QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

IPSWICH TURF CLUB

Thursday 12th February 2026
 

WEATHER – Fine   
TRACK RATING – Soft 5, Good 4 (12:20pm)
RAIL – +3m Entire
PENETROMETER – 5.5

OFFICIALS
Stewards – S. Fletcher (Chair), K. Daly, D. Aurisch, L. Dewitt-Rowson, T. Hendy
Clerk Of Scales - A. Schofield

GENERAL
 
Due to the hot weather conditions that were forecast for the Ipswich race day, the meeting was conducted in accordance with the QRIC caring for racing animals in extreme heat policy, with pre-race parade times significantly reduced and the establishment of on-course cooling stations in the race-day tie-ups, parade areas and a number of other relevant measures.
 
Prior to Race 1, Stewards inspected the track and upgraded to a Good 4 at 12:20pm.

 
RACE 1: GREAT NORTHERN COLTS, GELDINGS AND ENTIRES CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1100 M
 
LE CHOCOLAT (NZ) – Held up for clear running from the 400m until approaching the 200m.  
 
JUNGLE WARRIOR – Began awkwardly and then bumped heavily resulting in the rider becoming unbalanced. Held up rounding the home turn.
 
I'M NELSON – Shifted out at the start and bumped heavily. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn. Held up on the heels of ON THE TARGET over the final 50m resulting in rider C. Graham being unable to fully test her mount to the line. Rider C. Graham reported that the gelding never travelled comfortably, however responded to her riding and ran on well in the home straight. She further added it was her recommendation to connections to remove the earmuffs from the gelding’s gear.  
 
EXCELBOOM – Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight. Apprentice E. Lang was unable to explain the performance, other than that the gelding did sweat up noticeably behind the barriers. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.
 
THE BOSS MAN – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
VEGA NOVA – Bumped heavily with JUNGLE WARRIOR (M. Harley) resulting rider M. Harley becoming very unbalanced, VEGA NOVA then shifted out and made heavy contact with ROARING SUCCESSS which in turn became very unbalanced. Over raced in the early stages. Apprentice J. Newman was reminded of her obligations to ride her mounts out fully until the finish of the race.
 
ROARING SUCCESS – Bumped heavily at the start and became unbalanced. Steadied from heels approaching the home turn before shifting out to obtain clear running.
 
 
RACE 2: TAB CLASS 5 HANDICAP 1100 M
 
THE GAMBLING GREEK – When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, rider B. Lerena stated that his instructions were to obtain a forward position and allow the gelding to stride freely, however he was required to pressure his mount in the early stages to obtain the lead when RED FEATHER BOA pushed up on his inside on the rail. He added that after obtaining the lead near the 700m, while conscious that the pace of the race was quick in the early stages, he was on the horse’s mouth as much as he could possibly be in attempting to control the speed and was mindful of his instructions not to restrain as the gelding had a history of breathing issues. He further added that he was instructed to pinch a break leading up to the home turn, but the horse could not sustain the run. Co-Trainer T. Sears confirmed the instructions to lead if possible and clarified the gelding doesn’t breathe well, and that he had advised B. Lerena not to restrain as this can cause the horse to flip its soft palate. T. Sears added that he had observed the horse to have sweated up noticeably behind the barriers which he was concerned with, and with the pace of the race, felt this had an effect on the performance. Stewards in advising B. Lerena that the speed of the race had come under notice, were mindful of his instructions, specifically in relation to not restraining the horse, and noted the explanations.  
 
THE KEWESS – Bumped at the start.
 
CAN'T GETWHATIWANT – Bumped at the start. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
CUSTO – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination having raced at the Gold Coast on Saturday 7th February and was cleared to race. Change of tactics, settle further forward if circumstances permit. Settled at the rear of the field. Bumped at the start.
 
MAD DARCEY – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to race. Apprentice E. Lang reported the mare travelled well during the race but when placed under pressure from the home turn, failed to respond to her riding. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.
 
RED FEATHER BOA – Leaving the 800m made contact with the rail and became slightly unbalanced. Rider T. Brooker could offer no explanation for the performance other than the mare may have come to the end of its preparation.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to have a slow recovery and the thumps. Trainer L Gough advised that the mare would now be sent for a spell.
 
 
RACE 3: GORDON'S GIN FILLIES AND MARES CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1100 M
 
IMMEDIATE – Held up for clear running leaving the 400m until entering the home straight.
 
LINWOOD (NZ) – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn. Near the 100m raced in restricted room until approaching the winning post, which resulted in rider M. Hellyer not being able to test his mount fully to the line.
 
LUCKY LASS – Began awkwardly then bumped becoming unbalanced.
 
