Warwick Farm stewards' report
18 Feb 2012 | Racing NSW STEWARDS REPORT
Australian Turf Club
WARWICK FARM RACECOURSE
Saturday 18 February 2012
Weather: Fine
Track: Dead (5); amended to Dead (4) at 11.30pm; amended to Good (3) at 3.30pm
Rail: +4m WP to 1000m; +2m remainder
Penetrometer: 5.13
STEWARDS: R P Murrihy (Chairman), M F Van Gestel, R W Livingstone, D M Greer and cadets K J Atherton and D J Bucknell.
(jl)
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RACE 1: Co-Wyn Building Group Handicap 2400m:
Mangaroa Flyer was inclined to lay in under pressure over the concluding stages. When questioned why, after racing three wide until the 1000m, he did not cross completely to the rail on Diamond Jim, which allowed Palasport to improve inside him approaching the 600m, App. S Guymer stated that Diamond Jim has a tendency to race away from the rail and, after having a hard run early, he elected not to endeavour to fight his mount when the gelding was reluctant to shift to the rail. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Moonstones, trainer Mr A Cummings stated that, whilst the gelding has won over 2400m, the tempo and class were considerably stronger today and the gelding had an interrupted preparation, due to the cancellation of the Newcastle Jockey Club meeting on Wednesday, 15 February 2012, where it was accepted to race. A post-race veterinary examination of Moonstones did not reveal any abnormalities. A post-race veterinary examination of Sean Baile Mor revealed the mare to be displaying a poor post-race recovery, mild heat stress and mild scouring. When interviewed, trainer Mr T Balfour stated that Sean Baile Mor had remained at Warwick Farm since its fourth placing at Kembla Grange on 8 February 2012 and had pleased in its work. Mr Balfour was advised a veterinary clearance must be provided for the mare prior to its next start.
RACE 2: Tom Cassar Widden Stakes 1100m:
Driefontein, which was fractious in the stalls, missed the start slightly when the gates opened. Passing the 400m Driefontein came into contact with Incrimination when disappointed for a run between Incrimination and Agueda. Hussousa, which was following, in turn had to be checked off the heels of Driefontein. Driefontein and Agueda both shifted ground outwards under pressure over the final 100m and close to the line Hussousa was inconvenienced due to Agueda shifting ground.
RACE 3: SHARP Canonbury Stakes 1100m:
Nediym’s Quest reared, struck its head on the barrier partition and was withdrawn, acting on veterinary advice, at 2.31pm. Stewards subsequently ordered that all monies placed on Nediym’s Quest be refunded in full and with regards to betting with bookmakers all successful wagers made prior to 2.31pm to be subject to the following deductions in the dollar on the face value of the ticket:
1st) Raceway less 5 cents win, 2 cents place
2nd) Shelford less 23 cents place
Trainer Mr D Pfieffer was advised that Nediym’s Quest must trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards prior to its next start. Rise To The Top was slow to begin (2L) and ran in on jumping away. Narcissus was inclined to lay out under pressure in the run to the finishing line. When questioned, C Brown, rider of Perdicaris, stated the colt was a little field shy, laid out throughout and then hung badly rounding the home turn. A post-race veterinary examination of Perdicaris did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer Mr P Snowden indicated Perdicaris would now be spelled. When questioned why he restrained Lansdowne Road in the middle stages after establishing a position outside the leader, Shelford, with the eventual winner Raceway racing to his outside, rider T Berry stated that his intention was to drop onto the rails behind Shelford, but he was unable to do so when Narcissus improved to his inside. T Berry was told that, in the circumstances, restraining at that point of the race to take up a less favourable position was a questionable option and he must at all times be competitive in the tactics he adopts.
RACE 4: Comfort Inn Hunts Liverpool Handicap 1600m:
Sharp Princess was hampered on jumping when crowded by Mr Edison, which shifted out. Mr Edison had difficulty in obtaining clear running for some distance approaching the 150m. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of Skateboard, R Quinn stated that the gelding raced in restricted room to the inside of Kinnersley, and was also inclined to lay out when in this position. He added that Skateboard, when placed under pressure, failed to respond to his riding and was most disappointing and, in his view, raced like a tired horse. A post-race veterinary examination of Skateboard did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer Mr G Walter indicated that, in his view, Skateboard had reached the end of its preparation and would now be spelled. A post-race veterinary examination of Marden did not reveal any abnormalities.
RACE 5: N.S.W. Thoroughbred Breeders Classic 1200m:
Acting on veterinary advice, Balmont was a late withdrawal at 9.40am. Trainer Mr G Walter was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to Balmont racing again. When questioned as to why he elected to persevere for a run to the outside, instead of coming to the inside of Ladys Angel near the 250m, C Brown, rider of the second placegetter, Beaded, stated that it was equally open to him to improve between Ladys Angel and the eventual winner Steps In Time, but that Ladys Angel then shifted out, resulting in he being briefly held up and having to direct Beaded out to continue its run. C Brown added that when Steps In Time commenced to shift in he was obliged to continue shifting out on Beaded to make his run to the outside of that mare.
