QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

BRISBANE RACING CLUB - DOOMBEN

SATURDAY 17 JANUARY 2026

WEATHER – Overcast
TRACK RATING –  Soft 5; Good 4 (11:45am); Good 3 (retrospective to Race 6)
RAIL – +5m Entire Course
PENETROMETER – 6.14

OFFICIALS

Stewards – J. Williamson (Chair); D. Aurisch; A. Schofield; H. Matthews, L. De Witt – Rowson (Asst. Steward)
Clerk of Scales - J. Robinson

GENERAL

Following a track inspection by Stewards, the track was upgraded to a Good 4 at 11:45am.
 
As Apprentice E. Lang was unable to fulfill her riding engagement in Race 8 due to being held up at another racing venue, Stewards permitted the rider change as per the Stewards Race Day Summary.   
 
Trainer B. Healey was fined $200 pursuant to AR 232 for failing to comply with a Stewards direction in that he failed to present CENTRAL PARK (Race 5) on-course by the directed time in compliance with QRIC’s TCO2 Retention Policy.
 

RACE 1: BECOME A BRC MEMBER QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE        1110 M
 
AREPRICE – Raced greenly in the home straight and shied out abruptly near the 100m.
 
HARRY'S MODE – Apprentice C. Sutherland reported near the 400m, the colt got its tongue over the bit, made an abnormal respiratory noise and commenced to weaken shortly afterwards. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow recovery.
 
SLIPPIN' AWAY – Raced wide for the majority.
 
NIFTY'S TREASURE – Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
YELLOW CRATE – Slow to begin. Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
RACE 2: GALLOPERS SPORTS CLUB QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE    1630 M
 
AL'S A MACHINE – Raced fiercely and had to be restrained from the heels of ARTISTIC ENDEAVOUR near the 1300m. Weakened from the 600m and finished a distance last. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer D. Morgan was advised AL’S A MACHINE would be required to officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to resuming racing (poor performance).
 
ENJECTOR – Bumped with CIRQUE DE LA VIE (NZ) at the start. Shortly after entering the home straight, was bumped and forced wider when RED SAMOVAR shifted out to obtain clear running.
 
CIRQUE DE LA VIE (NZ) – Bumped with ENJECTOR at the start.
 
PARADISE AS USUAL – Passing the 600m, shifted out to improve and bumped with URBAN PRINCESS on a number of occasions.
 
RED SAMOVAR – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn until the early stages of the home straight before shifting out to secure clear running and bumped with ENJECTOR.
 
URBAN PRINCESS – Slow to begin. Bumped on a number of occasions and forced wider near the 600m.
 
VERONA AFFAIR – When questioned regarding the tactics adopted in particular VERONA AFFAIR leading today’s event which is in contrast to the horses recent established racing pattern, Apprentice C. Baker stated it had not been her intention to lead and she envisioned settling midfield with cover. Apprentice C. Baker further added that after beginning well, the filly quickly improved to obtain the lead without being pressured and as the horse was travelling comfortably, she allowed VERONA AFFAIR to hold the lead. Trainer S. Morrisey advised Stewards that the filly had not been beginning well in its races and with the removal of ear muffs for today’s event and the step up in distance over 1600m, these two factors contributed to the horse beginning more favorably and obtaining a more prominent position despite no specific instructions being issues to lead. Stewards accepted the explanation tendered.
 
RACE 3: XXXX MAIDEN HANDICAP     1200 M
 
The start of this race was delayed by approximately two (2) minutes due to RIGHTEOUS LEGEND becoming fractious in the barriers, kicked out and as a result, got its hind leg caught over the back gate and was subsequently declared a late scratching at 2:01pm by order of Stewards on veterinary advice. Trainer P. Robl was advised a warning would be placed on RIGHTEOUS LEGEND for its barriers manners.
 
On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on RIGHTEOUS LEGEND
to be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:
1st - STEIN – 19c win, 7c place.
2nd - LINWAR – 35c place.
 
JUCASI – Apprentice C. Sutherland reported the gelding was under pressure from the 600m and leaving the 200m put in an awkward stride. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the off fore leg. Trainer J. Healy was advised JUCASI would require veterinary clearance prior to resuming.
 
ZOU ZOU SHARGUSA – Shifted in shortly after the start and bumped heavily with PIGGIETALES.
 
FANTASTICMISS – Slow to begin.
 
PIGGIETALES – Bumped shortly after the start when HELLYER shifted in.
 
RACE 4: RACECOURSE VILLAGE CLASS 1 PLATE         1110 M

ABSOLVE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination due to the gelding having raced at Doomben on Wednesday 14 January 2026 and was subsequently cleared to start. Laid in during the early stages and made contact with the inside running rail from the 900m until the 600m and commenced to weaken finishing a distant last. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer V. Venkaya was advised ABSOLVE’s nomination would be refused from metropolitan and provincial race meetings until its form improves.  
 
MR BUBBALUSKI – Slow to begin.
 
CASINO BAY – Over raced in the early stages. Raced greenly under pressure in the home straight.
 
