QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

MACKAY TURF CLUB
 
FRIDAY 13 FEBRUAY 2026

WEATHER – Fine   
TRACK RATING – Good 4
RAIL – True
PENETROMETER – 5.1

 
OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – Ethan Suli
Stewards – Shane Larkins, Darryl Griffiths, Peter Warren & Sam Nosworthy (Clerk of Scales)

 
GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted the following overweights:
Race 2 – Ryan Wiggins (1kg)
Race 4 – Sean Cormack (1kg)
 
Some publications failed to display that LADY WILLPOWER was to race in correctly declared blinkers in race 2.
 
Trainer Tom Smith was questioned in relation to the scratching of BARBARIAN KING from race one. Mr Smith advised that he fully intended to start the gelding as he was confident of a very forward showing, however yesterday morning BARBARIAN KING was showing signs of a virus and as such he elected to scratch the horse and immediately commence treatment. Mr Smith was advised to report to stewards on BARBARIAN KING’s condition in the coming days.
 
Trainer Ricky Vale was questioned in relation to the scratching of MASTER MONTARO and EARLY FUSION from race 4. Mr Vale explained that both horses were original nominations for the event, however MASTER MONTARO showed mild soreness after galloping on Monday 9th February and despite efforts to rectify this, the gelding failed to improve in its gait, and EARLY FUSION had continually struggled to hold satisfactory condition in the past week due to the recent humidity, therefore he elected to scratch the gelding to allow the horse to have a two week let up before resuming its preparation.

 
Race 1: SKY RACING QTIS TWO-YEARS-OLD HANDICAP 1050 M

DUB STEPPING – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination which revealed an abrasion to the left-fore tendon area which was healing and was cleared to start. Jumped away awkwardly and brushed with BLESSED BOOM and was fractionally slow to begin as a result. Over raced in the early and middle stages. Laid inwards under pressure in the home straight.
 
ON LOCATION – Fractious in the barriers and then jumped away awkwardly. Inclined to lay out under pressure in the home straight.
 
BLESSED BOOM – Brushed with DUB STEPPING at the start. Reluctant to stretch out fully in the early stages. Laid inwards under pressure in the home straight. Trainer Tom Smith reported that the filly cast the left-fore shoe in running.
 
LITTLE LINDA – Jockey Warwick Satherley reported that he felt his mount was awkward in its action over the concluding stages and may be showing signs of shin soreness. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly to have cast the left fore shoe in running and no other abnormalities were detected.
 

Race 2: LADBROKES POPULAR SRM QTIS THREE-YEARS-OLD PLATE 1200 M

NOSEY NEO – Hung in under pressure in the home straight and was restrained away from the heels WAYNO, which shifted outwards marginally near the 100m.
 
WAYNO – Inclined to lay out under pressure in the home straight. Apprentice McKenzie Apel stated that after beginning only fairly the gelding failed to travel as well as expected and then when placed under pressure in the home straight failed to finish the race off as expected.
 
FABULEAN – Fractious in the barriers, threw its head in the air at the start and was slow to begin as a result.
 
LADY WILLPOWER – Jumped away awkwardly. Raced keen early when being restrained to obtain cover. Jockey Ryan Wiggins advised that the filly proved to be disappointing after having good run in transit and finished the race off in a dour manner.
 
GIRLS GOT ATTITUDE – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
SUPID DATE – Hung in under pressure in the home straight.
 

Race 3: BOOK FUNCTION CENTRE FOR FUNCTIONS QTIS THREE-YEARS-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1100 M

Due to the photo finish system failing, correct weight was delayed to allow the stewards and judge to confirm placings. After viewing available replays stewards declared the numbers 1 (FARAWAY DOWNS) first, 2 & 8 dead heat second (BELVEDERE MISS & WHO ASKED ZOU) and fourth 7 (OUTCRY). In declaring a dead heat for second, stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that there was a discernable margin between the two runners at the finish on the available replays.
 
FARAWAY DOWNS – Slow to begin and impeded soon after the start when BELVEDERE MISS shifted in. Over raced in the early and middle stages.
 
BELVEDERE MISS – Shifted in at the start and impeded FARAWAY DOWNS soon.
 
MILK MAID – Raced wide in the early stages.
 
WHO ASKED ZOU – Raced wide early. Raced keenly throughout when leading.
 
VAN DER WOODSEN – Raced keenly in the middle stages. Laid inwards under pressure in the home straight.
 

Race 4: LADBROKES MEGA MULTI HANDICAP 1100 M

PIPISTRELLE – Jumped away awkwardly and bumped with KAHAYLAN soon after the start. Shifted wider near the 500m to improve.
 
JOURNALISM – Jumped away awkwardly and was slow to begin as a result.
 
RUBUNKAR – Shifted in of its own accord near the 50m and brushed the running rail.
 
