QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

IPSWICH TURF CLUB

THURSDAY 23 APRIL 2026

WEATHER – Fine              TRACK RATING – Soft 5 RAIL – +8m Entire
PENETROMETER – 5.54

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – S. Fletcher
Stewards – B. Wright, D. Aurisch, S. Coulthard, A. Dowsett
Clerk of Scales – A. Schofield
 
 

GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted the following overweight:
 
Race 5: Rider D. Turner +0.5kg (55kg) 
 
 
RACE 1:TAB QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP 800 M
 
The start of this race was delayed by approximately three minutes when MISHANI RAINFIRE reared in the barriers and sat down. After undergoing a pre-race veterinary examination, which also revealed a laceration and blood present on the lower lip, was declared a late scratching at 1:09pm on veterinary advice. Trainer D. Stanbridge was advised MISHANI RAINFIRE would be required to obtain a further barrier certificate prior to racing again. On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on MISHANI RAINFIRE to be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:

1st – LUCKY PAT – 1c win, 2c place.
2nd - ZANDARI – 16c place.
3rd – RAGING RAIDER – 11c place.
 
 
PROFIT IN PARADISE – Reared in the barriers on several occasions. Trainer P. Shailer was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding for its barrier manners. Rider D. Peisley was unable to offer any explanation for the disappointing performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.
 
SAILING SOLO – Approaching the 600m, raced in restricted room for a short distance.
 
RAGING RAIDER – Rider B. Thompson reported his mount raced greenly throughout.
 
 
RACE 2: POCO VINO MAIDEN PLATE 1100 M

HUSSON'S TREASURE – Began awkwardly, shifted in on jumping and hampered OLE ALI. Passing the 900m, checked when BEL FIRE (W. O’Connell) shifted in. Rider W. O’Connell pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding pursuant to AR131(a), in that passing the 900m, he permitted his mount to shift in when insufficiently clear of HUSSON’S TREASURE, causing that runner to check and lose its rightful running. W. O’Connell’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of eleven (11) days, commencing midnight 26/04/2026 and concluding midnight 07/05/2026. Raced three-wide without cover throughout.
 
LOPE BY NIGHT – Fractious in the barriers. Raced keenly in the middle stages.

MAGIC INVADER – Rider M. Hellyer reported his mount over-raced in the middle stages.

OLE ALI – Slow to begin and hampered at the start.   
 
ZOUSTROLOGY – Change of tactics – to be ridden further forward if circumstances permit. Ridden accordingly. Began awkwardly, shifted in on jumping and bumped BEL FIRE.     
 
GOODONYA THELMA – Slow to begin.
 
VERONA GIRL – Raced greenly in the home straight.
 
BEL FIRE – Bumped at the start and became unbalanced.


RACE 3: GREAT NORTHERN QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1700 M

CONTINGENCY (NZ) – Began awkwardly.      
 
KOZAK PRINCE – Inclined to lay out rounding the home turn. Rider J. Bayliss reported that the gelding was not suited to the tight-turning track, due to the rail placement for today’s meeting, which proved difficult to make ground from back in the field.

CLIVE'S GLORY – Rider C. Graham reported her mount had difficulty taking the home turn into the straight.
 
FLYING PHOENIX - Lost the near-hind plate.
 
 
RACE 4: BARRIER REEF POOLS QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE 1700 M
 
ONLYYOUCANREAD – Began awkwardly and then hampered by PIGGIETALES shortly after the start.

OUR MATE LOCKY - Began awkwardly and shifted in.

HELLO DOLLY DIVA – Raced three-wide without cover from the 700m. Rider K. Wilson-Taylor reported he was satisfied with the horse’s performance.

PIGGIETALES – Raced three-wide in the early stages.

PRIZE WITNESS – Over-raced in the early stages. Apprentice B. Osmond reported that when the filly did not begin well and from a wide barrier, he was mindful of not exerting too much energy in obtaining a forward position, and as a result he elected to find cover and raced further back than intended.    

CLEARLY NOT – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Apprentice C. Sutherland could offer no explanation for the performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow recovery. Trainer V. Heading advised it would now be the intention to send the gelding for a spell. Trainer V. Heading was advised that considering the poor performance, the gelding’s nomination would not be accepted at provincial race meetings until it establishes competitive form at country race meetings.
 
 
RACE 5: GORDON'S GIN CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1700 M
 
PISTON REBEL – Began awkwardly and then hampered by BEAUTIFUL JO shortly after the start.

STYNSY (NZ) – Slow to begin.

BUSKER – Near the 550m, steadied from heels.

PERRI LASS - Raced three-wide without cover throughout. When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice M. Apel stated that the mare travelled comfortably whilst racing three-wide, however when placed under pressure from the 600m, failed to respond to her riding and proved disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow recovery and the thumps.

OUR JEWEL - When asked to comment on the performance, rider B. Thompson stated that the mare raced keenly in the middle stages and was inclined to lay out throughout the event.          
JORUM – Began awkwardly.
 
 
RACE 6: TAB IPSWICH CUP ON SALE BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 2200 M

ABOVEFORTY – Shifted out rounding the home turn, making contact with BRIGHT THE SUN which was taken wider on the track. Raced tight to the outside of BRIGHT THE SUN over the concluding stages. Rider D. Turner reported that it was not his intention to lead in the early stages, but after beginning well from a wide barrier, he allowed his mount to stride forward and obtain a leading position on the rail.

