QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

IPSWICH TURF CLUB

SATURDAY 3 JANUARY 2026

WEATHER – Overcast      
TRACK RATING – Good 4         
RAIL – +8.5m Entire
PENETROMETER – 5.3

OFFICIALS

Stewards – B. Wright (Chair), D. Aurisch, D. McMahon, A. Dowsett, P. Reardon, T. Hendy (Cadet).

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 

Gold Coast Turf Club - 6 December 2025 – Race 7  
 
Stewards today concluded the adjourned inquiry to hear evidence from Apprentice J. Newman (HOME ZONE), Rider K. Zechner (ELIZABASS) and Rider A. Thompson (PEE BEE NOIR). Stewards’ footage of the incident was shown and after consideration of all the evidence, it was established that passing the 100m, HOME ZONE steadied from the heels of ELIZABASS (K. Zechner), which initially shifted in slightly before then being taken in by PEE BEE NOIR (A. Thompson), which shifted in when not quite clear. Both Riders K. Zechner and A. Thompson were reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) and were advised that in similar circumstances they need to ensure they give sufficient racing room to runners.   
 
 
GENERAL

Stewards permitted the following overweight:
 
Race 1: Rider D. Smith +1kg (55kg)  
 
 
Trainer D. Bougoure was fined $100 pursuant to LR67(1) for the late rider declaration of A. Allen on LARIDAE in Race 10.
 
Trainer R. Lipp was fined $200 pursuant to LR67(1) for the raceday declaration of J. Huxtable on BURLEIGH MAGIC in Race 10.
 
Trainer T. Thomas was fined $100 pursuant to LR68(1) for the late scratching of BANDIT in Race 10, which raced at Kilcoy on 02/01/2026.
 
 
 
RACE 1: GREAT NORTHERN Maiden Handicap (1700 METRES)
 
The start of this race was delayed by approximately 4 minutes due to an interstate meeting running late and the late arrival of the ambulance on track.
 
 
GRUNT ’N’ GROAN – Began awkwardly. Hung-out making the turn near the 700m and the home turn. Trainer D. Murphy was advised the gelding would be required to Officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.
 
RATENOTICE – Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Rider B. Lerena could offer no excuse for the performance, other than the mare may have been found wanting over the distance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a poor recovery.
 
SOWILO RODINA – Began awkwardly.
 
CHANCE DE LUNE – Made the home turn awkwardly and when under pressure in the home straight, laid out.
 
STYLISH ANGEL – Fractious in the barriers.
 
PROUD MISS –Making the crossing passing the 1600m, steadied when awkward to the inside of STYLISH ANGEL. Held up for a run from the 400m to the 300m.
 
PIERTAGA – Slow to begin. When asked about the somewhat improved performance, trainer R. Tyrell stated at Doomben on 15 November 2025, the filly was ridden hard in the early stages and didn’t finish the race off as a result. He said at its most recent start at Ipswich on 26 November 2025, the filly pulled up with heat stress, adding since then, PIERTAGA had officially trialed successfully and with the removal of winkers today, was expecting an improved performance.
 
RACE 2: THE ADAM DAVE MICK SHUFFLE Class 2 Handicap (800 METRES)
 
The start of this race was delayed by approximately 2 minutes owing to the delay in Race 1.
 
MINOR KEY – Slow into stride.
 
AMAYA’S SECRET – Slow into stride. Raced three-wide in the early and middle stages.
 
CHARLOTTE’S HERE – Laid out rounding the home turn.  
 
HEAVENLY AZ – Passing the 50m, steadied when tightened by MR PLAYTIME (Apprentice J. Busuttin), which shifted in before being straightened. As a consequence, HEAVENLY AZ was not ridden out to the end of the race. Apprentice J. Busuttin was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a).
 
 
RACE 3: TAB QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)
 
GRANDSTANDER – Near the 1100m, laid in and was awkward on the heels of SAN GIMIGNANO.
 
MEANER THAN MOST – Began awkwardly.
 
