QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

ROCKHAMPTON JOCKEY CLUB

ROCKHAMPTON - TUESDAY 25 FEBRUARY 2025

WEATHER – OVERCAST TRACK RATING – SOFT 5; UPGRADED TO A GOOD 4 FOLLOWING RACE 3 RAIL – +4M ENTIRE

OFFICIALS

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


Race 1: TAB QTIS THREE-YEARS-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200m)

STORMIN' NORMAN – Apprentice M Apel reported that the gelding raced greenly throughout the event and was inclined to hang in on several occasions.

READY LIGHTLY – Slow to begin. Improved into a marginal run to the inside of OFFANGO near the 700m which was obliged to shift out. Apprentice B Johnson pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR131(a) for careless riding in that near the 600m, she rode her mount into a run to the inside of HIGH MAGNITUDE when there was insufficient room to do resulting in her mount having to be severely checked when making heavy contact with the running rail. When assessing penalty, Stewards considered the carelessness and interference suffered to her mount to be in the high range, her guilty plea and apprentice status. Apprentice B Johnson’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 15 days, commencing midnight Saturday, 2 March 2025 and to conclude midnight Sunday, 16 March 2025. Apprentice Johnson was advised of her rights to an appeal. Raced in restricted room over the concluding stages to the inside of STORMIN’ NORMAN. Apprentice Johnson was further advised that the ride would be referred to the Racing Queensland Apprentice Team.

THREE TEES – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Laid in when under pressure in the home straight.

OFFANGO – Began only fairly. Bumped near the 700m when READY LIGHTLY improved into a marginal run to its inside and shifted out. Raced in restricted room rounding the home-turn when THREE TEES shifted in before commencing to hang-out. Jockey G Cartwright (THREE TEES) was reprimanded under the provisions of AR131(a) for careless riding. When questioned on the performance of the gelding, jockey A Butler advised that he had expected the gelding to obtain a more forward position, however it failed to muster early speed to do so. He further added that the gelding travelled only fairly throughout the event, and in his opinion, would be better suited over further distances. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

HIGH MAGNITUDE – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.


Race 2: GREAT NORTHERN MAIDEN HANDICAP (1400m)

SUPER TALON – Began awkwardly. When asked to comment on the performance of SUPER TALON, jockey J Stanley reported the gelding travelled only fairly throughout the event and proved disappointing when placed under pressure in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the left-foreleg. Trainer J O’Sing was advised that SUPER TALON would require a veterinary certificate would be required prior to racing again.

WARNA – When questioned in relation to the gelding settling on-pace, in comparison to that of its previous start, jockey A Butler advised that he was instructed to ride the gelding in a positive manner in an attempt to obtain a forward position. He further added this was consistent with the stable’s instructions for the gelding in its previous start, however it had been unable to obtain a more prominent position on that occasion.

CULTURAL SPIRIT – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Laid out under pressure in the home straight. When questioned on the improved performance, trainer K Smyth advised that the stable had expected a forward showing at its previous start, however the gelding had endured a wide run on that occasion. Mr Smyth further added in his opinion, that the gelding would benefit from racing over further distances, and that the stable had expected the gelding to perform well in the aforementioned event. Stewards noted the explanation.

LATIN LOVE – Raced keenly in the early stages. Apprentice B Johnson pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip on 11 occasions prior to the 100m, and 14 times in totality throughout the event. In assessing penalty, stewards took into account her guilty plea and the QRIC whip penalty template. Apprentice Johnson license was suspended for a period of 9 days, with the suspension to commence midnight, Sunday 16 of March 2025 and to conclude midnight, Saturday 22nd of March 2025. In assessing the matter, stewards considered the suspension apprentice Johnson incurred in race 1, and the overall principle of totality and specific deterrence to apprentice Johnson. Apprentice Johnson was advised of her rights to an appeal.

NEO DIAMOND – Hung-in throughout the early and middle stages.

RIVERVIEW RED – Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.


Race 3: ROCKHAMPTON ENGINEERING AND MAINTENANCE OPEN HANDICAP (1200m)

CONSTANT FLIGHT – Knuckled on jumping.

LETMELETGO – Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight.

FINE SHOT – Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight. Raced in restricted room in the early part of the home straight and had some difficulty obtaining clear racing room near the 200m.

DOUBTING EYE – Slow to begin. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.

POET'S DAY – Trainer P Fleming was reprimanded under the provisions of LR67(1) for failing to declare Apprentice A Graham by the prescribed time. In assessing the matter, stewards noted his good record in relation to the rule. Began awkwardly. Near the 900m had to restrain from the heels of LETMELETGO which shifted in when not fully clear. Apprentice M Apel (LETMELETGO) was severely reprimanded under the provisions of AR131(a) for shifting in when insufficiently clear. Over-raced for some distance thereafter.

Following the running of this race, the track was upgraded to a Good 4.


Race 4: GRANT AND SIMPSON LAWYERS CLASS 2 PLATE (1200m)

LENNY ROCKET – Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

MONEY MAN – Began awkwardly.

VICTORY'S GHOST – Trainer G Taylor was fined $100 under the provisions of AR106(1) for presenting the gelding without blinkers, which were part of its approved gear.

OUTBACK BANDIT – Raced keenly in the early stages.

LIMERO – Knuckled on jumping.

CASA FAGLIANO – Slow to begin. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.


Race 5: EMPIRE APARTMENT HOTEL BM55 HANDICAP (1300m)


BIG SHOOTER – Began awkwardly and as a result was slow into stride. Raced keenly in the early stages.

SWEET FANTASY – Shifted out off the heels of PHANTOM FLIGHT to obtain clear running near the 300m.

PHANTOM FLIGHT – Slow to begin. When asked to comment on the apparent improved performance, trainer J Lewis advised that the gelding benefitted from obtaining a more forward position on this occasion.

RUN AWAY RENEE – Over-raced in the early stages. Hung out rounding the home-turn and under pressure in the home straight. Bumped with D’ESPRIT near the 200m.

D'ESPRIT – Over-raced in the early stages. Bumped with RUN AWAY RENEE near the 200m. Laid out under pressure in the home straight. Shifted out abruptly over the concluding stages before becoming awkwardly placed off the heels of RUN AWAY RENEE and had to be steadied.

OUR HEART THROB – Raced wide throughout. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.








STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 1 – Jockey G Cartwright – Careless riding – AR131(a) – Reprimand
Race 3 – Trainer P Fleming – Late Rider – LR67 – Reprimand
Race 3 – Apprentice M Apel – Careless riding – AR131(a) – Severe Reprimand

Fines
Race 4 – G Taylor – Incorrect gear – AR106(1) – $100

Suspensions
Race 1 – B Johnson – Careless riding – AR131(a) – Commencing Sunday, 2 March 2025 to Sunday, 16 March 2025
Race 2 – B Johnson – Use of whip – AR132(7)(ii) – Commence Sunday, 16 March 2025 to Saturday 23 March 2025

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
OFFANGO, WARNA, CONSTANT FLIGHT, FINE SHOT, MONEY MAN, RUN AWAY RENEE

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 2 – SUPER TALON – Veterinary certificate

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications

Race 3: 7 POET’S DAY - Ms Amy Graham (a3/51kg),



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.