QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

LOCKYER TURF CLUB (GATTON)

Sunday 25 January 2026

WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING – Good 4
RAIL – +1m 900m – 400m; true remainder

OFFICIALS

Stewards – S. Fletcher (Chair); J. Childs, T. Preston, W. Glass, L. De Witt – Rowson (Asst. Stewards)

GENERAL

Due to the hot weather conditions that were forecast for the Gatton race day, the meeting was conducted in accordance with the QRIC caring for racing animals in extreme heat policy, with pre-race parade times significantly reduced and the establishment of on-course cooling stations in the race-day tie-ups, parade areas and a number of other relevant measures.

Stewards permitted the following overweight:
Race 2: 12 ROCK LOBSTER – D. Smith +1kg (55kg)

UPSTART LOVER (Race 7) was declared a late scratching at 8:53am on veterinary advice after sustaining an injury at the stables. Trainer M. Nolan was advised the mare would require veterinary clearance prior to resuming.

As jockey S. Sheargold was not riding due to injury and jockey J. Murphy not riding at the meeting, Stewards permitted rider changes as per the Stewards Race Day Summary. Jockey S. Sheargold was advised he would require a medical certificate of clearance prior to resuming riding. Stewards intend to interview J. Murphy regarding him not riding at the meeting.


RACE 1: BARRIER REEF POOLS MAIDEN PLATE 1600 M

Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards considered an application lodged by rider M. Savva and S. Croxford, trainer of PRINCE OF SYNERGY, for the gelding to be declared a non-starter. After taking evidence from all parties, including that of Starter K. Watson, Stewards established that the bridle of PRINCE OF SYNERGY was being adjusted by a barrier attendant when the start was effected, resulting in PRINCE OF SYNERGY beginning awkwardly, unbalancing rider M. Savva and placing her at a distinct disadvantage throughout the race due to the bridle not being correctly fitted. Stewards determined under the provisions of AR204(1)(c) that PRINCE OF SYNERGY was denied a fair start and declared the gelding a non-starter.

On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on PRINCE OF SYNERGY to be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:
1st - SARAH'S SONNETS – 25c win, 17c place.
2nd - SUMMER READY – 26c place.
3rd - UP THE CREEK (NZ) – 26c place.

The starter provided an undertaking that he would immediately review the starting processes and implement the necessary changes for the remainder of the meeting.

IN AND AWAY – Began awkwardly and lost ground.

JAMCART (NZ) – Bumped at the start. Raced wide throughout.

PRINCE OF SYNERGY – A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

ROYAL EDITION – Slow to begin. When asked to comment, rider K. Wison-Taylor was unable to offer an explanation for the disappointing performance. Trainer L. Hatch advised that the gelding had pulled up well after the race, however advised that ROYAL EDITION would be leaving his stables.

UP THE CREEK (NZ) – Leaving the 1200m, raced keenly for a short distance and near the 1100m was steadied from heels and lost ground. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

HOLLER DASH – Raced keenly in the early stages.

I'M SO ELEGANT (NZ) – Slow to begin and then crowded for room and lost ground. Near the 1100m laid out.

SARAH'S SONNETS – Shifted out at the start. Leaving the 200m shifted in when placed under pressure before being corrected by the rider.


RACE 2: NOLANS TRANSPORT CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1600 M

EXPLOSIVE POWER (NZ) – Began awkwardly and shortly after the start shifted out taking SPIRIT OF NURAI wider and causing MISHANI IMPACT which was following, to be momentarily steadied. When asked to comment on the tactics adopted, specifically the gelding leading, which was in contrast to the most recent start, rider K. Zechner stated his instructions were to be on speed or to lead. When questioned, trainer A. Chau confirmed these instructions, stating that the gelding was up in distance today and that in previous preparations the gelding was able to race forward when stepped up in distance and had benefited when racing in this manner. Trainer A. Chau was reprimanded pursuant to AR100(1)(a) and reminded of his obligations to notify Stewards of any change of tactics in future.

