QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

TOOWOOMBA TURF CLUB

SATURDAY 03 JANUARY 2026

WEATHER – Fine TRACK RATING – Good (4); Good (3) at 4.45pm RAIL – True Entire Course
PENETROMETER – 5.85

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – S. Fletcher
Stewards – J. Childs, D. MacDonald, A. Cuckson, Z. Lines.

GENERAL
Stewards after inspecting the track upgraded to a Good (3) at 4.45pm.

As apprentice J. Metcalfe sustained an injury at the Bell meeting (03/01/26), rider changes were made as per the steward’s summary.


RACE 1: THE KING OF THE MOUNTAIN IS COMING BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 870 M

The start of this race was delayed 1 minute when COPPER SUNSET proved difficult to load.

SUPER ZAMBONI – Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.

VESPER LYND – Raced wide for the majority of the race.

DUBIOUS SIX – Began awkwardly and lost ground.

HELIKEDEMPRETTY – Laid in near the 200m and brushed the running rail. Apprentice O. Kendal reported the mare was inclined to lay in in the home straight and proved difficult to ride out over the concluding stages.

SAGA’S GIRL – Laid in when placed under pressure from the 150m. Lost the near-hind and off-fore plates in the running.

COPPER SUNSET – Laid in under pressure in the early stages of the home straight. Near the 150m was momentarily taken inwards by SAGA’S GIRL which laid in, before being shifted out leaving the 100m to obtain clear running. Trainer T. Pascoe was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding for being difficult to load.


RACE 2: SUB-ZERO AIRCONDITIONING QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE 1000 M

TISANI JAMES – Near the 800m was steadied from heels. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight. Rider M. Savva reported her right stirrup leather shifted down which placed her in an unbalanced position during the race.

ZOU ZOU KAPADOKIA – Began awkwardly. Near the 800m was steadied when racing in restricted room to the inside of TISANI JAMES which shifted in when being steadied off the heels of NIFTY’S TREASURE which, when over-racing, shifted in. Stewards, whilst noting NIFTY’S TRASURE’S (K. Zechner) racing manners did contribute to this incident, however did advise rider K. Zechner to exercise greater care.

CAUSE SHE CAN – Lost the off-hind plate in running.

FACE THE WILD – Began awkwardly.

NIFTY’S TREASURE – Over raced in the early stages.

ZHIVAGO BELLA – Slow to begin. Hung out for a short distance leaving the 700m. Raced greenly during the race. Trainer K. Kemp was advised that a warning would be placed on the filly’s racing manners.


RACE 3: CARPET ONE TOOWOOMBA CLASS 3 HANDICAP 1100 M

STREAK OF WINNING – Leaving the 100m commenced to shift out under pressure and near the 50m shifted out abruptly. Apprentice R. Thorburn was severely reprimanded for careless riding and advised to stop riding and straighten his mounts in similar circumstances. Lost the off-hind plate in the running.

THEBARBERSOFSEVILLE – Bumped at the start. Raced keenly in the early stages and near the 950m was steadied from heels. Near the 150m, shifted in when placed under pressure and bumped ROTHWEILER which became unbalanced. Apprentice C. Lowe was reprimanded for careless riding and advised to stop riding and straighten her mounts sooner than she had done on this occasion.

IN NO DOUBT – Reared as the start was affected and lost considerable ground. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn. Trainer C. Anderson was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding in relation to its barrier manners.

VIALE – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Lost the off-hind plate in the running.

RUBAAHY – Rider K. Yoshida stated that his mount ran home well in the home straight and that approaching the winning post STREAK OF WINNING shifted out resulting in him being closely placed to that runner’s heels and unable to ride his mount out over the final two strides. Stewards accepted the explanation. Lost the near-fore plate in the running.

ROTHWEILER – Shifted out at the start and bumped THEBARBERSOFSEVILLE. Near the 150m was bumped and became unbalanced.

DESTINY GONGHO – A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.

TOUTE SWEET – Rider N. Tomizawa was reprimanded under the provisions of AR132(6)(b) for using his whip in an action above shoulder height.


RACE 4: TOOWOOMBA TRUCK SPARES BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP 1300 M

Correct weight was delayed to allow Stewards to view official footage of the start. It was established that when the start was effected, MICRO had reared unbalancing the rider and losing significant ground. Subsequently MICRO was declared a runner. Trainer D. Groves was advised that the gelding would be required to officially trial to the Stewards satisfaction before being permitted to race again.

