QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

GATTON: LOCKYER VALLEY TURF CLUB

TUESDAY 28TH JANUARY 2025

WEATHER – Fine   TRACK RATING –  Soft 5; Good 4 at 11:45am       RAIL – 0.5m 600m – 400m, true remainder   

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – S Fletcher
Stewards – K Daly, T Preston, S Coulthard
 
 
GENERAL
 
Today’s meeting was conducted under QRIC’s caring for racing animals in extreme heat policy.
 
Following a track inspection, Stewards upgraded the track to a Good 4 at 11.45am.
 
As apprentice S. Willis was not riding at today’s meeting, rider replacements were made as per the Stewards’ race day summary.
 

 
Race 1: SAVE THE DATE – 2025 PORTERS PLAINLAND LAIDLEY CUP – SATURDAY 8TH FEBRUARY MAIDEN HANDICAP 1100 M
 
ORIENTE – Near the 200m rider L. Tilley momentarily dropped the nearside rein before quickly regathering. Laid in under pressure over the final 100m.
 
TOO MANY THOUGHTS – Slow to begin.
 
LETTERS OF ROMANCE – Stewards accepted the reason for the late declaration of apprentice D. Bennett as the rider.
 
PARISIENNE PIPER – Ran wide rounding the home turn.Rider S. Collett reported the filly was inclined to race greenly throughout the event.
 
WINDOW TAPPER – Rider J. McMurray dropped his whip near the 200m.
 
BRAIDWOOD PRINCE – Jumped away awkwardly bumped SHE’s SO SWANK and lost ground. Rider E. Molloy was reprimanded under AR132(6)(c) for use of the whip on a horse out of contention.
 
POW NOW – Rider M. Savva reported she felt the mare felt short in its action on pulling up. A post-race veterinary examination revealed lameness in the near foreleg. Trainer M Nolan was advised POW NOW would require a veterinary clearance prior to its next race start.
 
SHE’S SO SWANK – Bumped at the start.
 
ZOU ZOUTUKATUKIA – At the request of rider M. Hellyer, underwent a veterinary examination on arrival at the barriers and was cleared to start. Slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.
 
SHALZER – Slow to begin.
 
 
Race 2: 2025 PORTERS PLAINLAND LAIDLEY CUP OFFICIAL AFTERPARTY AT FALVEYS HOTEL GATTON BENCHMARK 62 HANDICAP 1100 M
 
The start of this event was delayed when ADALIE required resaddling after becoming fractious after entering the enclosure. Co-trainer C. Geran was advised a warning would be placed on the pre-race manners of ADALIE.
 
DEVIL’S RITE – Shifted out under pressure in the home straight.
 
ADALIE – Slow to begin.
 
OBEROI PRINCESS – Laid in over the concluding stages.Apprentice T. Fenlon was reminded of her obligations under AR131(b) to ride her mounts out fully to the end of the race.
 
COUNT NICHOLAS – Slow to begin. Stewards opened an inquiry into rider E. Chaves tactics and his riding of COUNT NICHOLAS.After taking initial comments from E. Chaves and telephone evidence from trainer A. Campton, stewards adjourned the inquiry to a time and date to be confirmed.A post-race veterinary examination of COUNT NICHOLAS revealed no abnormalities.
 
MALTALI – Slow to begin.
 
 
Race 3: SUPPORT MADDOX’S HELPING HAND FOUNDATION RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP 860 M
 
BUCKALTIUS – After being delayed arriving on course due to a float breakdown, underwent a veterinary inspection and was cleared to start. Raced wide throughout the event.
 
LEVAR – Slow to begin and lost ground.
 
CURRY LEGEND – Raced three wide without cover throughout the event.
 
APOLLO TEN – Rounding the home turn shifted in and made heavy contact with running rail and became unbalanced.Near the 100m disappointed for a run between I AM THOR and CURRY LEGEND which shifted in before being corrected by its rider. A short distance later was steadied from the heels of CURRY LEGEND, which after shifting out, was bumped by KENTUCKY ROSE which laid in under pressure, resulting in the rider J. Huxtable (CURRY LEGEND) having to stop riding and correct his mount over the concluding stages. As a result, APPOLLO TEN was unable to be tested over the final 100m.
 
