QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
DALBY & NORTHERN DOWNS JOCKEY CLUB
SATURDAY 21 MARCH 2026
WEATHER – Fine TRACK RATING – Good 4RAIL – +2m 600m – 300m
PENETROMETER – 5.73
OFFICIALS
Stewards – S. Coulthard (Chair), J. Childs, D. MacDonald, W. Glass, Z. Lines(Cadet).
GENERAL
Trainer L. Wanless was fined $300 pursuant to LR68(1) after failing to scratch MIGHT IS RIGHT within the prescribed time, subsequently costing an emergency a run.
Following the running of Race 7 App. M. Goring was unable to fulfil his remaining rides due to signs of dehydration. App Goring was advised a medical clearance would be required. Rider replacements were made as per the Stewards Race Day Summary.
RACE 1: WINDSOR HOTEL MAIDEN PLATE 1400 M
CHIDGEY – Raced wide for the majority.
HANAA BOY – Slow to begin. Shifted out marginally rounding the home turn bumping ELEGANT LUCY, which had to steadied.
POWERFUL WARRIOR – Laid out in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
GLUTTONY – Laid out under pressure from the 200m.
DREAM SUMMIT – Raced wide for the majority.
HABERFIELD – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after contacting the mounting yard fence. After beginning only fairly from the wide barrier was restrained in the early stages to obtain a position with cover and was then slow to muster early speed.
SKIEDA – Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
ELEGANT LUCY – Slow to begin. Bumped rounding the home turn and momentarily steadied.
LETTIE'S LOT – Began awkwardly. Raced wide for the majority. Shifted wider rounding the home turn. App K. Barker could offer no explanation for the disappointing performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.
RACE 2: THE FINCH ENGINEERING GRAND FINAL SPRINT MAIDEN PLATE 1000 M
OKANUI - Raced wide for the majority.
FABARA – Slow to begin. When questioned, rider App S Callow stated the filly failed to travel throughout the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities. Trainer K Kemp advised the filly would most likely be retired.
PICK OF THE BUNCH – Raced wide for the majority.
VERY DEMURE – When questioned in relation to the tactics adopted, in particular racing forward, rider H Richardson stated it was her intention to be positive, however; when there was a lack of pace at the start, she allowed her mount to travel where comfortable and obtain a position in the lead. Trainer N. O’Toole was reprimanded pursuant to AR100(1)(a) for not advising Stewards of change of tactics.
JAKEBRAKE – Began awkwardly. Rider K Yoshida reported his left foot contacted the barrier partition on jumping resulting in minor bruising.
REVA'S CHOICE – Slow to begin.
RACE 3: WILD RIVER CONCRETE COAST CLASSIC BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP 1000 M
PHONDLE – Passing the 200m shifted wider when ABOUT RIGHT laid out under pressure.
ABOUT RIGHT – Raced wide throughout. Laid out for the majority.
BELISTIC MAN - App I. Jessop was reminded of her obligations when riding her mount out to the finish line.
KOGA NINJA – As the gates opened had got its hind leg up and subsequently was slow to begin. Trainer S Thomas was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding for its barrier manners.
XUANFENG – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Began awkwardly and was slow away. Trainer C. Johnstone was advised that the gelding would be required to Officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.
RACE 4: THE LEAGUES CLUB BEACH BASH BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP 1000 M
MR ENCORE – Near the 150m was bumped heavily on the hindquarters, becoming momentarily unbalanced.
SMACKEROONY – Shifted in on jumping bumping REVITUP CHARLIE. Raced 4 wide without cover for the majority.
ROWDASH – Crowded at the start and lost ground.
YES I'M UGLY – Approaching the 350m, steadied when attempting a narrow run between MR ENCORE and MISTER MIYAGI.
REVITUP CHARLIE – Bumped on jumping. Raced wide with cover for the majority.
SPRING BIRD – Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
SENSE OF HUMOUR – Raced wide for the majority.
ABOVE THE WORLD – Near the 200m, was obliged to steady to avoid the heels of SPRING BIRD, which shifted out under pressure. Apprentice C Ferris the rider of SPRING BIRD in the presence of Jockey Mentor R. Fradd pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding pursuant AR 131(a) in that leaving the near the 200m, when racing in a position to the inside of ABOVE THE WORLD, made insufficient effort to prevent her mount from shifting out, resulting in the racing room for ABOVE THE WORLD becoming restricted, steadied and losing ground; also causing ABOVE THE WORLD to bump heavily with MR ENCORE with that runner to become momentarily unbalanced. Apprentice C Ferris’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 days to commence 22nd March 2026 up to and including the 28th March 2026. When considering penalty, account was taken of the QRIC Careless Riding Penalty guidelines.
