Turf Club Calender Notices - Week 3

Colour Fines:

The following Trainers have been fined €50 each for carrying wrong colours in breach
 of Rule 155:-

WA Murphy - Ros Cuire, DK - 04/12/2010
Mrs AM O'Shea - Samsieur, DK - 08/12/2010
John Long - Houmahaka, CK - 12/12/2010
WJ Burke - Oscar Mac, CK - 12/12/2010
MF Morris - Crover Castle, CL - 16/12/2010
Gordon Elliott - Silverlord (FR), NV - 18/12/2010
Eoin Griffin - All the Best Mate, LK - 29/12/2010
WP Mullins - C'est Ca (GB), LK - 29/12/2010
Muredach Kelly - Noble Jack, DR - 30/12/2010
PJ Rothwell - Three Monkeys, WT - 31/12/2010

I. N. H. S.    C O M M I T T E E

Killeagh (H) Point to Point Meeting, Sun. 16th January, 2011,

Maiden  Race  for  6 & 7-y-o  Geldings

Mr. K.S. Norris, rider of Papa Smurf, was placed fourth but failed to weigh in.  Having considered evidence from the rider the Stewards disqualified Papa Smurf from fourth place and fined Mr. Norris €150.

I. N. H. S.    C O M M I T T E E

Scarteen (F) Point to Point Meeting, Sun. 16th January, 2011,

Maiden  Race  for  5, 6 & 7-y-o  Mares

Mr. T.J. Considine, rider of Mary Whats Up, was placed fourth but failed to weigh in.  Having considered evidence from the rider the Stewards disqualified Mary Whats Up from fourth place and fined Mr. Considine €150.

The following trainers were fined €200 in each case for the non-notification of a Veterinary Certificate in accordance with the provisions of Rule 194 (v)(vi):- Mr. E. McNamara for Man Turk Lady (lame) at Cork on 3rd January and Mr. P.A. Fahy for Battle Bound (stiff) at Leopardstown on 9th January.

Thurles Meeting, 13th January 2011

008B Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund (Mares) Beginners Steeplechase & Mr. C. Byrnes, trainer of Tarrawarra, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his charge became tired on today’s ground.

The Stewards fined Mr. Paul John Gilligan, trainer, €130 for lodging a passport in respect of Present Gem in which the vaccinations did not conform with the provisions of Rule 91. The Stewards allowed the horse to run on receipt of the trainer’s written assurance that the vaccinations were in order.

008C Tote Jackpot Rollover Steeplechase & The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Saddlers Storm, trained by Mr. A.J. Martin, was found to be distressed post race.

008E thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle & The Stewards enquired into the running and riding of Rassi Maguire, ridden by A.P. Thornton, and trained by Mr. Patrick Martin. Evidence was heard from the rider and trainer concerned.
In his evidence A.P. Thornton stated that he had ridden the horse previously and felt that the animal was inclined to be quirky. His instructions were to be mid division, do his best but not to abuse the horse. He felt that the horse tired just over three furlongs out, so he had given him a chance to recover. He said he then gave his mount a squeeze and rode him hands and heels in the straight, but the horse was baulked slightly at the last. In addition he felt that with a harder ride the horse would have put its head up and finished further back.
In his evidence Mr. Martin confirmed the instructions and stated that this horse had a history of hock problems and was not a straightforward ride. The horse had won twice at Dundalk and was flat bred, but that in his opinion the ground was not an issue. He was satisfied overall with today’s ride, but did concede that with a more determined ride the horse may have finished a little closer. In addition he also felt that because of the weather over Christmas he might not have had Rassi Maguire as fit as he would have liked.
The Stewards also received a report from the Turf Club Veterinary Officer, which stated that Rassi Maguire was found to be post race normal.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards were of the opinion that both persons had breached Rule 212. Allowing for mitigating circumstances, the Stewards severely cautioned Mr. Martin. Furthermore, the Stewards suspended A.P. Thornton for four race days (27th, 29th, 30th January and 2nd February) and also advised him that in future it would be more beneficial if he gave his evidence in line with the facts.

S.W. Jackson, rider of Vardas Partner, trained by Mr. P.J. Rothwell, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount did not act on today’s ground.

008F Tote Trifecta Rollover Handicap Hurdle & D.N. Russell, rider of Lacarmic, trained by Mr. Paul John Gilligan, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount hung left and became tired in the latter stages.

008G Horse And Jockey (Mares) I.N.H. Flat Race & Mr. D. Murphy, rider of Firey Flagship, trained by Mr. L.J. Archdeacon, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount hung left throughout.

Naas Meeting, 5th January 2011

009C Woodlands Park 100 Club Novice Steeplechase & The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Gran Torino, trained by Mr. Noel Meade, was found to be post race normal.

