QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

GOLD COAST TURF CLUB

SATURDAY 4 OCTOBER 2025

WEATHER –Fine
TRACK RATING –Good 4
RAIL – +2m Entire
PENETROMETER – 4.75

OFFICIALS

Stewards – B. Wright (Chair), A. Schofield, D. McMahon, A. Dowsett, P. Reardon

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT

Lockyer Valley Turf Club (Gatton) – 10 July 2025 – Race 5
 
Stewards concluded an inquiry into Apprentice Shania Willis’ riding tactics on JEDIAH in Race 5, THE BARRIER REEF POOLS MAIDEN HANDICAP over 1400m at the Lockyer Valley Turf Club’s meeting on the 10th of July 2025. Evidence was taken on the day from App. Willis, assisted by Racing Queensland Apprentice Jockey mentor R. Fradd and the Trainer of the gelding L. Derecourt. The inquiry was adjourned on this day to enable the Stewards to obtain betting records on the event for examination and to review all aspects, including the previous race starts of JEDIAH. Stewards on review believe App. Willis should have shown more vigour from the 600m, to put her mount into the race and that she erred in electing to stay to the inside of SOUTHAMPTON NICCO on the entrance to the home straight, which eventually resulted in her mount being held up from approaching the 100m and went to the finish line without being fully tested. After considering the evidence in its entirety, Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied to the required standards that a breach of AR129(2) had occurred particularly owing to the riding experience of App. S Willis, however she was reminded of her obligations to ensure her riding is always beyond reproach or question.
 

GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted the following overweights:

Race 3: Jockey B. Lerena +1kg (55.5kg)
Race 7: Jockey B. Lerena +0.5kg (55.5kg)
 
Trainer J. Smerdon was fined $200 pursuant to LR67(1) for the late rider declaration of C. Bellamy on KEIKO SAY in Race 8.


RACE 1: VEOLIA SUSTAINABILITY SERVICES BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 2210 M

JUSTICE SERVED – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after having raced at Grafton on 30th September.
 
PUNJABI LANDING – Very slow to begin. Rider D. Turner reported his mount laid out throughout the race, particularly in the home straight.
 
TENNESSEE WHISKEY (NZ) – Began awkwardly. Laid out rounding the home turn and in the home straight. From the 250m, rider A. Goindasamy lost the use of his near side rein until passing the winning post.   


RACE 2: VEOLIA GREEN MAIDEN PLATE 1710 M

LAUNCHER – Bumped at the start. Near the 1500m, tightened onto the hindquarters of EFFIE’S JOY by STOICISM, which in turn received pressure from VISCOUNT SYDNEY (D. Smith), which was awkwardly placed to the inside of the heels of I’M ON FIRE. In all the circumstances, no direct action was taken, other than Rider D. Smith being advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances. Steadied and became unbalanced when carried out towards the heels of STOICISM near the 50m, when RULE MAKER(App J. Williams) shifted out ground. Apprentice J. Williams was severely reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding.
 
VISCOUNT SYDNEY – Raced three-wide without cover early until going forward and sitting outside the leader near the 1000m.  
 
ARTISTIC TOUCH – Rider M. Hellyer reported his mount was inclined to lay out throughout.
 
EFFIE'S JOY – Trainer D. Bougoure was reprimanded for presenting EFFIE’S JOY to race with a nose roll, which was not part of its approved gear. Approaching the 1400m, got its head up when being steadied. Held up for a run from the 400m until passing the 250m.
 
STOICISM (NZ) – Shifted in on jumping and bumped LAUNCHER. Three-wide without cover for a short distance passing the 900m.
 
RULE MAKER – When under pressure in the home straight, lay out and shifted considerable ground; and near the 50m, tightened LAUNCHER, which was steadied when racing close to the heels of STOICISM.
 
BARGARA BOUND – Slow to begin. Held up for a run from the 400m until passing the 300m.
 
