QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

SPORTSBET MAREEBA TURF CLUB

SATURDAY 23RD MAY 2026

WEATHER – FINE           TRACK RATING – SOFT (5)RAIL – TRUE
 
OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – A. Holzhauser
Stewards – P. Gillard & S. Copelin

RACE 1: RADIO 4AM BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP 900 Metres
 
YOUWANNAPEACHOFME – As the gelding had not competed for an extended period it underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start.
 
ACCEPT POWER – Slow into stride.
 
SHERE KHAN – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
RACE 2: TRADE MUTT QTIS BENCHMARK 55 Handicap 1123 Metres
 
FOO FIGHTER – Stewards accepted the reason for the late declaration of rider. Delayed the start when proved difficult to load. Connections were advised a warning would be placed on its barrier manners. Shifted in at the start bumping TALK DIRTY. 
 
BLONDIE’S SECRET – Became momentarily loose in the vicinity of the horse tie-up stalls prior to its race, underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start.
 
SHARMAN PETE – Slow to begin.
 
TALK DIRTY – Bumped on jumping. When asked to explain the performance of the gelding which raced below market expectations, Jockey M. Abe was at a loss to explain the performance. Trainer L. Terzi advised it was the geldings first start after a short freshen up and she was of the opinion TALK DIRTY would benefit from today’s race. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer Ms. L. Terzie gave an undertaking to advise stewards should anything come to her attention in the near future that may have had a bearing on today’s performance.    
 
SECRET BOOM – Slow into stride.
 
XINGXING – Raced wide without cover for the majority of the race. When asked to explain the performance of the gelding which raced below market expectations, Apprentice L. Guernier explained she was disappointed with its performance today however it may be better suited over a longer distance than that of today’s race.         Trainer R. Ludwig advised that whilst he was disappointed with its performance today, he agreed XINGXING may be looking for a longer distance and that he would consider adding blinkers to its gear prior to its next start. Their explanations were noted. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer R. Ludwig gave an undertaking to advise stewards should anything come to his attention in the near future that may have had a bearing on today’s performance.   
 
RACE 3: SERRA DRILLING Maiden Plate 1210 Metres
 
PILLAGER – Became momentarily loose in the vicinity of the horse tie up stalls prior to its race, underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start.
 
Was declared a late scratching at 2.47pm when refused to load. All monies invested on PILLAGER were ordered to be refunded. Deductions applicable to all successful bets placed on winner and placegetter prior to 2.47pm:
35 cents in the dollar for the win BUBBLE TEA
30 cents in the dollar for the place of winner BUBBLE TEA
30 cents in the dollar for 2nd place LIGHT MY LIFE  
 
Trainer A. Malliff was advised the gelding must pass two consecutive barrier certificates prior to being permitted to race again.
 
LONG TALL JAMES – Shifted out at the start bumping VOLARE.
 
VOLARE – Bumped on jumping and was slow into stride.
 
RACE 4: D J GILMORE ELECTRICAL 2026 BATTLE OF THE BUSH MAREEBA QUALIFIER OPEN Plate 1210 Metres
 
GAMADALE NIP – Delayed the start when the bridle needed to be repaired and adjusted prior to loading. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Race three wide without cover for the majority of the race.
 
IMPARDOO – Began awkwardly and shifted out bumping with its outside barrier petition and then bumping with GAMADALE NIP. Lost it off-front plate during the race.
 
DEAL AN ACE – Shifted in at the start bumping with DESERT GRIT which shifted out. Race three wide with cover for the majority of the race.  
 
DESERT GRIT – Shifted out at the start bumping with DEAL AN ACE which shifted in. 
 
RED HOT LIZZIE – Slow into stride and then stepped inside the line of the running rail leaving the 1210 metre chute when improving to the inside of DESERT GRIT and IMPARDOO near the 1100 metres when both runners shifted in and was steadied.  
 