KENTUCKY ROSE – Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
ALBION SQUARE – Raced wide throughout the event.
 
VELVET – Raced wide throughout the event.
 
LUCKY SHAM (NZ) – stumbled on jumping away.
 
 
Race 4: BIRDHOUSE LAIDLEY MAIDEN PLATE 1400 M
 
CHEERFUL CAT – Trainer J. Moore was fined $100 under the provisions of LR67(1) for the late declaration of rider.Near the 1000m steadied from the heels of RED HUSSY which shifted when not fully clear. B. Ainsworth, rider of RED HUSSY, was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.Laid in under pressure in the home straight.Raced wide throughout the event. When asked to comment on the performance, rider R. Curatolo stated that from the wide barrier he endeavoured to obtain cover, however as a result the gelding settled back further than anticipated which he felt had a detrimental effect on the performance.
 
FIRE AND LIGHT – Jumped awkwardly.When the pace eased near the 1200m was restrained from heels and lost ground.Near the 900m shifted in and contacted the running rail.A short distance later improved onto the heels of DON’T STOP ME NOW and had to be steadied.Raced keenly in the early stages. Held up approaching the home turn.
 
MIDNIGHT MADNESS – Shifted out near the 600m allowing DON’T STOP ME NOW to improve to its inside. In the presence of Racing Qld apprentice representative, Mr R. Fradd, apprentice K. Johnston, rider of MIDNIGHT MADNESS, was advised that in similar situations she needs to make a greater effort to ensure her mounts hold a competitive position throughout the race.
 
SHAKE'N'BAKE – Caught wide in the early stages before progressing forward and obtaining the position outside the leader near the 800m.
 
TWILIGHT STEPS – Slow to begin and lost ground.
 
VISCOUNT SYDNEY – Bumped with ARTISTIC TOUCH on jumping.
 
BOOM DIGGITY – Caught wide in the early stages before progressing forward and obtaining the lead near the 800m.
 
ARTISTIC TOUCH – Bumped with VISCOUNT SYDNEY on jumping. Near the 900m raced in restricted room and had to be steadied when racing between TWILIGHT STEPS and RED HUSSY, both of which shifted ground marginally. Raced keenly for a short distance near the 700m.
 
 
Race 5: LADBROKES BLACKBOOK BM70 HANDICAP 1400 M
 
BRENTWOOD – Near the 350m brushed the running rail.
 
MOONAN ME – Began awkwardly. Over-raced in the early stages and steadied near the 1100m when racing in restricted room.
 
SUKHBIR – Change of tactics, to settle more forward if circumstances permit. Ridden accordingly. Knuckled on jumping.
 
HOKKAIDO – Raced in restricted for some distance near the 1200m and as a result brushed the running rail near the 1100m. A short distance later was momentarily steadied from the heels of HUSSY EMPRESS which shifted in and away from UNLEASH.
 
HUSSEY EMPRESS – Laid out under pressure over the final 100m.
 
 
Race 6: BARRIER REEF POOLS CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1400 M
 
KILDARE (NZ) – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
WIREWALKER – Slow to begin.
 
ROCKY RICH – Laid out rounding the home turn.
 
HUMAN TOUCH – Raced wide from the 500m.
 
YEAH COPY – On straightening momentarily held up on the heels of KILDARE. Stewards questioned rider C. Graham regarding the reasons for shifting away from the rail approaching the home turn, which resulted in WIREWALKER, the eventual winner obtaining a run on the rail. C. Graham stated that approaching the turn when following the leader ROCKY HIGH which was racing on the rail, she was mindful of not being held up and for this reason made the decision to shift out to obtain a run between KILDARE to her outside and ROCKY HIGH. She added that upon shifting out, WIREWALKER had improved quickly to her inside and from that point she was committed to holding her racing line rounding the home turn. Stewards accepted the explanation.
 
