QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

SOUTH BURNETT RACE CLUB

WONDAI – FRIDAY, 25 APRIL 2025

WEATHER – FINE TRACK RATING –  SAND           RAIL – TRUE
 
OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – E. Tickner
Stewards – W. Glass

 
GENERAL

Stewards permitted the following overweight:
Race 3, No.9 THE STORM – Jockey C. Taylor - +1kg (56kg)
 
 
Race 1: PARKER’S PLUMBING & GASFIT BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP (1000m)

JOHNNY UTAH – Carried wider for some distance approaching the 900m when LUMINOUS WATERS laid out. Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
PAPER COWBOY – Hung-out rounding the home-turn.
 
LUMINOUS WATERS – Began awkwardly. Laid out for some distance approaching the 900m carrying JOHNNY UTAH wider on the track.
 
TAKEMEOUTBACK – Slow to begin. Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Hung-out rounding the home-turn.
 
CZARACER – When questioned in relation to the level of vigour shown in the home straight, Apprentice S. Bailey in the presence of Apprentice Mentor R. Fradd, advised that after improving steadily upon straightening, that near the 200m she was mindful of becoming awkwardly placed on the heels of VALENTINA EXPRESS, which was showing a tendency to shift ground, whilst also being mindful of THE DEVASTATOR racing to her outside was simultaneously laying in, which subsequently placed her in restricted room for some distance. She further added that once VALENTINA EXPRESS commenced to lay in, whilst she was able to obtain clear running near the 100m, the mare finished off the event only fairly. Stewards noted Apprentice Bailey’s explanation, and when considering her overall experience, took no further action other than to advise Apprentice Bailey that where possible, she would be expected to ride her mounts out fully to the finish and to not leave her level of vigour open to question. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
VALENTINA EXPRESS – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after racing at Gladstone on Saturday, 19 April 2025 and was cleared to start. Began awkwardly and lost ground. Shifted ground momentarily near the 200m. Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages. When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey A. Spinks advised that in his opinion, the mare raced flat throughout the event and may have been feeling the effects of recent racing.
 
THE DEVASTATOR – Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 

Race 2: WONDAI DIGGERS CLUB CUP CLASS 4 HANDICAP (1000m)

Correct weight was delayed allowing Trainer M. Bailey and Apprentice P. Carter (BRAIDWOOD QUEEN) to view the footage of the event as to whether there were grounds for an objection against ABLETT (first placegetter). Once both parties and Stewards were similarly satisfied that there were no grounds for objection, correct weight was declared on the Judges’ semaphored numbers.
 
ZENA BOY – Carried wider rounding the home-turn. Hung-in under pressure in the home straight. Apprentice J. Metcalfe advised that due to the gelding’s racing manners, she was unable able to test her mount with her usual vigour. Trainer G. Schrader was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s record.
 
ABLETT – Began awkwardly and bumped. Hung-out rounding the home-turn. Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
DELIGHTFUL DREAM – Improved into a marginal run near the 600m before being steadied. Raced keenly on heels for some distance thereafter. Laid in under pressure in the home straight. When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey H. Phillips advised in her opinion, that the gelding would derive a significant fitness benefit from the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
YAMUMZA – Stewards permitted Jockey N. Fazackerley to ride 1kg over the allotted weight of 56.5kg when no other suitable rider was available at the weight. Began awkwardly before being steadied off heels soon after the start. Raced keenly in the early stages. Jockey N. Fazackerley pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR211(1) in that he did return to scale in excess of 1kg over the gelding’s allotted weight. Jockey Fazackerley was subsequently fined $200. In assessing the matter, Stewards noted the gelding’s fifth place finish in the event, and his record in relation to the rule. Jockey Fazackerley was advised of his rights to an appeal.
 
ABOVE THE WORLD – Slow to begin. Bumped and carried wider near the 700m when RAPID DUDE shifted out abruptly. Raced wide and without cover for the remainder of the event.
 
BRAIDWOOD QUEEN – Momentarily eased off the heels of ABLETT near the 600m. Shifted in to obtain clear running near the 100m.
 
MAXIE TAP (NZ) – Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
RAPID DUDE – Shifted out abruptly near the 700m when not fully clear of ABOVE THE WORLD which was bumped and forced wider on the track. Jockey K. Gates was severely reprimanded under the provisions of AR131(a) for careless riding.
 
 
Race 3: KEN MILLS MACHINERY KINGAROY BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP (850m)

Correct weight was delayed for Stewards to view the photo finish for fourth place. Once satisfied a margin was present, correct weight was declared on the Judges’ semaphored numbers.
 