BIG BOY GEORGE – Began awkwardly. Near the 1200m, was restrained when tightened for room between NEVER GIVE UP which shifted out marginally and TAKE A PICTURE (O. Webb) which shifted in when not fully clear. Apprentice O. Webb was severely reprimanded for careless riding under the provisions of AR131(a) for this incident. Apprentice R. Thorburn reported the gelding raced flat and was disappointing.

GALWAY HUSSLER – Raced keenly in the early stages. Rider N. Tomizawa reported he was able to obtain an easy lead, however EARL OF BANTRY took up a position close to his outside and he was unable to dictate the race as he would have liked, adding the overall performance was disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any significant findings.

TAKE A PICTURE – Shifted out on jumping. Raced keenly in the early stages.

MICRO – Reared at the start, unbalancing rider and losing significant ground.

THAT’S AN EXTRA – Raced keenly in the early stages. Improved onto heels near the 900m and was steadied.


RACE 5: WHOLESALE HORSEWEAR HOUSE MAIDEN HANDICAP 1200 M

LINTHORPE LUCK – Near the 1000m had to be checked from heels and as a result lost ground. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

ROYAL EDITION – Raced wide in the early stages before being allowed to stride and obtain a position outside the leader near the 700m.

GRIGIA – Bumped at the start and became unbalanced. Near the 1050m was checked and lost ground. P. Randall the rider of REVANTAS pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR131(a), that after shifting in at an acute angle leaving the 1100m and turning his mounts head out in an effort to straighten, he then failed to make sufficient effort to prevent REVANTAS from shifting in and in doing so made contact with EARTHAXEAZE which was forced in and across the running of GRIGIA which was checked near the 1050m and lost ground. P. Randall’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of ten (10) days, commencing midnight 3/01/2026 and concluding midnight 13/01/2026. Over raced from the 1000m until near the 800m. Laid in under pressure in the early stages of the home straight.

SICILIAN WARRIOR – Began awkwardly and then slow into stride.

XTRAVAGANT FRIEND – Began awkwardly and shifted out. Near the 1000m was checked from the heels of GRIGIA which was losing ground, shifted out taking LINTHORPE LUCK out which was checked from the heels of KINDLY and lost ground.

MAFIOSA – Bumped at the start. Raced keenly in the early stages.

KINDLY – Raced wide throughout. Near the 600m was bumped and taken wider on the track.

EARTHAXEAZE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after not racing since August 2024 and was passed suitable to race. Began awkwardly. Near the 600m shifted out and bumped KINDLY which was taken wider on the track.


RACE 6: LAWRENCE & HANSON QTIS THREE-YEARS-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1000 M

The start of this race was delayed when GYPSY JOY underwent a veterinary examination behind the barriers and was subsequently passed to race. After being loaded into the barriers, GYPSY JOY became fractious and reared over. Stewards declared GYPSY JOY a late scratching on veterinary advice at 8.36pm.

As the last runner was loaded into the barriers, GYPSY JOY which was being led away from the barriers by the Clerk of the Course, broke free and cantered riderless down the back straight. Communication was immediately made to the starter that he was not clear to start the race. In consultation with the starter and the race day veterinarian, who advised that all runners were standing calmly in the barriers, a decision was made not to remove the field from the barriers whilst attempts were made to capture GYPSY JOY. After several attempts, the Clerk of the Course and barrier staff captured GYPSY JOY and once secured, Stewards gave the starter all clear to start the race.

On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on GYPSY JOY be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:
1st – HOWDOYOUZOU – 4c win, 4c place.
2nd – BENT BRIDGE – 7c place.
3rd – RUTHVEN RUSH – 8c place.

A veterinary examination of GYPSY JOY revealed the filly to be lame in the near hindleg. Trainer M. Nolan was advised that GYPSY JOY would require a veterinary clearance and must obtain a further barrier certificate before being permitted to race.

Stewards interviewed the starter regarding the processes undertaken with the scratching of GYPSY JOY. The starter was subsequently directed that in future, a riderless horse in this circumstance would be required to be secured and controlled by a barrier attendant with a lead until the race has been completed before the Clerk of the Course then takes the horse for return to the enclosure. The information surrounding this incident and directive by Stewards was passed onto the Toowoomba Turf Club.

Apprentice O. Webb advised Stewards that when GYPSY JOY had reared over, her lower back had contacted the back barrier gates and that she was experiencing some soreness and discomfort in her lower back.

RUTHVEN RUSH – Near the 600m laid in and was steadied from the heels of ENTERPRISE KHAN.