YEAH BUDDY – Forced wider near the 1100m when MEANER THAN MOST shifted out. Raced three-wide without cover throughout.
 
SON OF A LIE – Began awkwardly. Tightened and forced wider near the 1100m when MEANER THAN MOST shifted out onto YEAH BUDDY. Bumped near the 500m. Trainer R. Tyrell was reprimanded for presenting the gelding to the enclosure with incorrect gear. In not taking any direct action, account was taken of his good record over the past two years in relation to this matter, however; he was reprimanded.  
 
CHAYSE ‘N’ BODHI – Tightened and bumped near the 500m.
 
YOUMEANDDUPRE – Apprentice B. Youngberry advised the gelding travelled well but didn’t let down in the home straight as expected and proved disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.
 
SAN GIMIGNANO – Shifted in on jumping. Raced keenly in the middle stages and when being steadied got its head up.
 
NASIRON – Got its head up and steadied near the 800m. Near the 500m, steadied from the heels of SAN GIMIGNANO, shifted out and tightened CHAYSE ‘N’ BODHI onto SON OF A LIE, with those two horses bumping. Passing the 100m laid out towards the heels of YEAH BUDDY and momentarily steadied.
 
RACE 4: MARSHALL TURNS 18 QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap (1200 METRES)
 
LA PROFECIA – Began awkwardly. Passing the 1100m, was taken in and steadied when HUNTER’S MATE (A. Thompson) shifted in when not clear. LADY KATE, which was racing to the inside, was carried in and also steadied. Rider A. Thompson was severely reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a). Laid out for a short distance passing the 800m.
 
QUANTUM OVERDRIVE – Began awkwardly.
 
LADY KATE – Began awkwardly. Passing the 1100m, carried in and steadied. Rider G. Cartwright could offer no excuse for the performance of the filly, which tailed off in the straight. Trainer G. Cornish was advised the filly would be required to Officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.
 
LITTLE MISS CLASSY – Near the 250m, steadied from heels of MISHANI VISION, which shifted out.
 
TOI TOI – Raced three-wide without cover early.
 
RACE 5: GORDON'S GIN QTIS Three-Year-Old BENCHMARK 62 Handicap (1200 METRES)
 
CERTIFIED COPY – Tightened and severely hampered near the 900m.
 
BOOYA BOY – A post-race veterinary examination revealed heat stress.
 
LEBANESE – Tightened and hampered near the 900m. Held up for a run from the 100m and went to the end of the race without being fully tested.
 
THE POOL BOY – Began awkwardly. Hampered near the 900m. Held up for a run approaching the 50m and went to the end of the race without being fully tested.
 
THE TORQUE EXPRESS – Checked and lost its rightful running the near the 900m.
 
READY FOR AIMEE – Held up for a run from approaching 400m until passing the 100m.
 
 
K. Zechner, rider of BOOYA BOY, pleaded not guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR131(a), in that near the 900m, he permitted the gelding to shift in when not clear, resulting in significant interference to THE TORQUE EXPRESS, CERTIFIED COPY, LEBANESE and to a lesser extent, THE POOL BOY. Upon hearing further submissions from riders K. Zechner and D. Turner, Stewards were of the view the charge could not be sustained and rider K. Zechner was found not guilty. In arriving at this decision it was established that when BOOYA BOY commenced to shift in, that horse was clear of other runners, however; THE POOL BOY; which had been tardy to leave the gates, improved to the inside of BOOYA BOY and as that gelding continued to shift in, THE POOL BOY, despite the efforts of rider D. Turner to steady his mount, was taken in, causing severe interference to inside runners.
 
RACE 6: BARRIER REEF POOLS BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (2000 METRES)
 
SOCIAL OUTCAST – Shifted out on jumping and bumped PIERONIMO. Over-raced early.
 
INDY ROSE WARRIOR – Began awkwardly. Raced with its head up near the 1600m. Rider D. Turner explained due to the slow tempo in the middle stages, and as his mount was one-paced, he elected to improve around the field from the 900m and lead with a view to setting his own pace for the event.

