QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

GOLD COAST TURF CLUB

SATURDAY 17 MAY 2025

WEATHER –OvercastTRACK RATING – SyntheticRAIL – True
 

OFFICIALS

Stewards – D. McMahon (Chair) B. Wright, S. Fletcher, P. Reardon, P. Gore (Cadet)


Race 1: SAKURA NIGHTS MAY 23 BOOK NOW MAIDEN PLATE 2000 Metres

ARTSPACE (NZ) – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
SMELTER (IRE) – After being crossed near the 1400m, commenced to race keenly and shifted wider. Raced wide until leaving the 1000m. Near the 50m, was inconvenienced when THROTTLE RESPONSE (B. Lerena) shifted in under pressure. Jockey B. Lerena was advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances. Apprentice J. Williams was severely reprimanded pursuant to AR131(b) for failing to ride his mount out fully to the end of the race.
 
SETHFIRE (NZ) – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Bumped by THROTTLE RESPONSE near the 150m.
 
STYNSY (NZ) – Change of tactics; to be ridden further forward. Slow into stride and settled in a midfield position. Jockey L. Dempsey advised the gelding was not suited by todays slow tempo. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
THROTTLE RESPONSE – Shifted out approaching the 150m and bumped SETFIRE. Shifted in under pressure from leaving the 100m.
 
LILICA EBET – Slow to begin.
 
REEL GRACEFUL – Raced wide until leaving the 1400m.
 
STRONG LATTE – Shifted its near hind plate in the enclosure which required farrier attention on arrival at the barriers. Subsequently underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start.
 
POLLY PRINCESS – Began awkwardly.
 
Race 2: SILKS UNDER THE STARS MAY 23 QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP         1200 Metres
 
The start of this race was delayed approximately two minutes when BENGAL DIAMOND became fractious in the enclosure after being mounted and broke free from its handler. Subsequently the filly was declared a late scratching at 12.39pm. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards orders that all monies invested on BENGAL DIAMOND be refunded in full, with the following deductions to apply:
 
1st place – VIERVILLE 23c win, 25c place
2nd place – AQUATIER 24c place
 
Trainer A. Campton was advised that BENGAL DIAMOND would be required to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards, inclusive of a pre-trial parade, prior to next racing.
 
BONFIRE SPARK – Laid out approaching and rounding the home turn.
 
AQUATIER – Held up for clear running approaching and rounding the home turn. Near the 250m, obliged to alter course to the inside of VIERVILLE to obtain clear running.
 
Race 3: HAPPY 60TH BIRTHDAY KIM WILSON BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP       1540 Metres

HULKAMANIA – Raced wide without cover throughout. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
BIRMINGHAM – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
PALANTUS – Raced wide throughout.
 
GRAND CRUSADER – Raced wide until obtaining the lead near the 1000m.
 
WEEKEND ARTIST – Near the 800m, improved onto the heels of FLYING BAT and was steadied. Eased down from the 200m. Apprentice J. Williams reported that his mount hung out for the majority of the race. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
SUPRENDRE – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
PAULI – Began awkwardly.
 
LORD VADER – Began awkwardly.
 
Race 4: CLUB TAMBORINE BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1540 Metres
 
AMBASSADORS – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Raced wide throughout.
 
CAPITAL BOSS – Apprentice J. Williamspleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using his whip on 7 occasions prior to the 100m, 16 in totality. Apprentice Williams’ license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 6 days to commence midnight 24th May 2025 and to expire midnight 30th May 2025. When determining penalty, Stewards considered apprentice Williams’ good record in relation to this rule and the QRIC whip penalty guidelines.
 
QUEST OF QUESTS – Near the 1100m, was tightened for room and eased when AS EXPECTED shifted in when insufficiently clear. Jockey M. Hellyer was reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) for this incident.
 
AS EXPECTED – Laid out rounding the first turn.
 
FAST DA – Bumped at the start. Raced wide throughout. Jockey B. Lerena dropped his whip near the 150m.
 
WHOMSONEVER – Bumped at the start.
 
COME ON EILEEN – Tightened for room shortly after start and became unbalanced.

MIDNIGHT IN AUSTIN – As jockey A. Thompson was overweight, he was replaced by jockey J. Murphy as the rider of the mare. Subsequently, jockey A. Thompson was fined $200 pursuant to AR190(3) for accepting a ride when overweight. Required farrier attention in the tie-up stalls, underwent a veterinary examination and was cleared to start.
 
PROMETIO MAS – Began awkwardly and shifted out bumping WHOMSONEVER.
 
Race 5: HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY KATHRYN QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE 1100 Metres
 
The start of this race was delayed approximately two minutes when HOKITIKA became fractious in the barriers, reared and struck its head. HOKITIKA was subsequently declared a late scratching at 2.23pm on veterinary advice. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards orders that all monies invested on HOKITIKA be refunded in full, with the following deductions to apply:
 
1st place – CAPITAL DIVA 3c win, 4c place
2nd place – TARMAC 4c place
3rd place – STOP THE TAPE 4c place
 
Trainer R. Beaton was advised that HOKITIKA would be required to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to next racing.
 
DRAPER – Began awkwardly.
 
