QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
AQUIS PARK GOLD COAST TURF CLUB
 
SATURDAY 7TH DECEMBER 2024
 
WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING –  Soft 5; Good 4 (4:19pm)
RAIL – +3m 900m-W/Post; True Remainder
PENETROMETER – 4.9
 
OFFICIALS
 
Stewards – B. Wright (Chair); S. Fletcher, K. Daly; L. De Witt – Rowson (Asst. Stew); A. Dowsett (Cadet)
 
GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted the following overweights:
Race 7: 11 DEMITASSE – B. Lerena +0.5kg (55kg)
Race 8: 16 MIDNIGHT DRIFTER – J. Williams +0.5kg (56.5kg)
 
The explanation tendered by Co-Trainers T. Edmond and S. McLean regarding the failure to withdraw dual acceptor DEMITASSE (Race 8) from the race by the prescribed time, was accepted.
 
Race 1: SOLOMONS TWEED HEADS MAIDEN HANDICAP  1400 M
 
DEJA ZOU – Began awkwardly. Raced wide without cover for the majority.
 
ROTHESAY'S LAD – Tightened at the start between DEJA ZOU, which shifted in and HANG OUT, which shifted out. When under pressure in the home straight, laid out.
 
HANG OUT – Began awkwardly.
 
AVIOR – Connections advised a change of tactics, from the wide gate to be ridden more conservatively. Settled at the rear of the field. Near the 500m, steadied when disappointed for a run to the inside of KEY COMPONENT.
 
LIP SMACKER – Began awkwardly.
 
KEY COMPONENT – Slow into stride. Rider D. Smith reported the filly may have come to the end of its preparation. Trainer D. Ward reported he would make assessment of the filly’s preparation over the ensuing days. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
Race 2: ELIZABETH'S 50TH MAIDEN HANDICAP  1400 M
 
Prior to correct weight, Stewards reviewed the footage of the start to ascertain if MEASURED had been afforded a fair opportunity to leave the gates. On viewing the footage, it was established that when the gates opened, MEAUSRED became fractious, then refused to leave the gates and on this basis was declared a starter.
 
DOUBLE WHAMMY – Momentarily steadied after the start when OUR MISSILE shifted in. Rider B. Lerena could offer no explanation for the gelding’s performance, which was having its first race start. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the off-hind leg. Stable representative for R. Heathcote was advised the gelding would require veterinary clearance prior to resuming.
 
REEL GRACEFUL – Rider G. Walters was fined $200 pursuant to AR 190(3) for accepting a ride for which he was to be overweight. Passing the 1000m, steadied when tightened between SAMURAI WAND (App. J. McMurray), which was racing tight to the outside and GENTLEMAN JUNIOR, which shifted out when racing close to the heels of OUR MISSILE. In the circumstances. no action was taken however, Apprentice J. McMurray was notified he must make greater effort to ensure inside runners have sufficient racing room. Raced wide without cover from the 400m.
 
SAMURAI WAND – Raced wide without cover from the 500m. Laid out rounding the home turn.
 
SPRING DAZE – Momentarily steadied after the start when OUR MISSILE shifted in.
 
HUMID – Connections advised a change of tactics, from the wide gate to be ridden more conservatively. Settled towards the rear of the field and in the early stages raced keenly.
 
MEASURED – Refused to jump. Trainer A. Chau was advised the mare would be required to officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to resuming. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
Race 3: CROWD CULTURE THE EVENTS AGENCY MAIDEN PLATE  1000 M
 
FIREFORCE – Began awkwardly.
 
GALAXY SUNSET – Began awkwardly.
 
FAY'S FLYIN' – Near the 700m, became unbalanced and steadied when FIREFORCE shifted closer to the rail. Approaching the 600m, slightly inconvenienced when QUEEN OF SORTS shifted out.
 
SHE'S SO SWANK – Rider M. Kennedy reported the mare resented the rings being used as it proved difficult to control in the home straight.
 
