QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
GATTON TURF CLUB
THURSDAY 30TH JULY 2026
 
 
WEATHER – Fine   
TRACK RATING – Soft 5, Good 4 at 11:52am  
RAIL – +2m 900m-400m, +1m 400m-300m, True Remainder
PENETROMETER – 4.78

OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – S. Fletcher
Stewards – B. Wright, A. Streckbein, D. Aurisch, T. Hendy, Z. Lines
Clerk of Scales - S. Coulthard

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
Ipswich 24/7/26:
Trainer N. Beck reported that following the disappointing performance of ZOUSAIN GIRL (Race 7), he had his veterinarian scope the filly, which revealed some low-grade mucus and redness of the throat. He added that the filly had been cleared by his vet to continue with its current racing program.  
 
Middlemount 25/6/2026:
Race 5: Apprentice H. Saunders (CALYX ROSE) pled guilty to a charge pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that she used her whip on nine (9) occasions prior to the 100m. Apprentice H. Saunders was fined $500.
 
Toowoomba Office 28/7/26:
Stewards held an inquiry into the reasons that IGOTMYMINDONYOU trained by N. Keal had left the racecourse prior to the prescribed time and failing to, when requested, be presented for a veterinary examination following the below market performance of the gelding after competing in Race 7 on July 25. After taking evidence trainer N. Keal pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR165(3), in that following the running of Race 7. RACING NATION ON POWERFM MAIDEN HANDICAP held at Toowoomba Turf Club on July 25, failed to have IGOTMYMINDONYOU in a designated area, that being the raceday stalls for a period of at least 30 minutes following the running of Race 7. N. Keal was fined the sum of $1000. In accessing penalty Stewards considered his guilty plea, his forthright evidence, the seriousness of the offence from not only an integrity but welfare perspective and the need for a penalty as a deterrent. N. Keal was advised of his rights of appeal. As N. Keal presented himself for the inquiry, Stewards lifted the embargo placed on IGOTMYMINDONYOU allowing it to nominate and/or accept for racing but will still require a veterinary clearance inclusive of an ECG and endoscopic examination prior to its next engagement.
 
GENERAL
 
Trainer M. Brosnan was fined $200 pursuant to LR67(1) for the race day declaration of A. Thompson as the rider of VACILLATION.
 
Stewards accepted trainer B. Ahrens reasons for the late declaration of A. McColm as the rider ANDER’S DREAM.
 
MISS VELCRO was declared a late scratching at 9:50am when the mare was unable to be loaded onto the float for transportation to the racetrack.
 
 
 
Race 1: LADBROKES SWITCH QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1100 M
 
DO A LITTLE DANCE - Began awkwardly and a short distance after was hampered by FINEST, which shifted out.
 
ARMAND - Began awkwardly. Raced greenly in the home straight.
 
TUXEDO TORPEDO - Shifted out on jumping making contact and hampering GIN ‘N’ JUICE’, which then shifted out and hampered FINEST, which became unbalanced. Commenced to over race leaving the 1000m and approaching the 800m improved onto the heels of ANDERS DREAM and had to be checked and lost ground. Near the 550m when racing greenly, was contacted by SCARLET WOMAN, which shifted in momentarily and as a result TUXEDO TORPEDO shifted in abruptly making contact with the running rail and losing ground.
 
ANDER'S DREAM - Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start.

FINEST - Bumped at the start and became unbalanced. Near the 700m raced greenly and shifted out. Laid in when rounding the home turn and then raced greenly in the home straight.

XPLAIN THIS - Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
GIN 'N' JUICE - Hampered on jumping. Near the 500m inconvenienced when TUXEDO TORPEDO shifted out.
 
 
Following the running of this race the track was upgraded to a Good 4 at 11:52am.
 
 
Race 2: BARRIER REEF POOLS MAIDEN PLATE 860 M
 
FUNKY COLD MEDINA – Raced wide throughout.

MAJOR FREESTONE - Underwent a resaddle behind the barriers.
 
STARWARD - Raced three wide without cover throughout. Laid in when placed under pressure over the final 100m.
 
EXCESS CAPITAL – Held up approaching the 200m before shifting in to obtain clear running.
 
READY AS BAM - Slow into stride. Held up rounding the home turn until shifting in approaching the 200m to obtain clear running.

ALIZA - Raced keenly in the early stages.


Race 3: LOCKYER VALLEY PAINTING JASON DIETE BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP    860 M

DRUMS OF WAR – Raced keenly in the early stages. Apprentice W. Galloway, who was having his first race ride, was advised of his obligations in using the whip in consecutive strides prior to the 100m. Leaving 100m was tightened for room and lost rightful running. Apprentice A. McColm (I AM GONE) pled guilty to a charge pursuant to AR131(a) in that passing the 100m he failed to make sufficient effort to prevent his mount from shifting in, dictating BETTERINDANUDE (L. Tilley) in tightening the running of DRUMS OF WAR (W. Galloway) which was restrained and lost its rightful running. Apprentice A. McColm’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of six (6) days to commence midnight Saturday 8th August 2026 and conclude midnight Friday 14th August 2026. When considering penalty, Stewards took into account apprentice A. McColm’s guilty plea and the QRIC careless riding template.
 
