QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

ROCKHAMPTON TURF CLUB

TUESDAY 24TH FEBRUARY 2026

WEATHER – Overcast
TRACK RATING – SOFT 6
RAIL – +5m Entire
PENETROMETER – 5.9

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – Ethan Suli
Stewards – Shane Larkins, Hayden Gillett & Shikira Stehbens
Clerk of the scales – Sam Nosworthy


GENERAL

Stewards approved the following overweights:

Race 4: Cody Collis (1kg)
Race 6: Cody Collis (1kg)
Race 7: Cody Collis (0.5kg), Sean Cormack (0.5kg) & Warwick Satherley (0.5kg)

As rider Raul Silvera Olivera was not attending today’s meeting due to acceptable reasons, rider replacements were made as per the steward’s race day summary.

Stewards inquired into the circumstances regarding trainer Michael Stephens failing to scratch the dually accepted GOTTA HERO from one if its races by the prescribed time. After taking initial evidence from trainer Stephens, stewards adjourned the matter to contact the Racing Australia Call Centre to obtain possible call recordings between the parties to confirm trainer Stephens’ version of events.

Upon inspection after arriving on course, CHERRY ROSE, engaged in race 2, was found to have a hematoma to its offside neck/jugular area. After a veterinary examination of the area, it was determined by the veterinarian that the hematoma could not be attributed to recent treatment inside the permitted requirements. Trainer’s representative Jess Ladbrook advised stewards that the mare had been treated on Sunday 22nd of February with a Hipiron injection which had caused the hematoma. Trainer McConachy’s records accurately reflected this treatment as required. Stewards ordered that blood samples be collected from CHERRY ROSE.


RACE 1: TAB JEWEL QUALIFIER QTIS TWO-YEARS-OLD PLATE (1100 M)

READY MAREA – Upon returning to scale, jockey Chris McIver reported that he was disappointed with the overall performance of READY MAREA and in his opinion stated that filly may not have handled the softer track conditions today’s event.

IT'SALL ABOUT MARY – Jumped away awkwardly. Near the 200m shifted outwards when placed under pressure before being corrected by its rider.

ANOTHER CHAMPERS – Apprentice Stephanie Tierney reported upon returning to scale that her mount had raced greenly in the home straight.

IRONROAD SPIRIT – Jumped away awkwardly. Raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages. Inclined to lay inwards when under pressure in the home straight and at a point near the 200m, put in an awkward stride.

Following the running of this race, the track was downgraded to a SOFT 6 retrospectively following rainfall prior to race 1.


RACE 2: IGT AUSTRALIA HANDICAP (1200 M)

The start of this race was delayed approximately 5 minutes when PIPISTRELLE became cast in the barriers.

CHERRY ROSE – After being loaded, was removed from the barriers and underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after the runner PIPISTRELE became cast in its barrier stall, which was loaded to its inside, and was cleared to start. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight until shifting outwards near the 400m.

OBLIGATED – Overraced in the early and middle stages.

PIPISTRELLE – Became fractious in the barriers and reared backwards, dislodging apprentice McKenzie Apel, before coming cast and was required to be freed by the barrier attendants. By the order of stewards, PIPISTRELLE was declared a late scratching at 2:14pm. Stewards ordered that all bets placed on PIPISTRELLE be refunded with the following deductions to apply:

19 cents for the winner (TIZSO FAB)
21 cents for the place of the winner (TIZSO FAB)
21 cents for the 2nd placegetter (CHERRY ROSE)

Due to the deductions system not being operational following the running of the event, deductions were obtained by stewards under the provisions of Betting Rule 23(7)(a).

Trainer Ricky Vale was advised that PIPISTRELLE would be required to complete two consecutive satisfactory trials/jump-outs, with one of these events being an official trial prior to being permitted to race again.

SCRUB CHAIN – Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.


RACE 3: GREAT NORTHERN LONG RUN HANDICAP QTIS MAIDEN HANDICAP (1400 M)

SOYDECAFFLATTE – Shifted inwards on jumping. Improved onto heels near the 1200m and had to be restrained. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight. Upon returning to scale, jockey Adam Sewell reported that he felt as those SOYDECAFFLATTE may have choked down in running.

BETTER GO TORQUE – Raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages. Raced wide throughout.

BELVEDERE MISS – Jumped away awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin.

LOVER NOTA FIGHTER – Laid outwards when placed under pressure in the home straight. Jockey Cody Collis was reminded of his obligation to ensure he rides his mounts out fully to the finish.

NOTFORTHEMONEY – Jumped away awkwardly. Overraced in the early and middle stages. Raced wide in the early stages until obtaining a position outside the lead near the 900m.

I'M NOT GREY – Hung inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight and had to be corrected by its rider on a number of occasions. When questioned regarding the improved performance, apprentice Tom Orr stated that the gelding had been showing significant improvement in its work in the lead up to today’s event and benefited from its short freshen up. Apprentice Orr added that the gelding also appreciated the softer track conditions presented today. Trainer Laurie Clem, when also asked regarding the performance improvement, stated that he was expecting the more forward showing as he had recently adjusted the gelding’s gear with the recent addition on winkers and the response I’M NOT GREY was showing in its work with such gear applied.

LEICA FLAMINGO – Jumped away awkwardly.

FROSTY'S GOTCHA – Jumped away awkwardly. Raced wide throughout. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.

HERE'S MASON – Shortly after the start, attempted to buck and took no competitive part in the event. Trainer Tracy Simmons was advised that HERE’S MASON would be required to trial to the steward’s satisfaction prior to racing again.

