QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

SUNSHINE COAST TURF CLUB

SUNDAY 19TH APRIL 2026

WEATHER – Fine   
TRACK RATING – Soft 5 (Upgraded to a Good 4 after Race 2)         
RAIL – True
PENETROMETER – 6.24
 

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – J. Williamson
Stewards – G. Goold, P. Zimmerman, A. Dowsett, H. Matthews
Clerk of Scales - J. Robinson
 
 


GENERAL
 
 
Stewards permitted the following overweights:
 
Race 5: Apprentice rider B. Wheeler +0.5kg (56.5kg)
Race 7: Rider M. Hellyer +1kg (55.5kg)
 
 
Trainer J. Healy was fined $300 pursuant to LR36(6) for failing to scratch THE IRISH, which was dual accepted, by the prescribed time.
 
 
 
 

RACE 1:DUNES & GREENE MAIDEN HANDICAP 1800 M


CONTINENT - Began awkwardly.
 
AMELIORATION – Began awkwardly.

OAKFIELD GALAXY – Change of tactics – To be ridden more conservatively if circumstances permit. Ridden accordingly. Trainer V. Venkaya advised after today’s performance, the gelding would be sent for a spell.
 
EVADE THE GAME – Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Had difficulty obtaining clear running on entering the home straight.

VIOLACEOUS -  When questioned regarding the tactics adopted in today’s event, which were to lead in contrast to the horses established racing pattern, rider F. Larson advised stewards that in the early stages, it had not been his intention to lead, however due to the lack of pace in the event and when apprentice rider E. Lang elected to steady her mount near the 1700m when racing to his outside, and his mount was travelling comfortably, he elected to allow the horse to remain in a good rhythm rather than attempt to restrain.  


RACE 2: K SMITH & SON JEWELLERS QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE 1300 M


ALTO LUNA  - Hampered at the start and bumped MURKADO.
 
COASTAL BOOM – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly whilst leading in the middle stages. Raced greenly under pressure in the home straight.

LANGAN – Bumped at the start. Over-raced in the early stages when being restrained to obtain cover. Leaving the 400m, inconvenienced when RUN FOR THE GIRLS shifted out.
 
MOTIVATING – Began awkwardly, shifted out and hampered ALTO LUNA.

MURKADO – Bumped at the start. When asked to explain the tactics in that he settled at the rear of the field, which is in contrast to the horses only race start, rider D. Thornton explained that he had been instructed to attempt to obtain cover in a forward position and if his mount did not settle, he had been permitted to stride forward to the lead. However, after being inconvenienced on jumping away, he attempted to obtain cover midfield in the early stages, though elected to restrain to the tail of the field to obtain a position closer to the fence. Trainer’s representative B. Hull confirmed that settling at the rear of the field had not been the pre-race instructions. Stewards, after viewing the race footage, accepted the explanation tendered.          
 
RUN FOR THE GIRLS – A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow recovery.

HANG UP – Slow to begin.         

WORTHTHEADMISSION – Rider M. Du Plessis reported that his mount raced greenly for the majority of the event. Near the 300m, was obliged to alter course to secure clear running when racing behind the weakening RUN FOR THE GIRLS.
 
YELLOW CRATE – Began awkwardly.  


RACE 3: SECURE ACCESS I.T MAIDEN PLATE 1400 M


LEGAL CAUSE – Awkwardly placed on heels and had to be steadied near the 1300m when VILA MOON shifted out onto KING CHANCE. Over-raced during the middle stages when the pace slackened from leaving the 900m.  

TAKARA MOON – Raced three-wide with cover throughout.
 
VAN GHOST (NZ) – Reared in the barriers. Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start. Laid in under pressure in the home straight, causing is rider to stop riding and straighten near the 200m. Trainer G. Taylor was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding for its barrier manners.
 
SHOW'EM WHO'S KING – Began awkwardly.
 
JAM PACKED – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after arriving at the barriers with a small amount of blood in its mouth and was cleared to start. Steadied from heels approaching the 700m. Held up rounding the home turn and until leaving the 200m.

LA GRACIA (NZ) – Began awkwardly and lost ground.

SPEEGLE – Raced three-wide without cover throughout.
 
WATCHYA LANGUAGE – Held up rounding the home turn and until near the 350m.
 
