QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
ROCKHAMPTON TURF CLUB
Rockhampton – Thursday, 30 January 2025
 
 
WEATHER – Overcast  TRACK RATING – Soft 5; Good 4 following Race 2              RAIL – +0.5m entire
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chair of Stewards – E Tickner
Stewards – S Larkins, E Suli, H Gillett & G Wust
 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
Rockhampton 23 January 2025 – Race 7: VALENTINE'S DAY AT CALLAGHAN PARK RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP (1100m)
 
Jockey T Chambers was found guilty of a charge of improper riding under the provisions of AR131(a) in that at a point leaving the 300m and then leaving the 200m she used her whip in an action which saw her arm extend outward and forward inconsistent with her usual whip action, which resulted in her whip possibly contacting jockey Chris Meehan and the rump or hind quarter region of his mount GETTIN’ LIPPY.  After considering jockey Chamber’s not guilty plea, her clear record in relation to the rule, the seriousness of the rule breach and prior penalties imposed under similar circumstances, the license to ride in races of Ms Chambers was suspended for a period of 6 weeks to commence midnight 8 February 2025 and to conclude midnight 22 March 2025. Ms Chambers was advised of her rights to an appeal.
 
GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted the following overweights:
Race 2, No. 6 RUN AWAY RENEE – Jockey J Stanley - +0.5kg (55kg)
Race 4, No. 3 HELLISH – Jockey J Stanley - +0.5kg (55kg)
 
 
Race 1: TAB QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP (1100m)
 
HONOURBEFORE GLORY – Began awkwardly and bumped with LUNAR READY. Raced wide in the early stages. Raced keenly for some distance passing the 900m when being restrained to obtain a position with cover, Raced greenly under pressure in the home straight. When asked to comment on the performance, jockey J Stanley advised that the gelding travelled well in the early and middle stages, however proved disappointing when placed under pressure in the home straight, particularly by comparison to its most recent start.
 
SARAQAEL – Fractious prior to the start being affected. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
OUR EAGLE ROCK – Reared on jumping. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
LUNA READY – Began awkwardly and bumped with HONOURBEFORE GLORY.
 
 
Race 2:GREAT NORTHERN QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP (1100m)
 
ASK ME MATE – Bounded on jumping.
 
POWER OF KATIE – Bounded on jumping. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
GREYLIST – Raced wide early before obtaining the lead near the 900m.
 
BETTER THAN WORDS – Bumped with RUN AWAY RENEE at the start. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
CATMISS – Fractious before the start. Over raced when being restrained to obtain cover around the first turn. Laid out under pressure in the home straight. When asked to comment on the performance, jockey G Cartwright advised that she could offer no tangible explanation for the disappointing effort. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
RUN AWAY RENEE – Bumped with BETTER THAN WORDS at the start. Hung out under pressure rounding the home turn and in the home straight. When questioned, jockey J Stanley advised the filly travelled well in the early and middle stages, despite some effort having to be mare of his mount to obtain a forward position, however when placed under pressure in the home straight it commenced to hang out and proved to be disappointing. Jockey Stanley further added that due to the filly hanging out he was unable to ride with his usual vigour in the home straight, and despite becoming more balanced approaching the 100m, it proved disappointing thereafter.
 
Following the running of this race, the track was upgraded to a Good 4.
 
Race 3:ST PATRICKS DAY TICKETS ON SALE MAIDEN PLATE (1100m)

DREAM STEP – Raced wide in the early and middle stages.
 
LORD DANILO – Bumped with SUPER TALON at the start. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
POWERCHUTE – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
SIDESHOW FRANKIE – Brushed with LONG PLAY at the start. Raced in restricted room for some distance near the 900m.
 
SUPER TALON – Bumped with LORD DANILO at the start and slow into stride as a result. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight. Raced in restricted room for some distance approaching the 400m, before being shifted out across the heels of LONG PLAY to obtain clear running.
 
JOLIE APOLLINE – Marginally slow to begin.
 
LONG PLAY – Began awkwardly and brushed with SIDESHOW FRANKIE. Raced keenly in the early stages. Hung out rounding the home turn before hanging in under pressure in the home straight when giving ground and putting in a number of awkward strides near the 100m. Jockey W Satherley advised that, although the gelding raced greenly throughout, it proved disappointing based on its recent barrier trial effort. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a poor post-race recovery.
 
PITLECO LASS - Raced wide in the early and middle stages.
 
 
Race 4:NUTURF OPEN HANDICAP (1100m)

The start of this race was delayed due to KING JESTER having to undergo remedial farrier work behind the barriers after casting a plate.
 
ALCYONE – Dislodged the nasal strip in the barriers after making contact to the front of the gates.
 
KING JESTER – Pulled a plate enroute to the start and was reshod behind the barriers. Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination behind the barriers and was cleared to start. J Murphy was found guilty of a charge under AR131(a) in that he did exercise insufficient effort in preventing his mount from shifting in when not clear of JUST SUPER near the 850m resulting in that runner being checked and losing ground. Jockey Murphy’s licence to ride for races was suspended for a period of 8 days to commence midnight Saturday, 8 February 2025 and to conclude midnight Saturday, 16 February 2025. When assessing penalty stewards were mindful of jockey Murphy’s good record, the degree of culpability and the interference suffered to JUST SUPER. Jockey Murphy was advised of his rights to an appeal.
 
HELLISH – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
LEADERSHIP SPILL – Began very awkwardly.
 
JUST SUPER – Tightened and checked rounding the turn near the 850m when KING JESTER shifted in. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
Race 5: BECOME A RJC GOLD CLUB MEMBER QTIS CLASS 3 HANDICAP (1100m)
 
DIDDLEY SQUAT – Began awkwardly. Hung out under pressure in the home straight.
 
