QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

BOWEN TURF CLUB

TUESDAY 16TH SEPTEMBER 2025

WEATHER –Fine
TRACK RATING –Good 4
RAIL – True Entire Course
PENETROMETER – N/A

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – S. Nosworthy
Stewards – D. Griffiths, P. Warren, R. Neal

GENERAL
 
1.    Stewards accepted the following overweight:
Race 6. Graham Kliese (SIMPLY DEVINE) - +0.5kg
2.    Trainer Terry McGovern was reprimanded pursuant to LR 68(1) for failing to scratch SHE’S A SWEET STAR from Race 1 by the prescribed time.
 
Race 1: BOWEN INDUSTRIAL HIRE QTIS Three-Year-Old Maiden Handicap 1200M
 
MOONYA LAD – Slow to begin then bumped shortly after. Raced wide without cover throughout. Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages, resulting in rider Aidan Holt having to stop riding and straighten his mount.
 
TIME POWER – Jumped out at the start and bumped heavily with THE KOBAY TRAIN.
 
ASK ME HARRY – Jumped in at the start and bumped MOONYA LAD. Raced ungenerously when being restrained into a trailing position. Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
FILLYDELPHIA MISS – Began awkwardly. Over-raced in the early and middle stages when leading.
 
THE KOBAY TRAIN – Bumped heavily at the start. Disappointed for a run between MOONYA LAD and FILLYDELPHIA MISS approaching the 100 metres.
 
Race 2: BURDEKIN VET SERVICES OPEN Handicap 1200M

NORTHERN PRIDE – Slow into stride. Laid in through the early part of the home straight.
 
DILLINGER – Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
TURN BIRD – Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Taken wider approaching the 500 metres and again rounding the home turn. When questioned regarding the disappointing performance of the beaten favorite TURN BIRD, rider Sean Cormack stated that the gelding travelled fairly in the early stages, however approaching the 700 metres, lost momentum and raced off the bridle from that point forward, failing to make up any significant ground over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormality.
 
POET’S DAY – Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure for a short distance leaving the 300 metres.
 
HIGHER LOVE – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
Race 3: FILBY’S MOTORS Maiden Handicap 1000M

REDLIGHTS ON – Began awkwardly. Raced ungenerously for a distance in the back straight. Raced three-wide without cover in the middle stages. Laid in under pressure over the final 100 metres.
 
OSCAR BOOIE – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
RUM RUNNER (NZ) – Hampered on jumping. Improved onto the heels of MINXY nearing the 100 metres and became held up at that point, with RUM RUNNER (NZ) being unable to be fully tested to the line.
 
Stewards questioned Apprentice Shakira Bailey, assisted by senior rider Chris Whiteley, regarding her riding over the final 400 metres, in particular whether she gave consideration to shifting off the rails on entering the home straight to avail herself an unimpeded run through to the finish off the race. In explanation Apprentice Bailey stated that in her opinion RUM RUNNER (NZ) was not travelling well enough to warrant shifting her mount to the outside of runners early in the home straight, however after leaving the 200 metres her mount began to improve into the race and as a result became held up behind the eventual winner MINXY, and was unable to be tested to the line. Stewards were of the view that rider Bailey’s decision to shift ground out was not unreasonable in the circumstances and accordingly no further action was required.
 
LOST LAMB – Bounded in the air at the start and lost ground. Hung out leaving the 500 metres, losing ground. Rider Wanderson D’Avila reported that LOST LAMB raced greenly throughout the event.
 
CALAMARIS (NZ) – Slow to begin.
 
GOT THIS – Began very awkwardly then shifted in hampering RUM RUNNER (NZ). Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
Race 4: BOWEN TYRE & MECHANICAL BENCHMARK 55 Handicap 1000M

GALBALAN – Bumped on jumping. Checked and lost leaving the 900 metres when SOUTH BULLAWAY shifted in when not clear. Shifted wider to improve leaving the 150 metres. Hung out over the final 100 metres.
 
MELO MELO KAVA – Shifted out on jumping and bumped with GALBALAN.
 
MADAM BORODINA – Raced keenly in the middle stages. Had to be restrained away from the heels of ITHINKBETTA for a distance in the back straight. Hung out leaving the 600 metres and had to be corrected by its rider. Shifted wider to improve leaving the 500 metres. Laid out under pressure over the final 100 metres.
 
