QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

MACKAY TURF CLUB

MACKAY – FRIDAY, 21 FEBRUARY 2025

WEATHER – OVERCAST
TRACK RATING –  SOFT 5         
RAIL – TRUE
 
OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – H Gillett
Stewards – E Tickner, E Suli & S Stehbens

GENERAL
 
Prior to the running of Race 1, the track was inspected by stewards and a delegation of senior riders. Upon inspection, it was identified to have some discoloration in several sections of the back straight and near the 500m. The Mackay Turf Club undertook remedial work and the track underwent a further inspection of senior riders and stewards and was deemed safe to continue.
 
Stewards received a veterinary certificate following the scratching of BARNEY RABBLE on Thursday 20/02/25. Stewards then attended the stables of trainer J McConachy and visually inspected the gelding and were able to identify swelling in the right hind, which was consistent with the veterinary certificate provided. Mr McConachy was advised that BARNEY RABBLE would require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
 
The track was downgraded to a Soft 5 at 12:15pm.
 
Stewards permitted the following overweights:
Race 7, No. 9 – Jockey A Sewell - SECRET ENCRYPTION – 54.5kg (+0.5kg)
Race 8, No. 8 – Jockey S Cormack - NINE CARATS – 54.5kg (+0.5kg)


Race 1: SKY RACING CLASS 3 HANDICAP   (1800m)

NONDISCLOSURE – Began awkwardly. Took the crossing awkwardly near the 1600m.
 
BELLA TIVACI – Inclined to lay in when placed under pressure in the early stages of the home straight.
 
GENERAL WOLFFE – Began awkwardly. Steadied off the heels of BELLA TIVACI near the 1500m when being restrained to obtain a position with cover. Continued to race keenly for some distance thereafter. Trainer M Stephens advised that consideration would now be given to its immediate racing future, indicating it would now most likely be sent for a spell.
 
MORDECAI – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Shifted wider near the 500m to obtain clear running. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
Race 2: LADBROKES PUNTER ASSIST CLASS 6 PLATE (1100m)

ANDY – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
JUST SUPER – The gelding was permitted to race without the nasal strip, when it became detached behind the barriers and was subsequently unable to be refitted. Began only fairly. Raced wide until obtaining the lead near the 800m and raced keenly for some distance thereafter.
 
CHERRY ROSE – Shifted off the heels of JUST SUPER to obtain clear running near the 300m.
 
KOITAKI SUNDAY – Began awkwardly.
 
 
Race 3: LADBROKES ODDS SURGE QTIS JEWEL QUALIFIER 2YO PLATE (1100m)

NOSEY NEO – Bumped on jumping when OUR EAGLE ROCK shifted in. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
OUR EAGLE ROCK – Began awkwardly and bumped NOSEY NEO. Shifted off the heels of MILK MAID over the concluding stages.
 
SARAQAEL – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
EASY GOING GIRL – Over raced throughout the early stages. Hung in throughout the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer J Manzelmann was advised that a warning would be placed on the filly’s record for the poor performance.
 
MILK MAID – Slow to begin. Laid out rounding the home turn. Inclined to lay out under pressure in the home straight.
 

Race 4: BECOME A MEMBER MTC QTIS MAIDEN PLATE (1050m)

PAUL EDWARD – Began awkwardly. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the right foreleg. Trainer N Coves was advised a veterinary clearance would be required prior to racing again.
 
GOES HOFF – Raced greenly under pressure in the home straight.
 
STYX RIVER – Raced wide throughout. Laid out rounding the home turn.
 
ZELEZNY – When asked to comment on the performance, Apprentice M Apel advised that the gelding travelled well throughout the early and middle stages, however proved disappointing when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
PRINCESS SOPHIE – Raced greenly when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
CRIMSON DECIPHER – Began awkwardly before being crowded between runners. Raced keenly in the early stages. Momentarily held up for clear running near 300m. Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
LOOMING LEGEND – Began awkwardly. Raced wide until the 600m.
 
MISS COMANECI – Steadied soon after the start when crowded. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
POLLY HOFFA – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Laid out rounding the home turn and whilst under pressure in the home straight. When asked to comment on the gelding leading, Apprentice T Fenlon advised that the gelding began well, and when she was of the opinion she would be trapped wide, she elected to allow POLLY HOFFA to stride forward and obtain the lead. She further added that it had not been her intention to obtain such a forward position. When questioned, trainer J Manzelmann advised that it had been the stable’s intention to be more positive, however it had not been the stable’s intent to lead on this occasion. He added that this had been the stable’s intention this preparation, however due to wide barriers POLLY HOFFA had been unable to obtain a more forward position on those occasions.
 
QUERIDA – Buffeted between runners on jumping.
 