ALARMED – Raced three-wide with cover throughout.

CARAMELFUDGESUNDAE – Over-raced during the middle stages when the pace slackened from leaving the 900m. Rider C. Graham reported that in her opinion, the horse is better suited to rain affected tracks and didn’t appreciate todays Good 4 racing surface.   

GEISHA GAL (NZ) – Bumped at the start. Steadied from heels approaching the 700m. Had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

OUR BRAVE LINI – Began awkwardly. When approaching the 400m, attempted to improve between TAKARA MOON and VAN GHOST where there was insufficient racing room, and as a result, was disappointed for that run and held up until leaving the 300m. Obliged to shift out across heels approaching the 200m in order to secure clear running.

KING CHANCE – Shifted out on jumping and bumped GEISHA GAL.
 
ABLESHEEBA – Slow to begin. Approaching the 900m, was steadied to avoid the heels of LEGAL CAUSE which shifted in.          


RACE 4: HAPPY BIRTHDAY KENNY POP CLASS 4 HANDICAP 1600 M


LA COMETA (NZ) – Was obliged to race in restricted room over the concluding stages when ZAHER shifted in, and as a result was not tested over the final 50m.
 
VICTORY COMMAND (NZ) – Slow to begin. Apprentice rider C. Sutherland reported that in his opinion his mount would have appreciated a more genuine tempo being set in the middle stages. Held up for a short distance rounding the home turn.

ZAHER (NZ) - Over-raced in the middle stages.
 
DIVAKARA – Bumped at the start and lost ground. Raced three-wide without cover in the early and middle stages. Rider B. Thompson reported he was hoping to secure a midfield position with cover, however as he was unable to do so, he allowed his mount to stride forward

BIG TICKET BOY – Over-raced in the early and middle stages.

NONDISCLOSURE - Laid in whilst weakening in the home straight. Rider C. Collis reported he had expected more of his mount and was disappointed with its effort in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings. Trainer B. Healey was advised NONDISCLOSURE would be required to pass an official trial to the satisfaction of stewards prior to racing again. Trainer B. Healey advised it would be the likely intention to retire the gelding after todays performance.

LINTHORPE LUCK - Trainer K. Kemp reported to Stewards that the gelding would now be sent for a spell in light of todays performance.
 
KERKORIAN - Began awkwardly, bumped DIVAKARA and lost ground.



RACE 5: STAN VEIVERS MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1800 M

 
POWER PACK – Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Trainer K. Kemp advised it would be the intention to remove blinkers from the geldings approved gear prior to its next start.  

BETTER DRAW (NZ) – Slow to begin. Near the 1300m, restrained from the heels of FIFTY CALIBRE after that horse was steadied.

SLY CORNER (NZ) - Began awkwardly.

CHEERFUL CAT – Change of tactics – Intention not to lead and to obtain cover if possible. Ridden accordingly. Over-raced in the middle stages.
 
ESPOIR DA TAP – Approaching the 1400m, had to be steadied from the heels of ARDUOUS (Apprentice L. Martyn) which steadied the pace quickly after obtaining the lead. Apprentice L. Martyn was reprimanded under AR131(d) for excessively slowing the pace.
 
GOLD MERCHANT - Obliged to alter course in the home straight to obtain clear running.
 
PAPAL MISS - Slow to begin. Rider G. Goomany was found guilty of a charge of careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) in that near the 1600m, he allowed his mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of PAPAL MISS which had improved to the inside, and as a result PAPAL MISS was checked by its rider and lost its rightful running. G. Goomany’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of eight (8) days, commencing midnight 25/04/2026 and concluding midnight 03/05/2026.


RACE 6: MALENY HOTEL CLASS 3 HANDICAP 1000 M


PALEFACE RINGO - Passing the 400m, inconvenienced and forced wider to avoid the heels of MERCIAN.
 
CONTILDA'S LOVE - Slow to begin. Near the 500m, shifted out to secure clear running and in doing so, bumped heavily with PRESOCRATICS.
 
PRESOCRATICS – Began awkwardly, bumped MERCIAN and lost ground. Over-raced at heels during the early stages. Became awkward near the 500m when bumped by CONTILDA'S LOVE which shifted out to improve.

