QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

GATTON: LOCKYER VALLEY TURF CLUB

SUNDAY 19TH JANUARY 2025

WEATHER – Fine  TRACK RATING –  Good (4)       RAIL – True
 
OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – K. Daly
Stewards – S. Fletcher, A. Schofield, S. Coulthard, W. Glass

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
Trainer N. Beck reported that following racing at Ipswich on the 15th of January, MOONSHINE RUN had pulled up lame in both forelegs and would now be sent for a spell. Mr Beck was advised that MOONSHINE RUN would require a veterinary clearance prior to trialing or racing again.


GENERAL
 
Stewards approved the following overweights:
Race 1. A. Thompson 56kg +05kg = 56.5kg
 
Jockey L. Tilley was fined $400 pursuant to AR190(3) for accepting three rides in Races 3, 4 and 9 when he was to be overweight.


Race 1: BARRIER REEF POOLS QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE        1400 Metres
 
FLYING WARRIOR – Near the 800m, over raced for a short distance and had to be restrained. Checked near the 200m. At a subsequent enquiry, apprentice A. Graham (ARTISTIC TOUCH), in the presence of senior rider G Cartwright, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR131(a) in that she permitted her mount to shift out near the 200m when insufficiently clear of FLYING WARRIOR resulting in that gelding contacting the heels of ARTISTIC TOUCH, blundering and having to be checked. The license of apprentice A. Graham to ride in races was suspended for 13 days commencing midnight the 26th of January 2025 until midnight the 8th of February 2025. In determining penalty, Stewards took into account her guilty plea, her status as an apprentice, and her record under this rule.
 
FOOLSAY – Underwent a pre-race veterinary inspection on arrival at the barriers after knuckling on entering the mounting enclosure and was cleared to start.
 
MAJESTIC LOUVRE – Jockey M. Hellyer reported that his mount was inclined to lay out for the majority of the event and in his opinion, may be better suited to racing on bigger tracks than that of today.
 
MAKEMINEMILO – Raced three wide without cover.  
 
PRINCE LEVI – Raced keenly for a short distance passing the 800m.
 
STAY LIQUID – Began awkwardly. Near the 1200m raced in restricted room momentarily to the inside of PRINCE LEVI.
 
ARTISTIC TOUCH – As jockey A. Bakos-Schrapel was ill, she was replaced by apprentice A. Graham. Inclined to lay out rounding the home turn. Near the 100m, became awkwardly placed at the heels of HEALTHY SUSPICION and had to be steadied before shifting to the inside to obtain clear running.
 
BACCARAT ROUGE – From the wide barrier restrained at the start and shifted across runners to a position closer to the rail at the rear of the field.
 
HEALTHY SUSPICION – Jockey J. Huxtable was reprimanded pursuant to AR190(3) for accepting a ride when overweight and was replaced by jockey A. Thompson. In determining penalty, Stewards took into account jockey Huxtable’s recent good record under this rule. Raced three wide with cover throughout.
 
LADY BOSSA NOVA – Near the 900m restrained from the heels of FLYING WARRIOR. Raced wide from the 800m. Steadied from the heels of ARTISTIC WARRIOR near the 200m. Cast the near fore plate in running.
 
 
Race 2: LOCKYER PRODUCE MAIDEN HANDICAP         1600 Metres

SWIPER – Approaching the 1200m turn, crowded for room and had to be steadied when DIVAS REIGN (L. Tilley) shifted in when not fully clear. Jockey L. Tilley was reprimanded for careless riding under AR131(a) for this incident. Approaching the 100m, rider G. Cartwright momentarily dropped the offside rein before regathering a short distance later. Rider G. Cartwright reported that the saddle shifted back in running which placed her at some disadvantage.
 
VICTORY FLAME – Following this event, rider J. Guthmann-Chester was examined by QAS staff and was stood down for his remaining engagements. Jockey Guthmann-Chester was advised that he would require a medical prior to his next race or trial ride.
 
POSTMAN’S GAP – Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
THAT’S YOU – Near the 200m, when struck with the whip, shifted in abruptly and made heavy contact with the running rail and became unbalanced.
 
RED SUTURE – Jumped in at the start.
 
SPACE JOURNEY – Jockey J. Huxtable reported that he became concerned with the breathing pattern of the horse approaching the home turn and for this reason he desisted from pressuring the gelding in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed SPACE JOURNEY to be displaying symptoms of cardiac arrythmia. Trainer J. Townsend was advised that SPACE JOURNEY will require a veterinary clearance including a satisfactory ECG report and must also trial or gallop over 1000m prior to racing again.
 
