QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

GATTON
SATURDAY 28 JUNE 2025
 
WEATHER – Overcast               TRACK RATING – Good 4                     RAIL – True
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – S. Fletcher
Stewards – C. Warren, D. McMahon, S. Coulthard, T. Preston, A. Dowsett

SUPPLEMENTARY
 
From Gatton 29th April 2025
 
Race 6 – Stewards concluded an inquiry into the instructions provided to J. Huxtable and the riding of VICTORY MELODY, which led the race. Rider J. Huxtable stated that his instructions were to be forward with cover, however his assessment of the race and the way the track was racing, favored on pace runners, which he conveyed to the trainer pre-race. He added that after riding positively from the barriers he was in a position to clear runners to his inside and ultimately led the race. Trainer T. Ranger stated that at the previous start, VICTORY MELODY was ridden with cover early before receiving interference and settled at the back of the field. Ms Ranger added that while the gelding may have benefited from having some cover, she had full confidence in the ability and judgement of J. Huxtable and ultimately left the instructions to him. Stewards in considering the matter were mindful that prior to its previous start, VICTORY MELODY had established a pattern of leading in its races, however reminded trainer T. Ranger and rider J. Huxtable of the provisions of AR100(1)(a), to notify Stewards of any instruction or arrangement that a horse is to be ridden in a manner different to how the horse was ridden at its most recent start.    
 
From Kilcoy 19th June 2025
 
Race 8 – Trainer O. Cairns reported that QUEST OF QUESTS had a freshen up between this race and as a result over raced and did not settle throughout the race, which she felt had a detrimental effect on the performance.
 
Race 9 – Trainer L. Freedman reported that nothing had come to light with BARBIE STAR to explain the disappointing performance, other to add the filly may not have appreciated the tighter turning track.
 
 
GENERAL

Stewards approved the following overweight allowance at today's meeting:
 
Race 8 – BIG HITTER – M. Hellyer + 1kg(55kg)
 
 
RACE 1 - THE BIRDHOUSE LAIDLEY MAIDEN PLATE - 860M
 
The start of this race was delayed approximately 2 minutes when TUANAKI CREEK proved difficult to load and further when ALABAMA MOONLIGHT became fractious in the barriers prior to the start being effected. Trainer B. Phillips was advised that a warning would be placed on TUANAKI CREEK for being difficult to load and Trainer L. Hatch was advised that a warning would be placed on ALABAMA MOONLIGHT for its barrier manners.
 
TUANAKI CREEK – Raced wide for the majority.
 
ALABAMA MOONLIGHT – A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
CLIODHNA MAEVE (NZ) – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
SPIRIT SEEKER – Raced wide for the majority. Near the 600m, shifted out when awkwardly placed on the heels of TUANAKI CREEK and bumped KWINTERNA.
 
KWINTERNA – Harmlessly dislodged jockey H. Richardson on route to the barriers. Slow to begin. Raced wide for the majority. Bumped by SPIRIT SEEKER near the 600m and taken wider on the track.
 
VICTORY LINK – Leaving the 800m, steadied when racing in restricted room when racing between DIAMANTINA ROSE and MEANIE which shifted in. Raced wide for the majority.
 
 
RACE 2 - RDO EQUIPMENT GATTON BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 860M
 
ENUFF PILLS – A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
GYPSY TRICKS (NZ) – Raced wide for the majority. Laid in under pressure over the final 100m.
 
PALAWA KANI – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
CASH LANDING – Raced wide for the majority.
 
MISS DE BLAAS – Near the 700m, raced in restricted room.
 
DEEP SECRET – Trainer J. Healy was reprimanded pursuant to AR106(1) for presenting DEEP SECRET with incorrect gear. Began awkwardly and lost ground. Raced wide for the majority. When asked to comment on the performance Apprentice L. Martyn stated the mare missed the start, which she felt had a detrimental effect on its performance when not being able to race in a forward position. She further added that DEEP SECRET did not handle today’s tighter turning track.
 