MERCIAN – Blundered on jumping and bumped PRESOCRATICS. Raced three-wide without cover throughout. Passing the 400m, inconvenienced and forced wider to avoid the heels of UNFAITHFUL which shifted out when SILK SONIC shifted ground. Trainer L. Gough was fined $100 pursuant to AR106(2) for presenting the gelding to the enclosure with incorrect gear. Trainer L. Gough was also fined $100 pursuant to AR194 for presenting MERCIAN late to the enclosure.

SILK SONIC - The near-side winker became partially detached on entering the home straight. Rider A. Jones reported she had concerns with the mare’s action over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings. Trainer B. Healey was advised to report any findings to Stewards in the coming days that may shed light on today’s performance.

XUANFENG  - Slow to begin. Apprentice rider O. Webb reported that she made heavy contact with her right elbow when entering the barriers. She was examined by the on-course medical team and cleared to take her remaining rides. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings. Trainer C. Johnstone was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding for poor performance.


RACE 7: MULTIMEAT AUSTRALIA BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1200 M


MAIKROW – Over-raced in the early stages.

FOR BETTER – Tightened for room and lost ground at the start.

QUIT 'N' TAP – Raced three-wide without cover throughout.

GALACTIC LEGEND – Began very awkwardly and lost ground. Apprentice K. Johnston reported that after beginning very awkwardly, she lost the use of her near-side iron causing her to become very unbalanced and as a result her mount lost significant ground.  
 
GRANDEUR ROSE - Began awkwardly and tightened FOR BETTER.


RACE 8: TAB BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1400 M


The start of this race was delayed by approximately three minutes when PIREONTI, which was fractious in the barriers, reared and injured its rider, apprentice O. Webb. As apprentice O. Webb was not in a physical condition to take the ride, PIREONTI was declared a late scratching at 5:08pm. Trainer J. Healy was advised PIREONTI would be required to obtain a further barrier certificate prior to racing again. On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on PIREONTI to be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:

1st - OUTAKANDY – 5c win, 6c place.
2nd - RUBYDOO – 6c place.
3rd – GOLDEN MIKKI – 6c place.
 

SENESCHAL (IRE) - Raced three-wide throughout.
 
OUTAKANDY – Bumped at the start. A post-race veterinary examination revealed heat-stress and the gelding was treated on course.
 
SAXON KING (GB) - Began awkwardly.          
 
BIT OF GRUNT – Improved onto heels leaving the 400m and was held up until shifting back to the inside near the 200m to secure clear running.

FARWEST – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Improved onto heels near the 600m.
 
SIAN STAR – Raced three-wide throughout.

RUBYDOO – Shifted in on jumping and bumped OUTAKANDY.          

 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands

Race 5: Apprentice rider L. Martyn – AR131(d) – Excessively slowing the pace
 

Fines

Race 6: Trainer L. Gough - AR106(2) - Presented horse with incorrect gear - $100 fine.
Race 6: Trainer L. Gough – AR194 – Presented horse late to the mounting yard.
Race 8: Trainer J. Healy – LR36(6) – Fail to scratch dual acceptor by the prescribed time - $300.
 
 
Suspensions

Race 5: Rider G. Goomany - AR131(a) – Careless riding - Eight (8) day suspension commencing midnight 25/04/2026 and concluding midnight 03/05/2026.
 

Race day injuries/illness

Race 8: Apprentice O. Webb – Right leg and right elbow injury - Medical certificate
 



Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
 
I’M ON FIRE, ZAHER, BETTER DRAW, ESPOIR DA TAP, DAITANNA, IONACELTIC


Horses swabbed post-race
 
All winners
 

Warnings/bars
 
Race 1: KAMIGAMO – Vet Cert (Late scratching on Vets advice)
Race 3: VAN GHOST – Warning – Barrier manners
Race 4: NONDISCLOSURE – Official trial – Poor performance
Race 6: XUANFENG – Warning – Poor performance
Race 8: PIREONTI – Further barrier certificate – Barrier manners
 



Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 3: 17 BIRDSVILLE BOY – T. Marshall, 19 ABLESHEEBA – O. Webb
Race 7: 20 GRANDEUR ROSE – G. Cartwright
 


Late scratchings
 
Race 1: 8 KAMIGAMO (NZ)
Race 8: PIREONTI
 
 

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.