QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

GYMPIE TURF CLUB

SATURDAY 23 AUGUST 2025
 

WEATHER – Fine   
TRACK RATING – Sand (Good)
RAIL – True
 
OFFICIALS

Stewards – A. Schofield (chair), J. Williamson, H. Matthews, L. De Witt-Rowson.


RACE 1: NOLAN BLACK MARBLE QTIS MAIDEN PLATE      1030 Metres
 
Declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow jockey D. Smith and trainer T. Thomas to view the available patrol footage to ascertain whether WOOLMAR had been afforded a fair start. On viewing the patrol footage and interviewing starter A. Cooper, it was established that the barrier of WOOLMAR was slow to open resulting in the gelding losing ground. Under the provisions of AR204(1)(c), Stewards declared WOOLMAR to be a non-runner and correct weight was declared on the judge’s numbers with the following deductions to apply:
1st HEAVY REIGN - 7c win 7c place
2nd REEBAR - 7c place
3rd SHUBMAN - 7c place

MR CASINO – Slow into stride. Raced wide throughout. Trainer M. Birt was reprimanded pursuant to AR206(2) for presenting the gelding with incorrect gear.
 
SHUBMAN – Raced wide throughout.
 
HEAVY REIGN – Raced wide throughout.
 
OVERTERN – Jockey M. Kennedy reported that in her opinion the mare failed to handle today’s sand track conditions.
 
HELLUVAPUNCH – Slow to begin.
 
QUEENS LINES – Knuckled on jumping away.


RACE 2: SUCCULENT AUSTRALIAN BEEF RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP               850 Metres

The declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow apprentice M. Goring, rider of third placegetter ITALIAN VIRTUOSO to view the photo finish. Once apprentice M. Goring was satisfied, correct weight was declared on the judge’s numbers.
 
BOBBY IS KING – Began very awkwardly and lost significant ground, trailing the field by a considerable margin throughout.  Apprentice B. Harrison reported that in her opinion, the gelding may have resented the butterfly bit in today’s event, and she had suggested to connections to reassess the bit selection for BOBBY IS KING going forward. Trainer T Stephens was advised that BOBBY IS KING would be required to trial or jump-out to Stewards’ satisfaction prior to racing again. Mr Stephens further reported that he would change the gelding’s bit in relation to the comments made by apprentice Harrison.
 
KING INVINCIBLE (NZ) – Bumped on jumping away, then inconvenienced and lost ground. Approaching the winning post, improved onto the heels of the tiring PAPER COWBOY and had to be steadied.
 
PAPER COWBOY – Buffeted on jumping.
 
SHE'S MY LADY – Tightened between runners on jumping.
 
ABSOLVE – Tightened between runners on jumping.
 
IGBO – Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout.
 
SUNSHINYDAY – Buffeted between runners on jumping. Raced wide throughout.
 
BRAIDWOOD PRINCE – When asked to comment on the performance in today’s event, apprentice K. Barker explained that her instructions were to lead if possible as the gelding had performed well when leading in the past. When questioned regarding the improved performance, trainer M. Bailey concurred with the instructions given to apprentice Barker, adding that the gelding had been working well in the lead up to today’s event and he was confident of an improved performance, however, further stated that he was similarly surprised at the win today.
 

RACE 3: NOLAN VALE BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP               1030 Metres

FLYING RUPERT – Apprentice S. Pointon reported that in her opinion the gelding failed to handle the home turn.
 
HURRICANE HALL – Slow to begin. Apprentice K. Johnston reported that the gelding was inclined to lay in under pressure home straight.
 
BANDIT – Shifted wider near the 600m.
 
SPELLHOUND – Shortly after the start, was restrained and lost significant ground when FLYING RUPERT (apprentice S. Pointon) shifted in making contact with SPELLHOUND, resulting in FLYING RUPERT becoming unbalanced. Apprentice S. Pointon, rider of FLYING RUPERT, was severely reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding and was advised to stop and straighten her mounts’ in similar circumstances in a more timely fashion. Apprentice S. Tierney reported that after suffering interference shortly after the start then resented the sand kickback.
 
LATE NIGHT DEVIL - Tightened for running and had to be restrained when SPELLHOUND was forced inwards by FLYING RUPERT. Forced wider near the 600m when BANDIT shifted out. Jockey D. Smith, rider of BANDIT, was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground.
 

RACE 4: NOLAN PRIVATE SELECTION BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP           1170 Metres
 
The start of this race was delayed approximately 4 minutes when ASHILLA and MAXIE TAP were loaded into incorrect barriers, necessitating their removal and reloading. In noting the circumstances, starter A. Cooper was advised to review his starting procedures with the circumstances of the matter to be further reviewed by QRIC Stewards.

CULTURAL SPIRIT – Slow to begin. Raced wide throughout. Apprentice M. Goring reported that the gelding was inclined to hang out throughout.
 
YAMUMZA – Slow to begin, then inconvenienced shortly after the start when MAXIE TAP (NZ) shifted in.
 
ASHILLA – Laid out approaching the 1000m.
 
GREEN PARK – Forced wider rounding the first turn when ASHILLA laid out. Raced wide from the 850m.
 
BRAIDWOOD QUEEN – Shifted out shortly after the start. Apprentice K. Barker reported that the mare was inclined to hang out throughout.
 
HOT FLAMINGO – Blundered on jumping.
 
MAXIE TAP (NZ) - Began awkwardly then steadied from the heels of BRAIDWOOD QUEEN which shifted out. Raced wide in the early stages.
 
 
RACE 5: NOLAN MUSTER CUP OPEN HANDICAP         1470 Metres

PERVADE (GB) – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
MOORABINDA MICK – Near the 1300m, raced in restricted room and had to be restrained when MENAZZI (apprentice S. Tierney) crossed when insufficiently clear of RAPID DUDE (K. Gates), and MOORABINDAS MICK, subsequently causing SPOOKY SPIRIT (B. Harrison) to be restrained. Apprentice S. Tierney, rider of MENAZZI, was severely reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding. In assessing penalty, Stewards noted apprentice Tierney’s limited race riding experience being only her fourth race meeting since obtaining her license.
 
SPOOKY SPIRIT – Began awkwardly. Restrained when racing in restricted room near the 1300m. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
NORTH CHANNEL – Raced wide for the majority.
 
PRIMARY WITNESS – Began awkwardly. Raced wide from the 800m.
 
ROMAN DAGGER (NZ) – Raced wide in the early stages.
 
RAPID DUDE – Commenced to over race in the early stages when MENZZI crossed near the 1300m, and had to be restrained when racing in restricted room. Raced wide throughout. A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have minor lacerations to the near hindleg consistent with being galloped on. Trainer T. Thomas was advised that RAPID DUDE will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.


STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 1. Trainer M Birt – presenting with incorrect gear – AR206(2).
Race 3. Apprentice S. Pointon – careless riding – AR131(a) – severe reprimand.
Race 5. Apprentice S. Tierney – careless riding – AR131(a) – severe reprimand.

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 2. BOBBY IS KING – racing manners – jumpout/trial to Stewards satisfaction.
Race 5. RAPID DUDE – galloped on near hind – veterinary clearance required.
 

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 3: 11. LATE NIGHT DEVIL – App. B. Baker
Race 4: 2. MASTER DRUMER – App. K. Johnston
Race 4. 11. MAXIE TAP (NZ) – K. Gates
 

Late scratchings

Race 1. 4 WOOLMAR – Declared non-runner – AR204(1)(c).

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.