QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION 
STEWARDS REPORT
INNISFAIL TURF CLUB – SATURDAY 17th OCTOBER 2026

WEATHER – OVERCAST           TRACK RATING –  GOOD (4)                RAIL – TRUE
 
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – A. Holzhauser
Stewards – P. Gillard & S. Copelin

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
Stewards today inquired into the reason jockey M. Abe wore pair of META sunglasses when competing in a jump-out at Cairns racecourse on Monday 12 October 2026. Jockey Abe pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 232(b) in that he disobeyed a steward’s direction after being directed not to wear such glasses when riding and uploaded that footage on social media. In considering all the facts, Jockey Abe was fined the sum of $500.00 with $250.00 being wholly suspended for a period of two years in that he does not breach a similar rule in that period. Jockey Abe was advised of his appeal rights.

GENERAL
Permitted Overweights:
Race 2, S. Kaya +1kg
Race 3, D. Smith +1kg
Race 3, S. Kaya +1kg
Race 3, C Whiteley +0.5kg
Race 4, C Whiteley +0.5kg
 
RACE 1: BROTHERS LEAGUE CLUB QTIS MAIDEN PLATE 900 Metres
 
DEVILISH DECODER – Slow to begin. Raced greenly in the early and middle stages. Commenced to race very ungenerously leaving the 400 metres and was retired from the race. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Co trainers T & P Rowe were advised the filly must trial to the satisfaction of stewards prior to being permitted to race again.
 
CRYPTIC SHOT – Began awkwardly.
 
MEAN ZIPPER – Raced greenly in the early and middle stages. Forced wider passing the winning post.
 
EXCEEDINGLY HONEST – As the mare had not raced for an extended period it underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start. Slow to begin.
 
DON’T TELL LUCY – Shifted out abruptly passing the winning post hampering BOUDICA QUEEN and MEAN ZIPPER. Jockey D. Smith explained the mare had previously proved difficult to ride and whilst stewards noted the racing manners of DON’T TELL LUCY he was reprimanded and advised that as a senior rider he should be more aware of his mount shifting ground and make greater effort in similar circumstances. Trainer Ms. L. McCormack was advised a warning would be placed on DON’T TELL LUCY’S racing manners.     
 
BEERSHEBA – Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
SQUADRONS – Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
RACE 2: CENTURY CRANES TRAINERS CUP BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1500 Metres
 
GOLDEN GLAZE – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Jockey S. Kaya was reprimanded in relation to his use of the whip on a horse out of contention. 
 
MISTERKIPCHOGE – Slow into stride.
 
MOHAWK WARRIOR – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
DEAL AN ACE – Stewards noted apprentice M. Goring exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100 metres (+ two) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use no further action was taken.
 
RACE 3: RAINE & HORNE COUNTRY STAMPEDE QUALIFIER / JOHNSTONE RIVER OPEN HANDICAP 1200 Metres
 
HYDE PARK – Slow to begin.
 
UPSTART LEGEND – Jumped inwards at the start bumping MATERIALIST.
 
MATERIALIST – Bumped on jumping. Raced wide for the majority of the race. Rider dropper her whip leaving the 200 metres.
 
SPIRIT MEISTER – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
MCLOVIN – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
RACE 4: CORAL COAST FINANCIAL INNISFAIL CUP OPEN HANDICAP 2000 Metres
 
EAGLE WARRIOR – Stewards reprimanded Trainer Steven Royes in that he failed to request an overweight declaration of 0.50kg for the jockey by the required time which is prior to the close of jockey declarations.
 
MEDAL – Connections advised it would be the intention to ride the gelding in more forward position. Was rode accordingly. Attempted to shift out around the heels of SIGIRIYA ROCK near the 300 metres bumping with HURRICANE ROSIE for a short distance.  
 
CRIMSON SPIRIT – Slow to begin.

BUSH ETIQUETTE – Jumped in at the start tightening THE DRILLER.
 
HOPEFUL – Jumped out at the start tightening THE DRILLER.

THE DRILLER – Tightened for room between runners on jumping.
 
HURRICANE ROSIE – Bumped for a short distance near the 300 metres.
 
SIGIRIYA ROCK – Stewards noted jockey B. Kennedy exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100 metres (+ three) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use no further action was taken.
 
AMALFI AMORE – Stewards noted jockey S. Pointon exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100 metres (+ one) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use no further action was taken.
 
RACE 5: MICHAEL SPRY PAINTING BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP 1000 M
 
ELECTROMAGNETIC – Slow to begin.
 
LITTLE FREDDY – Slow to begin. Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
SING SING BABY – Jockey I. Fry advised stewards that his saddle shifted back on jumping resulting in SING SING BABY being slow into stride.  
 
