QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
TOOWOOMBA
SATURDAY 17TH OCTOBER 2026
 
 
WEATHER – Showers/Overcast     TRACK RATING – Soft 5RAIL – +3 Metres
PENETROMETER – 5.9

OFFICIALS

Stewards: B. Wright(Chair), J Childs, W. Glass & A. Cuckson

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
Toowoomba 22-8-26 Race 6, the HAPPY 80th BIRTHDAY COLIN CHESTER Class 3 handicap  2160m
Held at Ipswich Stewards’ Room 14th of October 2026
 
Stewards today concluded their inquires in relation to the ride of VEGA SICILIA by App S. Champkin in this event. The inquiry was adjourned on the night following evidence being taken from App S. Champkin, rider J. Taylor, who was assisting Ms Champkin and trainer W. O’Connell. This adjournment allowed Stewards to obtain sectional information on the race, along with requesting the betting data and considering the evidence tendered. Stewards contacted trainer W. O’ Connell on August 26th where he stated that the gelding had pulled up satisfactory and planned to continue on with the preparation. Stewards acceded to a request to have the assistance of Racing Queensland Apprentice coach Michael Cahill for Ms Champkin at the continuation of the inquiry. Today apprentice S. Champkin and M. Cahill were provided the sectional data from the race and data from her previous ride on VEGA SICILIA on 1st August 2026, where she was successful on the gelding; and a report from the QRIC Veterinarian, which found no significant findings. Audio of proceedings from the evening, including comments from trainer W. O’Connell, where he expressed disappointment with the ride, was played. Betting data, which showed no significant bets of note along with assessment of the available patrol footage. S. Champkin explained she was instructed to come out neutral on the gelding as it can race keenly and she was given the option to lead, in a small field, if her mount began to pull. Shortly after the start, the gelding began to race keenly and as a result she shifted out and allowed her mount to stride to find the lead before passing the winning post on the first occasion. S. Champkin further explained that once her mount began to go down the hill towards the 1400m, the gelding hung out and continued to hang out for the entire event. She added that in the back straight near the 1200m her mount stopped racing keenly and came back underneath her, although continued to hang out. She added that she placed her mount under pressure between the 800m and 400m where her mount only responded fairly and as EMPRESS ASPEN and CIGAR MAN levelled up with her passing the 400m she stopped riding to prevent her mount from laying out over the heels of these runners. She continued by trying to encourage her horse to round the home turn before she maintained her position on the horse trying to keep it straight from the 300m. Stewards were of the opinion that in the early stages due to the sedate tempo of the race and the gelding’s racing manners, it was not unreasonable for S. Champkin to shift out and improve. Once obtaining the lead the gelding raced keenly and although she had visually established a large gap on the field, when reflecting on the sectional data between this event and where she was successfully on the gelding previously, she was riding within reasonable limits on the horse. Stewards advised S. Champkin that although they did not feel this section of her ride was culpable under the rules, they would have preferred to see her make more effort to either acknowledge the margin she had on the field or get her mount to travel better underneath her. In relation to her riding from the 1200m, Stewards did not agree with the evidence that her mount was hanging out due to the fact the horse appeared to be travelling truly and maintained a straight racing course, but noted her evidence. In relation to her riding between the 800m and 400m, although S. Champkin did show some vigour in this section of the race, felt that she may have been able to ride with more vigour, but again noted S. Champkin’s evidence and M. Cahill’s supporting statement of the gelding’s racing manners through this stage of the race. Stewards felt on the balance of evidence, that from approaching the 200m S. Champkin failed to ride her mount out, when it was safe to do so and when she was still in 3rd position. The margin between 3rd and 4th was 3.62L. Stewards issued a charge under AR131(b) to S. Champkin, the particulars being that from approaching the 200m she failed to ride her horse out to the end of the race and was fined $500. In assessing penalty, Stewards considered her guilty plea, record, apprentice status and they could not be satisfied that her actions prevented her mount from finishing in third position. She was further advised to ride in a manner that did not draw questions from the Stewards.
 
 
Race 1 – TOOWOOMBA GRAMMAR SCHOOL CLASS 2 HANDICAP              1110 M
 
RUTHVEN RUSH – Began awkwardly.
 
BETTER SWEET – Passing the 200m, steadied when tightened by RUTHVEN RUSH(M. Savva), which shifted in before being corrected. Rider M. Savva was reprimanded under AR131(a) for careless riding.
 
BRAVE HORATIUS – Raced keen early.
 
DEEP TIARA – Began awkwardly.
 
CAUSE SHE CAN – Began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped KOGA NINJA.
 
SHAHAR – Shortly after the start checked when tightened for room. Had difficulty obtaining clear running rounding home turn. Approaching winning post, crowded between BRAVE HORATIUS and DEEP TIARA, which shifted out slightly.
 