SUPIDO'S CHOICE - Slow to begin.

MR PLAYTIME – Raced keenly approaching the 600m and was steadied from the heels of SLEEPY JOE.
 
SLEEPY JOE – Apprentice O. Kendal was reminded of her obligations to ride her mounts out fully to the finish line.
 
 
Race 4: HARMAN CONCRETING MAIDEN PLATE 1600 M
 
BRASS BAND – Commenced to over race leaving the 1300m until near the 1200m.

SOMETHING SHINY – Raced wide throughout without cover. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
MYSTIC ASCOT - Raced keenly in the early stages. Near the 400m shifted out to obtain clear running and made contact with MINI BOO which became unbalanced. Apprentice I. Jessup (MYSTIC ASCOT) was advised to exercise greater care when shifting ground.
 
LAKE OF FIRE – Near the 700m steadied when racing tight between runners.
 
MINI BOO - Connections advised a change of tactics, intention to settle further forward. Raced in a handy position. Contacted near the 400m and became unbalanced.  
 
CIRQUE DE LA VIE (NZ) - Over raced in the early stages and near the 1300m, was steadied from heels. Near the 150m momentarily tightened for room between MYSTIC ASCOT and SOMETHING SHINY which shifted in when weakening. Apprentice K. Johnston reported the filly was not suited to the tight turning track. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a laceration to the near hind fetlock and speedy cuts on the off hind.

FRANKLYIRESISTIBLE - Began awkwardly.


Race 5: FALVEY'S HOTEL GATTON RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1100 M

AUREATE – Began awkwardly and bumped TIME TO CRY.

ZARIPPA - Stood flat footed and lost ground. Trainer J. Capewell was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding for its barrier manners.  
 
LUCKY MAN - Rider E. Lang reported the gelding began better today and she allowed it to stride from the wide barrier and obtain a forward position.
 
TIME TO CRY - Bumped at the start. Near the 150m when shifting out to obtain clear running raced close to the heels of BLUE EYE DAME which shifted out marginally and had to be checked. Rider C. Graham reported the mare was not suited to the pace of the race today and the tight turning track. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

BLUE EYE DAME - Raced wide for the majority.


Race 6: MCNEIL FARMS RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1100 M

DONEGAL BAY – Raced wide throughout.
 
CHARLOTTE'S HERE – Rider N. Heywood reported his mount may not have appreciated today track conditions.

SHOW ME THE STARS - Began awkwardly contacting the barrier partition and lost ground. Shortly after entering the home straight was held up for clear running until approaching the 200m.

QUARTERSHARE - Slow to begin and lost ground. Raced ungenerously in the early stages. Approaching the 700m when racing keenly, improved onto the heels of DONEGL BAY and had to be restrained and shift wider. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
 
Race 7: LADBROKES HOSTED POTS BENCHMARK 62 HANDICAP 1100 M
 
SPEEDY ONE – Began awkwardly. Shortly after the start was steadied from the heels of FAST FUSION. Near the 150m laid out toward the heels of XERRI. When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice W. Galloway stated that the gelding travelled well throughout, however when asked to improve from the home turn failed to respond and was one paced to the finish.
 
JEMELDI - Tightened between runners shortly after the start and lost ground. Steadied from heels approaching the home turn.
 
FAST FUSION – Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid out rounding the home turn. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be showing clinical signs of the thumps and was treated by the oncourse veterinarian.

ELECTROMAGNETIC – Began awkwardly. Raced wide without cover throughout.

STAR VENTURE - Leaving the 800m when racing keenly, had to be steadied from the heels of XERRI.
 
THE ROOKIE – Approaching the home turn, momentarily steadied from the heels of FAST FUSION which shifted in marginally, as a result JEMELDI which was following had to be steadied from the heels of THE ROOKIE. Rider Y. Lewis was fined $200 pursuant to AR131(b) for failing to ride her mount out fully to the finish line.
 
ENCHAANTED - Raced keenly in the early stages.

 
Race 8: HEAD AND NECK CANCER AWARENESS MONTH RATINGS BAND 0 - 60 HANDICAP   1400 M
 
BEST COFFEE – Began awkwardly.      
 
EVERYWHERE – Bumped on jumping. Raced wide for the majority of the event. Hung out from the 600m until rounding the home turn. Rider B. Wheeler reported the gelding may have resented the cross-over nose band. Trainer P. Nolan jnr. was at a loss to explain the disappointing performance of the gelding which had trialed well in the lead up to today’s event, adding that he will now remove the cross-over nose band before its next race start. Trainer P. Nolan jnr. was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding for its racing manners. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

BRUTAL LASS – Stood flat footed as the start was effected and lost considerable ground. Shifted out when placed under pressure over the final 150m. Trainers representative N. Boyle was advised the mare would be required to obtain a further barrier certificate prior to racing again. 