MERRON MOLLY – Fractious leaving the enclosure, dislodged its rider during the preliminary and was then reluctant to proceed to the barriers. Trainer B. Ahrens was advised that MERRON MOLLY must trial satisfactorily prior to racing again.
 
TRUSTY BANDIT – Change of tactics, to be ridden with cover if circumstances permit. Ridden accordingly. Shifted in under pressure in the home straight.
 
YIPPEE BEAN – Jumped out at the start.
 
 
Race 3:  LADBROKES MATES MODE HOSTED POTS MAIDEN HANDICAP 1100 Metres

TURN UP THE MUSIC – Raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a laceration to the off hindlimb consistent with being galloped on, and was treated by the on-course veterinarian.  Trainer M. Currie was advised that TURN UP THE MUSIC will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
 
DATA LEAK – Raced three wide without cover.
 
LOVE OF MINE – Shortly after the start, inconvenienced when FREEMAN FURY laid out. When asked to comment on the disappointing performance, jockey M. Hellyer reported that his mount travelled comfortably, however when placed under pressure from the 400m, proved disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the horse to be lame in both hindlimbs. Trainer D. Hansen was advised that LOVE OF MINE will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
 
COLINTON – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
AZUKI – On entering the home straight, put in an awkward stride and blundered.  
 
THAT’S MY JOY – Very slow to begin.
 
FOR THE BRAVE – As jockey L. Tilley was to be overweight, he was replaced by jockey A. Jones. Raced four wide without cover throughout.
 
INVISIBLE TARGET – Approaching the winning post, O. Kendal was obliged to stop riding and steady her mount when DIBBA DOBBA (R. Curatolo) shifted in. Jockey R. Curatolo was advised to exercise more care.
 
FREEMAN FURY – Laid out shortly after the start. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight. Raced three wide with cover throughout.
 
 
Race 4:  SAVE THE DATE - 2025 PORTERS PLAINLAND LAIDLEY CUP SATURDAY 8TH FEBRUARY CLASS 1 HANDICAP         860 Metres

DARK SKIES – Dislodged its tongue tie enroute to the barriers and when unable to be refitted, Stewards allowed the gelding to subsequently race without that piece of gear.
 
JUNGLE JUICE – Passing the 400m, hung out and had to be checked away from the heels of HER EXPENSE. Laid out rounding the home turn and lost ground. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.  Trainer L. Hatch was advised that a warning would be placed on the racing manners of the gelding for hanging out. Trainer L. Hatch advised that he would have the gelding scoped and report back to Stewards anything that may come to light in regards to the performance.
 
LEVAR – Slow to begin
 
STATE IN TEXAS – Jumped out at the start. Laid out between the 300m and the entrance to the home straight.
 
HER EXPENSE – Raced three wide without cover throughout.
 
YEMEAN – As jockey L. Tilley was to be overweight, he was replaced by jockey A. Jones.
 
BASIL’S GIFT – Tightened for room shortly after the start when STATE IN TEXAS jumped out.
 
SUTHERLAND – Raced wide throughout. Passing the 400m, laid out and had to be steadied away from the heels of JUNGLE JUICE and lost ground. Trainer A. Park was advised that a warning would be placed on the racing manners of the mare.  
 
 
Race 5: LADBROKES PUNTER ASSIST BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP         860 Metres
 
INAZUMA BOY – Raced three wide without cover throughout. Had a tendency to lay in under pressure in the home straight.
 
HOKUSAI – Raced four wide without cover for the majority of the event.
 
FLYING RUPERT – Taken wider rounding the home turn.
 
ALBION SQUARE – Raced three wide with cover throughout. Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
MISSY’S READY – Slow to begin.
 
I AM THOR – Raced three wide with cover for the majority of the event.
 
 
Race 6: SUPPORT MADDOX'S HELPING HAND FOUNDATION RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP   1400 Metres
 
UNION SPIRIT – Forced wide from the 700m after DARLING HEART shifted out to improve.
 
BY BY BEAN – Slow to begin. Caught wide in the early stages before progressing forward to race outside the leader near the 700m. Near the 400m, after racing in the position outside the leader, shifted out to a three wide position allowing PROPHET OF BOOM to obtain a run to its inside. In the presence of senior rider H. Richardson, apprentice K. Lenton was advised that in similar situations she needs to make a greater effort to ensure her mounts hold a competitive position throughout the race and not leave her rides open to question.  
 
ARIAT – Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure in the initial stages of the home straight before shifting out under pressure over the latter stages.
 
