QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

MACKAY TURF CLUB

SATURDAY 24 MAY 2025

WEATHER –Fine
TRACK RATING –Good 4
RAIL – True Entire Course
PENETROMETER – 4.92

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – D. Griffiths
Stewards – P. Warren, A. Dowsett, S. Nosworthy
 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
Thursday 08/05/2025 – Race 3: LADBROKES ODDS SURGE QTIS Two-Year-Old Maiden Plate 1100M
 
SOOVITA – Trainer Jessica Kuhn reported that in the days subsequent the filly was found to be lame. Ms. Kuhn was advised that SOOVITA would require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
 
GENERAL
 
1.    AIDENABET was withdrawn by order of the Stewards on Friday 23/05 under the provisions of AR 55A(3) which states that a horse shall not be permitted to start in a race on more than five (5) occasions during any thirty (30) day period. Trainer Joshua Manzelmann was subsequently reprimanded for accepting to race when outside the terms of this rule.
2.    A veterinary clearance was provided by Trainer John Manzelmann for both FAROOQ and DIVINE OKAY.
 
Race 1: MOJO'S QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1200M

WAR COUNCIL – When questioned regarding the improved performance in comparison to its previous start when unplaced at Cairns on 15/05, Trainer Steven Royes advised that WAR COUNCIL was not suited to the soft track conditions on that occasion and added that the addition of blinkers to the horse’s gear proved beneficial to its performance. Mr. Royes stated that WAR COUNCIL had been pleasing him with his trackwork following its previous start and he expected a forward showing today.
 
SECRET BOOM – Raced keenly shortly after the start. Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
HUSTLER'S AMBITION – Over-raced in the early stages.  
 
BADLIFEDECISION – Raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages.
 
DIAMOND CODE – Laid out when rounding the final turn.
 
Race 2: BOOK FOR MACKAY CUP SATURDAY 26 JULY RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1560M
 
BO BO BEWARE – Momentarily crowded for room approaching the 100 metres when MR GREY laid in under pressure.
 
LABARNA – Stewards noted Apprentice rider Jai Williams exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+1) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use, no further action was taken.
 
MR GREY – Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages and momentarily crowded BO BO BEWARE approaching the 100 metres.
 
ENTERPRISE PHOENIX – Began awkwardly. Raced ungenerously rounding the first corner. Trainer Tim Cook advised that he was disappointed with the performance and that it would be his intention to retire the gelding.  
 
MILAGRO – Began very awkwardly. Immediately following the event, rider Jackson Murphy reported that in his opinion MILAGRO felt uncomfortable in its action over the concluding stages. Rider Murphy was questioned as to whether he had fully tested MILAGRO over the final 20 metres. In response, he advised that he had concerns with the action of the mare and elected to desist pressure on his mount over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormality. Given all circumstances, Stewards noted the explanation.
 
MISS TEAK – Slow into stride. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.

Race 3: STARCUT FLOWERS BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1560M

YUBETIDO – Shifted behind runners shortly after the start. Inclined to hang in under pressure for a short distance passing the 150 metres before being corrected by its rider.
 
YUKANUMA – Stewards noted Apprentice rider Jai Williams exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+1) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use, no further action was taken.
 
MORDECAI – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
HEARSAY – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn before taking a run to the inside of YUKANUMA which shifted out passing the 300 metres.

Race 4: LADBROKES ODDS SURGE MAIDEN PLATE 1200M

DAWN EMBERS – Shifted out abruptly shortly after the start hampering MAGIC TYLA.
 
DIAMOND BLADE – Began only fairly.
 
ICONIC PRINCE – Rider Sean Cormack was reminded of his obligations regarding the use of his whip above shoulder height pursuant to AR 132(6)(b).
 
JOYOUS STEPS – JOYOUS STEPS was declared a late scratching at 2:59pm after becoming fractious in the barrier stalls then rearing resulting in rider Michael Murphy injuring his left leg when it struck the partition.  Rider Murphy was assessed by QAS officers and was transported to Mackay Hospital for further observations. Rider Murphy was advised that a medical clearance would be required prior to riding again.
 
Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered that all bets placed on JOYOUS STEPS be refunded with the following deductions to apply:

1st ICONIC PRINCE 0c win, 3c place
2nd DAWN EMBERS 2c place
3rd EXTREMELY FRILLY 2c place

Trainer Tracy Simmons was advised that JOYOUS STEPS must obtain a further barrier certificate prior to racing again.
 
LONGCROSS – Compounded over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormality.
 
DISCO ANNIE – Compounded over the concluding stages and finished distanced from the field. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a respiratory issue. Trainer Troy Clive was advised a veterinary clearance inclusive of a scope would be required prior to racing again.
 
MAGIC TYLA – Hampered shortly after the start. Inclined to lay in under pressure over the concluding stages.

