QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
GAYNDAH JOCKEY CLUB
 
SATURDAY 15 FEBRUARY 2025
 
 
WEATHER – Fine    TRACK RATING – Good 4; Good 3 at 12pm            RAIL – True
 
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – S. Fletcher
Stewards – A. Dowsett
 
 
GENERAL
 
Following a track inspection, Stewards upgraded the track to a Good 3 at 12pm.
 
Prior to race 1, the Judge advised Stewards that there was a malfunction with the official photo finish equipment. After attempting to remedy the issue, it was determined that the equipment would not be able to be used at the meeting. Stewards decided that the Judge would be assisted on all races by a QRIC Steward, a video camera was positioned on the finish line, along with the official race day footage, to assist the Judge in the determination of placing’s as per the provisions of AR214(2).   
 
As a result of the issue with the photo finish equipment, races 1-4 were put back approximately 5 minutes from their scheduled time.
 
 
 
Race 1: JEFF THOMPSON PLUMBING SERVICES BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP 1000 Metres
 
Correct weight was delayed allowing connections of NINE CIGARS and Stewards to view the Judge’s official photo of the dead heat for fourth between NINE CIGARS and MISS GABBIANO. As connections and Stewards were similarly satisfied that no margin existed between the runners, correct weight was declared on the Judge’s placing’s.
 
IT’S HELLS BELLS – Jumped in at the start. Raced wide throughout.
 
FLYING RUPERT – Slow to begin. Steadied from the heels of PAPER COWBOY rounding the home turn.
 
LATE NIGHT DEVIL – Stumbled shortly after the start.
 
NINE CIGARS – Leaving the 700m was checked and lost ground. At a subsequent inquiry, Stewards in considering the evidence tendered, including the available patrol footage, could not hold any one rider responsible for this incident and determined that NO BETTER AFFAIRE laid in and away from IT’S HELLS BELLS tightening the running of NINE CIGARS.
 
MISS GABBIANO – Tightened for room at the start between NO BETTER AFFAIRE which jumped out and CHILLI PALMER which was taken in by IT’S HELLS BELLS which shifted in, resulting in MISS GABBIANO losing ground. Hung out rounding the home turn. Lost the off fore plate in running. A post-race veterinary examination failed reveal any obvious abnormality. Trainer J. Bayliss subsequently reported the mare has gone for a brief let up and that a notable amount of the off fore hoof had broken away when losing the race plate in running.
 
PAPER COWBOY – Slow to begin.
 
 
Race 2: GRAND HOTEL QTIS RATINGS BAND 0-50 HANDICAP 1000 Metres
 
GOOD RESULTS – Leaving the 700m when racing keenly, improved between RADIANT ROMANCE and VIZONE and was steadied. Rounding the home turn, clipped heels dislodging apprentice S. Blunt. Stewards after taking initial evidence, adjourned an inquiry into this matter to a time and date to be determined. A post-race veterinary examination revealed lacerations to the near fore pastern.
 
VIZONE – Broke through the front of the barriers before being restrained by the rider and returned to the start. Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to race.
 
BECALLMAH – Began awkwardly and lost ground. When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice P. Carter stated the gelding did not handle today’s firm track, adding that BECALLMAH had won recently on a sand track which the horse felt comfortable on.
 
FLICK – Steadied away from the heels of GOOD RESULTS upon entering the home straight. When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice B. Johnson stated that the mare jumped well however did not handle the firm track and only finished the race off fairly.
 
RICHKISS – Shifted out and away from the heels of GOOD RESULTS rounding the home turn. Laid in under pressure in the home straight and was unable to be fully tested over the final 100m when the riderless GOOD RESULTS shifted out. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be showing clinical signs of heat stress and was treated by the race day veterinarian.
 
PRIDE AN’ JOY – Slow into stride and lost ground.
 
RADIANT ROMANCE – Race wide throughout the event.
 