JAMAICAN MECRAZY – Raced keenly during the early and middle stages. Held up for clear running between the 300m and the entrance to the home straight.
 
YEAH COPY – Raced three wide without cover throughout. Following the event, rider M. Wishart reported that during the preliminary YEAH COPY threw its head back contacting her in the head, and that subsequent to the event after completing her riding commitments, she began to experience some effects from this incident. Ms Wishart was advised she would require a medical clearance prior to riding again.
 
CASINO COAST – Slow to begin. Approaching the 1200m, raced in restricted room to the inside of ARIAT which had a tendency to lay in. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer S. Sixtus was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding for poor performance.  
 
 
Race 7: MCNEIL FARMS RATINGS BAND 0 – 58 HANDICAP               1400 Metres

On return to scale, and on viewing the patrol footage, M. Currie, trainer of second placegetter IRAMA (L. Dempsey) lodged a protest against first past the post FIERY RING (M. Savva), alleging interference over the final 100m. After viewing the patrol footage and taking evidence from connections of both runners, Stewards found that passing the 100m, FIERY RING shifted in under pressure crowding IRAMA, however bearing in mind the short neck margin, Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that had to the crowding not occurred to IRAMA, that gelding would not have finished ahead of FIERY RING and the protest was dismissed. At a subsequent enquiry, rider M. Savva was reprimanded under AR131(a) for careless riding and advised to stop riding and straighten sooner than she did on this occasion.
 
FIERY RING – Raced keenly during the middle stages.
 
MIKKI EIGHT – Approaching the 100m, disappointed for a run between MIGRATORY and VIKING VALOUR and as a consequence was obliged to shift out across heels to obtain clear running.
 
ALONTRO – After being crossed by VIKING VALOUR near the 900m, raced keenly for a short distance.  
 
LUPINE – Slow to begin. When asked to comment on his decision to shift wider passing the 400m rather than to maintain a position closer to the rail, jockey J. Huxtable stated that LUPINE is a horse that needs to work into the race, and rather than ride for luck and remain on the inside at that stage of the event and be held up, he elected instead to shift wider on the track. J. Huxtable added in hindsight he agreed with Stewards that it would have been a better option to remain closer to the rail leaving the 400m. Stewards noted jockey Huxtable’s explanation.
 
VIKING VALOUR – Raced three wide throughout.
 
 
Race 8: GOODYEAR AUTOCARE GATTON BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP       1600 Metres
 
ALL I WANT IS YOU – Checked at the start. Inconvenienced near the 300m when steadied from the heels of TYPHOON TIP.
 
ARCHER’S GAME – Jumped in at the start.
 
DO IT FOR YOU – Shifted out at the start. Severely checked near the 300m. At a subsequent enquiry, apprentice S. Pointon, in the presence of senior rider A. Jones, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR131(a) in that she permitted THE SHAMAN to shift in near the 300m when insufficiently clear of TYPHOON TIP, which was crowded and taken in, resulting in that mare being taken in and across the rightful running of DO IT FOR YOU, which was tightened onto the running rail and severely checked. The license of S. Pointon to ride in races was suspended for 13 days commencing midnight the 26th of January 2025 until midnight the 8th of February 2025. In determining penalty, Stewards took into account her guilty plea, her status as an apprentice, and this was her first charge under this particular rule.
A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
PINEAPPLE GIRL – Underwent a pre-race veterinary inspection after not starting for a significant period of time. Following the event, apprentice R. Thorburn stated after placing PINEAPPLE GIRL under pressure at the 400m he became concerned with the mare’s action, and for this reason he desisted from pressuring his mount in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. In light of today’s poor performance, trainer N. Luke was advised that PINEAPPLE GIRL must barrier trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.
 
HAYSIRI – Slow to begin. Raced wide from the 600m. Shifted in marginally near the 500m before being corrected by its rider.  
 
THE SHAMAN – In the presence of senior rider A. Jones, Stewards questioned apprentice S. Pointon over tactics adopted in the race particularly in the middle stages when racing in the position outside the leader DO IT FOR YOU. Ms Pointon stated that instructions were to ride the horse in a forward position and if possible, lead as per its most recent starts. Ms Pointon advised that after DO IT FOR YOU led the event, THE SHAMAN was inclined to over race when racing to its outside, and also to hang in at various stages, and that it was for this reason she allowed the gelding to shift out to a position wider on the track leaving the 500m before allowing THE SHAMAN to shift back in near the 300m. After taking into account, apprentice Pointon’s limited race riding experience, including this being her second ride at a TAB meeting, Stewards took the matter no further other than to advise Ms Pointon that her ride would be referred to the Racing Queensland Riding Skills Panel.  
 
