QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

CAIRNS JOCKEY CLUB – LADBROKES CANNON PARK

THURSDAY 15 MAY 2025

WEATHER – OVERCAST           TRACK RATING – FOLLOWING A TRACK INSPECTION AT 11.30am THE TRACK WAS DOWNGRADED TO A SOFT (7)RAIL – TRUE
PENETROMETER – 6.77

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – P. Gillard
Stewards – R. Neal, S. Copelin, A. Holzhauser

GENERAL
 
Workplace Health & Safety drug and alcohol testing was conducted at todays meeting.

As the following runners, Swatow, War Council, Young Express, Speed Legend and Fast As Steel had not raced for an extended period, they all underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and were cleared to start.
 
Permitted Overweights:
Race 1, C. Meehan +0.50kg
Race 2, D. Smith +1kg, C. Meehan +1kg
Race 7, C. Meehan +1kg  

Race 1: GATA PLASTERING QTIS TWO-YEARS-OLD HANDICAP – 1250 Metres

MR SHEFFIELD – Slow to begin.
 
SECRET CYPHER – Bounded in the air on jumping and lost ground.
 
GOLD CLASSIC – Raced wide in the early stages.

MISTER DOOBEE – Shifted in on its own accord near the 500 metres making heavy contact with the running rail and was unbalanced.
 
Race 2: HPS CONTRACTORS QTIS THREE-YEARS-OLD HANDICAP – 950 Metres

KICKAGOAL KENNY – Shifted out at the start brushing with HAND GRENADE.
 
HAND GRENADE – Began awkwardly and shifted in contacting its inside barrier gate and continued to shift in brushing with KICKAGOAL KENNY. Over-raced in the early stages.
 
GREY POWER – Shifted out under pressure leaving the 100 metres crowding ALMIGHTY JAB.  
 
ALMIGHTY JAB – Crowded for room leaving the 100 metres.
 
Race 3: RED ROOSTER RAINTREES AND MOUNT SHERIDAN BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP – 1400 Metres
 
Stewards questioned trainer S. Massingham into the reason why STATS and LIDDER VALLEY were scratched from today’s race. Mr Massingham advised his preference was to start both runners here in Cairns, however he had concerns with both runner’s heavy impost of weight over 1400 metres on today’s soft track with recent rain fall and was of the opinion the horses would be better suited to racing at Townsville on Friday 16 May on a firmer track. Stewards noted his explanation.   

TYCOON BEAU – Slow to begin. Jockey R. Wiggins advised stewards that in his opinion the gelding was not comfortable in today’s soft track condition. Stewards noted rider R. Wiggins exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+ two) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use no further action was taken.
 
Race 4: FRED WIELAND RACING BM58 HANDICAP – 1400 Metres

PICCAPEPPA – Slow to begin.  
 
EXCITE CHOO – Laid in under pressure in the home straight. Raced wide for the majority.
 
TARIFF – Began awkwardly. Momentarily forced wider near the 900 metres.
 
DOMINANT ROSE – Began awkwardly. Shifted out when racing keenly near the 900 metres forcing TARIFF wider.
 
PREMIUM STAR – When asked to explain the improved performance today trainer A. Malliff advised stewards that he had stepped up the gelding’s trackwork leading up to today’s race and that in his opinion the soft conditions was also a factor in its performance. Stewards noted his explanation.   
 
Race 5: GREENFIELD ENERGY BM65 HANDICAP – 1250 Metres

DOLLSON – Laid in near the 400 metres tightening runners to its inside. Whilst stewards noted the gelding’s racing manners, jockey W. D’Avila was advised to make a better effort to straighten his mount in similar circumstances.  
 
BARMERA – Bumped near the 400 metres.
 
SPILL THE TEARS – Tightened for room and bumped near the 400 metres.
 
GROVERS PREDICTION – Slow into stride. When asked to explain the improved performance today trainer K. Allender advised stewards the mare had been racing without luck recently and further that she backed the horse up from its last start at Gordonvale 10/05/2025 which in her opinion was beneficial in its performance today. Stewards noted her explanation.  
 
Following the running of this race stewards inspected the track near the 900 metres and 400 metres after concerns were raised by riders and deemed the track safe for racing.  

Race 6: FGF BITUMEN MAIDEN HANDICAP – 950 Metres

PADAM PADAM – Underwent a veterinary examination on arrival at the barriers and was declared a late scratching at 3.45pm when found to be lame in the off-front leg. All monies wagered on PADAM PADAM were ordered to be refunded and the following deductions to be applicable.
 
6 cents in the dollar for the win THE KAMIKAZE
14 cents in the dollar for the place of winner THE KAMIKAZE
15 cents in the dollar for 2nd place EXTREMELY FRILLY 
19 cents in the dollar for 3rd place ARTURETTA
 
WICKED RED SOCKS – Slow to begin. Finished tailed off. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.  
 
SWATOW – Raced wide rounding the home turn.
 
EXTREMELY FRILLY – Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
WAR COUNCIL – Raced below market expectations. When asked to explain rider R. Wiggins advised stewards the gelding may be better suited to a longer distance than that of today’s race and further that in his opinion was not comfortable in today’s track conditions.      
 
Race 7: LADBROKES BLACKBOOK OPEN HANDICAP – 950 Metres

VALENKI – Slow to begin.
 
MISSILE THUNDER – Disappointed for a run near the 200 metres before switching back to the inside to obtain clear running.
 
ALI'S JAB – Raced below market expectations. When asked to explain rider G. Semmens advised stewards the gelding was fractious prior to the race and in her opinion was never comfortable in today’s track conditions.    
 
Race 8: RNR AIR - AIR CONDITIONING & REFRIGERATION CLASS 3 PLATE – 950 Metres

NOBLE ATTACK – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn and early part of the home straight.
 
THREEBROTHERS – Slow to begin.
 
FAST AS STEEL – Began awkwardly.
CALM IS POWER – Began awkwardly. Stewards noted rider A. Holt 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.
 
REDAVNI – Began awkwardly. Made the 700 metre crossing awkwardly.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Nil

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
Spirit Meister, Vancouver Bay, Excite Choo, Dominate Rose, Memphis Shadow, Joe’s Giggle
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Bans/Warnings
Race 6, PADAM PADAM – Lame off-front leg – Veterinary certificate of soundness required AR 20(e)
 
Late scratchings
Race 6, PADAM PADAM – 3.45pm Vet’s advice   

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.