QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

MACKAY TURF CLUB

MONDAY 10TH MARCH 2025

WEATHER –SHOWERS
TRACK RATING –SOFT 7
RAIL – TRUE
PENETROMETER – 5.18

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – E. Suli
Stewards – H. Gillett, P. Warren, S. Norsworthy
 
 
SUPPLEMENTARY
 
GLADSTONE 8TH MARCH 2025 – RACE 1 – BOB LISLE BM50 HANDICAP 850M
 
LITTLE MISS BELLE – Trainer L Clem reported to stewards that the day following the meeting, LITTLE MISS BELLE was showing mild lameness in the right foreleg. Trainer Clem advised that the mare may have injured itself on the float ride home. Trainer Clem was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to its next race start.
 
 
GENERAL

Following heavy rainfall prior to the running of race one, stewards conducted a track inspection, and the track was downgraded to a SOFT 7.  
 
Stewards approved the following overweights:
 
Race 3.         BETTER ACRES – J Stanley (+1kg)
Race 6.         SRINI – S Cormack (+1kg)
 
Due to flight arrangements, jockey J Stanley was replaced by jockey W Satherley on REAL KEY in race six.
 
 
RACE 1: SKY RACING BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP (1560 METRES)
 
BERING SEA – Jumped away awkwardly. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
POET'S DAY – When asked to comment on the performance of the gelding, jockey J Stanley reported that his mount had travelled well throughout the event, however, believes that the heavier weight carried in comparison to recent starts may have proved detrimental to POET’S DAY’s overall chances. Jockey Stanley further added that POET’S DAY would derive benefit from today’s run.  
 
RELEASE LE MISSILE – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early stages. Held up for clear running until a point near the 250m.
 
DECIDUOUS – Bounded on jumping. Raced keenly in the early stages. Raced wide in the early stages until a point near the 1200m.
 
ASTRA STAR – Jumped away awkwardly. Over raced in the early stages. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
KINGS CASTLE (FR) – Jumped away awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin. Elected to shift wider near the 650m in an attempt to improve. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
NINE CARATS – Slow into stride. Elected to shift wider near the 600m.
 

RACE 2: LADBROKES BLACKBOOK MAIDEN PLATE      (1300 METRES)

ROCKY SPECIAL – Slow to begin and lost contact with the remainder of the field near the 1000m and took no further competitive part in the event. When asked for a comment on the performance, jockey A Butler stated that he could offer no explanation for the poor performance, adding that his mount never travelled at any stage throughout the event and failed to respond to any of his riding urges. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no significant abnormalities. Trainer D Amos was advised that ROCKY SPECIAL would be required to trial to the satisfaction of stewards, due to its competitiveness, prior to returning to racing again.
 
AUZLOH – Jumped away awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no significant abnormalities. Trainer J Manzelmann was advised that a warning would be placed gelding’s record for its competitiveness.
 
SECRET ENCRYPTION – Jumped away awkwardly and bumped by POLLY HOFFA shortly after. Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
DIAMOND DEGREE – Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
LADY DE VEGA – Jumped away awkwardly.
 
LATIN LOVE – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
POLLY HOFFA – Jumped outwards at the start bumping SECRET ENCRYPTION. Hung out in the early stages. Hung out over the concluding stages of the home straight.
 
Following the running of race two, the track was upgraded to a SOFT 6.
 
 
RACE 3: BOOK EVENT CENTRE FOR FUNCTIONS QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP (1100 METRES)

HEAD HONCHO – Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
POWER OF KATIE – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
BETTER ACRES – Jumped outwards shortly after jumping.
 
CRIMSON DECIPHER – Jumped away awkwardly and result was slow to begin. Improved onto the heels of HEAD HONCHO near the 800m and shifted wider, carrying RISING RUBY outwards.  
 
ROCKET POWER – Upon entering the home straight, was momentarily inconvenienced when CRIMSON DECIPHER shifted outwards. Jockey R Silvera Olivera was reminded of his obligations in ensuring he is clear of other runners when shifting ground.
 
RISING RUBY – Jumped away awkwardly and contacted the outside barrier partition. Near the 800m was carried wider by CRIMSON DECIPHER which shifted outwards and raced wide thereafter. When questioned in relation to the performance, apprentice T Fenlon stated that after beginning awkwardly, she was unable to obtain a forward position and elected to settle in a position where her mount felt comfortable. Apprentice Fenlon further added that near the 700m she elected to shift wider in an attempt to improve as her mount was travelling comfortably, however upon entering the home straight, RISING RUBY failed to respond to her riding urges and went to the line is a disappointing manner. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no significant abnormalities.
 

RACE 4: BOOK FOR AMATEUR CUP SATURDAY 24TH MAY CLASS 3 PLATE (1100 METRES)

BOOMING LAD – Jumped away awkwardly.
 
LAST DITCH EFFORT – Shifted in on jumping, bumping TORNADO ROGUE. Near the 800m, had to momentarily steady when TORONADO ROUGE shifted inwards. Apprentice M Apel was advised to exercise more care when allowing mounts to shift in future.
 
NOLAN – When asked for a comment on the performance, jockey A Butler stated that NOLAN had begun well, however after being bumped between CANNY BE BETTER and NORTHUMBRIA near the 900m, the gelding had put in an awkward stride and became unable momentarily. Jockey Butler added that shortly after that incident, NOLAN had commenced to travel well shortly after, however upon entering the home straight, the gelding had commenced to lay in, proving difficult to be fully tested in the home straight and went to the line in a disappointing manner. Stewards noted jockey Butler’s comments.  
 
