QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
 
LADBROKES CANNON PARK – CAIRNS JOCKEY CLUB
 
SATURDAY 22ND AUGUST 2026
 
 
WEATHER – FINE TRACK RATING – SOFT (6)       RAIL – TRUE                    PENETROMETER – N/A

OFFICIALS

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

GENERAL
Permitted over weights:
R5, ENGELINE – C Jokic +0.5kg
R6, HARTSHORN – T Chambers +0.5kg
 
Race 1 - CORAL COAST CATERING MAIDEN HANDICAP (QTIS BONUSES APPLICABLE 3YO'S ONLY) – 950 Metres
 
TRUSTING STAR – Bounded in the air and lost ground.
 
PERFECT FAWAZ – Began awkwardly. Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
RAAR – Began awkwardly. 
 
TASTE THE STEEL – Slow into stride.
 
SENSEI GIRL – Raced three wide without cover for the majority of the race. Laid in under pressure in the home straight. When asked to explain the mares improved performance today as to its previous two starts trainer G. Kinlyside advised stewards the mare raced uncharacteristically at Mackay 17 July 2026 and raced wide from its wide barrier at Townsville 8 August 2026, however he has been experimenting with gear to have it racing more generously and that SENSEI GIRL appears to race well at this track. He also explained the apprentice claim today and the soft surface was also beneficial to its improved performance today. His explanation was noted.   
 
Race 2 - ELAINE PICCONE MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP – 950 Metres
 
TARIFF – As the gelding had not raced for an extended period it underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start.
 
NORDIC INVADER – Slow to begin.
 
KITEMA – Slow to begin.
 
TIPPED OFF – Slow to begin.
 
BELLZEN – Slow into stride.
 
VERY GOOD – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Crowded for room near the 100 metres by OUR ADDICTION which shifted out when tiring becoming awkwardly placed on the heels of EXOLENT CHOICE and then shifted in, inconveniencing OUR ADDICTION. 

EXOLENT CHOICE – Over-raced in the early stages. Lost its off-hind plate during the race.
 
OUR ADDICTION – Shifted out under pressure near the 100 metres crowding VERY GOOD which was awkwardly placed at the heels of EXOLENT CHOICE. Jockey K. Swaffer was advised to show greater care in similar circumstances.
 
LATIN BOSS – Raced wide for the majority of the race and laid out under pressure in the home straight. 
 
Race 3 - KENFROST HOMES CLASS 1 PLATE – 1250 Metres
 
BETTER DRAW (NZ) – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after being fractious in the float on transit to the track and was cleared to race.
 
GOLDEN GLAZE – Blundered on jumping. Raced wide in the middle stages.
 
YOUMEANDDUPRE – Slow to begin.
 
DESARAE DOLL – Raced keenly in the early stages. Compounded in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a poor post-race recovery. Co-trainers T & P Rowe were advised a veterinary clearance would be required prior to the mare racing or trialing again.      
 
MUSKITO – Compounded in the home straight. When asked to explain the performance today jockey A. Sewell explained the gelding was not suited when unable to lead on its own.     
 
Race 4 - UNDERWOOD PARTY HIRE BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP – 1400 Metres
 
SIR MAXIMUS – Slow to begin and raced ungenerously for a short distance after the start.
 
LA MANO – Commenced to over-race leaving the 1000 metres and was restrained when placed in restricted room shortly after by FLY FIFER which shifted in slightly when racing to the inside of GOODNIGHT ROMEO. Whilst stewards noted the racing manners of LA MANO jockeys A. Holt (FLY FIFER) and T. Chambers (GOODNIGHT ROMEO) were advised to show greater care and allow more room in similar circumstances.
 
GOODNIGHT ROMEO – When asked to explain its performance today jockey T. Chambers was unable to offer any tangible explanation other than GOODNIGHT ROMEO may not have been comfortable on today’s soft track surface and did not travel comfortably for the majority of the race. Trainer T. Connor was disappointed with the performance, however, added the gelding had previously not raced consistently following previous good runs. Ms. Connor gave an undertaking to advise stewards if anything should come to her attention in the coming days that may have had a bearing on its performance today. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.    
 
Race 5 - LADBROKES BELLE OF THE DAINTREE FILLIES & MARES BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP – 1450 Metres
 
BOLLINGER MISS – Slow to begin.
 
SAVEE – Put its head down on jumping and lost considerable ground. Trainer R. Inglis was advised a further warning would be placed on the mares barrier manners and should SAVEE continue to race in this manner further action would be taken. 
 
ENGELINE (IRE) – Over-raced for some distance after the start and shifted in near the 1000 metres and was placed in restricted room by TIGON PRINCESS which shifted in taking up that room. ENGELINE then shifted out when continuing to over-race bumping TIGON PRINCESS on the hind quarters turning that runner inwards further tightening the running of ENGELINE. Whilst stewards noted the racing manners of ENGELINE, jockey B. Kennedy (TIGON PRINCESS) was advised to show greater care and allow more room in similar circumstances. Raced wide for the majority of the race. Connections were advised a warning would be placed on its racing manners.
 
MANHATTAN'S – Had a tendency to lay out under pressure in the home straight.
 
