QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
GOLD COAST TURF CLUB
 
SATURDAY 18 JULY 2026

WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING – Soft 7
RAIL – +4m 1000m - W/Post; +1m remainder
PENETROMETER – 5.1

OFFICIALS

Stewards – D. McMahon (Chair); B. Wright; D. Aurisch, S. Fletcher; L. De Witt – Rowson, B. Connell (Asst. Stewards)
Clerk of Scales – P. Reardon

GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted the following overweights:
Race 2: 9 I AM GONE – D. Turner + 1kg (55.5kg)
Race 3: 8 RAINBOW GLITTER +1kg (55kg)
 
 
RACE 1 - UAA MOBILE PLANT AND MACHINERY MAIDEN PLATE         2050 M
 
STEPLIKA LION – Began awkwardly.

DWAYNETHEROC – Change of tactics; to settle further forward if circumstances permit. Settled midfield. Raced wide for the majority. Trainer T. Ranger was advised DWAYNETHEROC would be required to officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to resuming (poor performance).
 
SEALORD (NZ) – Began awkwardly.
 
O'REILLY'S SHOUT – Apprentice M. Apel reported her mount did not feel comfortable in action and for this reason, she elected to ease the mare down in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Co-Trainer B. & M. Costello were advised O’REILLY’S SHOUT would be required to officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to resuming (poor performance).
 
BILLS ANGEL – When the pace of the race slackened near the 1300m, shifted wider and was allowed to stride forward to obtain the lead near the 1000m.
 
BOMB PERIGNON – Began awkwardly. Jockey M. Hellyer reported the filly may not have been suited to the 2050m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
FIVE OF US – Passing the 1400m, commenced to over race with its head up, improved onto heels and was steadied. Near the 400m, Jockey A. Keeley dropped his offside rein momentarily.
 
 
RACE 2 - NOBBY'S BEACH SURF CLUB CLASS 1 HANDICAP   1000 M
 
METAL MAN – Laid in under pressure near the 200m. Shifted out under pressure over the final 100m.
 
FUNKY ZEBRA – When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey B. Thornton advised the gelding may have not been suited to today’s track conditions. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
GANDALF – Raced wide throughout.
 
SIMBA'S PRIDE – Slow to begin.

CIPHERTEXT – Slow to begin.
 
I AM GONE – Raced keenly in the lead.
 
 
RACE 3 - BURLEIGH SPORTS CLUB QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP  1800 M
 
VANDEVELDE – Held up for clear running from the 500m until leaving the 400m.
 
BON RIVIERE – Bumped at the start with UNIQUELY FAMOUS (FR). Laid in under pressure over the final 100m. When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey N. Fazackerley advised the colt may not have been suited to the step up in grade and today’s track conditions.
 
PINK VIXEN – Bumped at the start. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Near the 1000m, laid in and became awkward on the heels of TESSTIFY TRIO for a short distance. Shifted out under pressure over the final 100m.
 
ARGENTUM ROCK – Began awkwardly. Jockey A. Keeley was reminded of his obligations in relation to using his whip in an action which raises his arm above shoulder height.
 
UNIQUELY FAMOUS (FR) – Change of tactics; to settle further forward if circumstances permit. Bumped at the start with BON RIVIERE. Settled in a rearward position. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
RAINBOW GLITTER – Shifted in at the start and bumped PINK VIXEN.

 
RACE 4 - THE BEARS GROUP QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE     1000 M
 
The start of this race was delayed approximately five (5) minutes initially when INBESTIGATOR was declared a late scratching at 2:01pm on veterinary advice after being fractious in the barriers, flipping over and becoming cast.
 
On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on INBESTIGATOR to be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:
1st – GEITZ – 48c win, 35c place.
2nd – NOT TELLING – 39c place.
3rd – ARCTIC WHISPER – 38c place.
 
Trainer S. Morrisey was advised INBESTIGATOR would be required to obtain a further barrier certificate prior to resuming racing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly to be lame in the near hindleg. Trainer S. Morrisey was advised INBESTIGATOR would require veterinary clearance prior to resuming racing or trialing.
 
