QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT
 
LADBROKES CANNON PARK – CAIRNS JOCKEY CLUB – SATURDAY 23 AUGUST 2025
 
WEATHER – FINE               TRACK RATING – GOOD (4) RAIL – TRUE                       PENETROMETER – 5.19  

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – P. Gillard
Stewards – R. Neal, S. Copelin, A. Holzhauser, P. Lane 
 
GENERAL
Permitted Over-weights: 
Race 5, L. Tilly (ATTENTIVE) +0.50kg 
Race 7, L. Tilly (CONVENER) +0.50kg 
Race 7, C. Meehan (STADIUM OF LIGHT) +0.50kg
 
As the following runners Pretty Profit, Yamabushi and Songwriter had not raced for an extended period, they underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and were cleared to race.
 
All riders submitted a random breath test prior to their engagements providing a negative test result.  
 
RACE 1: FGF BITUMEN MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1250 Metres

FLOURISH – Reluctant to proceed to the barriers. Trainer A. Malliff was advised a warning would be placed on the mare’s parading manners. Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
LOVE WRAP – Slow to begin. Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
SPRING'S GIFT – Slow into stride.

STARMEIRA – Began awkwardly. Raced ungenerously in the middle stages. Disappointed for a run near the 200 metres and was retrained.   
 
OUTONO –Over-raced in the early stages. Lost its off-hind plate during running.
 
URIS – Bumped near the 900 metres. Shifted in near the 450 metres forcing MOHAWK WARRIOR inwards. Raced three wide without cover for the majority of the race.
 
MOHAWK WARRIOR – Shifted out near the 900 metres bumping URIS. Forced inwards near the 450 metres tightening the running of CHARM TELLER.
 
GERALDINE'S WISH – Crowded for room near the 800 metres and was steadied. Shifted out near the 400 metres hampering OVERWATCH. Jockey K. Swaffer was advised to show greater care. Raced greenly under pressure in the home straight.
 
OVERWATCH – Shifted in crowding GERALDINE’S WISH near the 800 metres. Jockey R. Wiggins was advised to show greater care. Hampered near the 400 metres. Finished tailed off. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.  
 
CHARM TELLER – Tightened for room and checked near the 450 metres. Apprentice M. Apel, the rider of URIS pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the specifics of AR 131(a) in that she permitted URIS to shift in when not clear of MOHAWK WARRIOR which was forced inwards tightening the running of CHARM TELLER which was checked and lost its rightful running. Ms. Apel’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 13 days to commence midnight 28/08/2025 and expire midnight 10/09/2025. Stewards deemed this incident in the mid-range and Ms. Apel was advised of her appeal rights. Shifted out and then shifted in near the 200 metres hampering STARMEIRA. Jockey S. Cormack was advised to exercise more care.
 
 
RACE 2: EARLVILLE SHOPPING TOWN QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP – 1250 Metres

GEM OF SCOTS – Delayed the start when declared a late scratching at 1.48pm by order of stewards acting on veterinary advice when found to be lame in the off front leg. On the announcement of correct weight all monies invested on GEM OF SCOTS were ordered to be refunded. Deductions applicable to bets placed on the winner and placegetters prior to 1.48pm:
 
12 cents in the dollar for the win SUPID DATE  
12 cents in the dollar for the place of winner SUPID DATE
19 cents in the dollar for 2nd place MISTER TIA   
13 cents in the dollar for 3rd place WHATTA MISSION   
 
Trainer S. Cooper was advised a veterinary clearance of soundness is required prior to racing or trialling again.
 
RAFF VADER – Proved difficult to load. Trainer S. Massingham was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s barrier manners. Rider R. Wiggins dropped his off-side rein near the 100 metres before quickly gathering it.  
 
PRETTY PROFIT – Proved difficult to load. Trainer K. Allender was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s barrier manners. Slow to begin.
 
VEGAMEISTER – Began awkwardly.
 
RACE 3: LADBROKES BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP – 1250 Metres

ALMIGHTY JAB – Slow to begin and was then hampered by CROWNING MOMENT.
 
HE'S XCEPTIONAL – Slow into stride. Raced fiercely in the early and middle stages. 
 
CROWNING MOMENT – Began awkwardly and shifted in hampering ALMIGHTY JAB which was slow to begin.   
 
RACE 4: GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO. BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP – 1400 Metres

LEAN EAGLE – Slow to begin.
 
MOKTAFFY (IRE) – Slow to begin. Stewards noted rider J. Huxtable exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+ three) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use no further action was taken.
 
TURN BIRD – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.

BOOGIE WONDERLAND – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
GOING NUCLEAR – Shifted wider to improve leaving the 800 metres.
 
RACE 5: MAGIC MILLIONS DAINTREE GUINEAS QTIS 4YO HANDICAP – 1500 Metres  

THE HONEY BADGER – Delayed the start significantly and was declared a late scratching at 3.37pm by order of stewards after dislodging rider N. Thomas during its preliminary and galloping some distance proving difficult to catch. On the announcement of correct weight all monies invested on THE HONEY BADGER were ordered to be refunded. Deductions applicable to bets placed on the winner and placegetters prior to 3.37pm:
 
4 cents in the dollar for the win SWATOW
4 cents in the dollar for the place of winner SWATOW
4 cents in the dollar for 2nd place OBLIGATED  
8 cents in the dollar for 3rd place DANCE FOR ME RANDY  
 
A veterinary examination of THE HONEY BADGER revealed the gelding to be exhausted. Trainer S. Cooper was advised a veterinary clearance is required prior to racing again. Jockey N. Thomas declared himself free of any injury and was able to fulfil his remaining engagements. 
 
