QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
 
GLADSTONE TURF CLUB INC
SATURDAY, 9TH MAY 2026
 
WEATHER – FINE          
TRACK RATING – SAND (Soft)  
RAIL – TRUE
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – Ethan Suli
Stewards – Hayden Gillett & Gary Wust
 
 
GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted trainer/jockey Cheryl Rodgers to ride PRINCE CARLOS in race 4 half a kilogram over its handicapped weight after acceding to the request which is not normally permitted under the QRIC overweight directive. Trainer/jockey Rodgers advised that PRINCE CARLOS is better suited to senior riders due to its racing manners, and with only apprentices available to ride the gelding, Stewards approved the request.
 
 
RACE 1: IRONMONGER SHIPPING CLASS 3 PLATE (1000m)

GITALONG – Inclined to lay outwards rounding the home turn. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
KING OF THE VIBE – Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
THREE GONGS – Began slowly and lost contact with the remainder of the field during the early stages, subsequently failing to take any competitive part in the event. When questioned regarding the performance, apprentice Amie Meissner stated that the gelding did not handle the sand track conditions and was adversely affected by the kickback. Apprentice Meissner further advised that, having been away from racing for an extended period, THREE GONGS would benefit significantly in terms of fitness from today’s run. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer Gary Teal was advised that a warning would be placed on THREE GONG’s record for its poor performance in today’s event.
 
SPITZBERG – Raced wide throughout. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
LADY CONSORT – Raced wide throughout.
 
BLAME THE BUBBLES – Slow to begin.
 
 
RACE 2: RAY WHITE RURAL ROCKHAMPTON & BILOELA QTIS MAIDEN PLATE (1000m)

MORUNDAH – Required re-saddling behind the barriers prior to being loaded. Began awkwardly, shifting out abruptly, and as a result, was slow to begin. Lost contact with the remainder of the field passing the 850m and failed to take any further competitive part in the event. When questioned regarding the performance, jockey Natalea Summers stated that MORUNDAH raced greenly throughout and failed to handle the sand track conditions. Jockey Summers further advised connections that a gear change, specifically the addition of earmuffs, may be beneficial. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer Alan Jones was advised that MORUNDAH must officially trial to the satisfaction of stewards prior to racing again due to its poor performance and being uncompetitive.
 
SHE’S GOT IT – Began awkwardly and was slow into stride as a result.
 
POWERWISE – Laid outwards over the final stages and put in an awkward stride shortly after the winning post.
 
STORM SURGE – Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
RACE 3: RAYMENT EXCAVATIONS OPEN HANDICAP (1000m)
 
MEDIA EMPIRE – Raced wide throughout. Laid outwards when placed under pressure over the final stages.
 
HEAT – Became momentarily crowded for room over the concluding stages to the inside of SVINDAL, which laid inwards under pressure before being corrected by its rider. Apprentice Jacallen Dooley (SVINDAL) was reminded of her obligation to react more quickly in stopping and straightening her mounts in similar circumstances in the future.
 
SVINDAL – Raced wide in the early stages. Laid inwards under pressure over the concluding stages, momentarily crowding HEAT, before being corrected.
 
GRAND DE LAGO – Was fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
RACE 4: CALLIOPE CENTRAL BOWLS CLUB RATINGS BAND 0-50 HANDICAP (1000m)
 
Correct weight was delayed to allow Stewards to consider a protest lodged by apprentice jockey Nikki Olzard, rider of the second-placed LITTLE FREDDY, against the winner PHIL UP, ridden by jockey Raul Silvera Olivera, alleging interference over the final 200 metres of the race. After reviewing submissions from all relevant parties and viewing the stewards' footage, it was determined that at approximately the 200m, PHIL UP shifted outwards for one stride before being immediately corrected by its rider. Subsequently, at approximately the 100m, LITTLE FREDDY was inclined to lay inwards, making contact with PHIL UP near the 50m, causing PHIL UP to be carried inwards slightly. The Stewards concluded that the initial outward movement by PHIL UP at the 200m had no bearing on the finishing margin of either runner. Furthermore, Stewards determined that the contact between the two runners in the final 100m was not caused by any shift from PHIL UP but was instead the result of LITTLE FREDDY laying inwards. Based on this evidence, the Stewards dismissed the protest, and correct weight was declared in on the judge’s placings.
 
 
PHIL UP – Raced wide in the early stages. Shifted outwards for a stride near the 150m and was immediately corrected by its rider. Brushed with LITTLE FREDDY near the 50m when that runner laid inwards.
 
MISSION RIDGE – Near the 30m was briefly inconvenienced and had to steady to avoid the heels of PHIL UP when that runner was carried inwards marginally.

LITTLE FREDDY – Raced wide in the early stages. Approaching the 400m, elected to shift wider in an attempt to improve. Commenced to lay inwards at a point passing the 100m and brushed with PHIL UP near the 50m, carrying that runner inwards marginally.
 
SILVANNA’S SONG – As jockey/trainer Cheryl Rodgers had two runners in engaged in this race and was the engaged rider of PRINCE CARLOS, jockey/trainer Rodgers advised stewards that if circumstance permit, it would be the intention to have SILVANNA’S SONG attempt to obtain a forward position. Slow to begin.
 
 
RACE 5: ULTON GOLD CUP BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP (1608m)
 
SO OUTRAGEOUS – Hung outwards rounding the home turn. Near the 120m, bumped by SIDESHOW FRANKIE which shifted inwards.
 
MASALI RAFFA – Knuckled noticeably short after the start and lost ground resulting in apprentice Amie Meissner becoming unbalanced. Resented the kickback noticeably when trialling the field and elected to shift outwards and raced wide for the remainder.
 
SIDESHOW FRANKIE – Began awkwardly. Laid inwards under pressure in the home straight and bumped SO OUTRAGEOUS near the 120m.
 
MAGIC VALOUR – Raced wide in the early stages.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 1 – THREE GONGS – Warning – Poor Performance / Uncompetitive
Race 2 – MORUNDAH – To Trial – Racing manners / Uncompetitive
 
Protests
Race 4 – 2nd vs 1st – Interference final 200m – Dismissed
 
 
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.