QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
GYMPIE TURF CLUB
SATURDAY 19TH SEPTEMBER 2026
 
 
WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING – Good         
RAIL – True
 
 
OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – A. Dowsett
Stewards – S. Fletcher
 
 

 
GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted the following overweights:
 
Race 2: Rider N. Morton +1.5kg (56.5kg)
Race 5: Rider C. Meehan +1kg (56kg) 
 
 
 
 
Race 1 - FIGHTER FORCE BENCHMARK 55 Handicap (850 METRES)
 
 
COOL SHALAA – Slow to begin.
 
LEVAR – Laid out under pressure in the early stages of the home straight.
 
CHICO CASINO – Began awkwardly.
 
BRAIDWOOD PRINCE - Raced three-wide without cover in the early and middle stages.
 
COSMIC PROPORTIONS – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
ILANA THE FIRST – Hung out rounding the home turn.


Race 2 - DIGGERS PRIDE RATINGS BAND 0 - 50 Handicap (1030 METRES)

The start of this race was delayed by two minutes when MUD ‘N’ BLOOD proved difficult to load. Trainer M. Lakey was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding for its pre-race manners.
 
 
NINE CIGARS – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination as a twelve-year-old. Laid in under pressure leaving the 100m. Rider C. Meehan was reminded of his obligations under AR132(6)(b) in relation to using his whip in an action above shoulder height. Trainer B. Gill advised it would now be the intention to retire NINE CIGARS.  
 
DAINTREE DREAMING – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
BRAIDWOOD QUEEN – Began awkwardly.
 
ABOVE THE WORLD – Slow to begin.
 
HEART OF PLATINUM – Slow to begin.
 
 
 
Following the running of Race 2, rider C. Meehan became ill and was replaced on his remaining rides as per the Stewards Raceday Summary. C. Meehan was advised he will require a medical clearance prior to next riding.
 

Race 3 - PRIDE OF THE FLEET QTIS Maiden Plate (1170 METRES)
 
 
The start of this race was delayed by 25 minutes to allow for QAS to tend to an on-course patron. As a result, the race times for the remaining races were amended as per below:
 
Race 4 - 3:50pm
Race 5 - 4:20pm
 
 
HASTA LA GANGSTA – Began awkwardly. Stewards inquired into the tactics adopted by rider N. Morton, in particular her riding during middle stages which resulted in HASTA LA GANGSTA racing a significant distance off the main body of the field and the lack of vigour shown to regain contact with the field from that point onwards. N. Morton  advised that the instructions from trainer P. Stanford were to jump and settle midfield, however after beginning only fairly and losing some ground, the gelding commenced to race very green and hung out for the majority of the event, proving somewhat difficult to ride. Upon reviewing the films however, N. Morton agreed that greater effort could have been made to show more vigour in improving her position. Whilst stewards noted the explanations tendered by N. Morton, they advised that she had erred in not making a greater effort during the middle stages to pressure her mount in an effort to remain in closer contact with the main body of the field. Stewards however, noting N. Morton’s explanation and recent return to race riding, elected not to take any direct action against the rider.
 
 
JOYFUL CONQUEST – Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
HYDRATING – Leaving the 100m, had to steady and shift wider to obtain clear running when disappointed for a run between JOYFYL CONQUEST and MOVER AND SHAKER.
 
MOVER AND SHAKER – Raced wide without cover throughout. Rider S. Wilcock was reprimanded pursuant to AR132(6)(b) for using her whip above shoulder height.
 
BELLISSIMO – Began awkwardly and lost ground.


Race 4 - MATES AND MEDALS BENCHMARK 60 Handicap (1170 METRES)
 

CITY CHICK – Raced in restricted room near the 1000m.
 
CAPIANA – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 

Race 5 - GYMPIE RSL CRYSTAL VASE BENCHMARK 55 Handicap (1600 METRES)
 
 
RAPID DUDE – When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice W. Galloway advised his mount travelled well, however once the pace quickened from the 500m, the gelding struggled to maintain the pace and lacked any finishing effort.
 
VON BEE – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
RESOLUTE LADY – Knuckled on jumping.
 
PAULI – Slow to begin. Lost ground and tailed off from the 500m. Rider N. Thomas could offer no explanation for the performance however was of the opinion that the gelding appeared disinterested in racing and retirement may be an option. As trainer L. Wanless was unavailable for comment on the day, stewards will follow up with trainer L. Wanless in the coming days regarding PAULI’s condition and future plans.
 
 


 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

 
Reprimands

 Race 3: Rider S. Wilcock – AR132(6)(b) - Whip above shoulder height

 
Race day injuries/illness

 C. Meehan – Illness - Medical required
 
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
 
Horses swabbed post-race
 
All winners

 
Warnings/bars

Race 2: MUD ‘N’ BLOOD – Warning – Pre-race manners
 
 

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications

Race 3: HASTA LA GANGSTA – N. Morton
Race 5: Pauli – N. Thomas

 

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.