WORLDY SPIRIT – Slow to begin.
 
KOGA NINJA – Bumped at start and shortly after, checked when tightened between CAUSE SHE CAN and BRAVE HORATIUS(G. Geran), which shifted in after being brushed on the hindquarters. Rider G. Geran was reprimanded under AR131(a) for careless riding. Raced wide without cover from the 900m.
 
 
Race 2 – NETLOGIX BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1300 M
 
MISS DE MEDICI – Began awkwardly. Carried out round home turn by REDCLOUD.
 
NIGHTSTICK – Began awkwardly.
 
TOSCANELLA – Rider A. Keeley explained he was not as strong in his riding over the concluding stages, as his mount was tiring and shifting ground.
 
REDCLOUD – Eased and shifted out around heels passing the 1100m.
 
MISTER SELFIE – Raced keen in the middle stages when close to the heels of EINSTAG.
 
EINSTAG – Raced ungenerously in early and middle stages, proving difficult for rider T. Brooker to control. Approaching the 50m, steadied when tightened for room between NIGHTSTICK and TOSCANELLA. Stable representative for trainer M. Nolan was advised a warning would be recorded against the gelding for its racing manners.
 
App K Lenton(Miss De Medici) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under AR131(a) in that passing the 1100m, she permitted her mount to shift in when not clear of REDCLOUD, which was steadied and shifted out across heels. App Lenton’s permit to ride in races was suspended for a period of 10 days, commencing  midnight 17th October 2026 and to conclude on midnight 27th October 2026. In assessing penalty, account was taken of the QRIC Careless Riding Penalty Guidelines.
 
 
Race 3 – RENTCO BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP     1640 M
 
DON'T DISS AROUND – Raced keen for some distance passing the 1200m when awkwardly placed on the heels of TURF GAZETTE.
 
FIORSUM FRED – Began awkwardly badly unbalancing rider J. Lloyd. Steadied passing the 1500m when awkwardly placed inside of LITTLE VAIN. Held up from the 400m until passing the 300m. Near the 100m steadied when disappointed for a run and before being shifted out around TURF GAZETTE to obtain clear running.
 
LITTLE VAIN – Near the 1400m, steadied from the heels of MISS LINNY(App S. Callow), which shifted in when not quite clear. App S. Callow was severely reprimanded under AR131(a) for careless riding. Approaching the 100m, eased when disappointed for a run to the inside of SIR GOLDALOT(J. Molloy), which shifted in under pressure when not clear. Rider J. Molloy was severely reprimanded under AR131(a) for careless riding.
 
TURF GAZETTE – Raced keen early and near the 1300m, steadied from the heels of SIR GOLDALOT and shifted out.
 
ARAMINTA – Slow to begin. Held up for a run from the 400m until approaching the 200m.
 
PERCOLATE – Lay in near the 150m and contacted the rail.
 
MISS LINNY – Raced keen in the lead.
 
 
Race 4 – JW MARRIOTT GOLD COAST RESORT & SPA QTIS 3-Y-O MAIDEN PLATE            1210 M
 
COUP DE CASH – Passing the 100m, was carried out slightly by SUPER INTENT, which shifted out before being corrected.
 
DIAMOND IMPACT – Slow to begin and then hampered when KAVA EXPRESS shifted in.
 
GALLOPING ELLIE – Slow to begin and then hampered when ZOU ZOU ZIPORA shifted out.
 
KAVA EXPRESS – Passing the 50m, rider T. Brooker stopped riding and corrected her mount after receiving a call from rider K.Yoshida(MARBELIZED), which was improving to the outside. Consequently, KAVA EXPRESS was not out fully to the end of the race.
 
STARZAIN – Raced in restricted room inside the final 50m of the race.
 
ZOU ZOU ZIPORA – Got it head up near the 900m.
 
Rider J. Molloy(STARZAIN) was found guilty of a charge of careless riding under AR131(a) in that passing the 1000m, he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of ZOU ZOU ZIPORA, which steadied and was hampered when avoiding the heels of STARZAIN. Rider J. Molloy’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 days commencing commencing  midnight 24th October 2026 and to conclude on midnight 31st October 2026. In assessing penalty, account was taken of the QRIC Careless Riding Penalty Guidelines.
 
 
Race 5 – CARBOLINE BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP             1050 M
 
JEMELDI – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
PROVANCE – Slow to begin. Held up from approaching the 400m until near the 300m. Rider A. Butler reported the gelding lay in when under pressure in the straight, and after the 100m, when being corrected, got its head up.
 
