QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

ESK JOCKEY CLUB

SATURDAY, 7TH MARCH 2026

WEATHER – Overcast
TRACK RATING – Good 4 (Downgraded to Soft 5 at 2:40pm)          
RAIL – True
 
OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – A. Dowsett
Stewards – S. Fletcher

 
RACE 1: REMEMBERING TOMMY Maiden Plate (800 METRES)
 
RAINSITPOURS (GB) – Laid in under pressure near the 100m.
 
THE LITTLE CUB – Momentarily steadied from heels passing the winning post.
 
POWERWISE – Hung out in the early and middle stages. Stewards inquired into an incident near 400m where POWERWISE, while hanging out, appeared to be bumped and became awkward for a number of strides whilst racing in close proximity to MEANIE (P. Hamblin) which was racing directly to its outside. After hearing evidence from the riders involved and reviewing the available footage, Stewards accepted that whilst MEANIE was racing neatly to the outside of POWERWISE at the time of the incident, they were mindful of POWERWISE’s racing manners at the time and could not attribute blame to any one rider in the circumstances. The riders involved were reminded of their obligations to exercise care.  
 
 
RACE 2: BARRIER STAFF CHAMPIONS Class B Handicap (800 METRES)
 
 
ALKENTER – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
MISTER TUDOR – Began awkwardly.
 
SHE’S MY LADY – Brushed the rail near the 400m.
 
LA SUERTE – Laid in under pressure near the 80m.
 
 
RACE 3: INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY TOMORROW OPEN Handicap (1200 METRES)
 
DRANG A TANG – As the Nasal Strip, which was part of the geldings approved gear, was unable to be affixed to the horse prior to the race, Stewards approved the gelding to race without that particular piece of gear and advised trainer M. Currie it would need to be re-added to the geldings approved gear before being permitted to race in it again. Fractious in the barriers. Began awkwardly, bumped MR WANDJI and lost ground.
 
BASIL’S BOW – Raced in close proximity and bumped with MR WANDJI near the 1000m
 
READY AND MABEL – Shifted in and bumped ESTE DIA at the start.
 
ESTE DIA – Bumped at the start. Took the crossing awkwardly near the 1000m.
 
MR WANDJI – Bumped at the start. Over-raced in the early stages. Raced in close proximity and bumped with BASIL’S BOW near the 1000m. Momentarily steadied from heels near the 1000m when READY AND MABEL (Apprentice J. Emmerson) shifted out. Apprentice J. Emmerson was reminded of her obligations when shifting ground and advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances. Took the crossing awkwardly near the 1000m. Rider S. Pointon reported after making the crossing awkwardly, the horse failed to respond to any further riding.  
 
 
RACE 4: HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANELL THUN BENCHMARK 55 Handicap (1200 METRES)
 
PALATIAL PRINCE – Shifted out on jumping. Laid out near the 1000m.
 
GRAND CRUSADER – Bumped and became awkward near the 1000m when making contact with BEE EXACT which bumped the rail and shifted out as a result.
 
BEE EXACT – Awkwardly placed at heels near the 1000m when PALATIAL PRINCE laid out before being corrected by its rider.
 
TAKARA STAR – Brushed the rail near the 1000m and bumped with GRAND CRUSADER which was racing in close proximity to its outside.   
 
RICH AND JOYFUL – Slow to begin. Over-raced in the early stages.
 
MISHANI EXPRESS – Slow to begin.
 
GRANDEUR ROSE – Hung in rounding the home turn. Hung in under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
 
RACE 5: SEE YOU BACK IN JULY QTIS BENCHMARK 50 Handicap (1460 METRES)
 
 
ROARING SUCCESS – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
ANOTHER WISH – Slow to begin and lost considerable ground. Over-raced in the middle stages. Became awkwardly placed on heels rounding the home turn.
 
WHEREDACRAWDADSING – Slow to begin.
 
 
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Nil
 

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed post-race
 
All winners



Summary of rider changes/Late notifications

Race 3: 6 MR WANDJI – S. Pointon
Race 5: 15e MOANA NUI (NZ) – K. Gates, 16 HE’S VIRAL (NZ) – M. Savva
 

 
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.