KAHAYLAAN – Bumped with PIPISTRELLE at the start.
 
TORERA – Over raced in the early stages. Shifted outwards under pressure near the 100m and bumped with JOURNALISM. Jockey Olivia Kendal was reminded to ensure her mounts maintain a straight course.
 

Race 5: BOOK FOR AMATEUR CUP SAT 23RD MAY 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1100 M

BOOM CRUSHER – Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
RUM RUMBLE – Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
POCKET PICKER – Jumped away awkwardly.
 
RUM RUNNER (NZ) – Briefly held up for clear running in the early part of the home straight.
 
WHISKEY DANCER – Underwent a re-saddle behind the barriers. Raced wide throughout.
 
BUBBLES'N'FROTH – Jumped away awkwardly resulting in jockey Nathan Thomas becoming unbalanced. Inclined to lay inwards under pressure in the home straight.
 
LITTLE PINKER – Held up for clear racing room in the early part of the home straight until a point near the 200m.
 
MR DAMAGE – Jumped away awkwardly.
 
GRUMPYOLDCOL – Jumped away awkwardly and blundered at the start resulting in jockey Chris McIver becoming unbalanced.
 
MARELLITY – Jumped away awkwardly. Over raced when wide in the early stages.
 

Race 6: LADBROKES OWNERS PROMOTION QTIS MAIDEN HANDICAP 1300 M

PARPPY 'N' ME – Jumped away awkwardly and was slow to begin as a result.
 
MR SUGAR DADDY – Bumped with MISSISSIPPI DREAM at the start.
 
NEXT STOP JUPITER – Raced keen in the early stages.
 
MISSISSIPPI DREAM (NZ) – Bumped with MR SUGAR DADDY at the start.
 
READY AND BETTA – Over raced in the early and middle stages. Checked from the heels of VOLARE leaving the 600m when over racing, resulting in FROSTY’S GOTHCHA, which was also over racing, being checked and then shifting out, checking SHE’S GOT LYRICS wider. STELLAR LEGEND, which was trailing these runners, was also checked.
 
SHE'S GOT LYRICS – Over raced in the middle stages. Checked wider on the track leaving the 600m. Laid out under pressure in the home straight and carried HERE’S MASON wider near the 200m.
 
FROSTY'S GOTCHA – Over raced in the early and middle stages. Checked from heels leaving the 600m. Laid inwards under pressure in the home straight.
 
STELLAR LEGEND – Checked leaving the 600m. Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight.
 
HERE'S MASON – Began awkwardly and blundered soon after the start. Carried wider near the 200m.
 
MISS COMANECI – Slow to begin.
 

Race 7: RACING AGAIN THURS 19TH MARCH BM60 HANDICAP         1300 M

IMPRESSIONISM – Jockey Aiden Holt advised that he felt the disappointing performance could be attributed to the gelding possibly getting its tongue over the bit.
 
NEW LEVEL (NZ) – Bumped with AWESOME SPIRIT at the start.
 
UNIFIES – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
AMBERINGER – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
AWESOME SPIRIT – Jumped away awkwardly and bumped with NEW LEVEL (NZ).
 
FIFTY FIVE MUSTANG – Slow to begin. Raced keenly during the middle stages. Laid outwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
ISHOTTHEDEPUTY – Held up for clear running in the early part of the home straight until a point nearing the 200m.
 
SMASHING ROSIE – Slow into stride. Shifted wider leaving the 700m. Inclined to lay inwards under pressure in the home straight.
 
GRAECI – Declared a late scratching at 2:37pm on veterinary advise when found to have a noticeable abrasion above the left eye. Trainer Ricky Vale was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to the mare resuming racing.
 

Race 8: HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY FROM MTC CLASS 3 PLATE         1560 M

CHAPARRAL CHASE – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
MASALI RAFFA – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
MISTERKIPCHOGE (NZ) – Raced keen early.
 
TORQUE ESPAGNA – Slow to begin.
 
BE BOB ALOOLA – Laid in under pressure in the early stages of the home straight. Shifted out under pressure close to the finish and bumped with BITTER SPIRIT.
 
BITTER SPIRIT – Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight. Bumped by BE BOP ALOOLA close to the finish when that runner shifted outwards.
 
GRUMPYWANTSATISSUE – Slow to begin.
 
KHAMIS – Over raced in the early and middle stages. Hung in under pressure in the home straight. Upon returning to scale, apprentice Olivia Kendal advised that her saddle slipped back near the 600m.

 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
FABULEAN, MILK MAID, BUBBLES’N’FROTH, SMASHING ROSIE, MASALI RAFFA, BE BOP ALOOLA.
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 7 – GRAECI – Stood down vet clearance.
 
Late scratchings
 
Race 7 – GRAECI – Late scratching @ 2.37pm on veterinary advice.

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.