QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

MT ISA RACE CLUB

SATURDAY 8 MARCH 2025
 
 
 

WEATHER – FineTRACK RATING – SandRAIL – True
PENETROMETER – N/A

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – R Neal
Stewards – P Warren and R Prowd.
 
 
GENERAL
 
1.      As the Bureau of Meteorology’s forecast temperature for today’s meeting was 39 degrees, the QRIC, Caring for Racing Animals in Extreme Heat Policy was activated.

2.      As a consequence of Cyclone Alfred, three Brisbane based riders scheduled to ride today were unable to attend the meeting. Given this factor the Stewards approved riding changes post declaration time, to best facilitate maximum field sizes. The changes authorised were completed on Friday morning with the media being advised.
 
3.    The following horses were scratched from today’s meeting because of no rider being available.
R1: Boogiewithmababy
R3; Philadelphia Free.
R4; Datinka; Rusty Rose
R5; The Tyler; The Boi.
 
4.   Commencement of the race program was delayed approximately two hours due to a storm passing over track and lightening persisting in the region.
The revised race times were.
R1: 4:20pm
R2: 4:53pm
R3: 5:23pm
R4: 5:53pm
R5: 6:24pm
 


Race 1: HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY MAIDEN PLATE 1000 M

BETHEHORSE – was declared a late scratching after becoming fractious in its tie-up during the delay caused by the inclement weather – given all circumstances no further action was required.
The respective deductions were
1st Ohmikkiusofine $0.04 cents Win and $0.12 cents Place; Azconpete $0.05 cents Place.
DEVILISH DANCER – began awkwardly; lay out rounding the first turn; gave ground passing the 500 metres and was not persevered with over the concluding stages. When questioned rider Shae Nielson stated the mare had felt indifferent in her action over the final 600 metres. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormality. Trainer Ms. Holly Robertson was advised that a warning had been placed on the mare’s racing performance.
GROOVE CITY – dropped its head as the start was affected and began awkwardly, settling well back.

Race 2: CAVA SCAFFOLDING OPEN HANDICAP         1100 M

JETSKI – gave ground passing the 600 metres and finished well back – when questioned rider Denicious Smith stated that the gelding could not maintain contact on the fast tempo set by the race leaders; Mr Smith added that, in his opinion, JETSKI would be better suited to more ground.
JAKAZONE – Apprentice Shae Nielson reported to the Stewards upon arrival at the track that she would be unable to make the required weight for JAKAZONE. Ms. Nielson explained that because of travel disruptions, including her riding gear not making her flight, she had been unable to waste in preparation for the race. Given all circumstances no further action was required. Jason Barbarovich replaced Ms. Nielson on JAKAZONE; gave ground from the 650 metres and finished well back. Rider Jason Barbarovich stated that the gelding struggled competing with the higher class of the race.

Race 3: CAVA GROUP OF COMPANIES BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP       1000 M

BEYOND STAR (NZ) - Stewards noted rider Nor Yadi exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+ three) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use no further action was taken. Stewards also questioned Mr Yadi regarding his whip action passing the 200 metres when applying the whip in the near shoulder region. In explanation Mr Yadi stated that he had varied his whip use and had struck BEYOND THE STAR twice on the shoulder before reverting to applying it behind the saddle. Given all circumstances Mr Yadi’s explanation was noted, nonetheless he was advised that the way he uses the whip should not give rise to query.
WAGONGA (NZ) – was a late scratching at 5:25pm after refusing to load into the barriers. Stewards advised trainer Mr Kerry Krogh that the gelding a final warning had been placed on the barrier manners of WAGONGA (NZ) and that additionally the gelding is to be restricted to non-TAB racing until further notice.
The respective deductions were -
1st Rough N’ Ready $0.00 cents Win and $0.02 cents Place; Welloutofreach $0.02 cents Place.
BITTERBLUE (NZ) – lay in when placed under pressure in the final straight and passing the 75 metres shifted in and had to be straightened by the rider.
 
Race 4: CAVA HYDRAULICS BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP         1000 M

This race started 2min 45 sec late due to SIRYU the tongue tie proving difficult to apply and the mare being late to parade. Trainer Ms. Tanya Parry was firmly reminded of her obligations to ensure that her runners are presented in the enclosure by the required time. In determining this outcome, the Stewards were mindful of the difficulties caused by the delays to today’s program.
SEIRYU – slow into stride; travelled wide throughout.
ROCKETING TO WIN – inclined to lay in throughout the final straight.
 
Race 5: 3 MONTHS TO THE BATTLE OF THE BUSH FINAL GET YOUR 6 RUNS IN QTIS BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP         1200 M

FABULOUS HOFFA – began awkwardly and shifted out,
ROOM FOR SQUARES – lay out under pressure over the final 100 metres inconveniencing DANGEREUSE; rider Jason Babarovich was reminded of his obligations to stop and straighten his mounts when they commence to shift ground.
THE EIGHTH I AM – began awkwardly.
DANGEREUSE- crowded passing the 100 metres and had to steady; rider David Sparks viewed vision of the concluding stages with respected to lodging a protest against the first placed ROOM FOR SQUARES, however elected not to proceed. Mr Sparks admitted a breach of AR 132(7)(a)(ii) being that he applied his whip on ten occasions prior to the 100 metres. After considerations rider Spark’s licence to ride in races was suspended from the close of racing on Saturday 15th March 2025, up to and including racing on Sunday 23rd March 2025 (8 days).
FAR REACHING – travelled wide throughout; lay in passing the 75 metres and had to be straightened; rider Brooke Stower was reminded of her obligations to straighten her mounts when they are shifting ground, sooner than she did on this occasion.



STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Suspensions R5: David Sparks [AR 132(7)(a)(ii) ] – excessive whip use – suspended 16th – 23rd March 2025 (inclusive) 8 days.


Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars; DEVILISH DANCER – warned racing performance.
WAGONGA (NZ) – warned barrier manners.


Summary of horses scratched – no rider available
 
R1: Boogiewithmababy
R3; Philadelphia Free.
R4; Datinka; Rusty Rose
R5; The Tyler; The Boi.
 
Riding Changes
 
Race 2 Jason Babarovich replaced Shae Nielson on JAKAZONE

Late scratchings
 
R1: BETHEHORSE
R3: WAGONGA (NZ)
 

The matters contained within this Stewards report may be subject to external review.  The Racing Appeals Panel manages external reviews and the Racing Appeals Panel publishes its decisions on its website.

 This report and the Stewards Comments for this meeting may be amended at any time, at the sole discretion of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Stewards as races are reviewed.