Trainer Mr B. Dodson was fined $1000 for failing to amend the stable return, to detail the training status and location, for 6 horses in his care as of the morning of Friday 1 May 2020 (AR103(4)(c)(i)). RACE 1: Maiden Handicap 1115m Brazen Dynamo – Slow to begin. Steadied after improving onto heels near the 500m. Unable to improve from this point to the entrance to the straight when held up on heels. Unable to be fully tested over the final 50m when awkwardly placed inside heels. Fire In The Hole – Slow to begin. Laid in under pressure approaching the 100m. Franglais (NZ) - Travelled keenly approaching and rounding the first turn. Unable to improve approaching the home turn when awkwardly placed inside heels. It’s A Boy – Raced wide, with cover, throughout the early and middle stages. Jacksprat – Raced wide, without cover, throughout the early and middle stages. Lock And Launch – Slow to begin. Eased when tightened for room near the 500m. Point of Attack – Slow to begin. Raced wide, with cover, throughout the early and middle stages. Sacred Thoughts (NZ) – Travelled keenly in the early stages. A post race veterinary examination of the filly did not reveal any abnormality. RACE 2: F&M Class 1 Handicap 1015m Danger Woman – Momentarily held up on heels passing the 150m. Divine Approach – When questioned regarding the tactics adopted approaching and rounding the home turn, and whether from a rearward position there was an option to shift wide on the track to ensure an uninterrupted run to the line, jockey B. Looker stated that he was instructed to settle in a handy position however if unable to do so, to ride for luck. B. Looker stated his mount failed to muster sufficient speed on jumping and settled at the tail of the field. B. Looker stated that approaching the home turn he was mindful that his mount was

first up, under a heavy weight impost, and in accordance with his instructions he elected to look for runs closer to the rail as opposed to asking his mount to cover ground wide on the track. B. Looker stated that a run presented at the entrance to the straight and he rode his mount forward to improve into that run. B. Looker stated his mount did not sprint as quickly as he anticipated and approaching the 200m he was obliged to shift his mount inwards when that run closed due to Just a Dame shifting out. B. Looker stated from this point he was unable to fully test his mount when held up on the heels of Miss Whittington which had commenced to weaken. B. Looker stated that passing the 150m he steadied his mount in around the heels of Miss Whittington, into clear running and his mount found the line strongly. B. Looker agreed that in hindsight, appreciating his mount did not let down as he anticipated on straightening and the running presented to him at that point closed at the 200m, his mount would have been better served shifting wide on the track rounding the home turn into fully clear running. Miss Whittington – J. Grisedale will be interviewed regarding his whip use prior to the 100m at a date to be fixed. Sequential Pearl – Slow to begin and bumped heavily shortly after. Raced wide, without cover, throughout the early and middle stages. Sylvia’s Dream – Blundered on jumping and bumped another runner shortly after. When questioned regarding the performance of the filly jockey L. Rolls stated that his mount travelled only fairly in the early and middle stages and did not sprint strongly down the straight. L. Rolls stated his mount is now a more mature horse and he believes it would appreciate a step up in distance and the addition of blinkers next start. When questioned, trainer M. Quinn stated the filly has sensitive feet and he would experiment with bar plates prior to its next race start. Mr Quinn added the filly was first up after a lengthy spell and he believed it would take benefit from race fitness. A post race veterinary examination of the filly did not reveal any abnormality. Unimpeded – Travelled keenly in the early and middle stages. Raced wide, with cover, throughout the early and middle stages. RACE 3: C,G&E Class 1 Handicap 1015m Ceremonial Prince – Not tested over the final stride when tightened for room. Chief Havoc – Blundered on jumping. Raced very wide, with cover, throughout the early and middle stages. Greatduck – Pulled approaching and rounding the first turn. Continued to pull in the middle stages. Manly Hanover – Bumped another runner on a number of occasions between the 200m and 100m. My Best Seller – Slow to begin. Approaching the home turn was eased after improving onto heels. Eased when tightened for room rounding the home turn. Ohchebelcavallo – Slow to begin. Rounding the home turn became held up on heels and was unable to be fully tested until passing the 300m. Bumped another runner on a number of occasions between the 200m and 100m.