BRUTAL SUE – Slow to begin. Near the 250m carried in and inconvenienced.
 
QUEEN OF SSORTS – Approaching the 600m, contacted the rail, became unbalanced and shifted out causing slight inconvenience to FAY'S FLYIN'. Laid out rounding the home turn. Near the 250m checked.
 
Apprentice S. Champkin, rider of FAY’S FLYIN’, pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding pursuant to AR 131(a) in that near the 250m, she permitted her mount to shift in when insufficiently clear, resulting in BRUTAL SUE being carried in onto QUEEN OF SSORTS, which was checked. In the incident, BRUTAL SUE was inconvenienced. Apprentice S. Champkin’s permit to ride in races was suspended for a period of seven (7) days, commencing midnight Sunday 15 December 2024, concluding midnight Sunday 22 December 2024. In assessing penalty, account was taken of her guilty plea, record and the QRIC Careless Riding Guidelines.
 
Race 4: REDBOOK CARPETS QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP  1000 M
 
SUJEED – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination due to an old laceration above the off side eye.
 
BALASTIER – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination as the gelding had worked strongly enroute to the gates. Began awkwardly. Near the 500m, got its head up whilst being steadied when HEARTS ARE BETTER (App. F. Sandkuhl) shifted in when not fully clear. Apprentice F. Sandkuhl was reprimanded pursuant to AR 131(a) for this incident. For a short distance rounding the home turn was held up for clear running. Near the 250m, shifted in towards the heels of INAZUMA BOY, momentarily steadied before being corrected and shifted out to secure clear running.
 
PETTICOAT – Tightened for room shortly after the start between runners.
 
RIVER ROGUE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after becoming fractious in the mounting enclosure and rearing up.
 
HEARTS ARE BETTER – Apprentice F. Sandkuhl reported the filly travelled well, however; when challenged on straightening, did not respond as expected. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow recovery.  
 
AQUATIER – Blundered on jumping.
 
Following the running of this race, the track was upgraded to a Good 4 at 4:19pm.
 
Race 5: FLOOR TRADE SUPPLIES RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP  1000 M
 
DISCOTHEQUE – Slow to begin.
 
NOBLE INTENT – Slow to begin. Apprentice J. McMurray reported the gelding did not let down in the straight as expected and was disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.  
 
ALBION SQUARE (GB) – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination as the gelding had its last start on 4 December 2024.
 
EAGLE'S FIRE – Began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped ROCK MELODY. Shortly after, became unbalanced and was momentarily tightened between ROCK MELODY and SHAPIN POWER.
 
ROCK MELODY – Bumped at the start.
 
DOYLE – Slow to begin.
 
Race 6: KARNDEAN DESIGN FLOORING CLASS 2 HANDICAP  1400 M
 
JUNGLE PRINCE (NZ) – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages, settling in a forward position.
 
TIRITIRI (NZ) – Tightened for room at the start between runners and lost ground.
 
WATERMELON – When under pressure in the home straight, laid in.
 
DUPONT – Began awkwardly. Near the 1000m, Rider A. Thompson reached down to make an adjustment to his near side iron. Eased down from the 200m. Rider A. Thompson reported the gelding did not feel right in its action. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer M. Wilson was advised the gelding would be required to officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to resuming.
 
MEDICAL AUTOCRAT – Rider M. Hellyer reported the gelding laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
HAYAKU – Tightened for room at the start between runners and lost ground.
 
Race 7: FELTEX CARPETS BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP  1200 M
 
HARD REYVA – Raced wide without cover for the majority.
 
SKYWOLF – Slow to begin. Contacted the rail and became unbalanced near the 700m when tightened by ROLL UP which shifted in slightly and away from HARD REYVA, which shifted in and away from TROIKA (App. J. McMurray). In all the circumstances, no direct action was taken against any one rider, however; Apprentice J. McMurray was notified he must ensure he leaves sufficient racing room to inside runners at all times. Held up for clear running from near the 500m until passing the 150m.
 