LUKEY BLUE – Bumped on jumping. Passing the 1100m forced wider and steadied from heels. When asked to comment on the performance, rider M. Hellyer stated it was the intention to be more forward today, however the filly missed the start, and he was obliged to race back in the field. He added that the slow tempo of the race and the tight turning track worked against LUKEY BLUE, adding that his mount did make good ground from the 400m, before peaking on its run near the 100m.

THIEF BY NIGHT – Began awkwardly and then inconvenienced shortly after the start. Raced keenly in the early stages and approaching the 1100m when being restrained, raced with its head in the air. Leaving the 1100m when racing ungenerously, shifted out taking LUKEY BLUE wider and having to be steadied from the heels of SHAPE OF WATER.
 
BESIEGE – Leaving the 1200m commenced to race with its head in the air and when being restrained made contact with the running rail and became unbalanced.


Race 9: ROYAL GEORGE HOTEL LAIDLEY RATINGS BAND 0 - 60 HANDICAP 1400  
 
EXPRESS STAR – Over the concluding stages shifted in and away from SCRUFFY which shifted considerable ground under pressure.                 
 
SCRUFFY - Began awkwardly and lost ground. Raced keenly from 1200m until approaching 1000m. Shifted in considerably under pressure in the home straight. Rider B. Lerena was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) in that he failed to stop and straighten his mount when shifting ground.
 
SUPAIRO - Raced ungenerously in the early stages. Raced wide throughout. Leaving the 1100m momentarily steadied from the heels of PICASSO’S DREAM (Y. Lewis) which shifted in. Rider Y. Lewis was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances. Rider M. Hellyer reported the gelding travelled comfortably, however when placed under pressure from the 600m failed to respond to his riding and proved disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
LORD DANILO – Slow to begin and lost ground. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, particularly her riding between the 600m and 400m, Apprentice K. Johnston in the presence of Racing Queensland training officer, Mr R. Fradd, stated that the gelding gets back in its races and that she was instructed to allow her mount to travel comfortably within itself and ride for luck. She added that after beginning slowly, she allowed her mount to settle in a position toward the rear of the field. K. Johnston stated that after racing in a comfortable rhythm to the 600m, she elected to shift in, in preference to following SCRUFFY, the eventual winner, which would have obliged her to shift and race extremely wide approaching the home turn. She added that on entrance to the home straight, the gelding took time to build momentum before she momentarily lost the use of her offside rein approaching the 100m, where she was again able to place her mount under pressure with the whip and hands and heels. Stewards in noting the evidence of K. Johston, advised that she had erred in not placing her mount under pressure earlier from the 600m to afford herself a position closer to the field on entering the home straight. Steward’s in advising apprentice K. Johnston that her ride would be referred to the Racing Queensland Training Department for further training, noting her relative inexperience as an apprentice, took no further action.

STATE A FACT – Shifted out at the start.
 
BRAVE EMMA – Underwent a resaddle behind the barriers. Slow to begin and lost ground. Approaching the 1100m commenced to race keenly and was steadied. Near the 50m attempted to improve into a run between INVISIBLE TARGET and STATE A FACT, which was attempting the same run to the inside of EXPRESS STAR, before being disappointed and having to restrained from the heels of INVISIBLE TARGET.

ESCAPE BEACH - Shifted in abruptly at the start.
 

 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 9: B. Lerena – AR131(a) – Careless riding.
 
Fines
Race 7: Y. Lewis – $200 - AR131(b) - Failed to ride mount out fully to the finish line.
Race 9: M. Brosnan - $200 – LR67(1) – Failure to declare rider by the prescribed time.
Toowoomba 25th July 2026 – N. Keal - AR165(3)- $1000 – Horse left course before permitted.
Middlemount 25th July 2026 – Apprentice H. Saunders – AR132(7)(a(ii)) - $500 - Whip use.
 
Suspensions
Race 3: Apprentice A. McColm – AR131(a) - Careless riding – 6 day suspension - Commence midnight 8th August 2026 and conclude midnight 14th August 2026.  

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses sampled pre-race
Race 1: ANDERS DREAM
Race 4: BRASS BAND
Race 5: PEACH GALANTES
Race 6: RUSSIAN RIPPER
Race 7: SPEEDY ONE
Race 8: KING COBAMA
Race 9: SUPAIRO
 
Horses sampled post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 5: ZARIPPA – Stood flat footed - Warning.
Race 8: BRUTAL LASS – Stood flat footed - Further barrier certificate.
Race 8: EVERYWHERE – Hung out – Warning.


Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1:4 ANDER’S DREAM - Archie McColm (a2/52kg),
             12e GIN ’N’ JUICE - Les Tilley
Race 2:12e ALIZA - Nozi Tomizawa
Race 3:12e SLEEPY JOE - Ms Olivia Kendal (a0/52kg),
Race 4:13e FRANKLYIRESISTIBLE - Dan McGillivray
Race 6:12e MISS WATERLINE - Nozi Tomizawa
              13e CALVARY - Ms Amy Graham (a1.5/51kg),
Race 8:13e DUBBLE HUSSLE - Jess Emmerson (a2/51kg),
Race 9:1 VACILLATION - Adin Thompson

Late scratchings
Race 2: MISS VELCRO @9:50am – Transport difficulties.
 
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.