TRICKETEER – Threw its head in the air soon after the start.
 
INATICK – Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout.
 
ALLOUTATIME – Shifted in on jumping and bumped MORE STYLISH which in turn bumped VICTORY’S GHOST.
 
VICTORY'S GHOST – Bumped soon after the start by MORE STYLISH. Held up for clear room in the early part of the home straight and then bumped with MORE STYLISH near the 400m when attempting to shift out to obtain clear running.
 
REPLACE THE ACE – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start being effected. Began awkwardly. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
LITTLE MISS BELLE – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start being effected. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
MORE STYLISH – Bumped at the start with VICTORY’S GHOST. Over raced in the early and middle stages. Raced wide throughout.
 
 
Race 6: HARDCORE AND PINK LILY SANDS CLASS 6 PLATE (1500m)

ACROPHOBIC – Began awkwardly. Over raced in the early and middle stages.
 
GENERAL WOLFFE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start. Trainer M Stephens was queried in relation to the gelding accepting and competing in the event after advising after racing on 23 January 2025 that GENERAL WOLFFE would possibly be given a freshen up after a disappointing performance. Mr Stephens advised the horse had responded very well in the days subsequent to its last start and once being able to view the original nominations for the race had been extended, he elected to nominate the gelding. The trainer further added that in consultation with connections and considering GENERAL WOLFFE continued to do well under light work he was satisfied that proceeding to race the gelding in the event would not be detrimental to the horse. Over raced in the early stages. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
Race 7: BOOK VALENTINE'S DAY TRACKSIDE BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP (1300m)
 
 
VIENNAWAITSFORYOU – Tightened and severely checked near the 200m. Stewards inquired into the reasons for VIENNAWAITSFORYOU being severely checked. After viewing the available replays, acting on their own observations and considering the evidence of riders J Stanley (DIVINE PURPOSE), apprentice N Olzard (MONEY MAN) and apprentice O Kendal (VIENNAWAITSFORYOU) it was established that approaching the 200m DIVINE PURPOSE looked to improve to the inside of the heels of MONEY MAN and once angled towards that position MONEY MAN again hung in resulting in the run for DIVINE PURPOSE being tightened and that runner then being carried in onto VIENNAWAITSFORYOU resulting in that runner being checked.  Considering the evidence in its entirety and in particular the manners of MONEY MAN and the continued corrective measures made by apprentice Olzard to maintain a straight course, stewards could not be satisfied the actions of any one rider warranted a charge being issued.
 
DIVINE PURPOSE – Had some difficulty obtaining clear running, before improving into a marginal run near the 200m.
 
SIR GRACE (NZ) – Bounded on jumping.
 
PREPOTENT – Began awkwardly and bumped with SUNDARA soon after the start. Over raced in the early stages.
 
SRINI – Held up for clear racing room until a point near the 400m. Broke loose from the handler in the tie up area post-race and after being recaptured was cleared of any apparent abnormalities by the veterinarian.
 
SUNDARA – Bumped by PREPOTENT soon after the start.
 
MONEY MAN – Began awkwardly. Hung in under pressure noticeably on a number of occasions in the home straight resulting in apprentice N Olzard having to stop riding and correct her mount on several occasions. Trainer S Green was advised that a warning had been placed on the gelding for its racing manners.
 
 
Race 8: MP SECURITY RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP (1400m)
 
DIASONIC – Jumped in at the start and bumped with MONDAY CHOICE and shortly after bumped with AURELIAN BLANC.
 
NOT A GURU (NZ) – Began awkwardly and bumped with PHANTOM FLIGHT soon the start. Over raced in the early and middle stages.
 
THE HAIRDRESSER – Connections advised of their intention to ride the mare further back due to the wide barrier draw. Settled off-pace. Trainer C Taylor was reprimanded under AR100(1)(b) and advised of the requirements to ensure that tactic change notifications must be advised by the prescribed time. In assessing the matter, Stewards noted Mr Taylor’s good record, and misunderstanding of the rule. Raced in restricted room for some distance in the early part of the home straight.
 
ACEDROD – Began awkwardly and jumped outwards.
 
AURELIAN BLANC – Began awkwardly and bumped heavily with DIASONIC and as a result was slow into stride. Held up for clear running for some distance near the 450m before becoming held up when improving onto the heels of DIASONIC near the 300m.  Remained held up until a point near the 250m. Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
MR GREY – Held up for clear running until a point near the 200m.
 
PHANTOM FLIGHT – Began awkwardly and bumped with NOT A GURU (NZ) soon after the start.
 
MONDAY CHOICE – Bumped soon after the start by DIASONIC. Over-raced in the early stages. Jockey T Chambers advised that in her opinion her mount may have come to the end of its preparation. Trainer C Hansen advised that the mare may not have handled the back up from recent racing, and added consideration would not be given to its immediate racing future, indicating it would most likely now be spelled.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 8 – Trainer C Taylor – AR100(1)(b) - Failure to notify tactics by prescribed time – Reprimand

Suspensions
Rockhampton 23 January 2025 Race 7 – AR131(a) - Improper riding – Jockey Tasha Chambers – suspended 6 weeks – M/N 08/02/2025 to M/N 22/03/2025
Race 4 – AR131(a) - Careless riding - Jockey Jackson Murphy – suspended 8 days – M/N 8/2/2025 – M/N16/8/2025
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
POWER OF KATIE, HELLISH, INATICK, ACROPHOBIC, SIR GRACE (NZ), BOYFRIEND MATERIAL
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 7 MONEY MAN – Hung in – Warning
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 5: 8 MORE STYLISH - Raul Silvera Olivera
 
 
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.