KALKANLI – Bumped at the start. Raced three-wide in the early stages before being permitted by its rider to stride passing the 1600m before obtaining the lead near the 1300m.

KENSHIN MARU – Rider P. Hamblin reported that it was his intention to ride in a forward position, however the gelding did not respond to his riding early and was forced to race in a rearward position. He added that when the pace of the race began to ease approaching the 1000m, he elected to shift wider and ride forward to obtain the lead near the 500m.

SLUGWORTH – Began awkwardly. Rider A. Jones could not offer an explanation for the performance, adding that the gelding may have come to the end of its preparation. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings. Co-trainer C. Geran reported that after today’s performance, the gelding would be sent for a spell.

BRIGHT THE SUN – Raced tight to the outside of ABOVEFORTY over the concluding stages.

FLYING ROTHE – Fractious in the barriers. Began awkwardly, made heavy contact with KALKANLI and lost ground.
 
 
RACE 7: SEVEN BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP 1350 M

The declaration of correct weight was delayed allowing Stewards and connections to view the patrol footage of the start of the race to determine whether BOVIDAE was afforded a fair start. After viewing the footage, it was determined that BOVIDAE reared as the start was effected, became cast and took no part in the race. Trainer D. Murphy was advised the gelding would be required to officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again. Correct weight was subsequently declared on the judge’s numbers. A post-race veterinary examination of BOVIDAE revealed no significant findings.

ITALIAN RIVIERA – Race three-wide with cover. Lost the off-hind plate.
 
SUPER DUCK – Slow to begin and lost ground. Commenced to over-race approaching the 1000m, shifted out and bumped HENRY’S BLADE which became momentarily awkward when racing to the inside of ITIALIAN RIVIERA. Near the 800m, hung out, taking HENRY’S BLADE and ITALIAN RIVIERA wider. Laid out for a short distance leaving the 600m. When questioned regarding his riding over the concluding stages, apprentice C. Sutherland stated that the gelding was difficult to ride throughout and over the concluding stages, laid in towards GUAC ON, which he was mindful of his mount causing interference to that runner. Stewards noted the explanation. Trainer M. Hemmings was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing manners.

WHY WE DRINK – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination having not raced for an extended period. Began awkwardly. Raced in restricted room approaching the home turn and was then held up for clear running from entering the home straight until near the 250m. Near the 150m, was steadied from the heels of SUPER DUCK (Apprentice C. Sutherland) which shifted out. Apprentice C. Sutherland was reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) in this incident. Held up for clear running leaving the 100m and unable to be fully tested when close to heels.
 
HENRY'S BLADE (NZ) – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Approaching the 1000m was bumped and became awkward momentarily when in restricted room. Rider F. Larson reported his mount over-raced throughout. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.
 
HOLLYWOOD EPIC – Raced three-wide without cover.
 
FORTUNEER - Raced wide from the 600m. When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice B. Wheeler stated that after beginning only fairly from the outside barrier, he was unable to obtain a forward position and as a result, had to race further back in the field than he would have liked. He added that in his opinion, the mare would be better suited to being ridden in a forward position.
 
MAZITA – Lost the off-hind plate.

FORT WILLIAM – Commenced to shift out under pressure from the 150m until the conclusion of the race. Apprentice C. Baker was reminded of her obligations that when her mounts commence to shift ground, she must stop riding and straighten.

GUAC ON – Fractious in the barriers. Laid out rounding the home turn and in the home straight. Rider D. Thornton was severely reprimanded pursuant to AR132(6)(b) for using an action that raised his arm above shoulder height.

 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands

Race 7: Jockey C. Sutherland – AR131(a) – Careless riding
Race 7: Jockey D. Thornton - AR132(6)(b) - Whip arm above shoulder height – Severe 

 
Suspensions
 
Race 2: Jockey W. O’Connell - AR131(a) – Careless riding – Eleven (11) day suspension commencing midnight 26/04/2026 and concluding midnight 07/05/2026.

 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race

ZOUSTROLOGY, KOZAK PRINCE, CRYPTION’S DESIRE, HEROIC REBEL, AUTUMN HEIR, SCRUMPTIOUS
 
Horses swabbed post-race
 
All winners

 
Warnings/bars
 
Race 1: PROFIT IN PARADISE – Warning – Barrier manners
Race 1: MISHANI RAINFIRE – Further barrier certificate – Barrier manners
Race 4: CLEARLY NOT – Provincial race meeting bar – Poor performance
Race 7: BOVIDAE – Official trial – Barrier manners
Race 7: SUPER DUCK – Warning – Racing manners
 


Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 2: 11 GOODONYA THELMA – Fred Larson
Race 2: 13 BEL FIRE – Wayne O'Connell
Race 4: 15 CLEARLY NOT – Corey Sutherland
Race 6: 15 FLYING ROTHE – Fred Larson
Race 7: 4 HENRY’S BLADE (NZ) – Fred Larson


Late scratchings
 
Race 1: MISHANI RAINFIRE at 1.09pm on vets’ advice
 

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.