 
Race 6 – VALE TREVOR GLASBY MAIDEN PLATE    1910 M
 
Stewards considered an objection lodged by App M. Mankelow(HIGHLAND KITTY), which was placed third, against PANZER READY(M. Hellyer), being declared the winner of the race, alleging interference near approaching the 100m. On the evidence, Stewards were of the view that passing the 150m, HIGLAND KITTY had established clear running to the inside of PANZER READY, which then shifted in when not clear, resulting in HIGLAND KITTY being checked. As the Stewards were of the view that had the interference to HIGLAND KITTY not occurred, that mare would have finished ahead of PANZER READY at the end of the race; therefore the objection was upheld and the placings amended to read: (5) FLIRTING WITH FIRE, 1st; (6) HIGHALND KITTY 2nd; (3) PANZER READY 3rd and (7) JOSEPHINE OF TUFFY 4th.
 
O'EXPLOSIVE – When the gates opened, stood flatfooted and lost ground(4L). Trainer P. Burns was notified O’EXPLOSIVE would be required to obtain a further barrier certificate prior to racing again.
 
PANZER READY – Rider M.Hellyer reported the gelding lay in when under pressure in the home straight.
 
BELLE FRANCAIS – Passing the 1800m, got its head up when being steadied from the heels of FLIRTING WITH FIRE(G. Geran), which shifted in when not clear. Raced keen in the middle stages. Rider G. Geran was reprimanded under AR131(a) for careless riding.
 
FLIRTING WITH FIRE (NZ) – Raced keen in the early and middle stages.
 
HIGHLAND KITTY – From passing the 400m until near the 250m, was held up for a run. Checked and lost rightful running approaching 100m.
 
QUEEN VICTORIOUS – Began awkwardly and then tightened. When questioned about her riding in the early and middle stages of the race, App K. Lenton explained the mare has proven difficult to hold, so she was asked to ride QUEEN VICTORIOUS where comfortable. She said when wide passing the winning post on the first occasion, she elected not to restrain but allow the mare to stride freely with the intention of obtaining the lead and then bringing her mount back under her. She said the mare responded for a short distance but commenced to race keen in the lead and rather than attempting to take a stronger hold and noting its racing manners, allowed QUEEN VICTORIOUS to stride under some restraint. She added that due the efforts in the early and middle stages, QUEEN VICTORIOUS failed to finish the race off. Co-Trainer C. Geran confirmed the instructions, the mare’s propensity to race keen and satisfaction with App Lenton’s ride.
 
Rider M. Hellyer(PANZER READY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR131(a) in that approaching the 100m, he permitted his mount to shift in under riding, when not clear of HIGHLAND KITTY, which was checked and lost its rightful running. Rider M. Hellyer’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 11 days commencing commencing  midnight 17th October 2026 and to conclude on midnight 28th October 2026. In assessing penalty, account was taken of the QRIC Careless Riding Penalty Guidelines. Further, rider M. Hellyer pleaded guilty to a charge under AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that he used the whip on 9 occasions prior to the 100m, 18 in totality. Rider M. Hellyer’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of eight (8) days to commence midnight 28th October, 2026 and to expire midnight 5th November, 2026. In assessing penalty, account was taken of the QRIC Whip Penalty Guidelines.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Fines:
Supplementary Report – App S. Champkin - $500 – AR131(b) – failing to ride mount out to end of race.
 
Reprimands
Race 1:  M. Savva – AR131(a) – Careless riding.
Race 1:  G. Geran – AR131(a) – Careless riding.
Race 3:  App S. Callow – AR131(a) – Careless riding – severe
Race 3:  J. Molloy – AR131(a) – Careless riding - severe
Race 6:  G. Geran – AR131(a) – Careless riding.
 
Suspensions
Race 2: App K. Lenton – careless riding AR131(a) – 10 days commencing M/N 17/10/26 to conclude M/N 27-10-26.
Race 4: J. Molloy – careless riding AR131(a) – 7 days commencing M/N 24/10/26 to conclude M/N 31-10-26.
Race 6: M. Hellyer – careless riding AR131(a) – 11 days commencing M/N 17/10/26 to conclude M/N 28-10-26.
Race 6: M. Hellyer – Whip use AR132(7)(a)(ii), 18 in totality (9 prior to the 100m) – 8 days commencing M/N 28/10/26 to conclude M/N 5-11-26.

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses sampled pre-race
Sort Cha Mess, Fire and Light, Einstag, Fiorsum Fred, Super Intent, Highland Kitty
 
Horses sampled post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 2: EINSTAG – Racing manners – Warning.
Race 6: O’EXPLOSIVE – Stood flatfooted and lost ground – Barrier Certificate prior to racing again.
 
Protests
Race 6: HIGHLAND KITTY placed 3rd against PANZER READY placed 1st – Upheld.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 2: 12. MISTER SELFIE – App F. Sandkuhl
Race 2: 13. EINSTAG – T. Brooker
 
 

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.