QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
 
GLADSTONE TURF CLUB INC
14TH DECEMBER 2024
 
WEATHER – OVERCAST
TRACK RATING – SAND
RAIL – TRUE
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – E. Suli
Stewards – G. Wust
 
 
RACE 1: BILLY SHEPPARD MEMORIAL MAIDEN PLATE (850 METRES)
 
KING OF THE VIBE – Was fractious in barriers prior to jumping.
 
LITTLE FREDDY – Dipped on jumping and shifted outwards shortly after, bumping NEO DIAMOND.
 
NEO DIAMOND – Bumped shortly after jumping by LITTLE FREDDY which shifted out. Hung out rounding the home turn. When asked for a comment on the performance, Jockey A. Spinks reported that NEO DIAMOND raced ungenerously throughout the event and stated that the gelding failed to handle the sand track conditions. Trainer P. Pengelly concurred with Jockey Spinks in that he felt as though NEO DIAMOND failed to handle the track conditions. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any significant abnormalities. Trainer P. Pengelly was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s record for its performance.
 
ATLANTIC LACE – Slow into stride.
 
VADAMOON (NZ) – Jumped away awkwardly.
 
ZARA DANSAIT – Jumped away awkwardly.
 
 
RACE 2: MERRY XMAS FROM BKR RECYCLING CLASS B HANDICAP (850 METRES)
 
PINK SOLITAIRE – Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
MASALI RAFFA – Jumped away awkwardly. Raced wide throughout.
 
VITTHAL – Slow into stride. Upon return to scale, Jockey A. Spinks advised that VITTHAL raced one paced and failed to respond to his riding urges throughout the event. Jockey Spinks further added that VITTHAL may not have handled the sand track conditions.
 
 
RACE 3: BKR COAL MINERS QTIS BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP (1194 METRES)

POWERALONG – When asked for a comment regarding the performance, Apprentice V. Soulsby stated that after jumping away awkwardly, POWERALONG settled further back than anticipated. Apprentice Soulsby added that the gelding travelled well in the middle and final stages, however the poor start was detrimental to its chances. Trainer D. Gardiner advised that POWERALONG may not have handled the back up for its most recent start at Bundaberg on the 7th of December and stated that the gelding would now be sent for a spell.
 
JELLISHOT – Raced wide throughout.
 
VALENTINA EXPRESS – Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
THE STORM – Jumped away awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin.
 
MISS RINEHART – A post-race veterinary examination revealed MISS RINEHART to have bled from one nostril. Trainer D. Schultz was advised that MISS RINEHART would be required to gallop 1000m in the presence of stewards prior to its next race start.
 
 
RACE 4: BKR STEEL SALES OPEN HANDICAP (1000 METRES)

Prior to the commence of this event, after a short sharp thunderstorm, Stewards, Jockeys and Track Staff inspected the racing surface for suitability and safety. All participants were satisfied that the surface was suitable for racing, although extremely soft on the rail between the 900m and 600m. All riders agreed to avoid this section of the track in running and last two events were delayed by approximately 30 minutes as a result of the storm and inspection.
 
SVINDAL – Was fractious in the barriers prior to jumping.
 
JANEAN – Jumped away awkwardly and shifted out, impeding DAUNTING PRINCESS shortly after the start. Raced wide throughout.
 
GRAND DE LAGO – Raced wide throughout. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
MAGIC ON ICE – Raced wide in the early stages. Commenced to trail the field from the 500m and took no further competitive part in the event. When asked for a comment on the performance, Jockey A. Spinks stated that MAGIC ON ICE was not able to muster any early speed and the gelding failed to handle the track conditions, whilst resenting the kick back. Jockey Spinks further added that this being MAGIC ON ICE’s first start since March 2024, it would derive benefit from the run. Trainer J. Devine concurred with the comments from Jockey Spinks and stated that MAGIC ON ICE would continue with its current preparation.
 
DAUNTING PRINCESS – Jumped away awkwardly, contacting the inside barrier partition. Impeded shortly after the start by JANEAN which shifted outwards.
 
 
RACE 5: BKR METAL RECYCLING BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP (1517 METRES)

PHOENIX FLYER – Apprentice S. Robbins had dropped their whip near the 200m.
 
NATIVE BEE – Raced wide throughout. Upon returning to scale, Jockey H. Phillips reported that from the 400m, NATIVE BEE commenced to lay in, placing her in difficulty fully testing her mount out to the finish.
 
LEICA BITA FUN – Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
SOFTEN IT UP – Laid out rounding the home turn.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 1.         NEO DIAMOND – Warning – Poor Performance/Hanging Out
 
Bleeders
Race 4.         MISS RINEHART – Bled One Nostril – 1000m gallop in presence of Stewards
 
 
The matters contained within this Stewards report may be subject to an internal or external review.  The outcome of any internal review is published on the Commission’s website immediately after the release of the internal review decision to the Applicant.  External reviews are managed by QCAT and are not published on the Commission’s 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.