QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
GYMPIE TURF CLUB
SATURDAY 20 SEPTEMBER 2025
WEATHER – Fine TRACK RATING – SandRAIL – True
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – S. Fletcher
Stewards – H. Matthews
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
From Beaudesert 19 September 2025
Race 7: Trainer T. Cowan reported that MOET AT MIDNIGHT had pulled up well from the run, adding that it would be his intention to continue with the current racing prep and step the gelding up in distance.
From Kilcoy 24 August 2025
Race 6: Trainer V. Venkaya explained that the instructions for SUENITO at the previous start were to ride forward, however the gelding was crossed by runners in the early stages and settled midfield. He added that the instructions for this race were to again to be forward with an intention to lead if possible. In the circumstances, V. Venkaya was reprimanded under the provisions of AR100(1)(a) for failing to notify a change of riding tactics.
GENERAL
Stewards approved the following overweight allowance at today’s meeting:
Race 2: MUSSLE LINES – Y. Lewis + 0.5kg
Trainer G. Blake was reprimanded for negligence under the provisions of AR227(a) in relation to the Riding Overweight Directive, for the late application for jockey Y. Lewis to ride overweight in race 2.
RACE 1: FIGHTER FORCE BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP 850 M
NINE CIGARS – Blundered on jumping.
PABALLO – When asked to comment on the performance, rider A. Spinks stated the gelding failed to show any early speed, adding that it was first up from a spell and would be suited to a step up in distance.
BRAIDWOOD PRINCE – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
PAPER COWBOY – When being sampled post-race, became fractious in the swab box, rearing and striking its handler. QAS attended and assessed the licensee who was cleared of any serious injury. Trainer T. Thomas was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding for its manners when being sampled and that he would be required to be in attendance for future sampling of the gelding.
NICHOLAS ADAM – Slow to begin and then crowded for room.
RACE 2: DIGGERS PRIDE CLASS B HANDICAP 1030 M
LATE NIGHT TALKING – Began awkwardly and then hampered when OUR DRUMMER shifted in. Near the 900m, laid out and was steadied from the heels of OUR DRUMMER, which laid in and away from HARCASION, resulting in LIGHT NIGHT TALKING losing ground. When asked to comment on the performance, rider M. Butler stated that the mare failed to show any early speed, raced greenly, and did not feel comfortable on today’s track surface, adding that he had some concern with the mare’s breathing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
HEAVY REIGN – Rider K. Gates reported that the mare hesitated approaching and passing the 700m crossing.
ROCKY BLONDE – Blundered on jumping.
DAUNTING INSTINCT – Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
HARCASION – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
MUSSEL LINES – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination upon arrival at the track and was cleared to race. When asked to comment on the performance, rider Y. Lewis stated the gelding put in several awkward strides in the early stages and as a result settled back further than anticipated. She added that when placed under pressure from the 400m, the gelding ran home well and would appreciate a step up in distance.
JENNIZACINTO (NZ) – Began awkwardly.
RACE 3: SAILORS ON PARADE QTIS MAIDEN PLATE 1170 M
CHICK CHICK STICK – Stood flat footed and lost considerable ground. Trainer M. Finnigan was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s barrier manners.
HOT CONQUEST – Apprentice S. Wilcox stated her mount resented the kick back and was not comfortable on today’s track surface.
PANTHER POWER – Jumped in at the start and hampered SHUBMAN.
SHUBMAN – Hampered on jumping and lost ground.
HANNAH’S ASTAR – Rider A. Spinks reported his mount resented the kick back and lost ground when placed behind the leaders in the early stages.
RIVER POINT – Rider R. Payne reported the mare was not comfortable on today’s track surface and recommended to connections to return to racing on turf tracks.
BRAIDWOOD ROSE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination behind the barriers after taking charge of the rider in the preliminary before being pulled up near the 600m. Subsequently passed fit to start. Raced wide without cover throughout. Hung out approaching and rounding the home turn, shifting very wide on the track. Trainer M. Bailey was advised that a warning would be placed on the filly for hanging out.
RACE 4: MATES AND MEDALS BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1170 M
HEAT – Bumped at the start.
ITALIAN VIRTUOSO – Jumped in at the start and bumped HEAT which in turn was bumped and shifted in hampering THE BRUMBY, which lost ground. Momentarily held up rounding the home turn.
CAPIANA – Raced wide without cover throughout. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
LATE NIGHT DEVIL – Raced very wide throughout. Rider K. Gates reported at scale that from the wide barrier she elected to hold a wide position to avoid the kick back from the track. She added that the mare travelled comfortably and made steady ground from the 600m and finished the race off well.
THE BRUMBY – Hampered at the start and lost ground.
RACE 5: GYMPIE RSL CRYSTAL VASE BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP 1600 M
CULTURAL SPIRIT – Raced keenly passing the winning post on the first occasion and then laid out rounding the turn at the 1100m. Made the crossing awkwardly near the 700m.
STEP ON FIRE – When asked to comment on the performance, rider A. Spinks stated that the gelding was unable to keep up with the speed of the race and despite his urgings, settled a significant distance behind the field. He added that his mount resented the kick back until near the 400m where it began to respond to his riding and finished the race off well. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
ACES UP – Laid out shortly after passing the winning post on the first occasion. Laid out near the 1100m turn and was restrained from the heels of HE’S VIRAL, MASTER DRUMMER which was following was steadied from the heels of ACES UP.
HARLEY CHARLIE – Began awkwardly and then bumped with ACES UP and became unbalanced.
SUMMER STAR – Began awkwardly.
YAMUMZA – Raced keenly in the middle stages.
MASTER DRUMMER – Near the 1100m steadied from the heels of ACES UP. Jockey N. Thomas pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR131(b) for failing to ride his mount out to the end of the race, which in the opinion of stewards, cost his mount fifth place. Stewards, acknowledging N. Thomas’ excellent record in relation to this rule and the status of the race, issued him a severe reprimand.
GUS THE BUS – Raced keenly in the early stages. Rider Y. Lewis stated her mount raced keenly in the early stages and in her opinion did not run out the step up in distance of today’s race.
HE’S VIRAL – Began awkwardly.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning licensees
Reprimands
Race 2: Trainer G. Blake – Negligence in application for rider to carry overweight – AR227(a)
Race 5: Jockey N. Thomas – Failed to ride out to end of the race – AR131(b) – Severe
Race 6: Kilcoy 24 August – Trainer V. Venkaya – Fail to notify a change of riding tactics – AR100(1)(a)
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 1: PAPER COWBOY – Fractious in swab and difficult to sample - Warning
Race 3: CHICK CHICK STICK – Stood flat footed - Warning
Race 3: BRAIDWOOD ROSE – Hanging out - Warning
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 3: TRIBESMAN – Nathan Thomas
Late scratchings
Nil
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.