RACE 6: Royal Sovereign Stakes 1200m:
Rekindled Alliance was slow to begin. King Saul began awkwardly. Isopach was hampered shortly after the start when Hendricus was inclined to lay in. Hendricus was inclined to shift in at the 600m and made contact with King Saul. J Cassidy explained that Hendricus was having trouble maintaining a footing. Shortly after this incident, as Ambidexter (J Parr) endeavoured to improve between Hendricus and Darci Be Good, where there was doubtful room, Ambidexter was disappointed for that run when Hendricus shifted out slightly. Approaching the 200m Moment Of Change changed stride and shifted out, resulting in Hot Snitzel being taken out and Manawanui, which was commencing to make ground to the outside of the heels of Hot Snitzel, being inconvenienced and then having to be directed out to continue its run.
RACE 7: Patinack Farm Light Fingers Stakes 1200m:
Trainer Mr C Conners was fined $100 under LR35(1) for the late declaration of C Reith as the rider of Blue Ruby. Blue Ruby jumped awkwardly, shifted in and bumped Debelle. Fox lost its footing on jumping away and missed the start as a result. When questioned, T Berry, rider of Karuta Queen, stated that, despite ensuring the filly was concentrating in the barriers, Karuta Queen stood flat-footed when the gates were released and missed the start (1L). T Berry added that Karuta Queen ran on only fairly over the concluding stages and, in his opinion, felt flat. A post-race veterinary examination of Karuta Queen did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer Mr N Layt stated that, whilst Karuta Queen appeared not to take any harm from its run on 11 February, 2012 or the trip back from Melbourne, the filly today raced like a tired horse and it was his intention now to give the filly a freshen up. When questioned, B Shinn, rider of Pane In The Glass stated that he was positive from the barriers, as connections were somewhat disappointed with the filly’s effort in its trial at Warwick Farm on 31 January 2012 when it got back in the field. He added today, although Pane In The Glass was caught wide, nevertheless the run was disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination of Pane In The Glass did not reveal any abnormalities.
RACE 8: Fernwood Liverpool Handicap 1300m:
When questioned regarding the performance of Stratford, R Quinn stated that his mount travelled well to the 700m, however, he became concerned shortly afterwards when the gelding came off the bit and was disappointing in its failure to finish the race off. A post-race veterinary examination of Stratford did not reveal any abnormalities. Co-trainer Mr M Hawkes stated that the fact that Stratford, which was racing over 1300m for the first time, was caught wide without cover was the main factor in the gelding’s performance. Mr Hawkes undertook to report if there was anything amiss with Stratford subsequent to the race. When questioned, J Cassidy, rider of Brayroan stated the gelding did not show any early speed, which resulted in him having difficulty staying in touch with the field. He added he commenced to ride his mount along from the 600m and cut back to the inside on straightening so as to save ground, as Brayroan was not travelling well enough to endeavour to circle the field. In the straight Brayroan then ran home well. A post-race veterinary examination of Brayroan did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer’s representative Mr L Prior stated that Brayroan was resuming from a seven month spell and serious injury and had been subject to long striding work and two trials in preparation for today’s event. He added that Brayroan’s best form has been over longer journeys and the stable would be looking to step the gelding up in distance at its next start.
GENERAL:
Swab samples were taken from all winners and the following runners:
Race 1: Telesmon, Watertight, Palasport.
Race 2: Springbok Girl, Incrimination, Agueda.
Race 3: Raceway (2), Lansdowne Road, Narcissus, Nediym’s Quest, Perdicaris, Shelford.
Race 4: Marden, Mr Edison.
Race 5: Beaded, Montana Flyer, Paprika, Ladys Angel, Alberton Park, Red Tracer.
Race 6: Manawanui (2), King Saul, Isopach, Salade, Free Wheeling, Moment Of Change, Time To Plunder.
Race 7: Karuta Queen, Pane In The Glass, Streama, Schiffer, Altar, Kneeling, Miss Spoken, Pineapple, Hallowell Belle.
Race 8: All Legal, Izababe, Stratford, Brayroan, Hood.
SUMMARY
Fines: Race 7: Trainer C Conners (Blue Ruby) $100 – late declaration of rider (LR35(1)).
Reprimands: Nil.
Suspensions: Nil.
Bleeders: Nil.
Certificates: Race 1: Sean Baile More (trainer T Balfour) – poor post-race recovery, mild heat stress and mild scouring.
Race 5: Balmont (trainer G Walter) – late scratching.
Warnings: Nil.
Trials: Race 3: Nediym’s Quest (trainer D Pfieffer) – barrier manners.
Change of Tactics: Race 4: Sienna Red – to be ridden more forward; settled midfield.
Falls/Injuries: Nil.
Change of Colours: Race 4: Hardbreak Hotel – white cap.
Gear changes: Nil.
Follow-up: Race 8: Stratford (co-trainer M Hawkes).