 
Apprentice J. Williams (RULE MAKER) pleaded guilty to a charge under AR131(b) for failing to ride his mount out over the final stride of the race. Apprentice J. Williams was subsequently fined the sum of $500. In considering penalty, account was taken of his poor record in this area and that Stewards were not satisfied that his actions had an affect on the result of the race.  
 

RACE 3: VEOLIA RESOURCE RECOVERY CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1800 M

Prior to correct weight, Stewards viewed the head on vision of the start to ascertain whether RAG QUEEN had been afforded a fair start. It was established when the start was effected, RAG QUEEN reared and whilst being assisted by an attendant, then landed awkwardly, became unbalanced and lost considerable ground. Stewards were satisfied that RAG QUEEN was not denied a fair start and was declared a starter. Trainer J. Wallace was notified a warning would be placed against the mare’s barrier manners.

RAG QUEEN – Reared as the start was effected and lost significant ground. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.
 
RAPID CHEVAL (NZ) – Raced tight for some distance passing the 500m when WELLY attempted to shift out.
 
THROTTLE RESPONSE – Raced keenly early. Passing the 50m was brushed by RAPID CHEVAL (J. Lloyd), which shifted in under pressure before being straightened. Rider J. Lloyd was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding.
 
WELLY – In the early stages, raced keenly. Raced tight with RAPID CHEVAL for some distance passing the 500m when attempting to shift out. Near the 400m, steadied from the heels of THROTTLE RESPONSE.
 
ARISTELLA – Slow to begin.
 
BLUEPRINT – Near the 1500m, rider A. Goindasamy adjusted his near side iron. Held up for a run from the 400m until passing the 300m. Steadied near the 300m & lost running.

Apprentice L. Martyn (ROCKRATA) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) in that she permitted her mount to shift out near the 300m when not clear of BLUE PRINT, which steadied and lost its rightful running. Apprentice L. Martyn’s permit to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 days, commencing midnight 08/10/2025 until midnight 15/10/2025. When considering penalty, account was taken of her guilty plea, good record and the QRIC Careless Riding Guidelines.
 

RACE 4: VEOLIA WATER SERVICES MAIDEN PLATE 1200 M

BRUCKHEIMER – Raced three-wide without cover from the 700m. Laid out rounding the home turn.
 
STAR VENTURE – Began awkwardly. Passing the 800m, got its head up and was checked when racing to the inside of SKINNY JEANS.
 
ZHONGXIN KOALA – Change of tactics - further forward with blinkers on for the first time. Shifted in on jumping, blundered and bumped SPIRITUAL RHYTHM, before being tightened between SPIRITIUAL RHYTHM and SKINNY JEANS. Settled towards the rear of the field.
 
SPIRITUAL RHYTHM – Bumped at the start.
 
Rider K. Zechner pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that he used his whip on 9 occasions prior to the 100m and 13 occasions in totality. Rider K. Zechner’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of seven (7) days commencing midnight 08/10/2025, concluding midnight 15/10/2025. In determining penalty, account was taken of his guilty plea, record and the QRIC whip penalty guidelines.


RACE 5: VEOLIA ENERGY SERVICES QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1400 M
 
CASUAL CAT – Trainer J. Pritchard was reprimanded for presenting CASUAL CAT without its approved racing gear. Shortly after the start, steadied when momentarily tightened by MR BETTERMAN. On the point of the home turn, was brushed by WILY JACK and became momentarily unbalanced.
 
LES AMIS – A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in its off-fore. Trainer R. Chatterton was advised a veterinary certificate would be required prior to LES AMIS racing again.  
 
WILY JACK – On leaving the gates, was tightened between ADORABLE THOUGHT and LES AMIS, which was carried out by PIERTAGA, which shifted out abruptly. In this incident, ADORABLE THOUGHT was bumped on the hindquarters and became unbalanced.
 
ADORABLE THOUGHT – On leaving the gates, was bumped on the hindquarters and unbalanced.
 
PARADISE AS USUAL – Slow to begin.
 
FAR CRY – Held up for clear running from the 500m until passing the 400m.