TIGON PRINCESS – Raced wide for the majority of the race without cover. 
 
Race 6 - BABINDA ELECTRICS LIGHTNING OPEN HANDICAP – 950 Metres
 
GAMADALE NIP – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start and was slow to begin.
 
MIND OVER MATTER – Slow to begin. Jockey P. Edwards pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR 132(7)(a)(ii) in that she used her whip on 8 occasions prior to the 100 metres with a totality of 24 times. Jockey Edwards license to ride in races was suspended for a period of eight (8) days to commence midnight 30 August 2026 and expire midnight 7th September 2026. Jockey Edwards was advised of her appeal rights.
 
IMPARDOO – Began very awkwardly and lost ground. Blundered shortly after the start and was unbalanced.  
 
VIBURNUM – Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
COCHRANE – When asked to explain the improved performance today as to its previous start Townsville 1 August 2026, jockey A. Sewell advised the gelding raced without luck from a wide draw and raced wide for the majority of the race back in the field and was unable to make ground, he added COCHRAN was better suited today when able to race more forward on the pace. Stable connections agreed with jockey Sewells’ comments and added it’s two previous runs prior to Townsville were satisfactory. Stewards noted the explanations.     
 
Race 7 - GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO. CAIRNS AMATEUR CUP BENCHMARK 74 HANDICAP – 1900 Metres
 
BLUEBIRD BAY – Shifted out at the start tightening runners to its outside.
 
ACCLIMATISE – Shifted in at the start tightening runners to its inside. Over-raced in the early and middle stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be suffering respiratory distress. Trainer K. Allender was advised a veterinary clearance would be required with results of an endoscopic examination prior to ACCLIMATISE racing or trialing again. Ms. Allender advised stewards it is the intention that the gelding be retired from racing.         
 
ALABAMA MOONLIGHT – Tightened for room on jumping. Threw its head in the air when being restrained soon after the start and raced ungenerously for some distance.  
 
CANBERRA LEGEND (IRE) – Tightened for room on jumping. Raced wide for the majority of the race. 
 
CONVO – Shifted out at the start bumping with SIGIRIYA ROCK.
 
SIGIRIYA ROCK – Bumped on jumping. Raced in restricted room passing the winning post on the first occasion and was restrained.

HEIR JORDAN – Raced keenly when being restrained approaching the winning post on the first occasion.
 
BETTA AL – Raced in restricted room for a short distance near the 200 metres. Raced wide for the majority of the race.  
 
MR SHORTY – Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
Race 8 - NIESAR PAINTING BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP – 1250 Metres
 
Correct weight was delayed allowing stewards to confirm placings due to power outages affecting race vision.
 
LAZENBY – Slow into stride.
 
ARCTIC BEAR – Began awkwardly and shifted out bumping STOKOMO which in turn shifted out bumping CLUEDO.
 
STOKOMO – Bumped on jumping. Lost its off-hind plate during running.
 
CLUEDO (NZ) – Bumped on jumping. Inconvenienced near the 500 metres when BUFFET BUSTER lost ground.
 
BUFFET BUSTER – Lost ground near the 500 metres inconveniencing CLUEDO. Jockey L. Morrison dismounted soon after the winning post. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding had strained its near-fore tendon. Trainer A. Bailey was advised a veterinary clearance would be required prior to BUFFET BUSTER  racing or trialing again.        
 
NOVELA – Shifted in near the 1000 metres when inproving forward tightening IRRESISTABLE FORCE. Jockey S, Cormack was severely reprimanded and advised to exercise greater care. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
IRRESISTIBLE FORCE – Restrained near the 1000 metres when tightened for room by NOVELA which shifted in. Blundered badly near the 150 metres. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Stewards ajourned an inquiry to a date and time to be fixed into the circumstances surrounding interference suffered by IRRESISTABLE FORCE near the 150 metres in an effort to obtain clearer footage.   
 
 
KIRIKAN (NZ) – Disapointed for a run between STOKOMO and IRRISISTABLE FORCE near the 200 metres being restrained and was then unable to obtain clear running and went to the line without being tested.  
 
NOLAN – Raced wide without cover for the majority of the race.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 8, Sean Cormack (Jockey) NOVELA – Shifted in near the 1000 metres when inproving forward when not fully clear. Severe Reprimand – Careless riding – AR 131(a).

Suspensions
Race 6, Peta Edwards – (Jockey) Excessive use of whip. AR 132(7)(a)(ii) Eight (8) days to commence midnight 30 August 2026 and expire midnight 7th September 2026.

Race day injuries/illness
Nil.   

Adjourned inquiries
Race 8 – Interference near 150 metres.  

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
BLACKTHORN, FLY FIFER, TIGON PRINCESS, MISS MONEYPENNY, CANBERRA LEGEND, THE DRILLER.   
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners, BOLLINGER MISS and SIGIRIYA ROCK.   

Warnings/bars
Race 3, DESARAE DOLL – Veterinary clearance. AR 20(e)
Race 5, ENGELINE (IRE) – Racing manners – Warning         
Race 7, ACCLIMATISE – Veterinary clearance with results of an endoscopic examination. AR 20(e)        
Race 8, BUFFET BUSTER – Veterinary clearance. AR 20(e)        
 
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.