PIERONIMO – Resaddled upon arrival at the barriers. Bumped at the start.
 
SUPER FAIR – A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.
 
RACE 7: SEVEN Class 4 Handicap (1200 METRES)
 
RUSSIAN SUB – Passing the 600m, became unbalanced when being steadied from the heels of SUPER QUICK. BOLD JULIUS, which was following, also steadied and shifted out. DREAM LANTERN, which was following, was checked and shifted out. Checked and lost rightful running near the 50m when DREAM LANTERN shifted in.
 
NORTH OF ELI – Carried wider near the 800m.
 
BOLD JULIUS – Steadied and shifted out passing the 600m.
 
DREAM LANTERN – Began awkwardly. Steadied from heels near the 800m. Checked and shifted out passing the 600m and for a short distance after was awkwardly placed close to heels. Held up for a run from the 400m until passing the 50m where it was shifted to the inside of BOLD JULIUS in the home straight.
 
SUPER QUICK – Over-raced early.
 
CAXTON LASS – Slow to begin and lost ground. Steadied from heels near the 800m, shifted out and carried NORTH OF ELI wider.
 
 
D. Turner, rider of DREAM LANTERN pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR131(a), in that passing the 50m, whilst being ridden along, he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of RUSSIAN SUB, resulting in the gelding being tightened, checked and lose its rightful running. D. Turner’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of thirteen (13) days, commencing midnight 11/01/2026 and concluding midnight 24/01/2026.
 
RACE 8: TEMPUS TWO BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1100 METRES)
 
ALPHA BRAVO – Bumped at the start. Trainer D. Bougoure was fined $100 pursuant to AR106(2) for presenting the gelding to the enclosure with incorrect gear.
 
THE HAMO – Knuckled on jumping.
 
GOT GUMPTION – Bumped at the start. Carried wider round the home turn.
 
KICKATINALONG – Made the home-turn awkwardly, obliging GOT GUMPTION to race wider.
 
CAPITAL DIVA – Fractious in the barriers. Shifted out on jumping and bumped GOT GUMPTION. Raced three-wide without cover throughout. Near the 200m, Rider B. Lerena momentarily lost the use of his offside rein.  
 
WAR TOO ALL – Bumped at the start.
 
RACE 9: RAY WHITE IPSWICH Class 1 Plate (1350 METRES)
 
Correct weight was delayed to allow Stewards to view official footage of the start. It was established that when the start was effected, GONE TO CAPE YORK stood in the gates and took no part in the event. Subsequently, GONE TO CAPE YORK was declared a starter. The representative for co-trainers C. & C. Munce was notified that before the gelding would be permitted to start in a race again, it would be required pass two consecutive Official trials to the satisfaction of Stewards.  
 
BACKSTAGE – Began awkwardly. Rider D. Turner explained with the expected speed in the race, and from his middle gate, he was asked to be neutral on the gelding early as if ridden to take up a forward position, BACKSTAGE has shown a tendency to over-race. He said he made the decision to come back and find cover shortly after the start when it was clear outside runners had the advantage. He added BACKSTAGE was able to come wide around the home turn and had an uninterrupted run in the home straight, finishing off strongly. Trainer J. Gilmore was reprimanded for presenting the gelding to the enclosure with incorrect gear.  
 
GONE TO CAPE YORK – Very reluctant to go to the barriers and delayed the start. Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination upon arrival at the barriers. As the start was effected, took no competitive part and refused to leave the barriers.
 
JOHNNY THE KID – Began awkwardly. Held up for a run rounding the home turn when awkwardly placed on the heels of BACKSTAGE, before being shifted out across that gelding’s heels near the 250m to improve. Rider M. Hellyer reported he was not dissatisfied with the performance of the gelding, adding it would be better suited over a longer distance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a mild respiratory noise.
 
SNUGG – Held up for clear running passing the 400m until near the 150m.
 