Pinnacle Power – Laid out rounding the home turn. Thunderous Strike – Travelled keenly in the early and middle stages. Zephetto – Raced very wide, without cover, throughout the early and middle stages. RACE 4: Class 1 & Maiden Plate 2230m Al Me Gal (NZ) – Bumped shortly after the start. Globite’s Jayar – Began awkwardly. Pulled rounding the first turn. Passing the 500m became held up on heels and was unable to be tested until obtaining fully clear running near the 200m. Islamax – Slow to begin. Commenced to weaken from the 1000m and was retired from the event. A post race veterinary examination of the mare revealed it had bled from both nostrils for the second time. Trainer Mr A. Kehoe was advised that the mare is now ineligible to start in any race (AR79(6). Patriot Missile – Trainer Mr S. Lee was fined $100 for failing to declare B. Looker as the rider of the gelding by the required time (LR35). Rip Sparkler (NZ) – Change of tactics - to be ridden further forward, when caught wide in the early stages was allowed to stride forward and settle outside the leader near the 1500m. Buffeted between runners shortly after the start. Raced wide, without cover, throughout the early stages. Sensational Girl – Carried wide rounding the home turn. Sharp Wit – Momentarily hampered passing the 300m. A post race veterinary examination of the gelding did not reveal any abnormality. Trainer Mr S. Bennett advised that the gelding had reached the end of its preparation and would be spelled. Snobby Shores – Bumped shortly after the start. Spring Secret – Began awkwardly. Hurdled the crossing at the 1400m. RACE 5: Maiden Plate 1420m Byron Buoy – Overraced approaching the first turn. Hampered and carried wider rounding the first turn. Travelled keenly in the middle stages. Cristal Caz – Blundered on jumping. I’m Fluent – A post race veterinary examination of the mare revealed no abnormality. Trainer Ms J. Graham advised that a decision on the racing future of the mare will be made in the coming days. Lady Bowler – Passing the 150m was obliged to ease out around heels to continue to improve. Mr Sheen – Change of tactics – to settle further forward, slow to begin and settled back.

On A Handshake – Slow to begin. Bumped at the entrance to the straight. Unable to be tested over the final 100m when held up on heels. Racketeering – Hampered and carried wider rounding the first turn. Laid in over the final 200m. Rahaan – Trainer Mrs J. Pratten was fined $100 for failing to add concussion plates (front) to the official race gear of the filly by the required time (AR206(2)). Scudero – Rounding the first turn was checked after improving onto heels. Travelled keenly in the middle stages. Show Some Heart – Rounding the first turn was steadied, and lost ground (~3L), after being bumped outwards across heels. Unable to be fully tested over the final 50m when held up on heels. The Last Warrior – Slow to begin. Bumped at the entrance to the straight. RACE 6: Benchmark 66 Handicap 1620m Anzio – Passing the 500m was steadied when momentarily tightened for room. Bella Boss – Raced wide, without cover, throughout the early stages. Central Witness – Unable to improve approaching and rounding the home turn when held up on heels. Dark Image – Near the 1300m was checked after improving into restricted racing room. Raced wide, with no cover, throughout the early and middle stages. Bumped at the entrance to the straight. Galway – Slow to begin. Ran wide rounding the home turn. Kijito – Pulled between the 1200m and 800m. Ran wide rounding the home turn. Real Time Warrior – Slow to begin. Passing the 200m was obliged to ease out around heels to continue to improve. Rogue Missile – Passing the 1400m was eased when buffeted between runners. Raced wide, with cover, throughout the early and middle stages. Tower Road (NZ) – Steadied after improving onto heels passing the 1100m. Unable to improve approaching and rounding the home turn when awkwardly placed inside heels. Momentarily held up on heels passing the 200m. Approaching the 100m shifted out abruptly when awkwardly placed outside heels. William – Bumped at the entrance to the straight. Passing the 100m was steadied when racing in restricted room. Not tested for the remainder of the event when a beaten horse. Jockey B. Looker advised that his mount was inclined to hang in down the straight and proved difficult to ride with full vigour. A post race veterinary examination of the gelding did not reveal any abnormality.

