QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
GOLD COAST
SATURDAY 10TH OCTOBER 2026
 
 
WEATHER – Overcast
TRACK RATING – Good 4                    
RAIL – +6m 1000m to W/Post; +4m Remainder
PENETROMETER – 4.96
 
OFFICIALS
 
Stewards – B. Wright (Chair), D. Aurisch, D. McMahon, E. Batten & T. Hendy (Cadet)
Clerk Of Scales – B. Connell
 
 
Race 1 - THE SECRET BURDEN START THE CONVERSATION MAIDEN HANDICAP 2230M
 
FIVE OF US – Rider F. Larson dropped his whip near the 150m.
 
PARADISE AS USUAL – Began awkwardly and lost ground. For some distance passing the 500m, was contacted and hampered by DESERT ANGEL (D. Peisley), which shifted out to improve. Rider D. Peisley was severely reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) and told this type of riding would not be condoned. Rider M. Hellyer reported the mare which was up in weight and 3 weeks since its last start, received some bumping around the home turn and then failed to respond as expected in the straight.
 
DESERT ANGEL – For some distance passing the 500m, bumped with PARADISE AS USUAL when shifting out to improve.
 
CHANCE DE LUNE – Over raced with its head up in the early stages. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, Rider A. Thompson advised after beginning well, instead of restraining to a position with cover, he pushed his mount forward to obtain a position closer to the rails. Rider A. Thompson pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that he used his whip on 12 occasions prior to the 100m, 13 in totality. Rider A. Thompson’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 10 days to commence midnight 10th October 2026 and to expire midnight 20th October 2026. In assessing penalty, account was taken of the QRIC Whip Penalty Guidelines.
         
         
Race 2 - RIDGE AIR SPECIALISTS IN AIR MAIDEN HANDICAP 1400M
         
IRISH HANDCUFFS – Bumped shortly after the start. Laid out in the middle stages. Laid in over the final 200m.
         
OVER THE LOUVRE – Bumped on jumping.
 
SYMBOLISE – Began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped OVER THE LOUVRE. Held up for clear running for a short distance near the 200m.
 
PURPOSELY – Bumped shortly after the start. Held up for clear running from the 450m until leaving the 200m.
 
TALK ABOUT LAYLA – Began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped TARGARYEN QUEEN.
 
TARGARYEN QUEEN – Bumped on jumping.
 
POISED TYCOON – Began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped OVER THE LOUVRE. Raced keenly whilst leading early.
         
         
Race 3 - THE SECRET BURDEN CHALLENGE THE STIGMA CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1400M
         
SORRENTI – Trainer M. Dunn was fined $200 pursuant to LR67(1) for failing to declare a rider by the prescribed time.
 
CHIEF OF STAFF – Began awkwardly and bumped ZHONGXIN KOALA. Held up for clear running approaching the 400m until altering course near the 300m.
         
PEARLS IN JUNE – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Cast its off fore plate.
 
COPPER STAR – Began awkwardly.       
 
VERONA AFFAIR – Began awkwardly. Raced keen early. Raced wide until approaching 800m. Carried wider rounding the home turn.
 
WILDSPITZE – Rider J. Franklin reported he felt something was amiss with the gelding passing the 500m and for this reason he eased his mount down in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Co-Trainer T. Sears was advised the gelding would be required to Officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to next racing.
 
ZHONGXIN KOALA – Hampered at the start.
         
         
Race 4 - DAIKIN AUSTRALIA PERFECTING THE AIR QTIS THREE-YEARS-OLD MAIDEN PLATE 1400M
         
BYE BYE CASTLE – Raced wide without cover until the 500m.
         
DIAMOND IMPACT – Began awkwardly.
         
MIGHTY SUCCESSFUL – Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
         
PUHARICH – Raced keenly whilst laying out early.
 
TIM TAM SLAM – When laying out leaving the 600m, steadied from the heels of BYE BYE CASTLE (B. Lerena), which shifted in when not clear. Rider B. Lerena was advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances. Bumped with MONICA’S SECRET on a number of occasions rounding the home turn whilst hanging out. Apprentice K. Johnston reported her mount hung out from passing the 900m and was eased down in the home straight. Co-Trainer C. Geran was advised the gelding would be required to Officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to next racing.
                    
COOL ADALINE – Began awkwardly.
         
MONICA'S SECRET – Bumped on a number of occasions by TIM TAM SLAM rounding the home turn.
         
VICTORIA – Blundered on jumping. Near the 1000m, raced in restricted room to the inside of MIGHTY SUCCESSFUL, which was taken in by TIM TAM SLAM (K. Johnston), which shifted in when not clear. Apprentice K. Johnston was reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) for this incident.
 
VIENI QUA – Held up for clear running from the 400m until approaching the 200m.
         
         
Race 5 - THE SECRET BURDEN COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS CLASS 4 HANDICAP 1700M
         
CARACORON (NZ) – Slow to begin.
 
HOLY FLASH – Raced keen early. Steadied when disappointed for a run near the 250m, before shifting out approaching the 150m to obtain clear running.
 
BETTER YET – Change of tactics; to be further forward. Settled behind the lead.
 
         
Race 6 - HUTCHINSON BUILDERS THE HUTCHIES WAY BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1800M
 
PASS THE PEAK – Raced keen early.
 