 
Race 5: LADBROKES BET TICKER RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP (1100m)

DISCOVERED GOLD – Raced keenly in the early stages. When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey R Wiggins advised that the gelding had travelled well throughout however proved disappointing, and in his opinion may be better suited over further distances.
 
IMPERIUM – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages. Improved onto heels and steadied near the 600m. Over raced for some distance thereafter.
 
ME TIME – Slow to begin.
 
MOON OVER MATILDA – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
ROCKET POWER – A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Apprentice B Johnson was reminded of her obligations in respect to her whip use when out of contention. Trainer J Manzelmann was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s record for being uncompetitive.
 
TSUNAMI FORCE – Began awkwardly. Laid out rounding the home turn.

 
Race 6: R&T PUMPS BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP (1100m)

NIC ME SOME – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages. Bumped near the 200m with ROTH ‘N’ BUBBLE.
 
RUBUNKAR – Over raced throughout the early and middle stages. Raced wide throughout.
 
DAIMYO (JPN) – Held up near the 400m before shifting out abruptly to obtain clear running and bumping with FLYING MAPLE. Apprentice S Zoljan was reprimanded under the provisions of AR131(a) for careless riding.
 
FLYING MAPLE – Began awkwardly before being slow into stride as a result. Over-raced throughout the early and middle stages. Raced wide throughout. Bumped near the 400m when DAIMYO shifted out abruptly. When questioned in relation to the performance jockey R Wiggins stated that after beginning tardily and the fast tempo early he was happy to find a position three wide with cover, however when asked for an effort it failed to quicken as expected and proved disappointing over the concluding stages.
 
ROTH 'N' BUBBLE – Began awkwardly before being slow into stride as a result. Raced in restricted room momentarily passing the 600m when DAIMYO was racing keenly. Bumped near the 200m with NIC ME SOME.
 
SENSATIONABULL – Began awkwardly.
 

Race 7: BOOK FUNCTIONS IN EVENT CENTRE BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP (1300m)

BRAD – Raced keenly in the early stages. Shifted in near the 700m when not fully clear of UNDER THE LIMIT. Apprentice E Molloy was reprimanded under the provisions of AR131(a) for careless riding.
 
JOHNNY DASH – Late scratching at 5:20pm after refusing to load. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, stewards ordered that all monies invested on JOHNNY DASH be refunded in full, with the following deductions to apply:
 
5 cents in the dollar for the winner
14 cents in the dollar for the place of the winner
4 cents in the dollar for second place
3 cents in the dollar for third place
 
Trainer J Kuhn was advised that the gelding would now be required to barrier trial on two consecutive occasions prior to racing again.
 
UNDER THE LIMIT – Steadied near the 700m when BRAD shifted in.
 
FORTRESS AUSTRALIA – Over raced throughout the early and middle stages.
 
CAVENTE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after racing at Thangool on Monday, 17 Feburary 2025 and was cleared to start.
 
AIDENABET – Raced wide throughout.
 
SECRET ENCRYPTION – Slow to begin. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 

Race 8: RACING AGAIN MONDAY 10TH MARCH BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP (1560m)

ALL POWERED UP – Over raced throughout the early and middle stages.
 
DIASONIC – When asked to comment on the apparent improved performance, Trainer L Manzelmann stated in his opinion, that the gelding benefitted from a drop back in class. He further added that the gelding was better suited to this track, and that the stable had expected an improved performance today.
 
ORCA – Laid out under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
MR GREY – Declared a late scratching at 5:25pm due to transport difficulties.
 
LORD DANILO – Began awkwardly. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.
 
EYES ARE LION – Stewards permitted Apprentice Z Sprie to ride the gelding at his minimum riding weight of 55.5kg. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
DIVINE HUNTER – Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout. Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages. Raced in restricted room over the concluding stages.
 
NINE CARATS – Began awkwardly.
 

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 6 – Apprentice S Zoljan – Careless Riding – AR131(a) – Reprimand
Race 7 – Apprentice E Molloy – Careless Riding – AR131(a) – Reprimand

Absent jockeys
T. Chambers – personal reasons

 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
NONDISCLOSURE, CHERRY ROSE, DISCOVERED GOLD, ROTH ‘N’ BUBBLE, FORTRESS AUSTRALIA, CAVENTE

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 3 – EASY GOING GIRL – Warning – Poor performance
Race 4 – PAUL EDWARD – Not to race – Veterinary clearance required – Lame right foreleg
Race 5 – ROCKET POWER – Warning – Poor performance
Race 7 – JOHNNY DASH – Suspension – Refused to load – Two consecutive trials

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 4: 2 GOES HOFF - Nathan Thomas

Late scratchings
Race 7 – JOHNNY DASH – 5:20pm – Refused to load
Race 8 – MR GREY – 5:25pm – Transport difficulties


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.