STEWARDS REPORT

Illawarra Turf Club

KEMBLA GRANGE RACECOURSE

Saturday 18 November 2023

Weather:           Fine

Track:                Good (4)

Rail:                  +9m from 1100m to Winning Post; +7m remainder

COMMITTEE OF STEWARDS:  J. J. E. Earl (Chairman), S. C. Knight, G. E. V. Hargraves and Cadet M. F. Vilo                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 (sp)

___________

RACE 1: Peroni Colts Geldings and Entires Class 1 Handicap 1200m:

Escutcheon – Shifted in on jumping and made contact with Mega Fight. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Approaching the 100m laid in under pressure.

Pharoah Magic – Began awkwardly. Pharoah Magic lost its off-fore plate in the race.

Master Right – When questioned, R. Hutchings reported that, after beginning awkwardly, Master Right became crowded for room and, as a consequence, he elected to shift the gelding behind runners to settle at the rear of the field. He said that, despite being ridden along, Master Right did not travel well throughout the early and middle stages, however, approaching the home turn he was able to improve to the inside of Escutcheon. He added that, when awkwardly positioned to the inside of that runner in the early part of the straight, he elected to ease around its heels to secure clear running near the 300m. He further added that he was able to place Master Right under full pressure from this point whereby the gelding closed its race off well, particularly over the final 100 metres.

Noble Attack – Held up rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight.

Mega Fight – Began awkwardly and, shortly after, was bumped by Escutcheon, which shifted in. Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid in under pressure in the early part of the straight and near the 300m was inconvenienced by Noble Attack, which shifted out to continue into clear running.

RACE 2: Canadian Club Midway Maiden Plate 1000m:

Against The Law – Raced wide and without cover throughout the event.

Invade And Conquer – On jumping was bumped by In My Dreams, which shifted out. Held up rounding the home turn and had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the straight. Near the 200m had to be shifted to the outside of In My Dreams to continue into clear running. Near the 150m laid out across the heels of Against The Law, which shifted in slightly. Invade And Conquer then was shifted to the outside of that runner passing the 100m to continue into clear running.

Via Varallo – Raced wide and without cover throughout the event.

Spiritchaser – Hung out rounding the home turn. A post-race veterinary examination revealed that Spiritchaser had bled from both nostrils. As this was the first occasion, Trainer Mr J. Sargent was advised of the provisions of AR79(4).

Daisuki – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early stages. Near the 600m, when continuing to race keenly, had to be checked away from the heels of In My Dreams.

Girona Girl – Shifted in on jumping and made contact with Thaibeefsalade. Girona Girl then was shifted behind runners in the early stages from the outside barrier. Raced greenly when placed under pressure in the straight.

In My Dreams – Began awkwardly, shifted out and made contact with Invade And Conquer. A post-race veterinary examination revealed In My Dreams to be displaying cardiac arrhythmia for the first time. Trainer Mr M. Freedman was advised of the provisions of the Racing Australia Code of Practice under AR88B(2)(b).

Nakama – Shifted out on jumping and made contact with Thaibeefsalade. Nakama then was shifted behind runners in the early stages from a wide barrier.

Thaibeefsalade – On jumping was crowded for room between Girona Girl and Nakama, both of which shifted ground. Thaibeefsalade then was shifted behind runners in the early stages from a wide barrier. Held up in the early part of the straight and near the 150m had to be steadied from the heels of Girona Girl (J. Van Overmiere), which shifted out when racing greenly. J. Van Overmiere was advised that, when shifting ground, he should stop riding and straighten his mount.

RACE 3: Carlton Draught Fillies and Mares Maiden Handicap 1300m:

First Night – Began awkwardly and, shortly after, was crowded for room between All At Once and Pretty Rho, both of which shifted ground. From a wide barrier, First Night was then shifted behind runners in the early stages.

Bad Intentions – Began very awkwardly. Hung out rounding the home turn.