HEAVENLY AZ – Near the 700m, improved onto heels and was steadied. Laid in under pressure in the home straight. Jockey N. Thomas was reprimanded pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(i) for using the whip on consecutive strides prior to the 100m.
 
ALBION SQUARE (GB) – Slow to begin.
 
 
RACE 3 - RMA ENGINEERS BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP 1400M
 
KOOLED – Slow to begin and lost ground. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, rider G. Cartwright advised her instructions were to be positive on the gelding from the wide barrier and be forward. She added that after the gelding was slow to begin, she pressured her mount to obtain a forward position and when travelling well continued forward to the lead. Stewards confirmed the instructions with trainer L. Abbott, who advised that at all of KOOLED’ recent races, the instructions have been to lead, however the gelding has a habit of missing the start and was unable to lead or race forward. In noting the explanations, trainer L. Abbott was reminded of the provisions of AR100(1)(a), to notify Stewards of any instruction or arrangement that a horse is to be ridden in a manner different to how the horse was ridden at its most recent start. L. Abbott advised that considering today’s performance, it was the intention to now retire the gelding. 
 
LIKEABEEL – Apprentice J. Busuttin advised that being first up today, the gelding will derive fitness benefit and will appreciate a step up in distance at its next start.
 
COMMANDMENT (IRE) – Shifted out rounding the home turn taking FAST LADY out and forcing LONDON POINT wider on the track.
 
FAST LADY – Forced wider on the track rounding the home turn. 
 
LONDON POINT (NZ) – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Near the 1300m, when improving, was momentarily steadied when SIR CARTER shifted in. Laid out approaching the home turn and then forced wider by FAST LADY which taken out.
 
MAYBE SMART – Near the 500m, became awkward in its action and fell dislodging apprentice A. Graham. An immediate veterinary examination revealed the mare to be deceased. The mare was transported to the University of Queensland Gatton for post-mortem and samples were taken for analysis. Stewards interviewed trainer R. Drysdale and adjourned the inquiry into this matter until able to interview apprentice A. Graham at a time and date to be fixed.
 
Following the running of this race, apprentice A. Graham was examined by the QAS officials and transported to hospital for further observations. Apprentice Graham was advised that she would require a medical clearance, and a satisfactory post-race fall cognitive test prior to riding again.
 
 
RACE 4 - BARRIER REEF POOLS QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1400M

The start of this race was delayed approximately 2 minutes due to the delays following the incident in the previous race.
 
ARGENT EMPYREAN – Made contact with the running rail leaving the 400m.
 
HOLY STEPS – Began awkwardly. Raced wide for the majority.
 
ROYAL EDITION – Raced keenly in the early stages. Leaving the 100m, shifted in abruptly resulting in rider J. Molloy having to stop riding and straighten his mount. Continued to want to lay in placing the rider at a disadvantage at being able to ride his mount out to the end of the race.
 
EVERYWHERE – Near the 1200m, momentarily eased from the heels of UNEGA WAHY’A (D. McGillivray) which shifted in when not clear. Rider D. McGillivray was severely reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a).
 
VILLANDRY – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early stages. Near the 600m, was steadied when momentarily crowded for room to the inside of AYASAKI which was taken in by PROCLAIMER, which laid in.
 
 
RACE 5 - RAZORBACK HOMESTEAD CLASS 1 HANDICAP - 1400M
 
STOP THE TAPE – Leaving the 1200m, inconvenienced and steadied when tightened for room between CALL OUT and GUS THE BUS which shifted out.
 
CALL OUT – Raced wide for the majority.
 
SAMMAAN CITY – Bumped on jumping.
 
SPIRIT OF NURAI – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after being kicked behind the barriers and was cleared to start.
 
MISTER HEMSWORTH (IRE) – Raced wide for the majority. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Held up approaching the home turn.
 
