QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

ROCKHAMPTON JOCKEY CLUB

SATURDAY 12 APRIL 2025

WEATHER – Fine  
TRACK RATING – Soft 5 
RAIL – Out 3m entire
PENETROMETER – 5.66

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – S Larkins
Stewards – E Suli, P Warren, H Gillett, S Nosworthy

GENERAL
Overweight permitted as per the Stewards Race Day Summary.
 

Race 1: MAGIC MILLIONS MAIDEN HANDICAP         1400 M
 
The start of the race was delayed whilst waiting for the running of Newcastle race 1 which was running noticeably late.
 
SUPER TALON – Knuckled soon after the start. Hung inwards noticeably in the home straight and had to be corrected by its rider on a number of occasions. Trainer J O’Sing was advised that a warning would be placed on SUPER TALON for hanging in.
 
ORA LAD – Raced keenly in the early stages. Jockey C McIver was reminded of his obligations in relation to his whip use when out of contention.
 
FINE AND RARE – Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
SHEZ LETHAL – Began awkwardly. Raced wide in the early stages until obtaining the lead leaving the 1100m.
 
SEND THE MONEY – Approaching the 950m commenced to over race and became awkwardly placed on the heels of SHEEZA FLING and when being restrained, shifted inwards making contact with the running rail.
 
TOY DANDY – Inclined to lay outwards rounding the home turn. Laid inwards under pressure over the final 400m. When questioned in relation to the performance apprentice O Kendal stated that the mare was first up from a spell and was inclined to lay throughout the event resulting in TOY DANDY being difficult to ride out at times over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
 
 
Race 2: ROCKHAMPTON REGIONAL COUNCIL 2025 MAYORS CUP OPEN HANDICAP 1200 M

HELLISH – Jumped inwards at the start impeding JUST SUPER.
 
MEDIA EMPIRE – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Inclined to lay inwards under pressure from the 250m.
 
KATHY'S BEAU – Jumped outwards at the start impeding JUST SUPER.
 
JUST SUPER – Impeded on jumping between HELLISH and KATHY’S BEAU and lost ground as a result. Inclined to lay inwards in the early stages of the home straight.
 
 
 
Race 3: A DAYS GRAZE CATERING RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP      1200 M

NORTHUMBRIA – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
THE BRILL BUILDING – Began awkwardly and slow into stride. Impeded shortly after the start by ISHOTTHEDEPUTY. Laid inwards for a number of strides near the 200m when shifting wider to obtain clear running. When questioned in relation to settling at the rear apprentice M Apel advised that the gelding was tardy away and was impeded shortly after the start and as a result settled towards the rear. Ms Apel further stated that it was her instructions and intention to lead however the circumstances of the resultant poor start required her to alter her tactics in running. As the comments of Ms Apel regarding settling at the rear were fully supported by replays, no further action was warranted.
 
ISHOTTHEDEPUTY – Shifted inwards shortly after the start impeding THE BRILL BUILDING.
 
GREYLIST – Shifted outwards on jumping.
 
GETTIN' LIPPY – Shifted inwards marginally near the 1000m placing OUR HEART THROB in restricted room briefly. Apprentice B Johnson was reminded to ensure she is clear of other runners when shifting ground.
 
OUR HEART THROB – Briefly placed in restricted room near the 1000m when GETTING’ LIPPY marginally shifted inwards. Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
 

Race 4: EMBRACE FARM BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP  1200 M

The start was delayed when GROWL became fractious resulting in the bridle having to readjusted.
 
BAYERISCHE – Held up for clear running until a point near the 100m.
 
FORTRESS AUSTRALIA – Began awkwardly and impeded ZOFFANY’S GAZE. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight. Approaching and leaving 100m hung inwards despite the efforts of its rider resulting in GOTTA FLY being placed in restricted room for a number of strides and being checked. In not taking action against apprentice L O’Donnell stewards were mindful that Ms O’Donnell had stopped riding in attempt to take appropriate corrective measures.
 
GOTTA FLY – Began awkwardly. Placed in restricted room leaving the 100m when FORTRESS AUSTRALIA laid inwards and was checked as a result.
 
ZOFFANY'S GAZE – Began awkwardly. Impeded soon after the start between FORTRESS AUSTRALIA and FROSTY BEAR and lost ground as a result.
 
