QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

 GOLD COAST TURF CLUB

SATURDAY 28 FEBRUARY 2026

WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING – Heavy 9; Heavy 8 (12:35pm)
RAIL – +5m 900m - W/Post; +3m Remainder
PENETROMETER – 5.63

OFFICIALS

Stewards – B. Wright (Chair); D. Aurisch; L. De Witt – Rowson, A. Dowsett (Asst. Stewards)
 
GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted the following overweight:
Race 2: 8 BLINKED – D. Turner +1kg (55kg)
 
The track was upgraded to a Heavy 8 at 12:35pm.
 
RACE 1:QLD JEWEL RACEDAY QTIS TWO-YEARS-OLD MAIDEN PLATE     1200 M
 
The start of this race was delayed by approximately three (3) minutes due to an on-course patron being attended to by Queensland Ambulance Service.  
 
WRITTEN ACLAIM – Rider B. Thornton stated the colt may not have been suited to the track conditions. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
ANDER'S DREAM – Began awkwardly and heavily bumped with THE AUTUMN AFFAIR.
 
MADAME DOUBTFIRE – Slow to begin and lost ground.
 
THE AUTUMN AFFAIR – Began awkwardly and heavily bumped with ANDER'S DREAM.
 
RACE 2: THE SALTY BARNACLES BM68 HANDICAP          1000 M

PETITE PALACE – After the running of this race, it was noted the mare had lost its off fore plate.
 
GAYLORD (NZ) – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
BLINKED – Raced greenly when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
RACE 3: CLUB TAMBORINE MAIDEN HANDICAP   1300 M
 
PRAISE YOU – As the start was effected, became fractious, sat back and consequently lost ground when the gates opened.
 
AIRBURST – Shifted in at the start and hampered CLOSE TO THE EDGE. Laid in when placed under pressure and near the 150m and was straightened. Rider M. Hellyer reported it was not his intention to lead, however; after beginning well from a wide gate, and when the pace from inside runners being slow, he allowed his mount to stride and take up a leading position near the 1000m.
 
CLOSE TO THE EDGE – Hampered at the start. Raced wide without cover early, before being allowed to stride and join the lead near the 700m.
 
GYPSY WISH – Bumped and hampered at the start. Raced keen early.
 
BRITANNIA ROSE – Shifted out at the start and bumped GYPSY WISH.
 
RACE 4: KINGDON EQUINE SERVICES QTIS THREE-YEARS-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1400 M
 
UNSURE MISS was declared a late withdrawal at 2:48pm after the filly became fractious in the mounting enclosure, got its head up, striking Apprentice J. Newman in the face, who sustained an injury to the right eye.
 
On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on UNSURE MISS to be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:
1st - ZHONGXIN KOALA – 0c win, 7c place.
2nd- EMPHATIQUE – 1c place.
 
Apprentice J. Newman was assessed by QAS officials and stood down from her remaining engagements. Apprentice J. Newman was advised she would require medical clearance prior to resuming riding. Stewards permitted the rider changes as per the Stewards Race Day Summary.
 
COME ON MR SNIPS – For the majority of the event, raced wide without cover.
 
EMPHATIQUE – A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
GOLDEN NOTRE – Slow to begin.

RACE 5: GC BOWLS CLUB MARCH 15TH 0 - 60 HANDICAP          1000 M
 
BOOM BREAK – A post-race veterinary examination revealed mild heat stress. Trainer T. Gollan was advised the gelding would require veterinary clearance prior to resuming.

ENHANCE – Raced wide for the majority. Laid out approaching and rounding the home turn.

FULL CRY – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination due to resuming racing from an extended period. Had its tongue tie refitted behind the barriers. Slow into stride. Near the 700m, steadied when awkwardly placed inside of IN NO DOUBT, which was taken in by BOOM BREAK (App L. Martyn). Apprentice L. Martyn was advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances. Trainer K. Geiger was advised a warning would be placed on FULL CRY for its poor performance.
 
BLAKEMORE AVENUE – Began awkwardly.
 
STEFFI ELECTRICA – Began awkwardly.  Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
Following this race, Apprentice L. Martyn, who was struck in the face by a clod during the race, was examined by QAS officers and cleared to fulfill her remaining engagements.

RACE 6: OWNER’S PAVILLION @ JEWEL RACE BM62 HANDICAP   1400 M
 
CHILLIWACK – Raced keen early when racing in the lead. Apprentice F. Sandkuhl reported it was not the intention to lead, however; from the wide gate and over the longer journey, it was expected to take up a forward position. She added the gelding commenced to race keen when outside the lead, so she allowed CHILLIWACK to stride and cross to the rail near the 800m.
 
LA SOEUR – Apprentice B. Youngberry could offer no excuse for the disappointing performance of the mare, which weakened from the 300m, other than that the mare may have not been suited to track conditions.  
 
SAVE THE ROSES – Slow to begin.

RACE 7: TAB WE’RE ON BM62 HANDICAP   1800 M
 
WATERMELON – Raced wide early.
 
AMALGAMATION – Slow to begin.
 
CHIEF OF STAFF – As no Apprentice was available, permission was granted for D. Turner to replace apprentice J. Newman. Slow to begin.
 
ESPADA ROPERA  – In the early stages raced keenly and on occasions got its head up. Rider D. Peisley could offer no explanation for the gelding’s poor performance.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed a poor recovery and mild heat stress. Stable representative B. Killion was advised ESPADA ROPERA would require veterinary clearance prior to resuming.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Race day injuries/illness
Race 4: J. Newman – injury to right eye – medical clearance required.

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses sampled pre-race
Race 3: PRAISE YOU
Race 4: CRYSTAL GARDEN
Race 5: BLAKEMORE AVENUE
Race 6: LA SOEUR
Race 7: AMALGAMATION, CHIEF OF STAFF
 
Horses sampled post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 5: 1 BOOM BREAK – veterinary clearance required – mild heat stress.
Race 5: 6 FULL CRY - warning - poor performance.
Race 7: 12 ESPADA ROPERA – veterinary clearance required - poor recovery and mild heat stress.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 7: 14e SLUGWORTH - Jaden Lloyd
Race 6: 1 CHILLIWACK – F. Sandkuhl
Race 7: 11 CHIEF OF STAFF – M. Hellyer

Late scratchings
Race 4: 5 UNSURE MISS (Stew @ 2:48pm)
 
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.