The start of this race was further delayed when THE GRAND DUCHY was declared a late scratching on veterinary advice at 2:03pm after the gelding became fractious in the barriers and made contact with its head on the barrier partition.
 
On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on THE GRAND DUCHY to be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:
1st – GEITZ – 43c win, 26c place.
2nd – NOT TELLING – 29c place.
3rd – ARCTIC WHISPER – 28c place.
 
Trainer J. Downes was advised a warning would be placed on THE GRAND DUCHY for its barrier manners.
 
BOSCATINE – Slow to begin and bumped by MILDURA LAD.
 
LIPIZZANER – When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey D. Peisley advised the gelding, which was first up, was disappointing in its finishing efforts, however would derive benefit from the run. Jockey D. Peisley was fined $200 pursuant to AR 132(7)(a)(i) for using the whip on consecutive strides prior to the 100m. 
 
MILDURA LAD – Began awkwardly and bumped with BOSCATINE. Near the 400m, momentarily steadied from the heels of REIGN OF DAME (K. Zechner) which shifted out when insufficiently clear. Jockey K. Zechner was reprimanded pursuant to AR 131(a) for careless riding in this incident.

NOT TELLING – Raced wide until near the 700m.
 
GEITZ – Slow to begin. Had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the home straight.

KEEN TO BEGIN – Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout. Apprentice C. Baker reported her mount raced greenly throughout.
 
REIGN OF DAME – Slow to begin.
 
 
RACE 5 - WATERART - INNOVATIONS IN GLASS! CLASS 3 HANDICAP   1400 M
 
SCOUNDREL – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after becoming fractious in the tie-up stalls and was cleared to start.

DAVIKAR – Change of tactics; to settle further back than last start. Settled outside the lead. Jockey A. Thompson reported it was not his intention to settle as far forward, however after the mare began well and with no speed shown by other runners, he elected to allow his mount to settle outside the leader.
 
HERMIONE PRANCER – When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey D. Peisley reported his mount did not travel comfortably and when placed under pressure, failed to stretch out. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Stable representative B. Killion reported on return to stable, the filly had bled from the off-side nostril. Mr Killion was advised the filly would be required to gallop 1000m to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to resuming.
 
DUSHENKA – Raced wide throughout.
 
KEIKO SAY – Trainer J. Smerdon was fined $100 pursuant to LR 67(1) for failing to declare a rider by the prescribed time.
 
ALL TOO FOXY– Laid out rounding the home turn and when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
WATER LAD – Jockey F. Larson reported his mount was not suited to today’s track conditions.
 
RACE 6 -THE BEEFA CUP BENCHMARK 62 HANDICAP          1800 M
 
CARNEGIE HIL – Raced in restricted room for a short distance leaving the 500m and was struck on the nose by the whip of Jockey B. Wheeler (O'CALDINO).
 
WATERMELON – Dipped at the start. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Leaving the 1000m, had to be steadied after improving onto heels. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn and near the 400m, had to be steadied after improving onto heels.
 
MAPLE DOOR – Slow to begin.
 
NEED FOR SPIETH – Raced fiercely in the early and middle stages, proving difficult to restrain. Trainer I. Turner was advised a warning would be placed on NEED FOR SPIETH for its racing manners.
 
O'CALDINO – Began awkwardly. Raced wide until approaching the 1000m. When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey B. Wheeler advised the gelding did not begin well and was obliged to do too much work in the early stages to obtain a forward position, which had a detrimental effect on its finishing efforts. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
HIDEOUT – Change of tactics; to settle further back from the wide barrier. Settled at the rear of the field. Raced keenly in the middle stages.

ABOVEFORTY – Raced wide throughout.
 
TRIPLE TIME – Laid out from the 600m until the entrance of the home straight.

 
RACE 7 - TPIL LAWYERS CLASSIC BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP   1200 M
 
COUNT NICHOLAS – Began awkwardly.
 