Race 5: LADBROKES AMATEUR CUP OPEN HANDICAP 1800M

FOR VALOUR – Compounded over the concluding stages and was not persevered with in the final straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormality. Trainer Lyle Wright was advised that FOR VALOUR must complete a satisfactory trial or jumpout prior to racing again.
 
SECRET LOCATION – Slow into stride.
 
ACCLIMATISE – Began awkwardly. Raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages.
 
RELEASE LE MISSILE – Slow into stride.

Race 6: RACING AGAIN THURSDAY 5 JUNE BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1100M

BARELLO – Hung out rounding the final turn. Approaching the 100 metres became crowded for room between UNIVERSAL HARMONY and DEALING’S DONE and had to be steadied away from heels.
 
Stewards questioned riders Apprentice Jai Williams (BARELLO), Sean Cormack (DEALING’S DONE) and Chris McIver (UNIVERSAL HARMONY) and viewed the available vision of this incident. After considering all evidence, it was established that approaching the 150 metres, BARELLO had began to lay out momentarily before being corrected by Apprentice Williams, however shortly afterwards was crowded for room when simultaneously UNIVERSAL HARMONY shifted out and DEALING’S DONE shifted in resulting in BARELLO having to be steadied away from heels. Given all circumstances, the Stewards could not attribute the incident entirely to any one horse or rider, however Jockeys Chris McIver and Sean Cormack were both severely reprimanded pursuant to AR 131(a) for careless riding and were reminded of their obligations to stop riding when shifting ground over the concluding stages.
 
DEALING’S DONE – Shifted in marginally passing the 100 metres.
 
BEPPE – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
UNIVERSAL HARMONY – Bumped with NANO STAR on jumping. Shifted out marginally passing the 100 metres.
 
NANO STAR – Bumped with UNIVERSAL HARMONY on jumping. Inclined to hang in rounding the first corner.
 
CRYPTIC PRISM – CRYPTIC PRISM was declared a late scratching behind the barriers at 4:13PM on veterinary advice following a pre-race veterinary inspection. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered that all bets placed on CRYPTIC PRISM be refunded with the following deductions to apply:
 
1st DEALING’S DONE 2c win, 8c place
2nd UNIVERSAL HARMONY 1c place
3rd BARELLO 10c place

Trainer Lachlan Manzelmann was advised that CRYPTIC PRISM will require veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
 
Race 7: MICK BANNON MEMORIAL OPEN HANDICAP         1300M

FORTIFIED (NZ) – Began awkwardly.
 
RAINBOW CONNECTION – Rider Jackson Murphy reported at scale that RAINBOW CONNECTION hung in over the concluding stages and that he was unable to ride the horse out. Trainer Lachlan Manzelmann was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s record.
 
DIVINE OKAY – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
DEEP BLAST – Began awkwardly and shifted out contacting the hindquarters of FINE SHOT.
 
BRAD – Inclined to lay in under pressure over the concluding stages. Lost its off-side front plate on the home turn.

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 3. Trainer Joshua Manzelmann – Reprimand – AR 55A(3) – Accepting ineligible horse.
Race 6. Jockey Chris McIver – Severe Reprimand – AR 131(a) – Careless Riding
Race 6. Jockey Sean Cormack – Severe Reprimand – AR 131(a) – Careless Riding.
Fines
Nil
Suspensions
Nil
Race day injuries/illness
Race 4. Michael Murphy – Left Leg Injury – Transported to hospital for further observations – Medical clearance required.
Absent jockeys
Nil
Adjourned inquiries
Nil

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
IRISH MIST, DAWN EMBERS, MAGIC TYLA, FANCY LEGEND. LOGAN STREET LION (NZ)
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 3: (08/05/2025 – Mackay) – SOOVITA – Lame – Veterinary clearance required.
Race 4. DISCO ANNIE – Respiratory Issue – Veterinary clearance inclusive of scope required.
Race 4. JOYOUS STEPS – Reared injuring rider resulting in late scratching – must obtain further barrier certificate.
Race 5, FOR VALOUR – Compounded over the concluding stages – Must trial satisfactorily prior to racing again.
Race 6. CRYPTIC PRISM – Lameness resulting in late scratching – Veterinary clearance required.
Race 7. RAINBOW CONNECTION – Hung in over the concluding stages - Warning
Bleeders
Nil
Falls
Nil
Adjourned inquiries
Nil
 
Protests
Nil

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 6. No 8. MR CALEB – Ryan Wiggins replacing Michael Murphy (Injured)
Race 7. No 4. FAROOQ – Sean Cormack replacing Michael Murphy (Injured)
 
Late scratchings
Race 4. No 4. JOYOUS STEPS @ 2:59PM – Reared in barriers injuring rider Michael Murphy.
Race 6. No 11. CRYPTIC PRISM @ 4:13PM – Veterinary 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.