QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
GOLD COAST
 
SATURDAY 1 AUGUST 2026
 
 
WEATHER – Fine  
TRACK RATING – Soft 5; Good 4 (1:08pm)
RAIL – True Entire Course
PENETROMETER – 4.85

OFFICIALS

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

GENERAL
 
DIAMOND OCEAN (Race 1) was declared a late withdrawal at 11:05am on veterinary advice after sustaining abrasions to the left hind leg on the float enroute to the course. Co-Trainer C. Geran was advised DIAMOND OCEAN would be required to obtain veterinary clearance prior to resuming.  
 
Race 1 – NATIONAL JOCKEY CELEBRATION DAY QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1400 M

MY HOUSE – Shifted out at the start and bumped PIROUETTE GIRL.
 
TALK THE TORQUE – Carried in near the 1200m an hampered. Raced wide throughout. Laid out rounding the home turn.

CHERRY BHOMBE – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Raced greenly for majority of the event, and at various times, got its head up. Returned to the enclosure with blood in its mouth.

MISS INFORMED – Began awkwardly.
 
PIROUETTE GIRL – Bumped at the start. Over the final 100m, laid in.
 
Rider S. Sheargold (PIROUETTE GIRL) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) in that near the 1200m, he permitted his mount to shift in when not clear of TALK THE TORQUE, which was taken in on to KING'S DIAMOND, which was tightened onto the hindquarters of WELL GROUNDED, checked and lost its rightful running. S. Sheargold’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of eleven (11) days, commencing midnight Saturday 1 August 2026, concluding midnight Wednesday 12 August 2026. In assessing penalty, account was taken of his excellent record (not incurring a suspension since November 2024) and the QRIC Careless Riding Guidelines.
 
Race 2 - MT ISA RACES AUGUST 6TH COLTS, GELDINGS AND ENTIRES MAIDEN PLATE   1200 M
 
BOSCATINE – Rider App. M Apel reported the gelding laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
DARK MODE – When under pressure in the home straight, laid out.

ELROY – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination due to resuming racing from an extended period.
 
MILDURA LAD – Shifted out near the 400m after being bumped by DIVINE MANDATE.

SIR DON – Buffeted between runners at the start.

After the running of this race, the track was upgraded to a Good 4 at 1:08pm.

Race 3 - COFFS HARBOUR CUP AUGUST 7TH FILLIES AND MARES MAIDEN PLATE 1200 M
 
LATIN LIGHTS – Began awkwardly, badly unbalancing rider N. Heywood. Shortly after, then bumped with SECRET ROSE.

MISS ANNA MAE – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn.
 
MOVER AND SHAKER – Laid out rounding the home turn. Rider M. Hellyer reported his mount raced keenly in the early and middle stages when three wide without cover.  
 
SECRET ROSE – Bumped shortly after the start.

YATTAZOU – Rider D. Peisley reported his mount travelled well, however; when asked for an effort in the home straight, failed to respond to his riding and was disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
Race 4 - NORTHERN AIR CONDITIONING & ACTRON AIR BENCHMARK 75 HANDICAP    1400 M
 
LIBERTY STEPS – Raced keen early. Held up for clear running from approaching the 400m until passing the 300m; and for a short distance near the 100m, had difficulty obtaining clear running.

NAILS AND PRIDE – Passing the 1000m, steadied when awkwardly placed between CAPO STRADA and LET'S DO IT AGAIN (NZ).  
 
CAPO STRADA – Began awkwardly with its head up.

LET'S DO IT AGAIN (NZ) – Raced keen early. Raced three wide without cover from the 800m.
 
Race 5 - GLADSTONE CUP AUGUST 8TH CLASS 1 HANDICAP   1100 M

RIVER RIBBLE – Passing the 400m, bumped heavily and moved off its running by JE REVE (M. Powell), which was attempting to shift out. In the incident, SUM INVICTUS was inconvenienced, when racing to the outside of SUM INVICTUS.  Rider M. Powell was severely reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding in this incident.

SUM INVICTUS – Inconvenienced near the 400m.

CIPHERTEXT – In the early and middle stages, raced keen in the lead.

SPIRITOF THE OCEAN – Trainer D. Hansen was fined $200 pursuant to LR67(1) for the raceday declaration of G. Cartwright as the rider of the mare. Raced three wide without cover for the majority.
 
Race 6 - KOELLNER STEEL - BALLINA SEAGULLS BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP     1800 M

The start of this race was delayed by approximately two (2) minutes due to BOVIDAE becoming fractious in the barriers and displacing its bridle before being refitted.
 
BOVIDAE – Rider A. Thompson could offer no explanation for the poor performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer D. Murphy was advised BOVIDAE would be required to Officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to resuming (poor performance).
 
OLD SONG – Raced keen early.

DIVIL A BIT - When under pressure in the home straight, laid out. Rider B. Lerena was reprimanded pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(i) use of the whip in consecutive strides prior to the 100m.  

SUPER FAIR – Leaving the crossing at the 1500m, dipped. Near the 100m, Apprentice O. Kendal fumbled with the whip when attempting to use it.

HIDEOUT – Change of tactics, further forward than last start. Settled handy. Held up for clear running from the 500m until the 400m.  

WHISKY TRAIN (NZ) – Apprentice C. Bellamy reported after beginning well and with little speed in the race, the gelding settled in a more forward position.

Race 7 - ZEPPELIN TRAVEL BIRDSVILLE RACES CHARTER BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP   1200 M

LADY SHOTGUN – Began awkwardly.