COLE'S BEST – Slow to begin. Over-raced in the early and middle stages.
 
KHALS – Slow to begin.
 
DANCE FOR ME RANDY – Saddle shifted back during the early stages of the race.
 
RACE 6: LOUIE PICCONE MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP – 950 Metres

MISS DE BLAAS – Bumped on jumping.
 
BELLA BIANCA – Shifted out at the start bumping MISS DE BLASS.
 
LUCKY ROLLA – Raced wide rounding the home turn. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
TARGETED – Disappointed for a run near the 250 metres and was steadied.
 
RACE 7: RED BERET HOTEL CAIRNS CUP – 2100 Metres

SIR GRACE (NZ) – Was delayed arriving on course due to transit issues, underwent a pre-race veterinary examination on arrival at the rack and was cleared to start. Restrained on the turn out of the straight on the first occasion.  
 
SOLAR APEX – Slow to begin.
 
ACCLIMATISE – Began awkwardly. Bumped near the 900 metres.
 
LOGAN STREET LION (NZ) – Shifted in on the turn out of the straight on the first occasion tightening VINCENZO. Raced wide in the early stages. Shifted out near the 300 metres placing SMART LEGEND in restricted room to the inside of SIR GRACE.
 
VINCENZO – Tightened for room and checked on the turn out of the straight on the first occasion. A. Holt, the rider of LOGAN STREET LION pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the specifics of AR 131(a) in that he allowed LOGAN STREET LION  to shift in when not clear of VINCENZO which was checked. A. Holt’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 12 days to commence midnight 26/08/2025 and expire midnight 07/09/2025. Stewards deemed this incident in the mid-range and jockey Holt was advised of his appeal rights. Over-raced early stages. Raced wide in the early and middle stages until improving forward to race outside the leader leaving the 1200 metres. Shifted in near the 900 metres bumping ACCLIMATISE.
 
MR MAESTRO (NZ) – Tightened for room on the turn out of the straight on the first occasion.
 
THIRD REALM (GB) – Tightened for room on the turn out of the straight on the first occasion.
 
CONVENER (FR) – Restrained on the turn out of the straight on the first occasion.
 
ROGUE BEAR (IRE) – Shifted wider leaving the 800 metres to improve.
 
SMART LEGEND – Over-raced in the early stages. Raced in restricted room near the 300 metres.
 
STADIUM OF LIGHT (NZ) – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
ALCYONE – Over-raced in the middle stages.
 
KIPLING'S JOURNEY – Raced wide without cover for the majority of the race.
 
RACE 8: CSF INDUSTRIES VIC TONKIN MEMORIAL CLASS 3 PLATE – 1250 Metres

DREAMWOMAN – Refused to jump and took no part in the race. Trainer N. Homann was advised the mare must trial to the satisfaction of stewards prior to being permitted to race again.
 
GAMADALE NIP – Slow to begin. Raced in restricted room when over-racing near the 1000 metres and continued to over-race and shifted wider leaving the 800 metres.
 
LISTENTOZOU (NZ) – Slow to begin. Raced wide in the early stages.
 
THORMENDOUS MISS – Bounded in the air on jumping and lost ground.
 
CHARTWELL – Shifted out at the start bumping ECLIPSION. Lost its near hind plate during running.
 
ECLIPSION – Shifted in at the start bumping with CHARTWELL.
 
CANDLELIT – Shifted in near the 1000 metres placing runners to its inside in restricted room. Jockey J. Huxtable was advised to show greater care.
 
BETTER BE SLICK – Raced in restricted room near the 1000 metres. Bumped near the 200 metres.
 
CARDIOLOGIST – Shifted in under pressure bumping BETTER BE SLICK near the 200 metres.
 
SKOGAFOSS – Raced wide in the early stages.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Suspensions
Race 1, Apprentice McKenzie Apel, URIS pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the specifics of AR 131(a) in that she permitted URIS to shift in when not clear of MOHAWK WARRIOR which was forced inwards tightening the running of CHARM TELLER which was checked and lost its rightful running. Ms. Apel’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 13 days to commence midnight 28/08/2025 and expire midnight 10/09/2025. Stewards deemed this incident in the mid-range.
 
Race 7, Aidan Holt (Jockey) – LOGAN STREET LION pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the specifics of AR 131(a). In that he allowed LOGAN STREET LION to shift in when not clear of VINCENZO which was checked. A. Holt’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 12 days to commence midnight 26/08/2025 and expire midnight 07/09/2025. Stewards deemed this incident in the mid-range.   
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
OBLIGATED, KHALS, ATTENTIVE, THIRD REALM, MR MAESTRO, SIR GRACE

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 1, FLOURISH – Reluctant to proceed to the barriers – Warning
Race 2, GEM OF SCOTS – Lame off-front – Vet clearance required. AR 20(e)
Race 2, RAFF VADER – Difficult to load – Warning
Race 2, PRETTY PROFIT – Difficult to load – Warning  
Race 5, THE HONEY BADGER – Exhaustion – Vet clearance required. AR 20(e)
Race 8, DREAMWOMAN – Refused to jump and took no part in the race. Must trial to the satisfaction of stewards prior to being permitted to race again. AR 20(e)
 
Late scratchings
Race 2, GEM OF SCOTS – Late scratching 1.48pm veterinary advice when found to be lame in the off front leg.
Race 5,THE HONEY BADGER – Late scratching at 3.37pm by order of stewards after dislodging rider during preliminary and galloping some distance. Exhaustion. 

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.