SAMURAI WARRIOR (NZ) – When asked to comment on the performance, rider K. Wison-Taylor was unable to offer an explanation for the disappointing performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

MISHANI IMPACT – Momentarily steadied shortly after the start. Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid in under pressure in the home straight and steadied away from heels approaching the finish. Apprentice O. Kendal reported her mount was inclined to lay in throughout and was not suited to the smaller turning track. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

SLUGWORTH – A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have heat stress.

SPIRIT OF NURAI – Taken wider shortly after the start by EXPLOSIVE POWER (NZ). Rider M. Hellyer reported his mount over-raced from the 1100m.

AVERRED – Slow to begin. Rider A. Sewell reported that after being slowly away he was unable to obtain a forward position and that his mount never travelled comfortably throughout the race.

LIFT'N'MEHIGHER – Near the 1100m, raced in restricted room and was steadied when ZELEZNY (J. Taylor) shifted in. Rider J. Taylor was severely reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding.

STATE A FACT – Slow to begin. Lost the off fore plate.

ROCK LOBSTER – Raced wide throughout.


RACE 3: FALVEY'S HOTEL GATTON BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 2000 M

BACCARAT ROUGE – Began awkwardly and then bumped and became unbalanced.

BETA BETTER – Rider D. Smith reported the mare felt short in its action. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in the near foreleg. Trainer T. Cowan was advised BETA BETTER would require veterinary clearance prior to racing again.

GIDDY GAN'S JOY – Shifted out on jumping and bumped BACCARAT ROUGE. Passing the winning post on the first occasion when over racing, improved onto the heels of BOLD TYRANT and was steadied. Raced wide from the 800m.

BRAVE BOY – Slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have sustained a superficial laceration to the left hind leg consistent with being galloped on.

AOOM'S CHOICE – Dropped its head as the start was effected.

BOLD TYRANT – Over raced in the early stages. Near the 1700m, raced in restricted room and was steadied. Held up for clear running on the heels on the weakening BETA BETTER from the 600m until shifting out near the 450m. Leaving the 100m, shifted out to obtain clear running. When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice L. Martyn stated she was held up for clear running at a vital stage near the 600m when wanting to improve into the race. She added that after shifting out near the 400m, her mount responded to her riding and finished the race off well.

QUALITY MISS – Steadied approaching the winning post when FRIJOLES (B. Baker) shifted in under pressure before being corrected by the rider. Apprentice B. Baker was reprimanded pursuant to AR 131(a) for careless riding.

FRIJOLES – Raced wide in the early. Shifted in under pressure over the final 100m.


RACE 4: HARMAN CONCRETING CLASS 3 HANDICAP 1100 M

THE HAMO – Began awkwardly and bumped heavily with HEADLINE LEGEND. Laid in under pressure in the home straight and had to be corrected by its rider near the 70m.

MERCHANT LADY – Began awkwardly and lost ground.

SIR MAURICE – Slow to begin. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

IN NO DOUBT – Laid in near the 1000m before being corrected, KELANOA which was racing in restricted room to the inside, shifted in and away and contacted the running rail for several strides and lost ground. Raced keenly in the early stages. Momentarily steadied near the 70m when THE HAMO shifted in. Rider M. Hellyer was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(b) for failing to ride his mount out to the finish line.

KELANOA – Raced in restricted room near the 1000m and shifted in and away making contact with the rail for several strides and losing ground. Steadied when racing in restricted room approaching the winning post.

HEADLINE LEGEND – Shifted out at the start and bumped heavily with THE HAMO.


RACE 5: LADBROKES BIG BETS QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE 1100 M

CAPTAIN BULL – Began awkwardly. Laid out rounding the home turn taking MR HILTON wider on the track.

DRACARIAN – Bumped at the start. Leaving the 1000m when racing keenly, was bumped and shifted out and becoming awkwardly placed on heels, and when being restrained shifted out making the turn at the 860m, becoming unbalanced and losing ground. Raced greenly leaving the 800m and shifted in inconveniencing LEARNERS ROOM which lost ground. Raced wide for the majority. Trainer J. Capewell was advised that a warning would be placed on the racing manners of the gelding.

