QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

ATHERTON TURF CLUB

SATURDAY 17th JANUARY 2026

WEATHER – OVERCAST            TRACK RATING – HEAVY (8)RAIL – TRUE
 
OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – P. Gillard
Stewards – Ms. A. Holzhauser

GENERAL

Permitted overweights:
R5 – L. Guernier (Bella Bianca) +1.0kg (to meet permitted riding weight) replaced by N. Yadi
R5 – I. Fry (Pelsart) +1.0kg
 
RACE 1: BOTTLEMART MALANDA BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP – 1400 Metres
 
The start of this race was delayed due to the ambulance arriving late on course.
 
FLOURISH – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start and was slow to begin.
 
THIRD MASTER – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
LOOK AT ROSA – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
MISS SHU (NZ) – Raced three wide without cover for the majority of the race.
 
RACE 2: 1911 RESTAURANT BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP – 1200 Metres
 
LUCKY JIM – As the gelding had not raced for an extended period it underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start.
 
GREY POWER – Slow to begin.
 
 MAJESTIC BLAZE – Slow to begin. Shifted wider leaving the 800 metres to improve.
 
BRING ME TO LIFE (NZ) – Bumped on jumping. Bumped heavily on two occasions leaving the 1000 metres when tightened for room and shifted in tightening the running of THE COPS.
 
LASER BEAM – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
BLONDIE’S SECRET – Shifted in leaving the 1000 metres tightening MAKANUI. Momentarily steadied from heels near the 400 metres.
 
MAKANUI – Tightened for room leaving the 1000 metres and shifted in when being restrained bumping BRING ME TO LIFE on two occasions then raced ungenerously for a short distance.

THE COPS – Was severely checked and lost its rightful running leaving the 1000 metres when tightened for room by BRING ME TO LIFE which was bumped by MAKANUI on two occasions which was tightened for room by BLONDIES SECRET which shifted in. At a subsequent inquiry jockey C. Meehan (BLONDIES SECRET) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR 131(a) and after considering all evidence and viewing of the race films jockey Meehan’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 15 days to commence midnight tonight 17 January 2026 and expire midnight 1 February 2026. In considering penalty stewards considered his recent record in relation to this rule, his guilty plea and deemed this incident in the mid-range. Jockey Meehan was advised of his right of appeal.       
 
ROSE OF ATHENS – Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
RACE 3: SPAR MALANDA QTIS MAIDEN PLATE – 1000 Metres
 
HOLD THE GOLD – Was declared a late scratching at 2.14pm by order of stewards after breaking through the front of the barriers and dislodging apprentice jockey L. Guernier after another runner became fractious in the barriers and then galloping some distance. Ms. Guernier was attended to by the QAS service officers and transported to the Atherton hospital for further observation. Stewards noted the circumstances regarding this incident and took no further action against HOLD THE GOLD.    
 
ESSAY WINE – Was declared a late scratching at 2.14pm by order of stewards after breaking through the front of the barriers riderless and galloping some distance. Stewards noted the circumstances regarding this incident and took no further action against ESSAY WINE. 
 
On the announcement of correct weight all monies invested on both runners were ordered to be refunded with deductions of 50 cents in the dollar on the face value of all win bets and 37 cents in the dollar on the face value of all place bets to be applicable on bets made prior to 2.14pm. A subsequent veterinary examination of both runners revealed no abnormalities.
 
Due to the delay caused by the incident all runners were ordered to return to the enclosure and tie-up stalls until the ambulance transfer was completed. As a result all remaining races were delayed.
 
SO FORMIDABLE – Shifted in at the start bumping heavily with PIER MOUNT and lost ground. Shifted wider to improve approaching the 700 metres. 
 
PIER MOUNT – Bumped heavily on jumping and was unbalanced.
 
RACE 4: TOM ENGLISH MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP – 1000 Metres
 
GUAPO – As apprentice L. Guernier was indisposed and unable to ride it appeared no other rider was available and was scratched from the race until it was discovered senior jockey M. McDonald was available. Acting under the provisions of AR 20(b) stewards allowed GUAPO to be re-instated. Jockey McDonald at the request of trainer A. Malliff was permitted to ride the gelding 2 kilograms over its allotted weight.        
 
GOLD CLASSIC – Trainer S. Cooper advised stewards instructions would be issued to ride the filly off the pace today in the hope it would finish the race off in a stronger fashion. Was rode accordingly. Began awkwardly.
 
TIPPED OFF – Slow to begin.
 
GAMADALE NIP – Began awkwardly. Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
CYCLONE COCO – Slow to begin.
 
STRATEGIST – Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
RACE 5: MALANDA BIG PUB OPEN HANDICAP – 1000 Metres
 
BELLA BIANCA – As apprentice L. Guernier was indisposed, she was replaced by jockey N. Yadi who rode the mare at its declared overweight of 57 kilograms. Laid out under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
 LUCKY ROLLA – Slow to begin.
 
INCHING CLOSER – Blundered on jumping. Stewards will interview jockey M. McDonald in relation to his whip use in the home straight at a later date.
 
CRYSTAL CHIEF – Laid in for a short distance soon after the start.
 
RECRUITER – Jockey L. Morrison had difficulties gathering her reigns near the 200 metres and again near the 100 metres.
 

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Suspensions
Race 2, Chris Meehan (Jockey) AR 131(a) – Carless riding – M/N 17/01/2026 – M/N 1/02/2026

Race day injuries/illness
Race 3, Apprentice Lauren Guernier – Dislodged when horse broke through the front of the barriers. Medical clearance required.

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 4, GUAPO – Micheal McDonald
Race 5, BELLA BIANCA – Nor Yadi

Late scratchings
Race 3, ESSAY WINE – By order of stewards – Broke through barriers – 2.14pm  
Race 3, HOLD THE GOLD – By order of stewards – Broke through barriers – 2.14pm  
 
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.