SIX OF WANDS – Began awkwardly.
 
STABILIZER – Raced wide without cover in the early and middle stages. Rider D. Smith reported the gelding, which weakened from the 150m, may be better suited to tracks with more give in them. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the near-fore. Trainer B. Baker was advised the gelding will need to obtain a veterinarian certificate prior to racing again.
 
WARILLA GORILLA – Approaching the winning post, was awkwardly placed on the heels of UPSTART LOVER.
 
RACE 10: THE INDUSTRY SCHOOL BENCHMARK 60 Handicap (1700 METRES)
 
MR O’REILLY – Shifted in on jumping and bumped MY CHARM.
 
MAZITA – Slow to begin.
 
JUNGLE PRINCE – Shifted in on jumping.
 
MY CHARM – Bumped at the start.
 
CONEY ISLAND BABY – Began awkwardly.
 
GOTEBO – Rider A. Thompson could offer no excuse for the performance of the gelding, which was eased down from the 200m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings. Trainer P. Wallace was advised a warning will be placed on the gelding for poor performance.
 
 
Rider A. Allen pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that he used his whip on 9 occasions prior to the 100m and 12 occasions in totality. Rider A. Allen was subsequently fined $500.


STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands

Race 2: Apprentice J. Busuttin – AR131(a) – Careless riding
Race 3: Trainer R. Tyrell - AR106(2) – Presented horse with incorrect gear
Race 4: Rider A. Thompson - AR131(a) – Careless riding – Severe
Race 9: Trainer J. Gilmore - AR106(2) – Presented horse with incorrect gear
 
Race 7 (Gold Coast 6 December 2025): Rider K. Zechner – AR131(a) – Careless riding
Race 7 (Gold Coast 6 December 2025): Rider A. Thompson – AR131(a) – Careless riding
 

Fines
 
Race 8: Trainer D. Bougoure – AR106(2) - Presented horse with incorrect gear - $100 fine
Race 10: Trainer D. Bougoure - LR67(1) – Late rider declaration - $100 fine
Race 10: Trainer R. Lipp - LR67(1) – Late rider declaration - $200 fine
Race 10: Trainer T. Thomas – LR68(1) – Late Scratching - $100 fine
Race 10: Rider A. Allen - AR132(7)(a)(ii) - Use of the whip on 9 occasions prior to the 100m (12 in totality) - $500 fine

Suspensions

Race 7: Rider D. Turner – AR131(a) – Careless riding - Thirteen (13) day suspension commencing midnight 11/01/2026 and concluding midnight 24/01/2026.

Absent jockeys

N. Tomizawa – Transport difficulties  


Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses sampled pre-race
 
HE’S GOT GRUNT, PROUD MISS, SUPER FAIR, SIX OF WANDS, BURLEIGH MAGIC
 
 
Horses sampled post-race
 
All winners

Warnings/bars
 
Race 1: GRUNT ’N’ GROAN – Trial – Hanging out.
Race 4: LADY KATE – Trial – Poor performance.
Race 9: GONE TO CAPE YORK – 2 Consecutive Trials – Refused to jump/Pre-race manners.
Race 9: STABILIZER – Vet Cert – Lame Near-fore
Race 10: GOTEBO – Warning – Poor performance


Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 3: 11 NASIRON – H. Van Der Hoven
Race 4: 4 HUNTER’S MATE – A. Thompson
Race 8: 17 EXOFLOW – M. Hellyer
Race 9: 15 STABILIZER – D. Smith, 16 WARILLA GORILLA – A. Thompson, 18 UPSTART LOVER – G. Cartwright
Race 10: 1 LARIDAE – A. Allen, 5 BURLEIGH MAGIC – J. Huxtable, 7 FAMILY OF LEAGUE – M. Philpot, 14 CONEY ISLAND BABY – C. Krahnen, 17 GOTEBO – A. Thompson


Late scratchings
 
Race 10: 15 BANDIT

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.