ROCKRATA – Jumped awkwardly and lost ground.
 
WHISTLIN' RULER – Raced keenly in the early stages. Made the turn at the 1200m awkwardly and shifted out.Raced three throughout the event.
 
 
 
Race 7: BOOK YOUR TICKETS NOW – 2025 PORTERS LAIDLEY CUP – SATURDAY 8TH FEBRUARY BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 2000 M
 
LUCKY EXCHANGE – Slow to begin. Raced wide from the 1100m.
 
ONOMATOPOEIA – Trainer N. Keal was reprimanded under AR106(1) for presenting the gelding with the incorrect saddle cloth to the saddling enclosure. Raced wide from the 800m.
 
TWISTED MISTRESS – Knuckled on jumping resulting in rider W. O’Connell becoming very awkward in the saddle and losing use of his offside iron for some distance before regaining use passing the winning post on the first occasion. Raced wide for the majority of the event.
 
BILPA MOREA (NZ) – Jumped awkwardly and lost ground. Over-raced for a short distance passing the winning post on the first occasion. Raced in restricted room and steadied for a short distance near the 600m to the inside of the weakening YANGARI.
 
YANGARI – Weakened from the 700m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormality. In light of the poor performance trainer K. Afford was advised the gelding would be restricted to racing at non-TAB venues until it re-establishes form at country venues. Mr Afford advised stewards he would now consider the immediate racing future of YANGARI.
 
MAKE HASTE – Slow to begin. Passing the 500m hampered and lost ground after becoming awkwardly placed on the heels of the tiring YANGARI.
 
SPANISH FIGHTER – Leaving the 600m was steadied from the heels of FORCE ME.
 
SIR BEVERIDGE – When asked to comment on the apparent improved performance, trainer B. Mahon advised at the gelding’s most recent start at Dalby on 17th January 2025 he was not overly disappointed with the performance adding that SIR BEVERIDGE had improved in its work since that run. Mr Mahon further stated he was confident the gelding could finish in the first half of the field however was somewhat surprised by the performance today. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
FORCE ME – Near the 600m hampered and obliged to shift wider to avoid the heels of YANGARI which was weakening significantly at that point and as a consequence was steadied when momentarily awkwardly placed to the inside of LUCKY EXCHANGE.
 
TERMITE - Passing the 500m checked and lost ground after becoming awkwardly placed on the heels of the tiring YANGARI.
 

 


STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 1: Apprentice E. Molloy – AR132(6)(c) – use of the whip on a horse out of contention
Race 7: Trainer N. Keal – AR106(1) – present horse incorrect saddle cloth

Fines
Race 4: Trainer J. Moore – LR67(1) – late rider declaration - $100

Adjourned inquiries
Race 2: Rider E. Chaves – Tactics and riding of COUNT NICHOLAS
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
Race 1: WINDOW TAPPER
Race 2: INLANDA
Race 4: MIDNIGHT MADNESS
Race 5: MOONAN ME
Race 7: LUCKY EXCHANGE
Race 7: CONEY ISLAND BABY

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 

Warnings/bars
Race 1: POW NOW – lame near foreleg – Vet certificate required
Race 2: ADALIE – pre-race manners – warning
Race 7: YANGARI – poor performance – TAB bar
 
 
 

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1: 3 LETTERS OF ROMANCE - Dylan Bennett (a1.5/55kg),
            13e SHALZER - Ms Kelsey Lenton (a1.5/49kg)
Race 3: 10 LUCKY SHAM (NZ) - Jade Metcalfe (a2/46kg)
Race 4: 1 CHEERFUL CAT - Ryan Curatolo
Race 6: 13e WHISTLIN’ RULER - Sariah Champkin (a1.5/52kg)
Race 7: 16e SIR BEVERIDGE - Ty Wheeler (a2/53kg)
             17e TERMITE - Ms Samantha Collett
             18e FORCE ME (NZ) - Sariah Champkin (a1.5/52kg)

 


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.