009D Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Irish Racing Writers Novice Hurdle & The Stewards interviewed Mr. W.P. Mullins, trainer, in relation to the late withdrawal of his horses Ballyhaunis (GB) and Wee Giant (USA) from this race and Strain Of Fame from the Cheltenham Trial Day On 20th February Handicap Hurdle. Evidence was heard from the trainer concerned, who stated that whilst he declared his runners on “soft to heavy” going, he was of the opinion that the ground had now changed to heavy. He also stated that he had runners in the first race which ran disappointingly and having spoken to a number of experienced riders he was of the opinion that the ground was now unsuitable for his runners.
The Stewards also heard evidence from Mr. Brendan Sheridan, Turf Club Clerk of the Course, who agreed with Mr. Mullins stating that he had changed the going this morning to, “soft to heavy, heavy in places”, after heavy overnight rain and the ground was deteriorating with each race.
Having considered the evidence, the Stewards accepted Mr. Mullins’ explanation.

009F Maynooth Handicap Steeplechase & The Stewards enquired from Mr. Michael McElhone, representing Mr. Niall Moran, trainer of the winner, Rakamasi (GB), regarding the apparent improvement in form of this horse compared with the animal’s previous run at Down Royal on 30th December, when he finished last of eight behind Tiernan’s Terror (GB).
Mr. McElhone informed the Stewards that the trainer mistakenly declared cheek pieces for the Down Royal race and they did not have the required effect. The horse ran well with the aid of blinkers in the past and they were of great benefit today.
Having considered the evidence, the Stewards accepted the explanation offered and took no further action.

009G Tipper Road (Pro/Am) I.N.H. Flat Race & The Stewards enquired into an incident inside the final furlong involving Dante’s King, ridden by Mr. R.P. McNamara, placed second, and Sweeney Tunes (GB), ridden by Mr. A.T. Duff, placed fourth, where it appeared that Sweeney Tunes (GB) received some slight interference.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards accepted the explanations offered and took no further action.

Fairyhouse Meeting, 16th January 2011

The Stewards authorised the following substitution of rider at this meeting: P. Carberry replaced A.P. Heskin (injured) on The Flying Dustman, trained by Mr. Michael Hourigan (sixth race).

010B Tote Pick Six Mares Novice Hurdle & The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Midnight Socialite, trained by Mr. T. Hogan, was found to have a burst blood vessel post race.

010C Tote Pick Six Normans Grove Steeplechase & The Stewards received a request from Mr. J. Collins, Turf Club Clerk of the Course, to omit the seventh fence in this race and in the remaining Steeplechase’s at today’s meeting due to ground conditions. Having considered the request, the Stewards granted permission for the omission of that fence.

010E www.thetote.com Handicap Hurdle & The Stewards interviewed D.G. Hogan , rider of the winner Drive On Jim, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who stated that he had used the whip down the shoulder in the forehand position once or twice for corrective purposes, but admitted that he may have used it with excessive frequency behind the saddle as he was getting a response.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards found that D.G. Hogan had used his whip with excessive frequency, and having taken his record in this regard into account, they suspended him for two race days (30th January and 2nd February).

The Stewards interviewed M.P. Walsh, rider of Lascalahall, placed third, concerning his use of the whip in the closing stages of this race.
Evidence was heard from the rider concerned, who stated that he had not realised he had used the whip with the frequency that he had at the time, but after viewing the recording of the race, he agreed he may have used his whip excessively.
Having viewed a recording of the race and considered the evidence, the Stewards found that M.P. Walsh had failed to give his mount a chance to respond and used his whip without due regard to the stride of his horse.
Having taken his good record in this regard into account, the Stewards cautioned him not to allow a recurrence of this nature again.

The Stewards enquired into the circumstances surrounding the fact that Toomdeely, ridden by A.P. Thornton, and  Koshere King, ridden by P.D. Kennedy, both failed to jump the third last hurdle, (an island hurdle) on the final circuit and appeared to run out via the bypass exit.
Evidence was heard from the riders concerned, who both stated they had familiarised themselves with the track by walking it prior to racing. In his evidence A.P. Thornton stated he had no choice but to run out as he was on the inside of Koshere King, and despite shouting a warning, felt it might have been too late as the approach to the third last hurdle comes up quickly after the final bend.
In his evidence P.D. Kennedy stated that he was familiar with the approach, but had accidentally run out at that juncture possibly due to the bypass exit coming up quickly and the fact that he had confused the third and fourth last hurdles. He admitted that he had heard A.P. Thornton shout a warning, but it had come too late for him to respond.
Having considered the evidence, the Stewards found that P.D. Kennedy was in breach of Rule 212(a)(i) in that he failed to take all reasonable measures to take the correct course. The Stewards, however, took into account that this was a genuine error on his part and having taken his record into account, they suspended him for four race days (30th January, 2nd, 3rd, and 5th February).
With regard to A.P. Thornton, the Stewards found that the rider had no alternative but to run out and pull up and they therefore took no further action.

P. Carberry, rider of Chino Valdes, trained by Mr. Gordon Elliott, reported to the Stewards' Secretaries that his mount did not handle today’s ground. The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Chino Valdes was found to be lame post race.

010F Tote Trifecta Rollover Handicap Steeplechase & The Turf Club Veterinary Officer reported to the Stewards that Imaalhall, trained by Mr. F. Flood, was found to be post race normal.