TROIKA – Raced wide without cover for the majority.
 
ROLL UP – Had difficulty obtaining clear running for a short distance approaching the 200m.
 
DEMITASSE – Blundered on jumping.
 
 
 
 
 

 
Race 8: HAPPY 50TH MATT AHRENS BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP  1200 M
 
CABSAV – Held up for clear running from the 300m until approaching the 100m.
 
KEMI ZABI – Began awkwardly. Raced wide for the majority.
 
LADY SHOTGUN – Re-saddled behind the barriers. Slow to begin.
 
CASROCK – Approaching the 800m, steadied when tightened between APPELLANT and MIDNIGHT DRIFTER, which was taken in by BOOM IN THE DARK (S. Cormack). Rider S. Cormack was advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances. Carried in over the final 100m and severely crowded approaching the winning post.  
 
BOOM IN THE DARK – Near the 150m, checked when tightened between MIDNIGHT DRIFTER, which shifted slightly and KEMI ZABI (A. Allen), which shifted in and away from LADY SHOTGUN (M. Palmer) when that mare improved quickly to the outside and rolled in under pressure. In the circumstances, no direct action was taken against any one rider however, both A. Allen and M. Palmer were advised they must make a greater effort to keep their mounts straight in similar circumstances. Raced wide without cover for the majority.
 
GRAND CRUSADER – Carried in over the final 100m and severely crowded approaching the winning post.  
 
GRACIE BLUE – Slow into stride.
 
APPELLANT – Carried in over the final 100m and severely crowded approaching the winning post.  
 
Rider A. Thompson (GREGARIOUS), pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding pursuant to AR 131(a) in that for some distance passing the 100m he permitted his mount to shift in under riding when not clear of CASROCK, which had established clear running to the inside, tightening that horse in onto GRAND CRUSADER, which in turn which was tightened onto APPELLANT, resulting all three (3) horses being severely crowded approaching the winning post and all three (3) riders having to take hold of their mounts. Rider A. Thompson’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of fifteen days (15), commencing midnight Thursday 12 December 2024, concluding midnight Friday 27 December 2024. In assessing penalty, account was taken for his guilty plea, record and the QRIC Careless Riding Guidelines.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 4: 3 BALASTIER – F. Sandkuhl – AR 131(a) – careless riding.
 
Fines
Race 2: 7 REEL GRACEFUL – G. Walters – AR 190(3) - $200 – accepting a ride when overweight.

Suspensions
Race 3: 5 FAY’S FLYIN’ – S. Champkin – AR 131(a) – careless riding – seven (7) days commencing midnight Sunday 15 December 2024, concluding midnight Sunday 22 December 2024.
Race 8: 10 GREGARIOUS – A. Thompson – AR 131(a) – careless riding - fifteen days (15), commencing midnight Thursday 12 December 2024, concluding midnight Friday 27 December 2024.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses sampled pre-race.
Race 1: TIPPED OFF, HANG OUT
Race 2: NAGAMIE, KIWI SPIRIT
Race 6: JUNGLE PRINCE (NZ)
Race 8: LADY SHOTGUN  
 
Horses sampled post-race.
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 2: 5 DOUBLE WHAMMY – veterinary clearance required – lame off hind leg.
Race 2: 17 MEASURED – official trial required – refused to jump.
Race 6: 6 DUPONT – official trial required – poor performance.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1: 14 KEY COMPONENT – D. Smith
Race 2: 7 REEL GRACEFUL – D. Smith
Race 2: 17e MEASURED – S. Champkin
Race 3: 5 FAY’S FLYIN’ – S.  Champkin
Race 3: 13e COPENHAGEN CAT – D. Smith
Race 5: 11 HIT – D. Smith
Race 7: 11 DEMITASSE – B. Lerena
Race 8: 16e MIDNIGHT DRIFTER – J. Williams
 
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.