MR HILTON – Taken wider on the track rounding the home turn.

RUTHVEN RUSH – Bumped heavily at the start. Raced wide throughout.

SPOILT ROTTEN – Near the 900m, when being steadied, got its head up and shifted out placing ONE OF THEM GIRLS in restricted between VALADORE, which lost ground. Rider G. Cartwright reported that the pace of the race was very quick and that her mount never travelled comfortably, adding the gelding would take benefit from today’s race. Trainer M. Nolan was advised that a warning would be placed on the racing manners of the gelding.

GEITZ – Began awkwardly and bumped heavily with RUTHVEN RUSH. Near the 800m when racing keenly, steadied from the heels of LEARNER’S ROOM. Approaching 600m was steadied from the heels of LEARNERS ROOM which was racing greenly.

LEARNERS' ROOM – Began very awkwardly and bumped DRACARIAN. Near the 800m was inconvenienced and lost ground. Raced greenly leaving the 700m until near the 500m.

MISHANI TREASURE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination due to resuming racing from an extended period and was subsequently cleared to start. Crowded between runners at the start. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.

ONE OF THEM GIRLS – Buffeted between runners at the start. Near the 900m raced in restricted room and lost ground.

VALADORE – Leaving the 1000m, shifted out and bumped DRACARIAN which when racing keenly shifted out and bumped RUTHVEN RUSH and as a result DRACARIAN was awkwardly placed on the heels of VALADORE and had to be restrained and shifted out making the turn at the 860m, resulting in both runners becoming unbalanced and DRACARIAN losing ground. Raced wide for the majority.

GENUINE ARTICLE – Began awkwardly and then bumped.


RACE 6: LADBROKES MEGA MULTI BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1400 M

The start of this race was delayed by approximately two (2) minutes due to a broadcast communication error that the meeting had been delayed. After clarifying with Sky Channel, all runners proceeded directly to the barriers for the start of this race.

REGGIE'S FOLLY – Slow to begin. Steadied when racing in restricted room near the 1100m when SON OF BEEBEE shifted in marginally.

SLY CORNER (NZ) – Near the 1100m steadied and lost ground when racing in restricted room to the inside of TAKUNAI which shifted in momentarily before BLAKEMORE AVENUE improved to the outside of that runner. While noting that L. Tilley, the rider of TAKUNAI, made an effort to straighten after shifting in initially before BLAKEMORE AVENUE improved to the outside, which did not allow TAKUNAI to shift out to further relieve pressure upon SLY CORNER, L. Tilley nonetheless was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding.

BLUE CHIP GIRL – Bumped at the start. Near the 200m, was held up before shifting out to obtain clear running.

SON OF BEEBEE – Slow to begin. Near the 1100m raced in restricted room.

TOBA – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination due to the gelding having raced at Ipswich on Wednesday 21 January 2026 and was subsequently cleared to start. Raced keenly in the early stages and near the 1100m, had to be steadied from the heels of SLY CORNER (NZ) and shifted out wider. Raced in restricted room over the final 30m and was unable to be tested by the rider.

BLAKEMORE AVENUE – Began awkwardly. Rider T. Brooker reported that she rode forward in an effort not to be caught wide from the barriers, adding that the mare would have been better suited to racing with cover, which would have assisted in running out today’s step up in distance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to have heat stress and the thumps.

I'M LUCKY TWO – Began awkwardly.

TAKUNAI – Raced wide throughout.

MAGIC IN ME – Bumped at the start.

VACILLATION – Near the 600m, was held up for clear running when awkwardly placed on the heels of SON OF BEEBEE before shifting out to obtain clear running near the 450m.


RACE 7: GOODYEAR AUTOCARE GATTON RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1400 M

SAMMAAN CITY – Raced wide for the majority. Leaving the 200m momentarily raced in restricted room and eased.