OAKFIELD STORM – Laid out for a short distance passing the 500m.
 
ALFA LILY – Leaving the 500m, crowded for room and had to be steadied when racing between HAYSIRI and OAKFIELD STORM both of which shifted ground marginally at that point.
 
TYPHOON TIP – Near the 300m, was crowded and taken in and lost ground.
 
 
Race 9: BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW - 2025 PORTERS LAIDLEY CUP SAT 8TH FEB RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP      1100 Metres
 
RUM DIARY – Raced keenly during the early stages.
 
BEEN A SECRET – Slow to begin. When placed under pressure in the home straight, raced greenly, shifted in contacting the running rail on a number of occasions resulting in both horse and rider becoming unbalanced on a number of occasions.
 
SUNIKI – Began awkwardly. Raced three wide with cover throughout.
 
TOO MUCH MAKEUP – Jumped out at the start. Raced four wide without cover. Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight.
 
FROZEN MISS – Slow to begin.
 
RISK ASSESSMENT – Raced three wide without cover.
 
ASTIN LANE – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Laid in under pressure in the home straight. Jockey M. Wishart reported that her mount was inclined to lay in for the majority.
 
 


STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 1. Jockey J. Huxtable – accepting ride when overweight – AR190(3).
Race 7. Jockey M. Savva – careless riding – AR131(a).

Fines
Jockey L. Tilley – accepting 3 rides when overweight - AR190(3) - $400.  

Suspensions
Race 1. Apprentice A. Graham – careless riding – AR131(a) – license to ride in races suspended for 13 days – from m/n 26/1/2025 and ending m/n 8/2/2025.
Race 8. Apprentice S. Pointon – careless riding – AR131(a) – license to ride in races suspended for 13 days – from m/n 26/1/2025 and ending m/n 8/2/2025.


Race day injuries/illness
J. Guthmann-Chester – medical required.
M. Wishart – medical required.


Absent jockeys
A. Bakos-Schrapel – medical required.




Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
VICTORY FLAME, DIVAS REIGN, JAMAICAN MECRAZY, FIERY RING, ALL I WANT IS YOU, HAYSIRI.

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 2. MERRON MOLLY – fractious and reluctant to proceed to the start – barrier trial to Stewards satisfaction.
Race 2. SPACE JOURNEY – cardiac arrythmia – veterinary clearance incl. ECG and gallop over 1000m prior to racing again.  
Race 3. TURN UP THE MUSIC – off hindlimb laceration – veterinary clearance required.
Race 3. LOVE OF MINE – lame both hindlimbs – veterinary clearance required.
Race 4. JUNGLE JUICE – hung out – warning on racing manners.
Race 6. CASINO COAST – poor performance – warning.
Race 8. PINEAPPLE GIRL – poor performance – barrier trial to Stewards satisfaction.


Protests
Race 7. 2nd (IRAMA) vs. 1st (FIERY RING) - DISMISSED


Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1. 4. MAKEMINEMILO – J. McMurray
Race 1. 8. ARTISTIC TOUCH – A. Graham
Race 2. 15. BONZABELTER – N. Tomizawa
Race 2. 16. TRUSTY BANDIT – C. Meehan
Race 3. 11. FOR THE BRAVE – A. Jones
Race 3. 14. INVISIBLE TARGET – O. Kendal
Race 4. 9. YEMEAN – A. Jones (replacing L. Tilley)
Race 5. 13. ALBION SQUARE – C. Krahnen
Race 5. 14. MISSY’S READY – L. Tarrant
Race 5. 15. I AM THOR – K. Lenton
Race 6. CASINO COAST – L. Tarrant
Race 7. 13. MAYBE SMART – L. Tarrant
Race 7. 16. SOOZIE MAREE – M. Wishart
Race 8. 2. BETTER YET – B, Wheeler (replacing J. Guthmann-Chester)
Race 8. 8. PINEAPPLE GIRL – R. Thorburn
Race 8. 13. SUPERARGO – L. Tarrant
Race 8. 14. TERMITE – A. Graham
Race 9. 5. SUCCESSFUL – A. Thompson (replacing J. Guthmann-Chester)
Race 9. 7. TOO MUCH MAKEUP – C. Krahnen
Race 9. 12. ASTIN LANE – M. Wishart (replacing L. Tilley)


Late scratchings
Race 6. 13. HYDROS @8.07am – communication error.



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.