PEACH GALANTES – Crowded for room at the start. Near the 1000m, steadied from the heels of ALALTUN which shifted out to avoid the heels of STOP THE TAPE (J. Huxtable) which shifted out marginally. Jockey J. Huxtable was advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances. Raced wide for the majority. Laid out approaching and rounding the home turn and as a result shifted wide rounding the home turn. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
GUS THE BUS – Bumped on jumping. Leaving the 1200m, steadied and shifted out, inconveniencing STOP THE TAPE after being tightened for room when DIVINE GEM (N. Thomas) shifted in when not fully clear. Rider N. Thomas was severely reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a).
 
DUCHESS BREE – Began awkwardly.
 
ALALTUN (NZ) – Resaddled on arrival at the barriers. Raced wide for the majority. Near the 1000m shifted out to avoid the heels of STOP THE TAPE.
 
 
RACE 6 - WINTER PROV SPRINT SERIES-HEAT/REDMONDS PET & LIVESTOCK SUPPLIES LOCKYER LIGHTNING BENCHMARK 70 HCP - 1100M
 
ACRES AWAY – Apprentice J. Newman advised the gelding travelled comfortably but when asked for an effort, failed to respond and proved disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have the mild thumps and to have some minor cuts to the inside of its off foreleg.  
 
TARA JASMINE – Slow to muster speed and lost ground. Near the 200m, momentarily held up before shifting wider to obtain clear running.
 
GALWAY HUSSLER – Raced wide throughout. Apprentice C. Vitler reported he was obliged to race wide and felt that the mare would be better suited to a step up in distance.
 
GROOVIN' THE MOO – Began awkwardly. Rounding the home turn, momentarily steadied when MERCHANT LADY shifted out marginally.
 
ONE 'N' ONLY – Apprentice J. Williams was severely reprimanded pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(i) for using the whip on consecutive strides prior to the 100m.
 
SPIRIT OF BRODIE – Began awkwardly. Crowded for room shortly after the start. Near the 700m, whilst racing keenly was awkwardly placed on heels.
 
ELECTED (IRE) – Approaching the 900m, steadied after improving onto the heels of ADALIE.
 
UNCLE RUSS – Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout.
 
ADALIE – Leaving the 1000m, was bumped and a short distance later was steadied when racing in restricted room. Raced wide throughout.
 
MERCHANT LADY – Crowded for room shortly after the start. Momentarily held up rounding the home turn.
 
SHAPIN POWER – Raced wide throughout.
 
 
RACE 7 - THE 2025 LADBROKES GATTON CUP BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP - 2000M
 
The start of this race was delayed due to an on-course participant requiring the services of the QAS. Subsequently this race was rescheduled to run at 4:00pm.
 
LUCKY EXCHANGE – Began awkwardly and bumped with TAREX.
 
BENGAL BOY – Slow into stride. Approaching the 1200m, commenced to race keenly and near the 1100m, was eased and shifted wider to avoid the heels of WHO ORDERED DAFISH. Raced wide from the 1000m.
 
MR FRENCH – Raced wide for the majority.
 
WHO ORDERED DAFISH – Began awkwardly. Near the 1100m, when the pace of the race slackened, improved onto the heels of MALECON, clipped that runner’s heels and blundered.
 
MALECON – Shifted in at the start and bumped LOYALTY COUNTS. Apprentice C. Baker reported the gelding didn’t handle the tight turning track and was disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
TAREX (NZ) – Began awkwardly and bumped with LUCKY EXCHANGE.

OUR ORATOR – Raced wide in the early stages before being permitted to stride forward to obtain the leading position near the 1200m. Shifted out under pressure in the home straight.
 
LOYALTY COUNTS – Bumped on jumping. Raced keenly approaching the winning post on the first occasion. Raced wide from the 1000m.
 
JUMEIRAH TRIANGLE – Raced wide for the majority. Momentarily steadied near the 50m when awkwardly placed at the heels of OUR ORATOR (J. Busuttin) which shifted out under riding. Apprentice J. Busuttin was reminded of her obligations to stop and straighten her mounts in similar circumstances.
 
 
RACE 8 - OFFICIAL AFTERPARTY AT FALVEY'S HOTEL GATTON BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP - 2000M
 
The start of this race was rescheduled to 4:22pm due to the delay in the previous race.
 