GOLD REVOLUTION – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
Following this race, apprentice S. Blunt was examined by QAS officials and cleared of any major injuries including passing concussion protocols. Stewards however, stood S. Blunt down from her ride in race 5 and advised she would require a medical clearance inclusive of a satisfactory concussion test before riding again.
 
 
Race 3: DRIVER’S CONCRETE & CONSTRUCTION MAIDEN PLATE 1200 Metres
 
FREE CHOICE – Leaving the 700m was inconvenienced when BUTLER CABIN shifted out.
 
GARTAN – Stood flat footed and lost considerable ground. Trainer T. Thomas was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s barrier manners.
 
SUENITO – Jockey M. Kennedy was reminded of her obligations when using her whip on a horse that is clearly winning.
 
WOOLMAR – Fractious in the barriers and rearing on a number of occasions. Trainer T. Thomas was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s barrier manners. Raced wide throughout the event. Apprentice T. Wheeler reported that he had further aggravated a right shoulder injury (Race 2 VIZONE) when WOOLMAR was fractious in the barriers. T. Wheeler was subsequently observed by the attending QAS official after this race, resulting in T. Wheeler ruling himself fit to fulfill his remaining engagements.
 
BUTLER CABIN – Began awkwardly. Raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages. Leaving the 800m made contact with the running rail and became unbalanced. Leaving the 700m was checked and lost ground when shifting in and making contact with the rail. Trainer B. Gill was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing manners.
 
DREAMDROP – Raced wide throughout.
 
SEWN UP – Raced wide throughout. Momentarily steadied from the heels of TYSON’S FURY entering the home straight. Laid in under pressure in the home straight. Apprentice B. Moffat was reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts out fully to the end of the race.
 
SHAKEN MARTINI – Made the turn at the 1000m awkwardly, eased and lost ground. Leaving the 700m was checked and lost ground. At a subsequent inquiry, Stewards in considering the evidence tendered, including the available patrol footage, could not hold any one rider responsible for this incident and determined that SHAKEN MARTINI shifted out marginally and was checked from the heels of TYSON’S FURY which in turn was racing tight to the inside of WOOLMAR. Approaching the home turn was steadied and became unbalanced when racing to the inside of TYSON’S FURY. Raced greenly for a short distance approaching the 100m and then eased momentarily near the 50m when racing in restricted room.
 
TYSON’S FURY – Raced in restricted room leaving the 700m. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
Race 4: NEIL COUNIHAN “THE WORLDS GREATEST GROUNDSMAN” OPEN PLATE 1200 Metres
 
No racing incidents.
 
 
Race 5: MEDEW MOBILE FABRICATION BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP 1400 Metres
 
PABALLO – Began awkwardly and shifted out.
 
CRAIGLEA LA VIE – Hampered at the start. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
CLAUDIUS – Tightened for room on jumping away.
 
DEDORS LAD – Jumped in at the start and hampered CRAIGLEA LA VIE. Raced wide for the majority of the event. Apprentice B. Youngberry dropped her whip near the 200m.
 
CANTOR – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 3 – Trainer T. Thomas – late rider - severe reprimand - LR67(1)
 
Race day injuries/illness
Race 2 – Apprentice S. Blunt – Medical required
Race 2 – Apprentice T. Wheeler – Right shoulder pain/discomfort
 
 
Adjourned inquiries         
Race 2 – Apprentice S. Blunt being dislodged rounding the home turn.
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 3 – GARTAN – Stood flat footed and lost considerable ground – warning
Race 3 – WOOLMAR – Fractious in barriers – warning
Race 3 – BUTLER CABIN – Raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages – warning
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 3:
3 GARTAN - Ms Chloe Lowe 
 
13e TYSON’S FURY – Ms Kayla Barker 
 
14e FRODASH - Adam Sewell
Race 5: 2 PABALLO – Tye Wheeler
 
 
 
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.