SOUTH BULLAWAY – Slow to begin. Raced wide throughout. Shifted in leaving the 900 metres when not clear of GALBALAN, which was checked and lost ground. At a subsequent inquiry, rider Jason Babarovich pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR 131(a) and was suspended from riding in races from the conclusion of racing on Tuesday the 16th of September up to and including racing on Tuesday the 23rd of September (7 Days).
 
MISHANI AMORE – Had to be re-saddled behind the barriers. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
ITHINKBETTA – Raced keenly in the early stages.  
 
Race 5: BOWEN SMALL MOTORS Class 3 Plate 1200M

ALBANIAN BAY – Stood flat-footed at the start and was slow to begin, losing ground. Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
CANDLELIT – Laid in under pressure through the early part of the home straight. Severely hampered leaving the 100 metres. Gained 2nd placing on protest.
 
CHALKLEY – Raced ungenerously in the early stages. Raced wide throughout.
 
HEAD HONCHO – Began awkwardly then bumped heavily by ONE THING COUNTS. Over-raced in the middle stages when leading. Ducked out abruptly leaving the 100 metres, severely hampering CANDLELIT, which was taken out onto NEGATION, which was severely checked in consequence and lost ground. Lost 2nd placing on protest. Trainer Tom Button was advised HEAD HONCHO must trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.
 
ONE THING COUNTS – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination having not raced for an extended period and was passed fit to race. Shifted in on jumping and bumped heavily with HEAD HONCHO.
 
NEGATION – Raced keenly in the middle stages. Shifted wider to improve leaving the 450 metres. Severely checked and lost ground leaving the 100 metres.
 
On returning to scale, Jockey Aidan Holt, the rider of 3rd placegetter CANDLELIT, advised he wished to lodge an objection against 2nd placegetter HEAD HONCHO alleging interference in the home straight. After consideration of all relevant factors including evidence for the respected riders and connections, along with the vision of the event, Stewards upheld the protest and declared correct weight on the new numbers 7-2-4-5.
 
Race 6: GRAND VIEW HOTEL Class 2 Handicap 1470M

KEEP ON RUNNING – Over-raced when being restrained in the early stages. Raced wide with cover throughout. Shifted four-wide to improve passing the 600 metres.
 
BUBBLES ‘N’ FROTH – Over-raced when being restrained into a trailing position in the early stages. When questioned on the disappointing performance, rider Chris Whiteley stated that BUBBLES ‘N’ FROTH got its head in the air and refused to settle in the early and middle stages then failed to make any ground when placed under pressure. Rider Whiteley expressed the view that in his opinion, the removal of blinkers may have been detrimental to the horse’s performance. Trainer Bill Kenning advised that the gelding would be sent for a spell.
 
MYSTERIOUS BAY – Was declared a late scratching at 2:40PM on veterinary advice. Trainer Peter Cullen was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to MYSTERIOUS BAY racing again.
 
THE EIGHTH I AM – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
SAND ‘N’ POWER – Momentarily held up for clear racing room rounding the home turn.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 1. Trainer Terry Mcgovern – LR 68(1) – Failure to scratch by the prescribed time.
Fines
Nil
Suspensions
Race 4. Rider Jason Babarovich – AR 131(a) – 7 Days – Shifting ground inward near 900 metres– Suspended 17th September 2025 to 23rd September (Inclusive).
Race day injuries/illness
Nil
Absent jockeys
Nil
Adjourned inquiries
Nil

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
DESARAE DOLL, DILLINGER, GOT THIS, MELO MELO KAVA, CANDLELIT, SAND ‘N’ POWER
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 5. HEAD HONCHO – Shifted ground abruptly over concluding stages – Must trial to satisfaction of Stewards.
Race 6. MYSTERIOUS BAY – Late scratching on veterinary advice – Veterinary clearance required.
Bleeders
Nil
Falls
Nil
Adjourned inquiries
Nil

Protests
Race 5. 3rd (CANDLELIT) v 2nd (HEAD HONCHO) – Upheld.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Nil
 
Late scratchings
Race 6. No 8. MYSTERIOUS BAY – 2:40pm – Veterinary advice.


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.