QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

Sportsbet Gladstone Turf Club

SATURDAY 4 APRIL 2026

WEATHER – Fine  
TRACK RATING – Good  
RAIL – True
 
OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – A. Dowsett
Stewards – E. Suli


GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted the following overweights:
 
Race 3: Rider C. Taylor +1kg (56kg)
Race 4: Rider C. Taylor +1kg (56kg) 
Race 4: Rider R.S. Olivera +1kg (57kg)
 
 
As Apprentice T. Orr was unable to claim his full allowance in Race 2 (0.5kg of 1.5kg) and Race 5 (1kg of 1.5kg), he was fined $200 pursuant to AR143(14)(a). Due to the scarcity of riders available at the meeting, Apprentice T. Orr was permitted to retain his rides.  
 
 
As Apprentice J. Busuttin was absent from the meeting due to transport difficulties, she was replaced as per the Steward’s Summary. Due to no other apprentice riders being available, Steward’s approved the replacement of a senior rider for an apprentice on LITTLE FREDDY in Race 1, TOUGH AS TUNGSTEN in Race 2 and GRAND DE LAGO in Race 4. As no riders were available to replace her rides on IMPACTFUL MISS and THE PUBLICAN, they were subsequently declared scratchings from Race 3 and Race 5 respectively.
 
 

RACE 1:THE QUEENS SAPPHIRE Class B Handicap (850 METRES)
 
The start of this race was delayed by approximately four minutes when HUMBLE HERO became loose behind the barriers and ran riderless for a considerable distance, making heavy contact with the outside rail on a number of occasions. After undergoing a veterinary examination, HUMBLE HERO was declared a late scratching at 1:18pm. Trainer D. Short was notified that before the gelding would be permitted to start in a race again, it would be required pass an official trial to the satisfaction of Stewards and provide a veterinary certificate. On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on HUMBLE HERO to be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:

1st – FAST ‘N’ FANCY – 23c win, 23c place.
2nd – NSD
3rd – NTD

 
LITTLE FREDDY – Momentarily steadied near the 600m when awkwardly placed on heels.
 
TENNER – When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice rider T. Orr was of the opinion that his mount was not suited to todays track and would benefit from firmer surfaces.
 
FAST ‘N’ FANCY – Slow to begin.
 
STORM SURGE – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.


RACE 2: THE QUEENS RUBY Maiden Plate (1000 METRES)
 

MIGHT IS RIGHT – Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
PHIL UP – Raced three-wide without cover throughout. Apprentice rider A. Meissner was reminded of her obligations under AR132(6)(b) regarding using her whip above shoulder height.
 
KAMALA – Near the 150m, obliged to shift out to obtain clear running when MIGHT IS RIGHT laid out under pressure.
 

RACE 3: THE QUEENS DIAMOND QTIS RATINGS BAND 0 - 60 Handicap (1000 METRES)
 
The declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow Stewards to view patrol footage of the start of the race to determine if WHISKEY DANCER had been denied a fair start. After viewing the footage and taking evidence from the Starter and rider C. Taylor, it was established that WHISKEY DANCER had originally been placed in the incorrect barrier by its rider C. Taylor. The error was noticed and a barrier attendant had opened the back of WHISKEY DANCER’s barrier in order to back it out and place it in the correct barrier. However, as the mare was in the process of being backed out, the starter affected the start of the race and WHISKEY DANCER subsequently lost significant ground. Stewards determined that WHISKEY DANCER had been denied a fair start and was declared a non-starter under the provisions of AR204(1)(c). On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on WHISKEY DANCER to be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:

1st – LITTLE MISS BELLE – 5c win, 7c place.
2nd – CLOCKS TICKING – 7c Place.
3rd – NTD
 
 
 
CLOCKS TICKING – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
BORNEO – Raced three-wide without cover throughout.
 
DUBIOUS SIX – Began awkwardly.
 
LITTLE MISS BELLE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination having not raced for a significant period.  
 
BLAME THE BUBBLES – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 


RACE 4: THE QUEENS DIAMOND GREG MCCANN MEMORIAL OPEN Handicap (1000 METRES)

 
GRAND DE LAGO – Began awkwardly and lost ground
 
BUNGARRIBEE LAD – Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure in the home straight. Rider C. Taylor reported his mount never felt comfortable and failed to respond to his riding. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.
 
KEEPMEINTHELOPE – Raced three-wide without cover throughout.


RACE 5: THE QUEENS EMERALD BENCHMARK 50 Handicap (1517 METRES)
 
 
SADDLES was declared a late scratching at 3:30pm on veterinary advice after being found to be showing signs of illness. On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on SADDLES to be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:
 
1st – SIDESHOW FRANKIE - 37c win, 31c place.
2nd PAULI – 31c place.
3rd - NTD
 
 
MAGIC VALOUR – Began awkwardly, shifted in and hampered PAULI. Raced three-wide without cover throughout. Apprentice A. Meissner was reprimanded pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(i) for using the whip in consecutive strides prior to the 100m.
 
CARRARA KING – Shifted out on jumping and hampered PAULI.
 
PAULI – Hampered at the start and lost ground.

 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands

Race 5: Apprentice A. Meissner - AR132(7)(a)(i) – Use of whip in consecutive strides prior to the 100m

Fines

Races 2 & 5: Apprentice T. Orr - AR143(14)(a) – Unable to claim full allowance – $200 fine
 

Absent jockeys
 
Apprentice J. Busuttin – Transport Difficulties



Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses


Horses swabbed post-race
 
All winners
 

Warnings/bars
 
Race 1: HUMBLE HERO – Official Trial – Pre-race manners
Race 1: HUMBLE HERO – Vet Cert
Race 5: SADDLES – Vet Cert

 


Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 1: 2 LITTLE FREDDY: R.S. Olivera
Race 2: 4 TOUGH AS TUNGSTEN – R.S. Olivera
Race 4: 2 GRAND DE LAGO – R.S. Olivera  
 

Late scratchings
 
Race 1: 1 HUMBLE HERO
Race 3: 6 IMPACTFUL MISS
Race 5: 8 THE PUBLICAN
Race 5: 3 SADDLES
 

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.