ALIGN THE PLANETS – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after having not started for an extended period and was cleared to start. Carried inwards near the 100m when THE STORM shifted in.
 
JAIN – Began very awkwardly and bumped. Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
SUENITO – Began awkwardly before having to be steadied off heels soon after the start. Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Apprentice S. Bailey dropped her whip near the 200m. Raced in restricted room leaving the 50m and was subsequently unable to be fully tested over the concluding stages. When asked to comment on the performance, Apprentice Bailey advised in her opinion, that the gelding is best suited when able to lead and dictate its races, which it was subsequently unable to do on this occasion. Trainer J. Hancock concurred with the opinion of Apprentice Bailey.
 
IGBO – Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
SEEYOU LATER – Bumped on jumping before being badly crowded between runners. Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
SIMPLY TINA – Began awkwardly. Eased off heels near the 100m when ALIGN THE PLANETS was carried inwards. Apprentice T. Wheeler in the presence of Apprentice Mentor R. Fradd pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR131(b) in that he did fail to ride his mount out fully to the finish, which in the Stewards’ opinion, had the potential to compromise the filly’s chances of finishing fourth. Apprentice Wheeler was subsequently fined $200. In assessing the matter, Stewards noted the nose margin between Apprentice Wheeler’s mount and THE STORM (fifth placegetter), the prizemoney involved and that his level of vigour was far below the expected standard. Apprentice Wheeler was advised of his rights to an appeal.
 
THE STORM – Began awkwardly. Shifted out near the 100m carrying ALIGN THE PLANETS wider on the track into the line of SIMPLY TINA which was crowded and obliged to ease. Jockey C. Taylor was reprimanded under the provisions of AR131(a) for careless riding. Laid out under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
 
Race 4: THE NORM ANDRESEN MEMORIAL QTIS MAIDEN PLATE (850m)
 
COSTA CATORI – Trainer D. Corbett advised it would be the stable’s intention for the gelding to be ridden without the use of the whip. This was announced by way of on-course broadcast. Ridden accordingly. Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid in under pressure in the home straight. When asked to comment on the gelding leading, Apprentice C. Lowe advised that she had been issued no firm instructions, and after beginning well, she elected to allow her mount to stride forward and obtain a more prominent position on this occasion.
 
GRAHENISE – Began awkwardly.
 
WOOLMAR – Blundered on jumping.
 
ABSALON TULIP – When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey M. Savva advised in her opinion, that the mare resented the kick-back in running. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
ALVITAR – Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
JACKULLS DANSA – Began awkwardly. Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
DENMAN AVENUE – Began awkwardly.
 
 
Race 5: DEB FRECKLINGTON MP BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP (1577m)
 
BASIL’S BOW – Began awkwardly before shifting in and being crowded between runners. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
BARCLAY’S BANK – Bumped and crowded between runners on jumping. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
PIPPEN – Raced wide and without cover in the early stages. Commenced to hang-out badly passing the 1400m for some distance until making contact with the outside running rail resulting in Apprentice T. Wheeler becoming unbalanced and losing significant ground, before subsequently being restrained for some distance in an effort to rejoin the field. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Trainer B. Thornton was advised that the gelding would be required to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards’ prior to racing again.
 
SNAKESKIN – Began awkwardly. Raced wide and without cover for majority of the event.
 
HALLSIDE HOT STUFF – Crowded between runners on jumping before being steadied off heels soon after the start. Commenced to give ground from the 600m, before being eased down in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding, which was beaten 40 lengths, revealed no abnormalities. Trainer B. Davis was advised that given the poor performance, the gelding would now be required to trial prior to racing again.
 
POT POT BOOM – Crowded between runners on jumping.
 
RED HOT RUBIX – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after racing at Flinton on Saturday, 19 April 2025 and was cleared to start. Began awkwardly before being crowded between runners on jumping. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
SUMMER STAR – Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
KASEAR – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 




STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 2 – Jockey K. Gates – Careless Riding – AR131(a) – Severe Reprimand
Race 3 – Jockey C. Taylor – Careless Riding – AR131(a) - Reprimand

Fines
Race 2 – Jockey N. Fazackerley – Returned to Scale Overweight – AR211(1) - $200
Race 3 – Apprentice T. Wheeler – Failure to Ride Out to the Finish – AR131(b) - $200


Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 2 – ZENA BOY – Warning – Hung In
Race 5 – PIPPEN – Suspension – Hung-out
Race 5 – HALLSIDE HOT STUFF – Suspension – Poor Performance
 

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 2:         4 YAMUMZA - Nathan Fazackerley
Race 5:         4 SNAKESKIN - Nathan Fazackerley

 
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.