Charbonneuse – Near the 1000m, when racing to the inside of Exceed The Sky, was inconvenienced when that horse shifted in slightly.

All At Once – Began awkwardly, shifted out and made contact with the hindquarter of First Night. From its wide barrier, All At Once was then shifted behind runners in the early stages. Laid out under pressure over the final 100 metres.

Holdontoyasuper – Began awkwardly and made contact with the offside barrier partition. As a consequence, Holdontoyasuper blundered badly resulting in J. Taylor being dislodged. J. Taylor was assessed by the ambulance officers and cleared to fulfil her remaining riding engagements.

Pretty Rho – Began awkwardly, shifted in and made contact with First Night. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Laid out rounding the home turn.

Rubix Love – R. Hutchings reported that the filly hung out rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight. He said that, due to the racing manners of the filly, he desisted from riding Rubix Love out over the final 300 metres. A post-race veterinary examination of the filly did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer Mr B. Widdup was advised that Rubix Love must barrier trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.

La Seule – Raced greenly over the final 100 metres.

RACE 4: Keith Wob’s Rolls Memorial Colts Geldings and Entires Maiden Handicap 1300m:

Binghamton – K. Latham reported that it was not the intention to have the gelding ridden in a prominent position, however, due to the slow tempo of the event, he was able to obtain this position without having to pressure his mount.

Show No Fear – Passing the 1200m was bumped by Lone Force. Near the 1000m commenced to race keenly and had to be eased from the heels of Rush Attack.

This Is The Moment – R. Downey reported that he was instructed to ride the gelding where comfortable, however, after beginning awkwardly, This Is The Moment was obliged to settle in a position worse than midfield. Held up rounding the home turn.

Cosmos Factory – Began awkwardly.

Lone Force – Passing the 1200m was bumped by Show No Fear.

My Shalom – Slow to begin. Raced wide and without cover until passing the 600m.

Rush Attack – Held up rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight.

Parade Ground – Slow to begin.

Stand Guard – A. Calder reported that he was instructed to ride Stand Guard in a prominent position, however, after beginning very awkwardly, the gelding lost ground. He said that from a wide barrier he then elected to shift Stand Guard behind runners to settle at the rear of the field, which was further back than intended.

Prince Of Arendell – A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 5: Grant Purcell Fillies and Mares Class 1 Handicap 1200m:

West Of Dalby – Shortly after the start was bumped by Penitent, which shifted out after being bumped. Held up rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight.

Gold Pattern – From a wide barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages.

Lichester – From the outside barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages. C. Reith reported that the mare, which was resuming from a spell, was inclined to lay in under pressure in the straight and would derive a fitness benefit from the outing. A post-race veterinary examination of Lichester did not reveal any abnormalities.

Noble Serenade – Reared as the start was effected and, as a consequence, lost considerable ground. Co-trainer Mr L. Price was advised that Noble Serenade must barrier trial to the satisfaction of stewards prior to racing again.

Ferrari Girl – Held up rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight.

Zeema – Began awkwardly, shifted out and made contact with Penitent. Raced keenly in the early stages

A Tender Lady – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages when caught racing very wide and without cover. Near the 300m, when commencing to weaken, laid in across the heels of Penitent and had to be eased.

Penitent – On jumping was crowded for room between West Of Dalby and Zeema, which shifted out. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages

Berenike – Slow to begin and, shortly after, was hampered by West Of Dalby, which shifted out after being bumped.

RACE 6: Lee Wonson 10 Year Memorial Super Maiden Handicap 1600m:

Egyptologist – The gelding was a late scratching at 4.30 p.m. after refusing to be loaded into the barriers. Stewards ruled that all moneys invested on Egyptologist be refunded in full and that all successful wagers made prior to 4.30 p.m. be subject to the following deductions from the face value of each ticket: 

1^st Sweet Dixie – 19 cents win, 34 cents place;

2^nd Whatadilemma – 20 cents place;

3^rd Mulvader – 26 cents place.