DEMITASSE – Due to a misunderstanding, Apprentice O. Kendal was declared as the rider of DEMITASSE. As no Apprentice was available to be substituted, Stewards permitted rider D. Turner as the replacement. Began awkwardly.
 
BATTLE OF VIENNA – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination due to resuming racing from an extended period. Raced three wide without cover.

IMMEDIATE – Tardy to begin and lost ground.

THRASH A BULLY – Held up for clear running for a short distance on straightening, before shifting to the inside of CHILLIWACK to obtain clear running. Rider G. Cartwright reported her mount travelled comfortably in the early and middle stages, however; when placed under pressure near the 500m, failed to respond to her riding as expected and felt the mare had come to the end of its preparation.
 
Apprentice M. Apel(IMMEDIATE) pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) in that approaching the 100m, she permitted her mount to shift out under riding when not clear of ARCHIE MAXIMUS, which was taken out to THRASH A BULLY, contacting that horse with ARCHIE MAXIMUS being eased, losing its rightful running and rider N. Heywood becoming unbalanced. Apprentice M. Apel’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of eleven (11) days, commencing midnight Sunday 2 August 2026, concluding midnight Thursday 13 August 2026. In assessing penalty, account was taken of the QRIC Careless Riding Guidelines.
 
Race 8 - NANANGO CUP AUGUST 8TH BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP   1400 M

BIRMINGHAM – Began awkwardly.

ATLANTIC COAST – Steadied to avoid the heels of FAMILY OF LEAGUE(M. Powell), which shifted out when not quite clear. Rider M. Powell was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding in this incident.  
 
HE'S A SAINT (NZ) – Apprentice C. Bellamy was severely reprimanded pursuant to AR132(6)(c) for using the whip on the gelding when out of contention.

FAMILY OF LEAGUE – Over the concluding stages, raced in restricted room and was not ridden fully to the end of the race. Rider M. Powellpleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) for the use of the whip on eleven (11) occasions prior to the 100m, thirteen (13) in totality. Rider M. Powell’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of eight (8) days, commencing midnight Sunday 2 August 2026, concluding midnight Monday 10 August 2026. In assessing penalty, account was taken of his good record and the QRIC Rider Penalty Guidelines for Whip Breaches.
 
ENCOURAGED – Bumped at the start with MONTE CARLO MISS.

SUMMIT – Approaching the 1200m, got its head up when being steadied from the heels of CRITICAL TIME, which shifted in when not clear. Rider B. Lerena was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding in this incident.

CRITICAL TIME – Began awkwardly. Near the 1000m, contacted the rail. Near the 900m, raced tight to the inside of ATLANTIC COAST, which in turn was tight inside FAMILY OF LEAGUE. Approaching the 800m, eased when tightened by ATLANTIC COAST, which continued to race inside the heels of FAMILY OF LEAGUE. Rider A. Thompson was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding in this incident.

MONTE CARLO MISS – Bumped at the start with ENCOURAGED.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 5: 9 JE REVE – M. Powell – AR131(a) – severe reprimand – careless riding.  
Race 6: 8 DIVIL A BIT – B. Lerena - AR132(7)(a)(i) – reprimand - use of the whip in consecutive strides prior to the 100m.  
Race 8: 5 ATLANTIC COAST – A. Thompson - AR131(a) – reprimand – careless riding.
Race 8: 6 HE'S A SAINT (NZ) – C. Bellamy - AR132(6)(c) – severe reprimand – use of the whip on the gelding when out of contention.
Race 8: 8 FAMILY OF LEAGUE – M. Powell – AR131(a) – reprimand – careless riding.
Race 8: 13 SUMMIT – B. Lerena – AR131(a) – reprimand – careless riding.
 
Fines
Race 5: 11 SPIRITOF THE OCEAN – D. Hansen - LR67(1) - $200 - failure to declare a ride by the prescribed time (race day declaration).

Suspensions
Race 1: 9 PIROUETTE GIRL – S. Sheargold – AR131(a) – careless riding – 11 days - commencing midnight Saturday 1 August 2026, concluding midnight Wednesday 12 August 2026.
Race 7: 12 IMMEDIATE – M. Apel – AR131(a) – careless riding –11 days - commencing midnight Sunday 2 August 2026, concluding midnight Thursday 13 August 2026.
Race 8: 8 FAMILY OF LEAGUE – M. Powell - AR132(7)(a)(ii) - use of the whip on 11 occasions prior to the 100m, 13 in totality -8 days - commencing midnight Sunday 2 August 2026, concluding midnight Monday 10 August 2026.

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses sampled pre-race
Race 1: NOZOMU, WELL GROUNDED, PIROUETTE GIRL
Race 4: TUHINGA
Race 6: TRIPLE TIME, WHISKY TRAIN (NZ)
Race 8: FAMILY OF LEAGUE

Horses sampled post-race
All winners, CIPHERTEXT, MONTE CARLO MISS

Warnings/bars
Race 1: 5 DIAMOND OCEAN – veterinary clearance required - abrasions to the left hind leg. Race 6: 4 BOVIDAE – official trial required – poor performance.  

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 5: 11 SPIRITOF THE OCEAN - Ms Georgina Cartwright
Race 7: 6 DEMITASSE - Dylan Turner
Race 7: 15e THRASH A BULLY - Ms Georgina Cartwright
Race 8: 8 FAMILY OF LEAGUE - Matthew Powell
Race 8: 12 BETTER YET - Nozi Tomizawa
 
Late scratchings
Race 1: 5 DIAMOND OCEAN (Vets @ 11:05am)
 
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.