QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

 HOME HLL – BURDEKIN RACE CLUB

SATURDAY 18 APRIL 2026

WEATHER – FINE       TRACK RATING – GOOD (4)          RAIL – TRUE
 
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – D Griffiths
Stewards – K Dean, C Bew, J McIntosch (Scales).


GENERAL – Race 1 VALADORE and Race 3 JOE’S GIGGLE which raced at Townsville on Tuesday 14 April 2026, were both inspected pre-race by the Club Veterinary Officer and passed fit to race.
 
SCRATCHINGS – Race 5 SPIN DOCTOR was a late scratching at 9.03 a.m. when no rider was available.
 

RACE 1: NQ PARTY HIRE QTIS MAIDEN PLATE         1000 M


RADIO WAVES – Approaching the 800m, RADIO WAVES got its head in the air and raced ungenerously to the first turn. At the 700m the gelding shifted in abruptly despite the efforts of apprentice S. Pointon and severely checked LADY DE VEGA which lost considerable ground. Trainer J. Doolan was advised that RADIO WAVES would be issued with a final warning regarding its racing manners.

INSTIGATE – Tightened for room and was checked on jumping.
 
LADY DE VEGA - Jumped out onto RADIO WAVES which was then taken out onto MISSIN’ DE QUO.
 
MISSIN' DE QUO – Trainer K. Russell was questioned regarding the improved performance of the mare. Ms. Russell stated that the mare suffered interference in its previous starts at Bowen on 11 April 2026 and was not suited to a heavy track when it competed at Townsville on 15 March 2026, adding that the mare races well at the Home Hill track when able to lead. Ms. Russell advised that she did not support the mare in wagering and her explanation was noted.
 
VOLARE – Raced three wide throughout.
 
VALADORE – Proved difficult to load. A warning was issued in relation to the filly’s pre-race behavior which delayed the start. Jumped inwards and hampered INSTIGATE.


RACE 2: NUTRIEN AG SOLUTIONS RATINGS BAND 0 - 50 HANDICAP        1180 M

BUBBLES'N'FROTH – Inclined to over race in the early and middle stages.

MISTER TIA – Raced three wide until the 600m.
 
STATESWOMAN – Jumped away awkwardly. Over raced and became awkwardly placed on the heels of BUBBLES’N’FROTH in the back straight.


RACE 3: RAINE & HORNE AYR BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP         1460 M

SILVER CITY – Slow to begin. Conceded ground from the 500m and finished a considerable distance behind the remainder of the field. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer M. Purvis was questioned regarding the disappointing performance of SILVER CITY. Ms. Purvis believed the gelding had not backed up from its previous start at Bowen on 11 April 2026 and it is now her intention to give the gelding a short let-up in its preparation. The explanation was noted.                  
 
MISSISSIPPI DREAM (NZ) – Raced three wide in the initial stages. Improved onto heels at the 700 metres when over racing and shifted in crowding JOE”S GIGGLE which struck the running rail.
 
JOE”S GIGGLE – Crowded at the 700 metres and struck the running rail.


RACE 4: NEXTGEN BUILDING CO BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP         1000 M
 
FRAMED IT – Slow into stride. Commenced to over race and race ungenerously at the 600m and continued to do so for some distance. Had to be steadied off the heels of ARROGANT HEART at the 500m. Held up for clear running in the home straight and was unable to be fully tested. Apprentice S. Pointon in the presence of senior rider A. Holt, was questioned regarding whether there was an opportunity to improve wider on the track approaching the home turn. Ms. Pointon advised that to do so she would have had to ease back across heels and would have lost momentum, so she elected to maintain her position behind ARROGANT HEART and look for a run in the home straight, this however did not eventuate. The explanation was noted.
 
MR DAMAGE – Was hampered at the 700m when EGZAKLY shifted out.

INALA ATICUS – Slow to begin.
 
EGZAKLY – At the 700m shifted in and away from ARROGANT HEART crowding FRAMED IT. After being corrected EGZAKLY momentarily shifted out and hampered MR DAMAGE.


RACE 5: GREAT NORTHERN CLASS 3 PLATE         1180 M


IMPRESSIONISM – Raced three wide throughout. Became unbalanced at the 700m when PRO FORMA shifted out momentarily.
 
PRO FORMA – Shifted out momentarily at the 700m.
 
BETTER NOT FORGET – Hung in at the 1100m and heavily contacted the inside running rail. Consequently, a portion of the running rail detached from the supports after the field had passed. This matter was reported to the Burdekin Racing Club. BETTER NOT FORGET tailed out and finished a distance last. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed the gelding to be dehydrated with a poor post-race recovery rate. Trainer K. Thomas advised that the gelding would be sent for a spell. BETTER NOT FORGET will be required to barrier trial prior to racing next.
 
YOROKOBI (NZ) – Hung in at the 1100m and heavily contacted the inside running rail.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Nil

Fines
Nil

Suspensions
Nil

Race day injuries/illness
R1 Stablehand S. Fry – Minor head laceration
R4 Barrier Attendant G. Watson – Rib injury

Absent jockeys
Nil

Adjourned inquiries
 Nil

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
Race 1 INSTIGATE, Race 2 BLONDIE”S SECRET, Race 3 PARCH, Race 4 FRAMED IT.

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 1 – VALADORE – difficult to load
Race 1 – RADIO WAVES – Lugging in
Race 5 – BETTER NOT FORGET – Vet certificate and barrier trial

Bleeders
 Nil
 
Falls
Nil
 
Adjourned inquiries
Nil

Protests
 Nil

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 Nil

Late scratching’s – Race 5 SPIN DOCTOR – no rider available.

 
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.