QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

BURDEKIN RACE CLUB

SATURDAY 14 FEBRUARY 2025

WEATHER –Overcast
TRACK RATING –Soft 7
RAIL – True Entire Course
PENETROMETER – N/A

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – D. Griffiths
Stewards – P. Warren, S. Nosworthy

GENERAL
 
1.    Prior to Race 1, Stewards met with a delegation of senior riders who expressed concerns with certain areas of the track, which had undergone recent top-dressing and fertilization, with their concerns being in relation to the consistency of the length of grass. Stewards and Riders inspected the track and liaised with the club president Mr R. Gudge and the first race was delayed 30 minutes to enable remedial work to be completed.
2.    Trainer Tom Button was fined $100.00 under LR 67(1) for failing to declare the rider of BIG DEMEANOR (Race 4) by the prescribed time.
3.    Trainer Kayla Russell was reprimanded under LR 67(1) for failing to declare the rider of MISSIN’ DE QUO by the prescribed time. In determining penalty, Stewards considered Ms. Russell’s good record in relation to this rule.
4.    A medical clearance was provided by rider Micheal McDonald.
5.    The following runners trained by Shryn Royes were scratched prior to scratching time due to road closures following the flooding in Western Queensland:
Race 1. ZOUHOPE
Race 4. ILZOOMYA
Race 5. MIA TORRETTO
 
Jockey Tash Chambers who rode FROSTY’S GOTCHA at the MACKAY meeting on 13 February 2026 reported that she had suffered bruising on her left small toe on the barriers on jumping away. Ms. Chambers advised that she was not suffering any restrictions and was fit to ride at today’s meeting.
 
Race 1: LOVE IS IN THE AIR BM55 Handicap 1460M

TOSINSKY – Shifted out at the start bumping with MISHANI PERFECTION.
 
MISHANI PERFECTION – Bumped on jumping. Returned to the enclosure with a minor laceration to the off-hind coronet. When questioned regarding the improved performance, Trainer Kayla Russell stated that the mare appreciated the drop in class today and in her opinion, races best on a soft track and was suited by today’s conditions.
 
LOOK AT ROSA – Slow to begin. Over-raced in the middle stages.
 
CRAICARO – Slow to begin. Gave ground from the 400 meters and was not persevered with over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
Race 2: RED RED ROSE OPEN Plate 1180M

REAL KEY – Inclined to lay in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
REFORMIST – Began awkwardly and was slow to begin.
 
ROWEINER’S DANCE – Trainer Bill Kenning was fined $200.00 under the provisions of AR106(1) for presenting ROWEINER’S DANCE with the incorrect saddle cloth number.
 
SIR ROCKET – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
Race 3: LOVE LOVE LOVE Maiden Plate 1180M
 
RADIO WAVES – Laid in under pressure through the early part of the home straight. Had to be steadied momentarily approaching the winning post when racing in restricted room.
 
ROTH AUTHORITY – Slow into stride.
 
SHADYVALE AL – Began awkwardly.
 
MISS THE MUSIC – Was declared a late scratching at 1:55pm on veterinary advice. Trainer Tom Button was advised that MISS THE MUSIC would require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
 
CALAMARIS (NZ) – Was declared a late scratching at 1:13pm due to transportation issues.
 
SO FORMIDABLE – Slow to begin. Became unbalanced after being tightened for room nearing the 1000 metres, contacting the running rail.
 
HIGH SOBRIETY – Resented the kickback in the early stages.
 
MISS KIYOSHI – Raced ungenerously in the early stages due to the kickback and when doing so, shifted in nearing the 1000 metres tightening SO FORMIDABLE, which contacted the running rail and became unbalanced. Lost considerable ground passing the 800 metres due to resenting the kickback. Rider shifted the filly wide making the home turn to avoid the kickback and MISS KIYOSHI ran home strongly thereafter.
 
Race 4: VALENTINES DAY BM55 Handicap 1180M

TOW THE LINE – Shifted in on jumping bumping with LASER BEAM. Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
BIG DEMEANOR – When questioned on the performance, rider Aidan Holt stated that the gelding travelled well however when placed under pressure, failed to run on and was disappointing.
 
SONECHKA – Rider Micheal McDonald reported that in his opinion the mare did not feel entirely comfortable in its action, electing not to pursue with his riding over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.
 
HOT TORQUE INVEGAS – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination upon arrival at the barriers and was passed fit to race. Disappointed for a run when attempting to improve between BLONDIE’S SECRET and TOW THE LINE approaching the 150 metres and had to be steadied away from heels for some distance, and as a result was unable to be fully tested over the final 100 metres.
 