Trainer Mr J. O’Shea was advised that Egyptologist will be required prior to barrier trial to the satisfaction of Stewards before being permitted to race or barrier trial again.

Tell The Future – Began awkwardly and lost ground (2L). Held up rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight.

French Delivery – Blundered badly on jumping. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Head Lover – C. Reith reported that Head Lover began well from a wide barrier and he elected to allow the filly to stride forward to obtain the lead. He added that the filly overraced and refused to settle throughout the early and middle stages and, as a consequence, failed to finish its race off in the straight. A post-race veterinary examination of Head Lover did not reveal any abnormalities.

Outcast Girl – Held up rounding the home turn.

Slipstreaming – Held up rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight and did not secure clear running until passing the 300m.

RACE 7: I98FM Illawarra Convoy Class 1 Handicap 1600m:

Whisky Wisdom – Shortly after the start was bumped by Smart Action, which shifted out. Passing the 400m laid in across the heels of Amigos No More and had to be shifted out to avoid that runner’s heels.

Smart Action – Shortly after the start, shifted out and made contact with Whisky Wisdom. Raced keenly in the early stages and, approaching the 1400m, had to be steadied to avoid the heels of Flying Step. A post-race veterinary examination of Smart Action did not reveal any abnormalities.

Acceber – From a wide barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages.

Brave Agenda – Raced keenly in the early stages.

Trendy Lass – When commencing to weaken near the 200m was inclined to shift ground under pressure.

Amigos No More – Began awkwardly. Raced wide and without cover for the majority of the event.

Flying Step – Approaching the 1400m, after being crossed by Trendy Lass, commenced to race keenly and had to be eased. Held up rounding the home turn.

Storm De Lune – Slow to begin and, shortly after, shifted out across the heels of Acceber and had to be eased. From a wide barrier was shifted behind runners in the early stages.

RACE 8: PFD Food Services Provincial Benchmark 64 Handicap 1400m:

Jamberoo – Began awkwardly and shifted out abruptly.

Sawrey – Slow to begin and, shortly after, was hampered by Jamberoo, which shifted out abruptly. Raced keenly in the early stages. R. Hutchings reported that, in his opinion, the principal reason for the gelding’s disappointing performance was that it did not appreciate the Good (4) track condition. A post-race veterinary examination revealed Sawrey to be lame (2/5) in the off-foreleg. Stable representative Mr N. Mohanan was advised that a veterinary clearance will be required prior to Sawrey being permitted to race or barrier trial again.

Dresden – Began awkwardly.

Bully For You – Raced keenly in the middle stages.

Mancconi – Raced wide and without cover until near the 1000m.

November Falls – When questioned, Trainer Mr M. Beer reported that he had instructed C. Reith to ride the mare conservatively from the outside barrier, which was similar to the instruction issued when the mare led at Kembla Grange on 28 October 2023. Mr Beer was reminded of his obligation to inform Stewards of any change in riding tactics. A post-race veterinary examination revealed November Falls to be displaying cardiac arrhythmia for the first time. Trainer Mr M. Beer was advised of the provisions of the Racing Australia Code of Practice under AR88B(2)(b).

Hasty Duchess – Began very awkwardly and lost ground (2L). Raced keenly in the early stages.

Underground Music – Near the 200m was hampered by Herb, which shifted in, and then became held up when positioned behind Mancconi and to the inside of Herb until approaching the 100m.

GENERAL:

Summary of whip use:

Stewards noted that the following riders exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m under AR132(7)(a)(ii).  Bearing in mind the totality of whip use, no action was taken.

Swab samples were taken from all winners and the following runners:

Race 1:  Master Right

Race 2:  Invade And Conquer

Race 4:  This Is The Moment

Race 5:  West Of Dalby

Race 6:  Whatadilemma (2), Egyptologist

Race 7:  Smart Action

Race 8:  Jamberoo