STANDLEE – Shifted in, bumped SHOW ME THE STARS and became unbalanced. Raced wide from the 700m.

TICKLE MY TOSEN – From the wide gate was allowed to shift across and obtain cover at the back of the field.

MEKANIC – Began awkwardly bumping ANCIENT MISSION and losing ground. Approaching the 400m, improved onto the heels of ILANA THE FIRST and was steadied before shifting to the outside of heels and making contact with the shoulder of SHOW ME THE STARS which became unbalanced.

ED I AM – Laid in under pressure in the early part of the home straight and near the 200m bumped MONAZEL. When asked to comment on the performance, rider L. Tilley stated the gelding failed to respond to his riding when placed under pressure from the 400m and proved disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

MONAZEL – Bumped near the 200m.

SHOW ME THE STARS – Buffeted between runners at the start and then inconvenienced and lost ground. When racing keenly, laid out rounding the turn at the 1100m. Near the 400m was bumped and became unbalanced. Shifted wider on the track leaving the 400m and raced very wide rounding the home turn.

ILANA THE FIRST – Leaving the 1300m, commenced to race keenly and when being restrained, was then checked near the 1100m when MAGADAN (B. Baker) shifted in. When considering the incident, Stewards noted the racing manners of ILANA THE FIRST had a considerable contribution to this incident, however severely reprimanded apprentice B. Baker pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding and advised that she would be required to make far greater effort in future to prevent her mounts from shifting ground. Rider F. Larson reported that the mare over raced throughout the race. Hung in over the concluding stages. F. Larson was reprimanded pursuant to AR128(2) for failing to seek permission from Stewards prior to leaving the course.

ANCIENT MISSION – Contacted at the start and lost ground. Approaching the 200m, was disappointed for a run and held up before shifting in and placing SAMMAAN CITY in restricted room before being corrected by the rider. Rider T, Brooker was advised to exercise care when shifting ground.



STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 2: Trainer A. Chau – AR100(1)(a) – failure to notify change in tactics.
Race 2: Rider J. Taylor – AR131(a) – careless riding – Severe reprimand.
Race 3: Apprentice B. Baker – AR131(a) – careless riding.
Race 4: Rider M. Hellyer – AR131(b) – failure to ride his mount out to the finish.
Race 6: Rider L. Tilley – AR131(a) – careless riding.
Race 7: Apprentice B. Baker – AR131(a) – careless riding – Severe reprimand.
Race 7: Rider F. Larson - AR128(2) - failure to seek permission from Stewards prior to leaving the course.

Absent jockeys
S. Sheargold – injury – medical clearance required.

Adjourned inquiries
J. Murphy – attendance to race meeting.

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses sampled pre-race
ROYAL EDITION, SAMURAI WARRIOR (NZ), BACCARAT ROUGE, QUALITY MISS, BLAKEMORE AVENUE, ED I AM

Horses sampled post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 3: BETA BETTER – Lame near foreleg - veterinary clearance required.
Race 5: SPOILT ROTTEN – Racing manners – warning
Race 5: DRACARIAN – Racing manners - warning
Race 7: UPSTART LOVER – Late scratching - veterinary clearance required.

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 2: 10 LIFT’N’MEHIGHER - Reece O'Connell (a3/51kg)
Race 3: 13e FRIJOLES - Ms Bailie Baker (a3/48kg)
Race 5: 15e VALADORE – M. Hellyer
Race 5: 19e GENUINE ARTICLE - Ms Tiffani Brooker
Race 6: 16e MAGIC IN ME - Rob Thorburn (a1.5/53kg)
Race 6: 18e VACILLATION - Jaden Lloyd
Race 7: 13e ANCIENT MISSION - Ms Tiffani Brooker

Late scratchings
Race 1: 5 PRINCE OF SYNERGY (Stewards @ 1:22pm – declared a non-starter)
Race 7: 12 UPSTART LOVER (Vets @ 8:53am)

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.



Updated.