QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
 
MCKINLAY RACE CLUB
 
 
SATURDAY 21st JUNE 2025
 
 
 
WEATHER – Fine   TRACK RATING –  Dirt    RAIL True
 
PENETROMETER – N/A
 
OFFICIALS
 
Stewards Panel – R Neal (Chair); P Warren.
 
GENERAL.
 
The following horses were declared late scratching’s at 10:35am due to no rider being available.
 
R4: FIFTY CARATS; AFFIRMATIVE LIGHT; SOLAR CERT.
 
 
Race 1: CURLEY CATTLE TRANSPORT MAIDEN PLATE 1000M
 
EXECUTE – Bumped heavily on jumping and became unbalanced; travelled wide throughout; laid out in the final straight. Faltered shortly after passing the winning post and was quickly pulled up by its rider. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a significant near foreleg injury, resulting in EXECUTE being humanely euthanised. Rider Michael McDonald was reprimanded under AR132(7)(a)(i) for applying the whip in consecutive strides prior to the 100 metres.
AZCONPETE – Bumped at the start and was briefly unbalanced.
RED SUTURE – Jumped out at the start, bumping heavily with AZCONPETE.
BETHEHORSE – Dropped its head simultaneously with the start being affected and lost considerable ground. Given all circumstances, a warning was placed on BETHEHORSE’s barrier manners.
 
Race 2: BRODIE HARDWARE BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP 1000M
 
EXOLENT CHOICE – Slow to begin; travelled wide throughout.
OVERIMPATIENT – Travelled wide for the majority of the race.
HELLARAMA – Became awkwardly placed near the heels of SNIPILLICIOUS near the 800 metres.
SNIPILLICIOUS – Laid out when making the crossing near the 800 metres, placing HELLARAMA in restricted room for a short distance.
WOLF POINT – Laid in throughout the final straight.
 
Race 3: TOPX CLONCURRY QTIS CLASS 3 PLATE 1200M
 
DANCE WIZZARD – Shifted in when improving past the 800 metres, crowding TEQUILA DANCER for several strides. Rider Michael McDonald was reminded of his obligations when shifting ground. On returning to scale, rider McDonald reported that he did not ride DANCE WIZZARD out in the final straight due to concerns with the gelding’s action. In particular, he believed DANCE WIZZARD was feeling the effects of the firm racing surface. Due to other commitments, the track veterinarian was unable to examine DANCE WIZZARD prior to it leaving the track. Upon returning to her stable, trainer Ms Tanya Parry reported the gelding to be showing signs of jarring up and that she would attend to this concern in the coming days. Stewards are to be notified of the outcome.
MORE THAN A STAR – Got its head up for a short distance when being restrained passing the 800 metres.
TEQUILA DANCER – Placed in restricted room for several strides passing the 800 metres when DANCE WIZZARD shifted in.
OFFANGO – Travelled wide for the majority; gave ground from the 600 metres and was distanced at the finish. When questioned, rider Stephen Galvin could offer no explanation. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities. Trainer Tanya Parry was advised that a warning had been placed on OFFANGO’s racing performance.

Race 4: BRODIE AGENCIES RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1500M
 
THE TYLER – Jumped in abruptly at the start, unbalancing rider Michael McDonald for a short distance.
THE BOI – Travelled wide throughout. Rider Shane McGovern reported that, in his opinion, the gelding was feeling the effects of the firm track.
ZOUHOPE – Travelled wide for the majority of the race.
PANDA DRUM – Raced very greenly throughout the final straight.
LASTING PROMISE – Declared a late scratching at 2:45 pm after refusing to load into the barriers. Trainer Mr Ray Hermann was advised that LASTING PROMISE must requalify with respect to the barriers prior to racing again.
Following the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered that all wagers on LASTING PROMISE be refunded. Deductions were applied to all successful bets placed prior to 2:45 pm as follows:
* 1st – PANDA DRUM: 33 cents in the dollar for the win, 21 cents for the place
* 2nd – THE TYLER: 29 cents for the place
* 3rd – FAR REACHING: 29 cents for the place

FAR REACHING – Had to steady when awkwardly placed near heels passing the 800 metres.
 
Race 5: 2025 OUTBACK RACING SHOWCASE - FINAL / SOUTH32 MCKINLAY CUP OPEN HANDICAP 1500M
 
METAL BAR – Declared a late scratching at 3:33 pm after the gelding broke free and galloped an excessive distance riderless, following the cheek strap on its bridle breaking during loading. The equipment was inspected by Stewards and determined to be in acceptable condition. Stewards adjourned an inquiry into rider Michael McDonald’s whip use until Sunday 29th June 2025.
Following the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered that all wagers on METAL BAR be refunded. Deductions were applied to all successful bets placed prior to 3:33 pm as follows:
* 1st – HANG FIVE: 16 cents in the dollar for the win, 14 cents for the place
* 2nd – BURDEKIN: 18 cents for the place

I AM GOOD AT THIS – Laid out when entering the final straight, hampering VICTORY BAY (NZ), which simultaneously laid in when placed under pressure. Stewards noted that rider Stephen Galvin applied the whip three times more than permitted prior to the 100 metres, in breach of AR132(7)(a)(ii). However, taking into account the totality of the whip use, no further action was taken.
VICTORY BAY (NZ) – Laid in entering the final straight, becoming awkwardly placed near the heels of I AM GOOD AT THIS as a consequence; continued to lay in throughout the final straight.
 
Race 6: WARN FENCING AND YARD BUILDING OPEN HANDICAP 1000M
HURTLE – Travelled wide throughout.
THERESABEARINTHERE – Hung out throughout.
SHARPAY RULER – Trainer Mr Ray Hermann was reprimanded under AR207(1) for presenting the gelding with the incorrect saddlecloth; travelled wide throughout.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
Reprimands:
* Race 1: Michael McDonald – AR132(7)(a)(i) – Used whip in consecutive strides
* Race 6: Mr Ray Hermann – AR207(1) – Presented runner with incorrect saddlecloth

 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed post-race:
All winners
 
Warnings / Bars:
 
* Race 1: BETHEHORSE – Warning Barrier manners
* Race 3: OFFANGO – Warning Performance
* Race 4: LASTING PROMISE – Must requalify after refusing to load

 
Late Scratchings:
 
* Race 4: FIFTY CARATS, AFFIRMATIVE LIGHT, SOLAR CERT – No available rider
* Race 4: LASTING PROMISE – Refused to load into the barriers
* Race 5: METAL BAR – Escaped from the barriers prior to the start

 
Adjourned Inquiries:
* Race 5: Michael McDonald – Whip use

 
The matters contained within this Stewards Report may be subject to external review. The Racing Appeals Panel manages external reviews and 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.