NORTHUMBRIA – Bumped with UPSTART LEGEND shortly after jumping. Near the 900m, bumped with NOLAN. Raced wide throughout. Upon returning to scale, jockey W Satherley reported that he wasn’t overall disappointed in performance, stating that NORTHUMBRIA had travelled well throughout the event. Jockey Satherley added that being trapped three-wide proved detrimental to the gelding’s overall chances, however further added that the gelding would derive benefit from the run. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no significant abnormalities.  
 
TORONADO ROUGE – Bumped on jumping by LAST DITCH EFFORT and in turn bumped with UPSTART LEGEND. Raced wide in the early stages until obtaining a position with cover near the 800m. Held up in the home straight until electing to shift outwards near the 200m to obtain clear racing room.
 
UPSTART LEGEND – Buffeted between TORNADO ROGUE and NORTHUMBRIA on jumping and as a result lost ground.

 
RACE 5: LADBROKES PUNTER ASSIST CLASS 2 HANDICAP (1300 METRES)

OUTBACK BANDIT – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
ANSWERING – Over raced in the early and middle stages. Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight. Stewards questioned jockey S Cormack in relation to his tactics adopted in that upon entering the home straight, had shifted outwards presenting a run to the inside for the eventual winner TURN BIRD. Jockey Cormack stated that ANSWERING races more competitively when placed in tight vicinity of other runners, and when allowed to race freely the gelding has the tendency to get lost. Jockey Cormack stated that rounding the home turn the mount was settled in a soft one-off position on the inside rail and upon entering the home straight, ANSWERING had laid outwards to meet KOITAKI SUNDAY, which had also shifted outwards rounding the home turn. Jockey Cormack further stated that once KOITAKI SUNDAY had commenced to weaken in the early stages of the home straight, the gelding was inclined to lay further outwards before racing alongside OUTBACK BANDIT further wider on the track. Jockey Cormack added that ANSWERING responded to his riding urges over the finals stages and went to the line strongly. Stewards noted Jockey Cormac’s explanation.  
 
ME TIME – Bumped on jumping by DIVINE HUNTER, and in turn shifted in and bumped with LUMIERE.
 
TURN BIRD – Jumped away awkwardly.
 
LUMIERE – Bumped on jumping by ME TIME and as a result slow into stride.
 
DIVINE HUNTER – Jumped inwards at the start bumping ME TIME.
 
EYES ARE LION – Stood flat footed as the start was effected (2L). Trainer J Manzelmann was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding for standing flat footed.
 
 
RACE 6: RACING AGAIN TUESDAY 18TH MARCH OPEN HANDICAP (1300 METRES)

NORTHERN PRIDE – Shifted in shortly after the start, inconveniencing REAL KEY. Raced wide in the early stages until obtaining a position outside the leader near the 700m. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
REAL KEY – Inconvenienced shortly after the start by NORTHERN PRIDE which shifted in. Over raced in the early stages for some distance near the 900m. When questioned in relation to the seemingly improved performance, trainer M Cochrane stated that REAL KEY had been working well in the lead up to today’s event and had shown significant improvement following its previous runs. Trainer Cochrane further added he was expecting the forward showing in that the step up in distance proved beneficial, and that REAL KEY appreciates the softer surface when racing at Mackay. When asked for a comment regarding the significant move in the market prior to the start of the event, trainer Cochrane advised that he could offer no explanation and stated that he had not supported the gelding in today’s event. Stewards noted trainer Cochrane’s comments. A post-race sample was collected for analysis.   
 
MISTER LARRABEE – Stood flat footed as the start was effected (2L). Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight. After hearing submissions from trainer J Manzelmann regarding whether or not MISTER LARRABEE should be stood down to trial after standing flat footed, stewards ordered that a further warning would be placed on the gelding’s record due to the fact that it was having its first start with the barrier blanket since passing a recent embargo with the gear and the competitive nature in which MISTER LARRABEE finished off the race. Stewards, however, advised trainer Manzelmann that future race starts of MISTER LARRABEE would be closely monitored and if the gelding were to re-offend, it would be stood down to trial, on consecutive occasions prior to returning to racing.
 
BRAD – Laid in near the 900m. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
BRASCO – Jumped away awkwardly. Held up for clear racing room until the 200m and commenced to lay in when placed under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
SRINI – When asked for a comment on the performance, jockey S Cormack stated that SRINI had travelled well during the early and middle stages, however when asked for an effort in the home straight, the gelding failed to respond and went to the line in a disappointing manner. He further added that SRINI may not have handled the softer track conditions at today’s effort and that the gelding may be better suited racing at Rockhampton.
 
ANDY – Held up for clear running until a point near the 200m.
 

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY


Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
RELEASE LE MISSILE, LATIN LOVE, HEAD HONCHO, LAST DITCH EFFORT, OUTBACK BANDIT, BRASCO
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, REAL KEY (2nd)

Warnings/bars
Race 2.         ROCKY SPECIAL – To Trial – Uncompetitive
Race 2.         AUZLOH – Warning – Uncompetitive
Race 5.         EYES ARE LION – Warning – Stood flat footed
Race 6.         MISTER LARRABEE – Further Warning – Stood Flat Footed (to be further monitored)
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications

Race 1.         POET’S DAY – Justin Stanley
Race 2.         POLLY HOFFA – Ms McKenzie Apel (a1.5/54kg),
Race 3.         HEAD HONCHO – Ryan Wiggins
Race 5.         IMPERIUM – Ms McKenzie Apel (a1.5/54kg),
DIVINE HUNTER – Ms Nikki Olzard (a1.5/53kg),
                    EYES ARE LION – Adam Sewell
Race 6.         NORTHERN PRIDE – Ashley Butler
                    REAL KEY – Mr Warwick Satherley

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.