Stewards’ Report – ARTFUL MAID (M Neilson)
Date – 14 March 2017
Panel – N. Torpey, P. Zimmerman & M Ross
Queensland Racing Integrity Commission Stewards today continued the inquiry opened into the driving tactics of Matthew Neilson on Artful Maid in Race 6 at Albion Park on 24 February 2017. Stewards questioned the connections concerning the driving of Artful Maid over the final 200metres of the race
Further evidence was taken from Matthew Neilson and Darren Weeks who presented the horse to race at Albion Park in the absence of trainer Kylie Rasmussen. Stewards were advised that due to Artful Maid’s limited race experience the filly was inclined to hang out around the turn into the front straight and as a consequence of the filly wearing a lugging pole on the near-side it affected Artful Maid’s response to being moved by Mr Neilson to the inside of One Last Roll.
Mr Neilson further advised that once into that position the filly only ran on moderately.
After considering the matter, Stewards gave Mathew Neilson the benefit of the doubt as to whether he had failed in his obligation to ensure that Artful Maid was handled to the best of his ability and was provided every opportunity to perform to its best capacity.