HE'S A SAINT (NZ) – Slow to begin.
 
SHEDRIVESABENTLEY – Lost its footing behind on jumping and lost ground, resulting in rider B. Osmond becoming severely unbalanced. Rider B. Osmond reported the mare was not suited to the fast tempo set in the early and middle stages and consequently did not finish the race off as expected.
 
SEA WARNING – When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, apprentice S. Callow explained it was her intention to lead and put a margin on the field, adding that she was asked to let the gelding settle into a good tempo and not overly restrain. Trainer A. Chau confirmed the instructions, adding the horse is suited when allowed to stride freely and he was satisfied with the ride. Stewards were of the view that in the early stages after obtaining the lead, App Callow should have made a better attempt to bring the horse back under her in an endeavour to allow the gelding the best opportunity to finish the race off. Apprentice S. Callow was fined $100 pursuant to AR132(6)(b) for using the whip in an action which raises her whip arm above shoulder height.
 
TOO MARS – Raced keen early. Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages and as a result was not fully tested to the end of the race.
         
         
Race 7 - THE SECRET BURDEN CREATING A CHANGE CLASS 2 PLATE 1000M
 
VINTAGE VIBES – Began awkwardly.
 
JUNGLE WARRIOR – Raced wide without cover until the 700m.
 
GEITZ – Slow to begin. Leaving the 800m, raced in restricted room and steadied when ARGENTUM ROCK (G. Cartwright) momentarily shifted in. Rider G. Cartwright was advised to exercise greater care.
 
USUAL LIMITS – Rider A. Allen reported his mount was disappointing.
         
         
Race 8 - FIRST MATES LOUNGE @ MEN MATTER OPEN HANDICAP   1000M
 
The start of the race was delayed approximately 4 minutes when HEARTONI became fractious in the barriers, broke through and galloped riderless for some distance before being caught. Subsequently, the gelding was a late withdrawal at 6:45pm. Upon the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered that all monies invested on HEARTONI be refunded in full, with the following deductions to apply;
 
1st BLITZBURG – 18c the win, 19c the place
2nd MAXIMUM OUTPUT – 13c the place
3rd MUSCHIALLI – 19c the place
 
Co-Trainer S. Kendrick was advised the gelding would be required to obtain a further barrier certificate prior to next racing.
 
CHAKRA BOY – Began awkwardly. Laid out approaching the home turn and when placed under pressure in the home straight.
         
HURTS SO GOOD – Began awkwardly, shifted in and became awkward on the heels of KRAKARIB. Near the 700m, checked when tightened by KRAKARIB, which laid in slightly away from MUSCHIALLI, which momentarily shifted in before being corrected. POWER OF THE BRAVE, which was following, was also checked. In the circumstances, no action was taken against any one rider.
 
POWER OF THE BRAVE – Checked near the 700m to avoid the heels of HURTS SO GOOD. Carried wider on straightening by TERMAGANT. When questioned regarding his riding over the final 500m, rider B. Osmond stated from the wide barrier, he was unable to obtain a more forward position and elected to steady and go to the rear of the field. He said the gelding travelled well and was about to make a move from the 500m, when TERMAGANT, which was racing forward of him, commenced to shift out, obliging his mount to move with that horse. He added he waited until straightening to balance the gelding up and rode POWER OF THE BRAVE strongly from passing the 300m, which finished the race off very well.
 
BLITZBURG – Rider A. Allen was severely reprimanded pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(i) for using his whip on consecutive strides prior to the 100m.
 
TERMAGANT – Slow to begin.
 
WONDEREACH – For several strides after the start, became unbalanced behind. Displaced its nose roll in the middle stages and lost it near the 200m.
 
KRAKARIB – Began awkwardly, shifted in and became awkward on the heels of MAXIMUM OUTPUT. Momentarily crowded near the 700m.
 
MUSCHIALLI – Slow to begin.
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 1: Rider D. Peisley – Careless riding AR131(a) – Severe
Race 4: Apprentice K. Johnston – Careless riding AR131(a)
Race 8: Rider A. Allen – Use of the whip on consecutive strides prior to the 100m – AR132(7)(a)(i) – Severe
 
Fines
Race 3: Trainer M. Dunn – Failed to declare a rider by the prescribed time – LR67(1) – $200
Race 6: Apprentice S. Callow – Whip above shoulder height – AR132(6)(b) – $100
 
Suspensions
Race 1: Rider A. Thompson – Use of whip – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – 10 days commencing m/n 10/10/26 expiring m/n 20/10/26
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses sampled pre-race
WHISKEY WARRIOR, CHANCE DE LUNE, IRISH HANDCUFFS, OUT OF LUCK, TAMBOURINE MAN, HE’S A SAINT
 
Horses sampled post-race
All winners, QUEIN STEP, MAXIMUM OUTPUT
 
Warnings/bars
Race 3: WILDSPITZE – Eased out of race – Official trial
Race 4: TIM TAM SLAM – Hung out – Official trial
Race 8: HEARTONI – Fractious and broke through barriers – Further barrier certificate  
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 3:         2 SORRENTI - Benjamin Osmond
Race 8:         11 KRAKARIB - Adin Thompson
 
Late scratchings
Race 8: HEARTONI @6:45pm – Fractious and broke through barriers 
 
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.