AMORE SIRENA – Blundered on jumping.
 
SUPER STEVEN – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Laid in under pressure in the home straight proving difficult to ride. Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
POWER PUFF – Began awkwardly.
 
FOR ADELINE – Over-raced early stages.
 
LORD POWER – Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
RACE 6: DRM PLUMBING BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP 1200 M
 
LASER BEAM – Was declared a late scratching at 2.03pm by order of stewards acting on veterinary advice after being injured during transportation to the course. Trainer A. Malliff was advised he must provide a veterinary certificate of soundness prior to LASER BEAM trialing or racing again.  
 
NAPA VALLEY – As the gelding had not raced for an extended period it underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start. Stood flatfooted and lost considerable ground. Traner S. Bush was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s barrier manners.  
 
DEVIL’S INN – Delayed the start when refused to load and was declared a late scratching at 4.56 pm. On the announcement of correct weight all monies invested on DEVIL’S INN were ordered to be refunded. Deductions applicable to bets placed on winner and placegetters prior to 4.56pm:
 
0 cents in the dollar for the win THIRD MASTER
2 cents in the dollar for the place of winner THIRD MASTER  
1 cent in the dollar for 2nd place NOSEY NEO
2 cents in the dollar for 3rd place RED BOOMSHAKALAKA
 
Trainer W. Brady was advised the gelding must perform in two consecutive official trials, gaining two further barrier certificates prior to being permitted to race again.
 
VERBALIZE – Delayed the start further when proved difficult to load. Trainer A. Ryan was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s barrier manners.  
 
BRAVE INTENT – Slow to begin.
 
NOSEY NEO – Blundered near the 950 metres after improving onto the heels of MINNIE VEGAS which shifted in when over-racing and was steadied. Raced ungenerously in the early stages. Laid in under pressure leaving the 300 metres and was reluctant to shift out around the heels of MINNIE VEGAS and continued to do so over the concluding stages proving difficult to ride. Correct weight was delayed when Co-Trainer P. Rowe lodged a protest against THIRD MASTER (B. Kennedy), being declared 1st past the post alleging interference leaving the 100 metres. After hearing evidence from both riders, connections and viewing of the race footage stewards in noting the racing manners of both NOSEY NEO and THIRD MASTER could not be satisfied it warranted a reversal of placings and dismissed the objection and declared correct weight on the judge’s semaphored numbers. B. Kennedy (THIRD MASTER) was advised to show more care when his runners are shifting ground in similar circumstances.      
 
MINNIE VEGAS – Shifted in near the 950 metres when over-racing and when being restrained resulted in NOSEY NEO improving onto the heels of MINNIE VEGAS and blundered. Stewards noted the racing manners of both runners in this incident however jockey M. Abe (MINNIE VEGAS) was severely reprimanded and advised to show must greater care in similar circumstances.   
 
THIRD MASTER – Shifted out under pressure leaving the 100 metres.  
 
RED BOOMSHAKALAKA – Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 1, Denicious Smith (Jockey) Careless riding AR 131(a)
Race 2, Shohei Kaya (Jockey) use of whip on horse out of contention.
Race 4, Steven Royes (Trainer) Failed to follow the correct process for overweight declaration.
Race 6, Masayuki Abe (Jockey) Careless riding AR 131(a)
 
Fines
Masayuki Abe – AR 232(b) (Disobeying a steward’s direction) $500.00 with $250.00 being wholly suspended (AR 283(5) for a period of two years that he does not breach a similar rule in that period. Jockey Abe was advised of his appeal rights.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
HOPEFUL, SIGIRIYA ROCK, THE DRILLER, AMALFI AMORE, HURRICANE ROSIE, BUSH ETIQUETTE
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 1, DON’T TELL LUCY – Shifted out abruptly passing the winning post.
Race 1, DEVLISH DECODER – Raced very ungenerously leaving 400 metres – Retired from race – Trial to stewards’ satisfaction prior to next start. AR 20(e)
Race 6, LASER BEAM – Veterinary clearance prior to next trial or race start. AR 20(e)
Race 6, DEVIL’S INN – Refused to load – Two consecutive official barrier trials gaining two further barrier certificates prior to being permitted to race again.
Race 6, VERBALIZE – Difficult to load – Warning.

Protests
Race 6, 2nd v 1st – Dismissed
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1, BOUDICA QUEEN – Ben Kennedy
Race 6, LUCKY JIM – Nathan Thomas

Late scratchings
Race 6, LASER BEAM – 2.03pm – Injured during transportation to course.
Race 6, DEVIL’S INN – 4.56pm – Refused to load.   
 
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.