RACE 7: Open Handicap 1215m Aimalac Millie – Trainer Mr E. Ensby was fined $200 for failing to scratch the mare by the required time (LR36A). Allzin – Raced very wide, without cover, throughout the early and middle stages. Drachenfels – Bumped on jumping. Passing the 600m became held up on heels and was unable to improve until rounding the home turn. Exclusive – Raced wide, without cover, throughout the early and middle stages. Gunnaza – Pulled in the early and middle stages. Momentarily held up on heels passing the 200m. Landmarks – Inclined to overrace approaching and passing the 800m. Travelled keenly in the middle stages. Near the 200m was steadied when tightened for room between Exclusive, which shifted in slightly, and Midweek Hussler which shifted out slightly. Magnalane – Began awkwardly and bumped another runner. Raced wide, with cover, throughout the early and middle stages. When questioned regarding the performance of the gelding jockey R. Hutchings stated he had anticipated settling in a handy / midfield position however his mount began awkwardly and settled worse than midfield. R. Hutchings stated that his mount travelled strongly in the early and middle stages and he was very confident approaching the home turn. R. Hutchings stated that when he presented his mount with clear running at the entrance to the straight, it failed to let down strongly and was very disappointing in its run to the line. R. Hutchings stated that he desisted from riding his mount out over the final 100m as it was a beaten horse and he was concerned something was amiss. When questioned, trainer Ms J. Graham was at a loss to explain the performance. Ms Graham stated the gelding had been working well and impressed with a recent trial win. Ms Graham stated the only explanation she could offer was the gelding was reluctant to let down on what she considered to be firm going. A post race veterinary examination of the gelding did not reveal any abnormality. Ms Graham was advised that a warning would be placed on the geldings poor performance. Further, that the gelding requires a full veterinary clearance prior to its next race start. Ms Graham undertook to provide the results of a blood analysis on the gelding in the coming days. Midweek Hussler – Change of tactics – to settle further forward, slow to begin, hampered shortly after and settled worse than midfield. Passing the 600m became held up on heels and was unable to improve until approaching the home turn. Our Joyeux (NZ) - Passing the 600m became held up on heels and was unable to improve until shortly after straightening. Sarotsa Bay - Eased when tightened between runners near the 1100m. Passing the 600m became held up on heels and was unable to improve until shortly after straightening. Summary of whip use: Stewards noted the following riders exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m under AR137A(5)(a)(ii). Bearing in mind the totality of whip use, no action was taken.

Race Rider (Horse) Additional Strikes

3 B. Looker (Ceremonial Prince) 2

4 J. Grisedale (Brisbane Boy) K. Wilson – Taylor (Spring Secret)

2 2

5 Ms K. Stanley (Cristal Caz) 1

6 M. McGuren (Rock Sonic) 2

7 Ms E. Atkinson (Gunnaza) consecutive

Swab samples were taken from all winners.

SUMMARY

Fines: General: B. Dodson - $1000 (AR103(4)(c)(i)) Race 4: S. Lee - $100 (LR35) Race 5: Mrs J. Pratten - $100 (AR206(2)) Race 7: E. Ensby - $200 (LR36A)

Reprimands: Nil

Suspensions: Nil

Bleeders: Race 4: Islamax – bled 2nd time (banned from racing)

Warnings: Race 7: Magnalane – poor performance

Trials: Nil

Certificates: Race 7: Magnalane – poor performance

Tactics Notified: Race 4: Rip Sparkler (NZ) – to settle further forward, settled outside leader Race 5: Mr Sheen – to settle further forward, slow to begin and settled back Race 7: Midweek Hussler – to settle further forward, hampered shortly after the start and settled worse than midfield

Fall/Injuries: Nil

Change of Gear Nil

Follow up: Race 2: J. Grisedale – whip use