RACE 5: CITY TO COUNTRY COASTAL COVER CUP CLASS 4 PLATE 1200 M
BEAN ROCKING – Put in an awkward stride passing the 600m.
NEW MAHER - Raced wide without cover. Shifted out rounding the home turn.
TRAPEZE WARRIOR - Shifted in on jumping, bumping LONERGY in turn bumping MOONFLEET, which lost ground.
WELL HELD – Shifted in under pressure from the 200m to the 150m.
CORVALIST – Steadied approaching the 800m.
MOONFLEET – Bumped on jumping and lost ground.
PRINCE CARLOS – Raced wide without cover. Steadied off heels rounding the home turn when NEW MAHER shifted out.
RACE 6: DEVILS TO DIEHARDS SHORELINE CLASSIC QTIS BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP 1200 M
RICH AND JOYFUL – Began awkwardly and slow away. Near the 800m improved onto heels and steadied. When questioned, Rider C. Bennett stated his mount did not travel comfortably throughout, adding the mare hung throughout. A post-race veterinary examination revealed signs of a minor cough.
CRAIGLEA MERIDA – Laid out under pressure down the home straight making it difficult for the rider to test the mount out fully.
THE DARK SIDE – Began awkwardly and slow away.
RACE 7: THE AACO OUTBREAK BREAKAWAY QTIS BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP 1200 M
SMART RECOGNITION – Bumped on jumping.
CEEKAY'S CHOICE – Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
HELIKEDEMPRETTY – Began awkwardly and bumped.
MISS BIITTERSWEET – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
LAVONI – Began fairly.
RANGI TOA (NZ) – Began awkwardly and slow away.
BRAIDWOOD QUEEN - Bumped on jumping.
DASHING HOPE – Shifted out near the 500m.
JIDAYUBORI – Approaching the 100m was steadied from the heels of MISS BITTERSWEET (App I Jessop), which laid in under pressure. App I Jessop was severely reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) for this incident.
DANE ICHI – Jumped away awkwardly. Raced wide without cover for the majority.
RACE 8: THE PESTWORX BLITZ NEWMARKET OPEN HANDICAP 1400 M
DRANG A TANG – Shifted in on jumping crowding runners to its inside. Held up for clear running for a short distance passing the 200m.
KIPTANUI – Raced with for the majority without cover.
MR WANDJI - Turned its head as the gates opened and lost ground. Passing the 1000m race keen when attempting to obtain a position with cover. Raced wide for the majority. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
TOBA – Crowded between runners on jumping and lost ground.
RACE 9: THE GWANDALAN COASTAL CLASSIC BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP 1400 M
TICKLE MY TOSEN – Lost the off-hind plate in the running.
SWEET ANTHE – Bumped heavily at the start. Eased down over the final stages. When questioned, App Jessop stated the mare did not travel throughout the event and elected to ease her mount down in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities. Trainer R Davidson was advised the mare would be required to Officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.
TRUSTY BANDIT – Began awkwardly. When questioned in relation to the seemingly improved performance, trainer W Kropp stated the drop in distance, the tempo of the race and the addition of winkers, were all contributing factors attributed to today’s win. Rider C. Taylor reported his left foot contacted the barrier partition and was treated by QAS officers. C Taylor was advised a medical clearance would be required prior to race riding again.
SUMMER READY - Shifted out abruptly on jumping bumping heavily with SWEET ANTHE causing SWEET ANTHE to shift out and bump KINDLY (NZ).
TORVECCHIO – Near the 700m got its head up when being steadied.
KINDLY (NZ) – Shifted out on jumping then bumped. Raced wide for the majority without cover.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning licensees
Reprimands
Race 7 – I. Jessop – Severe Reprimand – AR131(a) – Careless Riding
Fines
Race 2 – L. Wanless – Fined $300 - LR68(1) – Late scratching
Suspensions
Race 4 – C. Ferris – 7 days – AR131(a) – Careless Riding – 22/03/26 up to and including 28/03/26.
Race day injuries/illness
M. Goring – Race Day Illness - Medical Certificate Required
C Taylor – Injury – Medical certificate required.
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses sampled pre-race
HABERFIELD, HE DA BOSS, GRAND CRUSADER, SATAY CHICKEN (NZ), TUHNIGA, SUMMER READY.
Horses sampled post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 3 – XUANFENG – Fractious in barriers – To officially trial.
Race 3 – KOGA NINJA – Warning – Barrier manners.
Race 6 – SWEET ANTHE – Poor Performance – To officially trial.
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 9 – SUISSE SCANDAL (NZ) – S. Wilcock
Late scratchings
Race 2 – MIGHT IS RIGHT(failed to scratch)
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.