Stewards considered an objection lodged by both Co-Trainer P. Rowe and jockey Ms. K. Swaffer (DESERT GRIT) being declared second against IMPARDOO (Ms. L. Morrison) being declared first alleging interference in the home straight near the 100 metres. After hearing all of the evidence and viewing of the race film it was established that DESERT GRIT initially shifted in under pressure and shortly after IMPARDOO laid in under pressure momentarily brushing DESERT GRIT and stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that the interference suffered by DESERT GRIT warranted a reversal of placings and as such dismissed the objection and declared correct weight on the judges semaphored numbers.
 
Stewards inquired into the reason RED HOT LIZZIE was checked near the 100 metres. After hearing all the evidence from Ms. A. Thomson (RED HOT LIZZIE), Ms. K. Swaffer (DESERT GRIT) and Ms. L. Morrison (IMPARDOO) and viewing of the race film it was established that leaving the 250 metres RED HOT LIZZIE was unable to take advantage of a run to the inside of DESERT GRIT which initially shifted in and was then brushed by IMPARDOO which momentarily laid in under pressure approaching the 100 metres and was disappointed for that run when both DESERT GRIT and IMPARDOO shifted in under pressure. Stewards were of the opinion no one rider could be held fully responsible; however, they were mindful of both DESERT GRIT and IMPARDOO shifting in under pressure and reprimanded both riders Ms. K. Swaffer and Ms. L. Morrison and advised them to show greater care in similar circumstances when their mounts are shifting ground.     
 
RACE 5: MAGIC MILLIONS/ROB KOCH MEMORIAL/FNQ UP & COMING STAYERS BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1800 Metres
 
BRAND NEW (NZ) – Shifted out at the start making heavy contact with its outside barrier petition resulting in jockey Ms. K. Swaffer to become unbalanced and being dislodged shortly after. Ms. Swaffer was examined by the on-course QAS officers and cleared of any injurie concerns other than bruising. Ms. Swaffer was advised a medical clearance would be required prior to her next race ride. A post-race veterinary examination of BRAND NEW revealed signs of distress and exhaustion. Connections were advised a veterinary clearance would be required prior to its next trial or race start.           
 
INNOVATES – Began awkwardly and was then tightened for room between BOMBINATE which shifted out and THE HONEY BADGER which shifted in. Bumped on the hind quarters approaching the winning post on the first occasion and shifted in marginally crowding BOMBINATE. Brushed near the 100 metres.            

THE HONEY BADGER – Shifted in at the start bumping with INNOVATES. Bumped approaching the winning post on the first occasion and shifted in bumping INNOVATES.
 
AMALFI AMORE – Bumped approaching the winning post on the first occasion and shifted in bumping THE HONEY BADGER. Raced keenly near the 1500 metres and was steadied. Shifted out near the 100 metres brushing INNOVATES.
 
BOMBINATE– Shifted out at the start bumping with INNOVATES. Crowded for room near the winning post on the first occasion and was steadied.  
 
REMLAP KAVA – Shifted in bumping AMALFI AMORE approaching the winning post on the first occasion. In this incident stewards were mindful of the riderless horse however jockey Ms. A Thomson was advised to exercise greater care when shifting ground.  

 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 4, Ms. K. Swaffer (Jockey) – Careless riding
Race 4, Ms. L. Morrison (Jockey) – Careless riding
 
Race day injuries/illness
Race 5, Ms K. Swaffer – Bruising – Medical required.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 3, PILLAGER – Refused to load – Two consecutive barrier certificates required prior to being permitted to race again. AR 20(e) 
Race 5, BRAND NEW – Clearance certificate of fitness AR 20(e) 
Falls
Race 5, Ms K. Swaffer – Dislodged at the start.
 
Protests
Race 4, 2nd VS 1st – Dismissed

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 2. FOO FIGHTER – Ms. Rachel Shred
 
Late scratchings
Race 3, PILLAGER – Refused to load – 2.47pm

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.