QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

 LADBROKES CANNON PARK – CAIRNS JOCKEY CLUB

SATURDAY 4 APRIL 2026

WEATHER – OVERCAST              TRACK RATING – HEAVY (10)RAIL – TRUE
PENETROMETER – 6.28

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – P. Gillard
Stewards – D. Griffiths, S. Copelin, A. Holzhauser

GENERAL
Permitted Overweight’s: 
Race 1, Ms. L. Guernier + 0.50kg (To allocated riding weight)  
Race 2, L. Morrison + 1kg  
Race 4, S. Kaya + 0.50kg 
 
RACE 1:MAGIC MILLIONS/ROB KOCH MEMORIAL/FNQ UP & COMING STAYERS BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP – 1500 Metres

IRISH GIFT – Over- raced in the early and middle stages. Compounded in the home straight.
 
MISS SHU (NZ) – Over- raced in the early and middle stages. When asked to explain the mare’s performance today, jockey L. Morrison stated that in her opinion MISS SHU did not run out the trip on today’s heavy track. Co-Trainer Mr. T. Rowe was in agreeance with Ms. Morrison and gave an undertaking to advise stewards should anything come to his attention in the oncoming days that may have had any bearing on the performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed soreness to its near front leg.
Mr. Rowe was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to MISS SHU racing or trialing again.    
 
THE HONEY BADGER – Shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages.            
 
MERRY OLD SOUL (NZ) – Raced three wide without cover for the majority of the race.

RACE 2: SHOEY MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP – 950 Metres

VERY GOOD – As the filly had not raced for an extended period it underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start. Hampered near the 750 metres and was steadied.
 
KITEMA – Slow to begin.
 
SHARMAN PETE – Slow to begin. Lost both front plates during running.   
 
BAGGAGE HANDLER – Commenced to hangout leaving the 800 metres and hampered runners to its outside near the 750 metres. Laid in when tiring in the home straight and was eased down approaching the winning post. Jockey A. Holt advised stewards the gelding failed to handle the track conditions today and further was of the opinion BAGGAGE HANDLER was making respiratory noises. Stable representative Mr. W. Massingham advised stewards that he was of the opinion the gelding failed to handle the heavy track conditions. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant abnormalities. Mr. Massingham was advised a warning would be placed on its racing manners.  

THREEBROTHERS – Disappointed for a run near the 750 metres when BAGGAGE HANDLER hung out resulting in THREEBROTHERS shifting wider, hampering VERY GOOD. Lost it’s near fore plate during running. A post-race veterinary examination revealed minor lacerations to its near hind lower leg.   

RACE 3: CSF INDUSTRIES QTIS RATINGS BAND 0 - 50 HANDICAP – 1250 Metres

FOOLS PLAY – Fractious in the barriers and lost ground at the start. Jockey G. Goomany was questioned in regard to his riding of the gelding particularly between the 800 metres and 400 metres. Jockey Goomany advised stewards that after being fractious in the barriers and losing ground FOOLS PLAY failed to respond to his riding in the middle stages when being urged to go forward and only when placed under heavy pressure in the home straight found the line strongly. Whilst stewards noted jockey Goomany’s explanation he was advised that stewards would expect a greater effort in his riding in an effort to make closer contact with the field in similar circumstances. Trainer Steven Royes was advised a warning would be placed on FOOLS PLAY barrier manners.  
 
ISLA GIRL – Bounded in the air on jumping and lost ground.

BOMBINATE – Lost both hind plates.

CYCLONE COCO – Lost both front plates.

ROSE OF ATHENS – Raced wide for the majority of the race. 

RACE 4: CENTURY CRANES MAIDEN PLATE – 1250 Metres

PERFECT FAWAZ – Was declared a late scratching at 12.21pm when reared prior to going into the barriers and slipped over dislodging jockey S. Kaya. On the announcement of correct weight all monies invested on PERFECT FAWAZ were ordered to be refunded with the following deductions to be applicable: 3 cents in the dollar on the face value of all win bets and 4 cents in the dollar on the face value of all place bets. Co-Trainer Mr. T. Rowe was advised he must obtain a further barrier certificate prior to PERFECT FAWAZ being permitted to race again.           

CHATEAU VON TESS – Slow into stride.
 
ONOMA – Shifted in near the 400 metres bumping HEEZ DE MAN.            
 
HEEZ DE MAN – Bumped near the 400 metres.          
 
PRINCESS SHANGHAI – Raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages.    

FRENCH DRAGON - Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
RACE 5: LADBROKES BIG BETS COPY NOW MAIDEN PLATE – 1500 Metres

READY AND BETTA – Delayed the start when proved difficult to load.       
 
KING CANUTE – Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.         

SHE'SANAIS – Slow into stride. Took no real competitive part in the race and finished tailed off. Jockey C. Jokic could offer no explanation other than it may not have been comfortable on today’s heavy track. Connections could offer no tangible explanation and gave an undertaking to advise stewards should anything of note come to their attention that may have had a bearing on today’s performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a poor post-race recovery. Connections were advised a veterinary clearance would be required prior to SHE’SANAIS racing or trialing again.   

RACE 6: RED BERET HOTEL OPEN HANDICAP – 950 Metres

RUBY CHICKS – Shifted out at the start bumping MISSILE THUNDER. 
 
MISSILE THUNDER – Bumped on jumping. Lost its near side front plate during running.           

IMPARDOO – Lost its off-front plate during running.   

RED HOT LIZZIE – Slow to begin.          
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Nil
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
MANHATTANS, THE HONEY BADGER, MISS SHU, HEEZ DE MAN, GONCALO, KING CANUTE

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race1, MISS SHU – soreness in its near front leg. Veterinary clearance required prior to racing or trialing again.    
Race 4, PERFECT FAWAZ – Reared prior to going into the barriers and slipped over dislodging jockey. Barrier certificate required. AR 20(e) 
Race 5, SHE’SANAIS – Poor post-race recovery – Veterinary clearance required prior to SHE’SANAIS racing or trialing again. AR 20(e) 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 3, ROSE OF ATHENS – App Samantha Pointon.

Late scratchings
Race 2, TOW THE LINE – 9.30AM – No available rider
Race 3, LUCKY JIM – 9.30AM – No available rider
Race 4, PERFECT FAWAZ – Was declared a late scratching at 12.21pm when reared prior to going into the barriers and slipped over dislodging rider.

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.