QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT
 

 BURDEKIN RACE CLUB – HOME HILL

SATURDAY 16 MAY 2026
 
 

WEATHER – Overcast       TRACK RATING –  Good (4)          RAIL – True
 

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – D Griffiths
Stewards – R Neal, C Bew, A Cox.

 
GENERAL
 
Rider Ryan Wiggins advised the Stewards prior to the meeting that he would be unable to make the required weight for LINE OF KINGS in Race 1 and KHAMIS in Race 2. In explanation rider Wiggins stated that had accepted both rides at 57kg with this being a comfortable weight for him, but after riding at Cairns yesterday at 56.5kg he had been unable to maintain this weight despite his efforts and could not fulfil two engagements. Given all circumstances the Stewards, took into account his recent record and accepted rider Wiggins explanation and no further action was required.
 
 
RACE 1:NUTRIEN AG SOLUTIONS QTIS MAIDEN PLATE          1000 M

DAVIS JUNIOR – began awkwardly; rider Masa Abe was reminded of his obligations with respect to the use of the whip on a horse not in contention.       
LIVELY SPIRIT – slow into stride and settled back; Rider Jason Babarovich reported that the filly had raced ungenerously and may have resented a bit change made for today.        
VAN DER WOODSEN – laid in throughout the final straight and could not be ridden to full advantage.     
SIXTY-NINE GRANGE – ran outwards from the outside barrier and lost ground.     


RACE 2:BURDEKIN VETERINARY SERVICES BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP        1460 M

BUBBLES'N'FROTH – slow to begin from the outside barrier and settled back; over-raced throughout; hung out rounding the turn when making its finishing run.         
MOHAWK WARRIOR – Stewards questioned rider/trainer Rachel Shred regarding the tactics adopted in the middle stages where she improved forward and raced ahead of the leader for a distance. In explanation Ms. Shred stated that she improved forward in attempt to attain the lead, however when it became apparent the lead was not available her mount would not come back to her and in consequence was left out for the remainder of the race. Given all circumstances Ms. Shred’s explanation was noted. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a laceration and bruising to the off-hind leg which required treatment on course by the Club Veterinary Surgeon.
STATESWOMAN – began very awkwardly and settled back.
LINE OF KINGS – over-raced in the early stages.      


RACE 3:GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO BURDEKIN CUP BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP     1830 M

MEDAL (NZ) - rider Frank Edwards was reminded of his obligations with respect to shifting ground after crowding KINGS CASTLE inward to the rail near the 1,400 metres when not clear. Rider Edwards pleaded guilty to a breach of AR132(7)(a)(ii) being that he applied his whip on 16 occasions during the race with the whip being applied 8 times prior to the 100 metres. After consideration of penalty rider Edward’s license to ride in races was suspended from the close of racing today up to and including racing on Sunday 24th May 2026.
FIRST MAN- laid out after leaving the barriers hampering KINGS CASTLE, with KINGS CASTLE in turn shifting out onto ZOUHOPE which was checked and lost ground.
ZOUHOPE – checked after leaving the barriers and lost ground.
CASH ARTIST – became awkwardly placed near the heels of COLLEANO passing the 1,400 metres and was taken forward to lead passing the 1,200 metres.  Stewards questioned rider Natalia Summers regarding the tactics adopted during the running where she raced in a forward position wider on the track and applied pressure to the leader COLLEANO (A Holt) for a distance in the middle stages. After taking evidence from Jockey N Summers and A Holt the inquiry into this matter was adjourned to a time and date to be fixed.     
KINGS CASTLE (FR) – hampered after leaving the barriers and had to steady in consequence.    


RACE 4:STAR LIQUOR BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP          1000 M

REMEMBER ROY – dictated wider on the track rounding the final turn. Hung inward passing the 100 metres and could not be ridden to full advantage over the final stages.
ELIE JOE – laid out abruptly after the start. Hung out rounding the final turn taking REMEMBER ROY wider on the track. Warning was placed regarding the gelding’s racing manners.
MIDDLE CHILD – underwent a veterinary examination at the barriers and was passed fit to start,       
DIAMOND LUCY – began awkwardly.: Laid out under pressure near the 150 metres brushing with OFFICE POLITICS.         
EGZAKLY – began very awkwardly and lost ground, settling well back.


RACE 5:NEXT GEN BUILDING CO BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP   1180 M
 
BANXI – slow to begin and settled back; improved onto the heels of REDLIGHTS ON near the 100 metres then shifted out abruptly when REDLIGHTS ON laid out marginally. Severely checked in this incident was VEGAMEISTER.
DALT JAZ – pulled hard in the middle stages and shifted in near the 700 metres and had to be straightened.     
REDLIGHTS ON – Hung out marginally near the 100 metres: Trainer Stephen Bush advised that the off-hind plate had become displaced during the running.    
ROTHECATE – raced 3-wide throughout; eased down in the home straight and finished well back. A post-race veterinary examination of ROTHECATE revealed the mare to have sustained a significant injury to the off-side knee joint. Trainer Scott Seymour was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to ROTHECATE next racing. Mr Seymour indicated that the mare would be retired.          
VEGAMEISTER – severely checked near the 100 metres.


RACE 6:2026 BATTLE OF THE BUSH HOME HILL QUALIFIER OPEN HANDICAP   1180 M

UNDER THE LIMIT - raced 3-wide without cover throughout.
ODEGAARD - slow in the early stages; held up rounding the turn until near the 150 metres; bumped near the 50 metres.
YOUR TOO GOOD - gave ground from the 600 metres and finished well back. A post-race veterinary examination of YOUR TOO GOOD revealed no abnormalities.
TOW THE LINE – Laid out under riding passing the 75 metres and near the 50 metres shifted out and bumped with ODEGAARD.         


 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Suspensions
R3: Frank Edwards [AR132(7)(a)(ii)] – excessive use of the whip – suspended 16th to 24th May 2026 (inclusive)
 
Reprimands -Nil

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
VOLARE; SIDESHOW FRANKIE; COLLEANO; ZOUHOPE; ELIE JOE; CHANCE:

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
R4: ELIE JOE – warned racing manners.
R5: ROTHECATE – veterinary clearance required.
 
Bleeders - Nil

Falls - Nil

Adjourned inquiries
R3: CASH ARTIST – tactics adopted.

Protests - Nil


Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1 – Lively Spirit – J. Barbarovich replacing R Wiggins
Race 2 – Khamis – M. Abe replacing R Wiggins
 


Late scratching’s - 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.