SMACKEROONY – Jockey G. Cartwright could offer no explanation for the poor performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
STOP THE TAPE – Raced greenly when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
BELLA SPIRITO – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
HERE'S TO POWER – Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout.
 
LADY ALABAMA – As jockey D. Turner was overweight, he was replaced by jockey J. Murphy as the rider of the filly. Subsequently, jockey D. Turner was fined $200 pursuant to AR190(3) for accepting a ride when overweight.
 
OPPA – Slow to begin.
 
Race 6: SILKS UNDER THE STARS BOOK NOW BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 2000 Metres

Prior to the declaration of correct weight, apprentice J. Williams, rider of the 2nd placed GOT YOURSELF A GUN viewed the Stewards patrol footage of the home straight. After viewing the footage, Apprentice Williams elected not to proceed with an objection, and correct weight was declared on the judges’ numbers.
 
WATERMELON – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
GOT YOURSELF A GUN – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early stages. Approaching the 200m, momentarily held up on the heels of GREEN MEADOWS. Near the 150m, obliged to shift out around the heels of WATERMELON to obtain clear running.
 
GREEN MEADOWS – Near the 1650m, momentarily eased from the heels of DANCE BABE (S. Champkin) which shifted in when not fully clear. Apprentice S. Champkin was advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances.
 
GLENRAY'S MATE – Disappointed for a run on the entrance to the home straight.
 
MERLIN'S MELODY (IRE) – Slow to begin. Raced in restricted room passing the winning post on the first occasion to the inside of BIE’RES which shifted in slightly.
 
BIE'RES – Raced wide throughout.
 
DANCE BABE – As the tongue tie was unable to be fitted, Stewards permitted the mare to race without this gear.
 
NITROGLYCERINE – Slow to begin. Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
Race 7: TAB WE'RE ON BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP         1200 Metres

PAGATO – Raced wide throughout.
 
SPIRIT OF BRODIE – Near the 900m, laid in and away from PAGATO. Raced wide throughout. Laid in approaching and round the home turn and when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
ALL'S FAIR – Slow to begin.
 
MENSA MAESTRO – Began awkwardly.
 
PYROIS – Began awkwardly. Held up on the entrance to the home straight. Near the 250m improved onto the heels of PRIVATE TENDER and shifted out.
 
TAKUNAI – Raced wide throughout.
 
CHILLIWACK – Raced wide throughout. Near the 400m, raced in restricted room to the inside of SPIRIT OF BRODIE, which laid in. Near the 250m, momentarily steadied and shifted in to avoid the heels of PYROIS (B. Lerena) which shifted out after improving onto the heels of PRIVATE TENDER. Jockey B. Lerena was severely reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) for this incident.
 
SHAPIN POWER – Began awkwardly. Near the 1000m, after being crossed by SARATOGA POWER, commenced to race keenly.
 
PRIVATE TENDER – Near the 900m, became awkwardly placed on the heels of BEACHSIDE BABE whilst laying out.
 
Race 8: GCTC MEMBERS RENEW NOW BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP       1050 Metres

I AM VOODOO – Raced wide throughout.
 
FAST FUSION – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Laid out approaching and rounding the home turn.
 
HIDDEN MELODY – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
ANTILLES GOLD – Slow to begin and lost ground.
 
LI'L REX – Raced wide without cover throughout. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
ALBION SQUARE (GB) – Raced wide throughout.
 
VELVET – Began awkwardly.
 
 

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 1: Apprentice J. Williams – Failed to ride mount out to the finish – AR131(b) – Severe
Race 4: Jockey M. Hellyer – Careless riding – AR131(a)
Race 7: Jockey B. Lerena – Careless riding – AR131(a) - Severe

Fines
Race 4: Jockey A. Thompson – Accepted a ride when overweight – AR190(3) – $200
Race 5: Jockey D. Turner – Accepted a ride when overweight – AR190(3) – $200

Suspensions
Race 4: Apprentice J. Williams – Use of the whip – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – 6 days to commence m/n 24th May 2025, and to expire m/n 30th May 2025

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
STYNSY, THROTTLE RESPONSE, FLYING BAT, BIRMINGHAM

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 2: BENGAL TIGER – Pre-race manners – Official trial
Race 5: HOKITIKA – Reared in the barriers – Official trial

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 3:         10 PAULI - Jackson Murphy
                     11 LORD VADER - Ms Sariah Champkin (a2/52kg),
Race 4:         10 MIDNIGHT IN AUSTIN – Jackson Murphy
Race 5:         10 LADY ALABAMA – Jackson Murphy
                    13e OPPA - Ms Jade Hampson (a0/53kg),
Race 6:         11 BIE’RES - Ms Siobhan Rutledge
                     13e NITROGLYCERINE - Ms Madeleine Wishart
Race 7:         13e BEACHSIDE BABE - Ms Georgina Cartwright
Race 8:         13e ANTILLES GOLD - Ms Siobhan Rutledge
                     15e LI’L REX - Ms Georgina Cartwright
                     18e ALBION SQUARE (GB) - Micheal Hellyer

Late scratchings
Race 2: BENGAL DIAMOND @ 12.39pm
Race 5: HOKITIKA @2:23pm



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.