LADY BARBAROSSA – Stood flatfooted as the start was effected, then attempted to jump, unbalancing rider K. Zechner, before leaving the gates and losing significant ground. Stable representative for K. Kemp was notified the filly would be required to obtain a further barrier certificate prior to racing again. A post-race veterinary examination revealed minor abrasions to the mouth and nose.  
 
BABUSHKA DOLL – Raced three-wide without cover from the 1000m.
 
PIERTAGA – Shifted out abruptly on jumping.


RACE 6: VEOLIA INDUSTRIAL SERVICES BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1000 M

I AM VOODOO – Raced four-wide without cover from the 800m.
 
STATE IN TEXAS – Raced keen early.
 
SPARTUS – Passing the 100m, had difficulty obtaining clear running and went to the end of the race without being fully tested. Lost its near hind plate.
 
MANPOWER – Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 

RACE 7: VEOLIA REMEDIATION SERVICES BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1400 M

MIDNIGHT DRIFTER – Tightened for room shortly after the start. Had difficulty obtaining clear running rounding the home turn.
 
CAPE CRUSADER – Resaddled upon arrival at the barriers. Held up for clear running from passing the 400m until the 250m.
 
FIRST MAN – On leaving the gates, was tightened for room between ACE’S IN BLOOM and MIDNIGHT DRIFTER, which was carried out by ECCLESTONE, which shifted out on jumping.
 
ECCLESTONE – Shifted out on jumping.
 
ACE'S IN BLOOM (NZ) – Raced keen early.
 

RACE 8: MEN MATTER RACEDAY 25TH OCTOBER CLASS 4 HANDICAP 1200 M

MISHANI RENEGADE – Raced keen early.
 
SHOT OF WHISKEY (NZ) – Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
SOCIAL OUTCAST – Raced three-wide without cover from the 800m.
 
BALTRAY – Slow to begin.
 
KEIKO SAY – Laid in onto the rail near the 900m and became badly unbalanced.
 
PRIVATE TENDER – Change of tactics - further back with cover. Slow to begin. Near the 900m, steadied and shifted out to avoid KEKIO SAY’s heels and in doing so, carried DAYTONA out onto SOCIAL OUTCAST. Near the 700m, contacted the rail.   


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands

Race 2: Apprentice rider J. Williams – AR131(a) – Careless riding – Severe
Race 2: Trainer D. Bougoure – AR106(2) – Presented horse with incorrect gear
Race 3: Rider J. Lloyd – AR131(a) – Careless riding
Race 5: Trainer J. Pritchard – AR106(2) - Presented horse with incorrect gear
 
Fines

Race 2: Apprentice rider J. Williams – AR131(b) – Failing to ride mount out to the finish - $500
Race 8: Trainer J. Smerdon – LR67(1) – Late rider declaration - $200 fine
 
Suspensions

Race 3: Apprentice L. Martyn – AR131(a) – Careless riding – Seven (7) day suspension commencing midnight 08/10/25 and concluding midnight 15/10/25.
Race 4: Rider K. Zechner – AR132(7)(a)(ii) - Use of the whip on 9 occasions prior to the 100m (13 in totality) – seven (7) days - commencing midnight 08/10/2025, concluding midnight 15/10/2025.


Absent jockeys

A. Thompson – Transport difficulties



Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses sampled pre-race
 
JUSTICE SERVED, GOING TO THE SUN, RULE MAKER, GREEN MEADOWS, WILY JACK, WEST CORK
 

Horses sampled post-race
 
All winners

 
Warnings/bars
 
Race 3: RAG QUEEN – Barrier Manners – Warning
Race 5: LADY BARBAROSSA – Barrier Manners - Barrier certificate
Race 5: LES AMIS – Lame off-fore – Veterinary certificate

 

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications


Race 5: 2 CASUAL CAT – B. Lerena
Race 5: 18 PIERTAGA – L. Martyn
Race 6: 13 MANPOWER – K. Zechner
Race 8: 10 KEIKO SAY – C. Bellamy  
 


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.