SURFERS ROYALE – Jockey D. Peisley reported his mount laid in throughout.
 
I STOLE IT – When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey F. Larson advised the gelding travelled only fairly and was not suited to the today’s track conditions. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
 
RACE 8 - INDUSTRY AWARDS 13 AUGUST OPEN HANDICAP   1000 M
 
CHAKRA BOY – Began awkwardly. Laid out under pressure in the home straight.  

HOLY RACKET (NZ) – When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey B. Wheeler advised his mount was not suited to today’s track conditions. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
MUSCHIALLI – Near the 150m, was obliged to steady when taken out off its rightful running by CHAKRA BOY.
 
STATE IN TEXAS – Near the 800m, checked when tightened for room by MUSCHIALLI (App S. Callow) which shifted in. Stewards inquired into the incident near the 800m and when considering the evidence and the available footage, issued Apprentice S. Callow with a severe reprimand pursuant to AR 131(a) for careless riding. Laid out from the 600m until approaching the 400m.
 
SPIRIT OF BRODIE – Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight.

BRING ME KASH – Raced wide for the majority. Near the 150m, raced in restricted room between MUSCHIALLI which was taken out by CHAKRA BOY, and THELWELL (M. Philpot), which laid in under pressure. Apprentice M. Philpot was reprimanded pursuant to AR 131(a) for careless riding in this incident.
 
THELWELL – Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
HARBOUR GOLD – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
Apprentice M. Apel (CHAKRA BOY) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding pursuant to AR 131(a) in that near the 150m, she failed to make sufficient effort to prevent her mount from shifting out into the line of  MUSCHIALLI, which was taken out off its rightful running to meet BRING ME KASH, which was taken in slightly, resulting in MUSCHIALLI having to be steadied. Apprentice M. Apel’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of six (6) days, commencing midnight Saturday 18 July 2026, concluding midnight Friday 24 July 2026. When determining penalty, Stewards took into account the QRIC careless riding penalty guidelines.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 4: 11 REIGN OF DAME – K. Zechner – AR 131(a) – reprimand – careless riding.
Race 8: 4 MUSCHIALLI – S. Callow – AR 131(a) – severe reprimand - careless riding.
Race 8: 10 THELWELL – M. Philpot – AR 131(a) – reprimand – careless riding.  
 
Fines
Race 5: 4 KEIKO SAY – J. Smerdon – LR 67(1) - $100 - failure to declare a rider by the prescribed time.
Race 4: 3 LIPIZZANER – D. Peisley - AR 132(7)(a)(i) - $200 - use of the whip in consecutive strides prior to the 100m. 
 
Suspensions
Race 8: 1 CHAKRA BOY – M. Apel – AR 131(a) – careless riding - 6 days - commencing midnight Saturday 18 July 2026, concluding midnight Friday 24 July 2026.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses sampled pre-race
Race 1: MISTER BLAZE, BOMB PERIGNON
Race 3: VANDEVELDE, ARGENTUM ROCK
Race 5: SCOUNDREL
Race 6: KALKANLI
 
Horses sampled post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 1: 4 DWAYNETHEROC – official trial required – poor performance.
Race 1: 6 O'REILLY'S SHOUT - official trial required – poor performance.
Race 4: 6 THE GRAND DUCHY – warning – fractious in barriers. 
Race 4: 8 INBESTIGATOR – further barrier certificate required – fractious & became cast.
Race 4: 8 INBESTIGATOR – veterinary clearance required – lame near hind.
Race 5: 4 HERMIONE PRANCER – one-nostril bleed – 1000m gallop
Race 6: 9 NEED FOR – warning – racing manners.

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 5: 8 KEIKO SAY - Ms McKenzie Apel (a2/53kg)
Race 6: 15e TRIPLE TIME - Nick Heywood
Race 8: 13e HARBOUR GOLD - Fred Larson

Late scratchings
Race 4: 6 THE GRAND DUCHY (Vets @ 2:03pm)
Race 4: 8 INBESTIGATOR (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.