QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

GYMPIE – GYMPIE TURF CLUB

SATURDAY 05 APRIL 2025

WEATHER –Fine  
TRACK RATING –Good
RAIL – True
 
OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – A. Dowsett
Stewards – S. Fletcher, H. Matthews


Race 1: COLOURED SANDS SPRINT BENCHMARK 60 Handicap (850m)

DARE TO SHARE – Raced in restricted room approaching the 550m.
 
CITY CHICK – Raced 3-wide throughout.
 
HOLIDAY DREAMS – Raced 4-wide throughout.
 
FLYING RUPERT – Approaching the 550m, raced in restricted room and was steadied when racing between IT’S HELLS BELLS and CHILLI PALMER.
 
PRIMARY WITNESS – Slow to begin and lost ground.
 
IT’S HELLS BELLS – Shifted in on jumping. When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice rider P. Carter advised that the gelding travelled comfortably in the early stages of the race however wasn’t suited to the sand surface, in particular the heavier ground between the 400m and the 200m, adding that once it began to lose ground, it encountered kickback which it resented.    
 
CHILLI PALMER – Raced in restricted room approaching the 550m between FLYING RUPERT and DARE TO SHARE and was steadied. When questioned by stewards on the performance, rider K. Gates advised the gelding was struggling to maintain the early speed which had been set and as a result, she elected to steady CHILLI PALMER from the restricted room it was racing in near the 550mand adopt a position behind the leaders. She added that when the gelding found itself in this position however, it resented the kickback and lost further ground.
 
LATE NIGHT DEVIL – Raced 3-wide throughout.
 
Race 2: JOIN THE 100 CLUB IN 2026 BENCHMARK 50 Handicap (1030m)

WAR TOO ALL – Raced 3-wide from the 600m.
 
MUIRON – Slow to begin and lost ground. When questioned on the performance of MUIRON, rider C. Rogers stated that the gelding was slow to begin and was unresponsive to her efforts to improve its position until entering the home straight. Rider C. Rogers was reminded of her obligation to ride her mount out fully to the finish of the race.
 
Race 3: VALE KAYE HILL QTIS Maiden Plate (1170m)

GARTAN – Raced wide throughout. Stewards, in the presence of Racing Qld apprentice mentor Mr. R Fradd, inquired into tactics adopted by apprentice rider C. Francis, in particular her riding in the early stages which resulted in GARTAN racing a significant distance off the main body of the field. Ms. Francis advised that GARTAN jumped well but resented the kickback it received early on in the race, which resulted in the gelding settling well back in the field. She added that the gelding was unresponsive to her urgings during the early and middle stages of the event to take up a closer position to the main body of the field. Whilst stewards noted the explanations tendered by Ms. Francis, they advised that she had erred in not making a greater effort shortly after the start to pressure her mount in an effort to hold a more forward position and remain in closer contact with the main body of the field than that in which she had settled.Stewards however, noting C. Francis’ limited race-riding experience as an apprentice, elected not to take any direct action against the rider. Furthermore, Ms. Francis was reminded of her obligation to remain on-course until receiving permission to leave by the stewards.  
 
RED VODKA – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination due to not racing since 12 December 2022 and was subsequently cleared to race. Slow to begin.
 
WOOLMAR – Raced 3-wide throughout.
 
AMAHLE – Slow to begin. Apprentice rider K. Barker dropped her whip near the 200m.
 
PRINCESS SOPHIE – Lost ground after being hampered by ELEMISS which shifted in on jumping. A post-race veterinary examination determined that the mare had bled from both nostrils. Trainer J. Johnston was notified that in accordance with AR79(4), PRINCESS SOPHIE shall not without permission of the Stewards: (a) be trained, exercised or galloped on any racecourse, recognised training track, private training establishment, or other place for a period of two months; (b) start in any race for a period of 3 months, and then only after: (i) a gallop of at least 1000 metres; or (ii) an official trial or jump-out; in the presence, and to the satisfaction of a Steward.
 
SMUDGULATOR – Declared a late scratching at 2.59pm for failing to load. Trainer T. Hong was advised by stewards that SMUDGULATOR would be required to obtain a barrier certificate prior to racing again. Trainer T. Hong subsequently declared it would be his intention to retire the mare. On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on SMUDGULATOR to be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:
 
1st – DAUNTING INSTINCT – 21c win, 17c place.
2nd - WOOLMAR – 22c place.
3rd - GARTAN – 17c place.