ESPRIT DU JOUR – Bumped and became unbalanced at the start. Laid in when placed under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
IRISH GYPSY – Raced keenly in the early stages. Near the 800m was steadied from heels.
 
RAFALE JOLIE – Shifted out at the start and bumped.
 
LEICA PHERRARI – Began awkwardly.
 
 
RACE 4: LIVING TURF QTIS THREE-YEARS-OLD BM65 HANDICAP 1100 M
 
The start of this race was delayed approximately two minutes for CUDDLES FOR KIMMY to receive farrier attention to re-apply the off-fore plate.
 
METALCRAFT – Raced keenly in the early stages. Rider C. Graham reported that her mount over raced in the early and middle stages, adding the gelding may have come to the end of its preparation. Trainer K. Schweida confirmed that the gelding would now go for a spell.
 
SOLIDUDE – Slow to begin. After being slow to begin continued to lose ground and raced uncompetitively a significant distance behind the main body of the field, before being eased down in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings. Trainer A. Chau was advised the gelding would be required to trial to stewards satisfaction before racing again.
 
CUDDLES FOR KIMMY – Received farrier attention after losing its off-fore plate on route to the barriers. Underwent a subsequent pre-race veterinary examination and was passed clear to race.
 
SUSSUSUDIO – Over raced in the early stages. Near the 800m steadied and shifted out and away from the heels of BETTER SWEET.
 
 
RACE 5: SCHWEPPES MAIDEN HANDICAP 1350 M
 
RIGHTEOUS LEGEND – Rider L. Tilley was reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts out fully to the finish of the race.
 
KING COUNTRY – Rider K. Adams stated that she was obliged to pressure her mount to hold its position in the early stages which she felt was out of its normal comfort zone and felt the overall performance was disappointing.
 
LAUNCHER – Began awkwardly. Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
ASTERN EFFORT – When crossed near the 900m raced keenly for a short distance.
 
KOOLIBAH – Began awkwardly and then shifted out making heavy contact with the hind quarters of CRYPTO MAGIC, resulting in both runners becoming unbalanced. Laid out rounding the home turn, then laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
CRYPTO MAGIC – Bumped at the start and became unbalanced. Rider A. Thompson dropped his whip near the 100m. A. Thompson reported at scale that he felt his middle finger on his left hand momentarily dislocated prior to dropping his whip.
 
SATURDAYS GIRL – Began awkwardly. Near the 1000m shifted in of its own accord, making heavy contact with the running rail and losing ground. Trainer’s representative B. Killian was advised a warning would be placed on the racing manners of the mare.
 
FIVE OF US – Began awkwardly.
 
 
RACE 6: BARRIER REEF POOLS 0 - 60 HANDICAP 1350 M
 
JUNGLE PRINCE (NZ) – Change of tactics, to settle further forward. Settled midfield. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
BUSKER – Began awkwardly. Near the 1100m laid out towards the heels of BRUTAL GLORY and when being steadied, lost ground. Approaching the 400m improved onto the heels of EVERYWHERE and had to be checked. Leaving the 200m was momentarily steadied when racing in restricted room. Bumped near the 50m by EVERYWHERE and became unbalanced.
 
EVERYWHERE – Slow to begin. Laid in under pressure in the home straight and near the 50m shifted in and bumped the hind quarters of BUSKER which became unbalanced.
 
MOSAMOUR (NZ) – Momentarily held up upon entering the home straight.
 
BRUTAL GLORY – Approaching the 200m rider C. Graham dropped her near side rein before regathering. Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
PRETTY RHO – Began awkwardly. Rider T. Brooker reported that it was not her intention to lead, that after beginning well from the outside barrier, she attempted to restrain and come back on the mare. She added PRETTY RHO commenced to over race and in not wanting to race wide, elected to ride forward from the 1100m and obtain the lead approaching the 800m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.
 
 
Following the running of this race lightning strikes were detected within the vicinity of the racecourse, resulting in Stewards ordering an indefinite delay to race 7. Following continued lightning strikes and ongoing thunderstorm activity in the area, as well as concerns with deteriorating daylight, Stewards postponed the remainder of the meeting at 5.16pm.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses sampled pre-race
Race 1 – I’M NELSON
Race 2 – THE GAMBLING GREEK
Race 3 – LUCKY LASS
Race 4 – DON’TCHA LUV’ER
Race 6 – COOL PANELS
Race 7 – BACCARAT ROUGE
 
Horses sampled post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 4 – SOLIDUDE – Official trial to Stewards satisfaction – Uncompetitive/Unsatisfactory performance.
Race 5 – SATURDAYS GIRL – Warning – Racing manners

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 2: 6 CUSTO - Ms Cejay Graham

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.