SEND THE MONEY – Jumped away awkwardly. Raced keenly in the middle stages.


RACE 4: QUEENSLAND HOTELS ASSOCIATION QTIS THREE-YEARS-OLD AND FOUR-YEARS-OLD (1050 M)

The start of this race was delayed approximately 5 minutes when KAI MONDO had become fractious in the barriers, resulting in its bridle becoming detached and needing to be re-applied.

KAI MONDO – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after becoming fractious in the barriers and was cleared to start. Jumped away awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages. Trainer Tom Bourke was advised that a warning would be placed on KAI MONDO for his barrier manners.

OUR EAGLE ROCK – Jumped away awkwardly. Was inclined to lay outwards when under pressure in the home straight. Immediately prior to the finish, had shifted outwards simultaneously when WAX ON WAX OFF had shifted inwards marginally, resulting in OUR EAGLE ROCK racing in restricted room over the final strides.

KRACKACAN – Jumped away awkwardly and blundered shortly after. Raced keenly in the early stages. Was inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.

ELECTRIC BRAE – Slow to begin. Raced wide in the early and middle stages. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.

PANIGALE – Raced keenly in the middle stages.

WAX ON WAX OFF – Shifted inwards marginally over the concluding stages.

GOTTA HERO – Slow to begin. Raced wide in the early and middle stages. Inclined to lay outwards over the concluding stages.


RACE 5: AUSTRALIAN LIQUOR MARKETERS BM65 HANDICAP (1050 M)

KEYBOARD – Bumped by ANSWERING, which shifted outwards on jumping. Raced wide throughout.

ANSWERING – Shifted outwards on jumping, bumping KEYBOARD.

KAHAYLAAN – Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.

MISS MERCY – Laid outwards over the concluding stages.

CRYPTIC PRISM – The connections of CRYPTIC PRISM advised stewards that it would be their intentions to attempt to ride the gelding with cover, if circumstances permit. Ridden accordingly.


RACE 6: KENO – TOGETHER WE PLAY BM60 HANDICAP (1400 M)

The start of this race was delayed due to CHAPARRAL CHASE having to undergo farrier work upon arrival at the barriers.

OUR TURN NOW (NZ) – Jumped away awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin.

BOOM BOOM RAY – Jumped away awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin. Raced wide in the early stages until obtaining a position outside the lead near the 900m. Near the 250m, inclined to hang inwards across the heels of LEASE and had to be steadied. Shortly afterwards, raced in restricted room to the inside of SIDESHOW FRANKIE (jockey Natalea Summers) and had to be restrained, when that runner shifted inwards when not fully clear. Jockey Summers was reprimanded under the provisions of AR131(a) for careless riding. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

GENERAL WOLFFE – Jumped away awkwardly and as a result was slow into stride. Near the 100m, improved onto the heels of LEASE and had to be momentarily restrained.

CHAPARRAL CHASE – Overraced in the early stages. Raced wide throughout.

SIDESHOW FRANKIE – Jockey Natalea Summers pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip on 9 occasions prior to the 100m, 15 times in total. Jockey Summers licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 days, with the suspension commencing midnight 2nd March 2026 and to conclude midnight 9th March 2026. In determining penalty, stewards took into account the QRIC whip penalty guidelines.

OUR HEART THROB – Slow to begin. Held up for clear racing room in the home straight until a point approaching the 200m. Jockey Cody Collis dropped his whip near the 300m.


RACE 7: XXXX ULTRA CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1200M)

The declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow the connections and rider of MELO MELO KAVA to view the photo finish image. After viewing the image, all parties were satisfied with the judge’s placings and correct weight was declared.

LIMERO – Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.

MELO MELO KAVA – Jumped away awkwardly.

FLYING ANIMO – Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.

PENSEUR POSITIF – Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.

LUXOR PRINCE – Raced keenly in the middle stages. Held up for clear racing room in the early stages of the home straight.

TEN CARAT LUCY – Jumped away awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin. Overraced in the early and middle stages.

MARELLITY – Jumped away awkwardly and made contact with thew outside barrier partition, resulting in apprentice Tahlia Fenlon becoming unbalanced. Raced wide in the early stages until obtaining a position in the lead near the 1000m.
Upon returning to scale, apprentice Tahlia Fenlon stated that even though it was her intention to settle in a lead position, it was not her intention to obtain such a marginally lead in the middle stages of the event, adding that she had difficulty restraining her mount when racing keenly due to her not having proper footing in her irons after becoming unbalanced in her saddle shortly after the start.

IMPACTFULL MISS – Overraced in the early stages.


STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 6: Jockey Natalea Summer – AR131(a) – Careless riding.

Suspensions
Race 6: Jockey Natalea Summers – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Use of whip prior to 100m – 7-day suspension – m/night 02/03/2026 to m/night 09/03/2026

Absent jockeys
Raul Silvera Olivera

Adjourned inquiries
Trainer Micheal Stephens – Scratching of GOTTA HERO


Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
PIPISTRELLE, LOVER NOTA FIGHTER, ANSWERING, SUJEED, CHAPARRAL CHASE, IMPACTFULL MISS

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, CHERRY ROSE

Warnings/bars
Race 2: PIPISTRELLE – Barrier manners – Two consecutive trials/jump out
Race 3: HERE’S MASON – Attempted to buck – Required to trial


Summary of rider changes/Late notifications

Race 3: FROSTY’S GOTCHA – Natalea Summers
Race 4: PANIGALE – Warwick Satherley

Late scratchings

Race 2: PIPISTRELLE – Late scratching @ 2:14pm by order of stewards


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.
.