FIRE AND LIGHT – Trainer W. Kropp advised it is the intention to ride the horse with cover. Ridden accordingly. Began awkwardly and lost ground. Held up for clear running approaching the home turn until entering the home straight. On entering the home straight, shifted in and bumped MAGADAN. Laid out under pressure over the final 100m.
 
MAGADAN – Raced wide in the early stages before being permitted to stride forward to obtain the leading position near the 1400m. Bumped on the entrance of the home straight. Eased down in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the near foreleg. Trainer K. Loy was advised that the gelding would require a veterinary clearance prior to next racing.
 
SECURITY ADVISOR – Began awkwardly. Stewards intend to question rider D. Turner regarding his riding over the concluding stages.
 
JENNI INDA JUNGLE – Held up approaching the home turn until near the 200m before shifting out to obtain clear running.
 
LILICA EBET – Slow to begin. When questioned about the tactics adopted, apprentice C. Francis in the presence of M. Cahill, Racing Queensland training officer, advised it was her instructions to sit at the back of the field, off the remainder of the field and settle the mare. C. Francis added that LILICA EBET settled well but didn’t quicken as expected when she commenced to apply pressure near the 600m. C. Francis concurred with the Stewards assessment, in that she erred in not making a greater effort in being closer to the remainder of the field during the early and middle stages. Stewards, in considering the evidence, bearing in mind apprentice C. Francis’ limited race riding experience, took the matter no further other than referring the ride to the Racing Queensland apprentice training department for further tuition.
 
LIZZIE'S PRIDE (NZ) – Held up for clear running approaching the home turn until entering the home straight.
 
BOLD TYRANT – From the 1900m until approaching the winning post on the first occasions, raced in raced restricted room between BORN TO BE ALICE and SECURITY ADVISOR (D. Turner) which continued to shift in resulting in BOLD TYRANT having to be eased. Jockey D. Turner was reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) for this incident. Raced keenly approaching the first turn.
 
BIG HITTER – Held up for clear running from the 400m on the heels of LIZZIE’S PRIDE before being checked and shifting out and to obtain clear running upon entering the home straight. Near the 200m, disappointed for a run between STATE A FACT and JENNI INDA JUNGLE which shifted out to obtain clear running.
 


STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 2 – Trainer J. Healy – Presented horse with incorrect gear AR106(1) (Pre-race pacifiers)
Race 2 – Jockey N. Thomas – Use of whip on consecutive strides AR132(7)(a)(i)
Race 4 – Jockey D. McGillivray – Careless riding AR131(a) – Severe
Race 5 – Jockey N. Thomas – Careless riding AR131(a) – Severe
Race 6 – Apprentice J. Williams – Use of whip on consecutive strides AR132(7)(a)(i) – Severe
Race 8 – Jockey D. Turner – Careless riding AR131(a)

Race day injuries/illness
Apprentice A. Graham – Medical required
 
Adjourned inquiries
Race 3 - Apprentice A. Graham dislodged from MAYBE SMART
Race 8 – Jockey D. Turner riding of SECURITY ADVISOR over the concluding stages

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses sampled pre-race
Race 3 – LONDON POINT
Race 4 – EVERYWHERE
Race 5 – SAMMAAN CITY
Race 7 – LUCKY EXCHANGE, BENGAL BOY
 
Horses sampled post-race
All winners, MAYBE SMART

Warnings/bars
Race 1 – ALABAMA MOONLIGHT – Fractious in the barriers – Warning
Race 1 – TUANAKI CREEK – Difficult to load – Warning
Race 8 – MAGADAN – Lame near-fore – Veterinary clearance

Falls
Race 3 – MAYBE SMART

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1:         12 VICTORY LINK - Micheal Hellyer
Race 5:         17 ALALTUN (NZ) - Ms Jade Metcalfe (a2/46kg),
Race 8:         6 STATE A FACT - Luke Dempsey
Race 8:         12 LIZZIE’S PRIDE – Ms Olivia Webb (a1.5/52.5kg)


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.