COSMIC PROPORTIONS – Began awkwardly and shifted out on jumping.
 
ELEMISS – Began awkwardly and shifted in on jumping, hampering PRINCESS SOPHIE. Following this race,apprentice rider T. Wheeler reported that his right shoulder made contact with the barrier partition upon jumping. After being assessed by QAS medical staff post-race, T. Wheeler was cleared to take his remaining rides on the card.
 
Race 4: RAINBOW BEACH CLASSIC Class 3 Plate (1170m)

MAXIE TAP (NZ) – Raced 3-wide throughout.
 
SUENITO – Stewards, in the presence of Racing Qld apprentice mentor Mr. R Fradd, inquired into tactics adopted by apprentice rider J. Busuttin, specifically her riding in early and middle stages of the race, where she led the race whilst running noticeably fast sectionals. Ms. Busuttin advised it had been her instructions to ride the horse positively and to not take a hold as the gelding has a tendency not to finish its races off. Trainer J. Hancock confirmed the instructions adding SUENITO was having its first race on a sand track today and may not have backed up from its race at Monto on 29 March. Whilst noting the explanation given and instructions received from trainer J. Hancock, stewards were of the opinion that apprentice J. Busuttin had erred in not making an attempt to settle SUENITO in the middle stages after obtaining the lead, in an effort which may have allowed the gelding to finish the race off better than it had done today. Stewards however, noting her limited race-riding experience as an apprentice, elected not to take any direct action against the rider. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.
 
DAINTREE DREAMING – Raced 3-wide throughout.
 
HEWRCKED’EM – Overraced in the early stages.
 
BRAIDWOOD QUEEN – Hung out rounding the home turn.
 
PREVARICATE – Slow to begin.
 
Race 5: COOLOOLA COAST REALTY 100 CLUB CUP BENCHMARK 50 Handicap (1470m)

The start of this race was delayed by approximately 10 minutes when COLHOUN dislodged the rider and cantered up past the 1600m chute before being recaptured. A pre-race veterinary examination of COLHOUN cleared the gelding to race. Rider C. Rogers who was dislodged, was assessed by QAS medical staff and cleared to ride. 

PABALLO – Shifted out rounding the home turn and continued to shift out for the duration of the home straight. Stewards, in the presence of Racing Qld apprentice mentor Mr. R Fradd, questioned apprentice rider S. Bailey regarding the decision to shift wider on the track rounding the home turn,which resulted in the eventual winner PAULI obtaining a run nearer to the running rail. Apprentice S. Bailey advised that her own assessment of the track from earlier races was that the ground was inferior on the rail and in particular from the home turn in the home straight. She added that PABALLO was able to obtain a forward position consistent with the gelding’s most recent racing pattern. She further added that she raced in a loose position off the rail in the early and middle stages and when her mount began to weaken from the 400m, shifted her mount wider on the track approaching the home turn in an attempt to avoid the heavier ground near the rail. Stewards noted the explanation tendered. Apprentice. S. Bailey dropped her whip in the final strides of the race.
 
GUTHO – Slow to begin.
 
STORMTROOPER – Raced 3-wide throughout.
 
DAUNTING LADY – Raced 3-wide throughout.
 
POWERALONG – Raced 3-wide throughout. Shifted in marginally from the 100m.
 
CLAUDIUS – Had to be steadied from heels in the final 50m when PABALLA (App. S. Bailey) shifted out and POWERALONG (App. K. Barker) shifted in marginally. After taking evidence from the riders involved, stewards advised S. Bailey and K. Barker to exercise care when their mounts shift ground. After presenting incorrectly in blinkers, trainer T. Thomas was severely reprimanded pursuant to AR106(2) for presenting in incorrect gear.
 




STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands

Race 5: Trainer T. Thomas – AR106(2) - Incorrect Gear - Severe
 

Race day injuries/illness

Race 3: App. Rider T. Wheeler – Right shoulder bruising – Passed fit on track, no medical certificate required.
 

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed post-race
 
All winners

Warnings/bars
 
Race 3: 9 SMUDGULATOR – Barrier Certificate (Failing to load)

Bleeders
 
Race 3: PRINCESS SOPHIE - Bled both nostrils (AR79(4)) First occasion – Stood down 3 months, 1000m trial or gallop.
 

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 2: 1 WAR TOO ALL – J. Busuttin

Late scratchings

Race 3: 9 SMUDGULATOR – 2:59pm – Fail to load

 
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.