HOWDOYOUZOU – Laid out approaching and rounding the home turn, shifting wider on the track. Trainer P. Webster was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing manners.

IN THE HOLE TIGER – Began awkwardly.

OUTATICK – Slow to begin. Shifted in near the 700m and bumped the rail. Apprentice C. Lowe reported that the filly never travelled comfortably at any stage and was disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any significant findings. Trainer P. Wallace was at a loss to explain the performance and undertook to advise Stewards of anything that may come to light in the following days. Stewards advised P. Wallace that a warning would be placed on the filly for poor performance.

TASSORTIUM – Laid out rounding the home turn and then continued to lay out in the early part of the straight before being corrected by the rider. Trainer L. Hatch was advised that a warning would be placed on the filly’s racing manners.

BRAVE LIKE LILY – Laid in under pressure in the home straight and was steadied near the 200m from the heels of ENTERPRISE KHAN.


RACE 7: TRACKSIDE PHOTOGRAPHY BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1890 M

Due to the significant delay with the start of race 6, the official time of this race was amended to 9.10pm.

MEDICAL AUTOCRAT – Raced wide from the 1100m.

BRAVE BOY – Raced wide from the 1100m. Bumped near the 400m. Bumped upon entering the home straight.

PERRI LASS – Bumped approaching the 400m and became unbalanced. Steadied near the 200m when LECAN laid in, a short distance later was steadied when racing in restricted room when BLUEPRINT shifted in. Rider B. Stower reported that it was not her intention to lead, that after beginning well, she let the mare stride in a forward position, however when the leader LECAN eased near the 1400m, she was left in front. She added that PERRI LASS travelled comfortably until the 600m but then failed to respond to her riding. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a delayed post-race recovery.

PROCLAIMER – Very slow to begin losing significant ground. Trainer J. Thomas was advised that the gelding would be required to obtain a further barrier certificate before being permitted to race again.

WHATJEUDOIN’ – Fractious in barriers. Raced keenly from the 1600m until near the 1400m. Near the 1300m steadied from heels for a short distance when the pace eased.

LECAN – Shifted in under pressure approaching the 400m and bumped PERRI LASS which became unbalanced, a short distance later shifted out and bumped BRAVE BOY. Shifted out upon entering the home straight and bumped BRAVE BOY.

BLUEPRINT – Apprentice M. Philpot reported that the gelding never travelled comfortably, wanted to lay in under pressure in the straight and was disappointing.

SEACRYPTION – When the pace eased near the 1200m, raced with its head in the air when being steadied. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.

JIMMY PLOD – Commenced to weaken from the 600m and finished a distance back. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings. Trainer N. Hemmings was advised that a warning would be placed against the gelding for poor performance.





STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands

Race 3: Jockey N. Tomizawa – Raised whip arm above shoulder height - AR132(6)(b)
Race 3: Apprentice C. Lowe – Careless riding – AR131(a)
Race 3: Apprentice R. Thorburn – Careless riding – AR131(a) - Severe
Race 4: Apprentice O. Webb – Careless riding – AR131(a) - Severe

Suspensions
Race 5: Rider P. Randall – Careless riding – AR131(a) - Ten (10) day suspension commencing midnight 3/01/2026 and concluding midnight 13/01/2026.


Race day injuries/illness
O. Webb – Lower back soreness


Absent jockeys
J. Metcalfe - injured


Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
SAGA’S GIRL, VIALE, EARL OF BANTRY, REVANTAS, BENT BRIDGE, LECAN.

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 1: COPPER SUNSET – Difficult to load – Warning
Race 2: ZHIVAGO BELLA – Racing manners – Warning
Race 3: IN NO DOUBT – Reared at the start - Warning
Race 4: MICRO – Reared at the start – Official trial
Race 6: GYPSY JOY – Lame near hind leg - Veterinary clearance
Race 6: GYPSY JOY – Reared over in barriers – Barrier certificate required
Race 6: HOWDOYOUZOU – Racing manners – Warning
Race 6: OUTATICK – Poor performance - Warning
Race 6: TASSORTIUM – Racing manners - Warning
Race 7: PROCLAIMER – Very slow to begin – Barrier certificate required
Race 7: JIMMY PLOD – Poor performance - Warning


Summary of rider changes/Late notifications

Race 3: DESTINY GUNGHO – Olivia Kendal
Race 5: EARTHAXEAZE – Montanna Savva
Race 6: OUTATICK – Chloe Lowe
Race 7: JIMMY PLOD – Jason Taylor

Late scratchings
Race 6: GYPSY JOY at 8.36pm – 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.