GROWL – Began awkwardly and slow to begin as a result.
 
FROSTY BEAR – Shifted outwards shortly after the start impeding ZOFFANY’S GAZE. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
 
 
Race 5: ALLENSTOWN SQUARE MEATS BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP       1400 M

MOCAMBO – Slow to begin. Raced wide in the early stages.
 
DECIDUOUS – Began awkwardly impeding PREPOTENT. Laid inwards over the final 300m. When questioned in relation to the seemingly poor performance apprentice L O’Donnell stated that DECIDUOUS was first up today after a month let up and had dropped back in distance this start. Ms O’Donnell further added that the gelding is better suited to races over further distances and would likely derive benefit from today’s run.
 
I PROMISE YOU – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
JOHNNY DASH – Slow to begin.
 
TAKE THE LEAD – Began awkwardly. Apprentice B Johnson was reminded of her obligations in regard to her whip use when out of contention.
 
CONNEWARRE – Jumped inwards at the start impeding PREPOTENT.
 
PREPOTENT – Impeded on jumping by DECIDUOUS and CONNEWARRE and was slow into stride as a result.
 
 

Race 6: TAB 2025 CAPRICORNIA YEARLING SALE CLASSIC QTIS 2YO PLATE 1200 M

 
HI FRANK – Began awkwardly and shifted outwards shortly after the start bumping CHEEKY’S TIME. Checked and had to take evasive action near the 800m.
 
CAT CALL – Began awkwardly.
 
KERZNER – Inconvenienced near the 800m when taking evasive action. When questioned regarding the apparent improved performance of the gelding trainer L Birchley stated that after its first up run KERZNER was immediately gelded and remained in work. The trainer further added that he was surprised with today’s performance as the geldings work in the lead up to today’s event did not provide him with an expectation that KERZNER would perform as he did. The trainer also added that in the weeks leading up to today’s race it was difficult to gauge any improvement of the horse due to continued wet weather and interruptions to training. Trainer L Birchley informed stewards that he did not support the gelding and had no awareness of connections investing on the race.
 
READY AND BETTA – Checked and had to take evasive action near the 800m.
 
NORDIC INVADER – Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
SWEET PRETENDER – Upon returning to scales apprentice O Kendal reported that her saddle had slipped near the 600m and she lost her irons, as a result she was placed at a significant disadvantage when riding out to the finish.
 
POWER CHIC – Checked and had to take evasive action near the 800m. Laid out from the 700m and raced greenly in the home straight.
 
CASCIA – Began awkwardly. Inconvenienced near the 800m when taking evasive action.
 
RUBY SEVENS – Carried wider and briefly inconvenienced when CHEEKY’S TIME shifted outwards leaving the 200m.
 
REDNA – Laid outwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
RUBBER BULLETS – Raced keenly in the early stages. Put in an awkward stride and went amiss near the 900m A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly to have sustained a fracture to the right fore fetlock. RUBBER BULLETS was humanly euthanased on veterinary advice. Apprentice J Williams was able to dismount harmlessly. Post-mortem samples were collected from RUBBER BULLETS.
 
CHEEKY'S TIME – Slow to begin. Bumped shortly after the start by HI FRANK. Raced ungenerously in the early stages. Checked and had to take evasive action near the 800m.

The start times for race 7 and 8 were amended to allow for the veterinarian to attend to RUBBER BULLETT following the running of race 6 as follows.
Race 7 – 4:59pm
Race 8 – 5:27pm
 
Race 7: GREAT NORTHERN CAPRICORNIA YEARLING SALE QTIS 3&4YO CLASSIC HANDICAP         1300 M

SUNNYCOAST – Began awkwardly bumping ROCKY RICH which in turn bumped ROCKY REWARD which in turn bumped TRACK TALE. Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid inwards when under pressure from the 400m. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities. When questioned in relation to the performance jockey S Cormack stated that gelding travelled strongly in the lead and when placed under pressure in the home straight commenced to lay inwards and proved to be disappointing over the concluding stages. The rider further added that he was of the view that SUNNYCOAST may not have run the distance out. Trainer J McConachy will be contacted in the days subsequent in regard to the geldings’ post-race recovery.
 
TRACK TALE – Bumped shortly after the start by ROCKY REWARD. Raced wide until a point near the 1000m when obtaining a position outside the leader. Shifted wider under pressure in the home straight.
 