LASER BEAM – Bumped on jumping. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn and was unable to improve at that point.
 
HOLY CROWN – Slow into stride. Resented the kickback in the early stages.
 
GOLD SLUICE – Rider Ivo Fry reported that in his opinion the gelding did not feel entirely comfortable in its action. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the near foreleg. Trainer Graham Hughes was advised that GOLD SLUICE would require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
 
DIAMOND LUCY – Was declared a late scratching at 1:13pm on veterinary advice. Trainer Troy Clive was advised that DIAMOND LUCY would require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
 
STATESWOMAN – Was declared a late scratching at 11:47am on veterinary advice. Trainer Kayla Russell was advised that STATESWOMAN would require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
 
BLONDIE’S SECRET – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
Race 5: HEARTS & FLOWERS Class B Handicap 1000M
 
Prior to correct weight, rider Raul Silvera Olivera (PARTY FOR US, 2nd placegetter) lodged an objection against HELLARAMA (Shane McGovern) being declared the winner on the grounds of alleged interference over the final 100m. After consideration of all relevant factors including evidence from the respected riders and connections, along with the vision of the event, Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that PARTY FOR US would have finished in advance of HELLARAMA given the beaten margin and the proximity of the incident to the winning post, therefore the objection was dismissed and correct weight was declared.
 
SECRET BOOM – Severely hampered on jumping.
 
PARTY FOR US – Slow into stride. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn. Checked and lost ground when attempting a run to the inside of HELLARAMA nearing the 100 metres after that runner shifted in when not clear.
 
PROPERLEIGH – Severely hampered on jumping.
 
EGZAKLY – Jumped in abruptly at the start, severely checking AINT NOBODY, which in turn was taken in onto runners PROPERLEIGH and SECRET BOOM, which both were severely checked. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
HELLARAMA – Over-raced in the middle stages when leading. Shifted in passing the 100 metres when not clear of PARTY FOR US which was checked and lost ground. Rider Shane McGovern pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under the provisions of AR 131(a) and after factoring all relevant considerations, rider McGovern’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 6 days, with this commence at midnight on Saturday 21st of February and to expire at midnight on Friday the 27th of February. In accessing penalty Stewards when accessing penalty took into consideration that Rider Shane McGovern had not been charged with causing interference for an extensive long period.
 
LICHFIELD ANGEL – Was declared a late scratching at 4:26pm after becoming loose behind the barriers and galloping a considerable distance before being recaptured. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered that all bets placed on LICHFIELD ANGEL be refunded with the following deductions to apply:
 
1st HELLARAMA 12c win, 11c place
2nd PARTY FOR US 11c place
3rd CHARGIN’ 11c place
 
Trainer Alex Maliff was advised that a warning would be placed on the mare’s record.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 4. Trainer Kayla Russell – LR 67(1) – Failed to declare rider by prescribed time.
Fines
Race 2. Trainer Bill Kenning – AR106(1) – $200.00 – Present horse with incorrect saddle cloth number.
Race 4. Trainer Tom Button – LR 67(1) – $100.00 – Failed to declare rider by prescribed time.
Suspensions
Race 5. Rider Shane McGovern – AR 131(a) – Careless riding – 6-day suspension commencing midnight Saturday 21/01/26 and concluding midnight Friday 27/01/26.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Scratched due to weather related road closures - Race 1. ZOUHOPE, Race 4. ILZOOMYA, Race 5. MIA TORRETTO

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 3. MISS THE MUSIC – Scratching on veterinary advice – Veterinary clearance required.
Race 4. GOLD SLUICE – Lame in the near foreleg – Veterinary clearance required.
Race 4. DIAMOND LUCY – Scratching on veterinary advice – Veterinary clearance required.
Race 4. STATESWOMAN – Scratching on veterinary advice – Veterinary clearance required.
Race 5. LICHFIELD ANGEL – Late scratching after galloping considerable distance – Warning,
 
Protests
Race 5. 2nd (PARTY FOR US) v 1st (HELLARAMA) – Dismissed.

Late scratching’s
Race 3. No 4. MISS THE MUSIC – 1:55pm – Veterinary advice.
Race 3. No 5. CALAMARIS (NZ) – 1:13pm – Transportation issues.
Race 4. No 10. DIAMOND LUCY – 1:13pm – Veterinary advice.
Race 4. No 11. STATESWOMAN – 11:47am – Veterinary advice.
Race 5. No 10. LICHFIELD ANGEL – 4:26pm – Became loose at the barriers galloping considerable distance.
 


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.