RACE 5: SKY RACING CLASS 5 PLATE       1350 M

DEEP RESPECT – Slow to begin. After the running of this race, it was noted the gelding had lost its off fore plate.
 
TAKE A PICTURE – Over raced in the early stages behind the leaders.
 
NOBLE DECREE (NZ) – Jockey J. Guthmann-Chester was fined $300 pursuant to AR 211(1) for returning to scale in excess of the 0.5kg tolerances.
 
ACAPPELLA SUN – When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, in particular leading in today’s event which is in contrast to the mare’s recent established racing pattern, Apprentice C. Baker stated she had not been instructed to lead and had expected to obtain cover in the early stages. She further added that near the 1200m, she had anticipated NOBLE DECREE (NZ) crossing her mount however when the rider of that horse commence to steady, she was satisfied to allow her horse to improve to the inside and remain in the lead. Trainer Representative M. Dent confirmed the instructions had not been to lead and anticipated the horse settling with cover. Stewards noted the explanation tendered.
 
RED DEFCON - Slow to begin.
 
RACE 6: GIRLS DAY OUT 7TH MARCH COLTS, GELDINGS AND ENTIRES BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP         1200 M
 
THIS IS ONE – Raced ungenerously in the early stages. Hung out near the 500m and had to be steadied from the heels of SLUSH FUND.
 
INNERVISIONS – Slow to begin.
 
ENCOURAGED – Trainer D. Hansen was fined $100 pursuant to LR 67(1) for failing to declare a rider by the prescribed time. Slow to begin. When asked to comment on the performance, Apprentice T. Fenlon stated she was disappointed with the gelding’s effort as it failed to respond to her riding when placed under pressure.
 
The track was upgraded to a Good 3 retrospective to Race 6.
 
RACE 7: CRICKS HIGHWAY BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP         1630 M
 
KAREEM – Slow to begin. Restrained from heels near the 800m when the pace of the race slackened and shifted in contacting the inside running rail.
 
HOUSTON ROCKET – Slow to begin. Raced wide from the 900m.
 
WONFORWAZZA – Restrained from the wide barrier to a rearward position closer to the rail. Raced wide for the majority. Jockey B. Lerena reported his mount laid out throughout the event.
 
LARUSSO - Connections advised a change of tactics; to be ridden more forward if circumstances permit. Ridden accordingly. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn until near the 250m.  
 
IN SOCIETY – Raced wide throughout.
 
RACE 8: LADBROKES BIG BETS FILLIES AND MARES BENCHMARK 68 HANDICAP  1200 M
 
HEESEN – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after the mare made heavy contact with the rail leaving the mounting enclosure and was subsequently cleared to start.
 
ALLY – Raced wide for the majority. Inclined to lay in when placed under pressure in the home straight and was awkwardly placed at heels near the 200m when VIALE shifted out under pressure. Apprentice C. Baker was advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances and to stop and straighten her mounts when they commence to shift ground.
 
CORRUPTED – Slow to begin. Held up for clear running in the home straight until the 150m.
 
MORE FOR READY – Held up for clear running in the home straight and went to the line unable to be fully tested by its rider.
 
RUN LUCY RUN – Raced wide for the majority.
 
DATA SCRAMBLE – Slow to begin. Raced wide for the majority.
 
VIALE – Shifted out under pressure near the 200m. After the running of this race it was noted the mare had lost its near hind plate.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Fines
Race 5: 2 CENTRAL PARK – B. Healey - AR 232 - $200 - failure to comply with a Stewards direction.
Race 5: 9 NOBLE DECREE (NZ) – J. Guthmann-Chester AR 211(1) - $300 – returned to scale in excess of the 0.5kg tolerances.
Race 6: 13 ENCOURAGED - Trainer D. Hansen – LR 67(1) - $100 – failure to declare a rider by the prescribed time.
 
Absent jockeys
E. Lang

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses sampled pre-race
Race 2: AL’S A MACHINE, URBAN PRINCESS
Race 3: RIGHTEOUS LEGEND
Race 5: CENTRAL PARK
Race 7: HOUSTON ROCKET, SPOOKY SPIRIT
 
Horses sampled post-race
All winners, ENCOURAGED

Warnings/bars
Race 2: 1 AL'S A MACHINE - official trial – poor performance.
Race 3: 1 RIGHTEOUS LEGEND - warning – barrier manners (declared a late scratching).
Race 3: 3 JUCASI – veterinary clearance required – lame off fore leg.
Race 4: 1 ABSOLVE – nominations to be refused at metropolitan and provincial race meetings.   

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 6: 4 THIS IS ONE – C. Sutherland
Race 6: 13 ENCOURAGED – T. Fenlon
Race 7: 15e IN SOCIETY – H. Van Der Hoven
Race 8: 7 TEN DEEP (GB) – J. Guthmann-Chester
Race 8: 20e INTRECCIATO – K. Zechner

Late scratchings
Race 3: 1 RIGHTEOUS LEGEND (Vets @ 2:01pm)  

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.