ROCKY REWARD – Bumped on jumping by ROCKY RICH.
 
AIMA SUN – Began awkwardly.
 
ROCKY RICH – Bumped on jumping by SUNNYCOAST. Raced wide in the early stages.
 
ACEDROD – When questioned in relation to the performance jockey J Murphy stated that he was disappointed with the run and could offer no explanation. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
THE HAIRDRESSER – Began awkwardly and was marginally flat footed.
 
SOUTHAVEN – Jockey C McIver was reprimanded under AR132(5) for his use of the whip 15 times in totality, 1 more than permitted.

 
 
Race 8: PHIL PEEL JEWELLER RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP  1600 M

PHANTOM FLIGHT – Stood flat footed and was slow to begin and impeded shortly after by CULTURAL SPIRIT. Raced wide throughout.
 
BOLD TYRANT – Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
KAIWI – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after becoming fractious in the barriers and was cleared to start. Impeded on jumping by RUN AWAY RENEE. Held up for clear running until a point near the 400m and commenced to lay inwards from that point onwards.
 
CULTURAL SPIRIT – Began awkwardly and slow to begin as a result then shifted outwards and impeded PHANTOM FLIGHT. Raced keenly in the early stages. Eased down over the final 400m. When questioned in relation to the seemingly poor performance trainer K Smyth stated that he could offer no real explanation for the performance. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities. Stewards advised trainer K Smyth that a warning would be placed on CULTURAL SPIRIT for a poor performance.
 
MR GREY – Began awkwardly and slow to begin as a result. Trainer W Weeks pleaded guilty to a charge under AR106(1) for presenting MR GREY with the incorrect saddle cloth number. Mr Weeks was subsequently fined $100.
 
SADDLES – Began awkwardly and slow to begin.
 
ENTERPRISE PHOENIX – Trainer T Cook pleaded guilty to a charge under AR106(1) for presenting MR GREY with the incorrect saddle cloth number. Mr Cook was subsequently fined $100.
 
RUN AWAY RENEE – Shifted outwards on jumping impeding KAIWI. When questioned in relation to his decision to elect to shift outwards to improve and re-obtain the lead near the 900m jockey J Stanley stated that once CULTURAL SPIRIT had obtained the lead his mount had commenced to over race and as a result shifted wider in an attempt to allow his mount to settle, however the filly continued to over race and as a result continued forward to re-obtain the lead. Jockey Stanley further added that considering the filly’s propensity to over race he felt the run was full of merit under the circumstances.
 
BEAN ALL OVA – Apprentice G Semmens was the approved rider replacement for originally declared rider S Cormack who was unavailable due to flight arrangements and no other senior rider was available at the time of the change being made on 11/04/2025.
 
PATTI WAGGIN – Began awkwardly.
 
KASEAR – Raced wide early. Laid inwards under pressure in the home straight.
 

 




STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Overweights
Race 2  - Ryan Wiggins (KATHY’S BEAU) + 1kg
Race 7 - Justin Stanley (ROCKY REWARD) + 1/2kg
Race 7 - Tasha Chambers (THE HAIRDRESSER) + 1/2kg
 
Reprimands
Race 7 – C McIver – AR132(5) – Use of whip in totality

Fines
Race 8 – Trainer W Weeks - $100 – AR106(1) – Present horse with incorrect saddle cloth number
Race 8 – Trainer T Cook - $100 – AR106(1) – Present horse with incorrect saddle cloth number
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
HELLISH, NORTHUMBRIA, GREYLIST, BAYERICHE, FORTRESS AUSTRALIA, GOTTA FLY, I PROMISE YOU, TAKE THE LEAD, SARAQAEL, CAT CALL, SWEET PRETENDER, CASIA, SUNNYCOAST, TRACK TALE, ROCKY RICH, THE HAIRDRESSER, KAIWI, RUN AWAY RENEE.
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners SARAQAEL, RUBBER BULLETS, ROCKY RICH

Warnings/bars
Race 1 – SUPER TALON – Warning – Laying in noticeably.
Race 8 – CULTURAL SPIRIT – Warning – Poor performance
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 8 BEAN ALL OVER – Apprentice G Semmens replaced S Cormack (transport arrangements)


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.