QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
MACKAY TURF CLUB
FRIDAY 17TH JULY 2026

WEATHER – FINE 
TRACK RATING – SOFT 5 (Race 1) Good 4 (Races 2-8)     
RAIL – TRUE
PENETROMETER – 5.45

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – H Gillett
Stewards – S Larkins, D Griffiths, S Nosworthy & J McIntosh


GENERAL
 
Trainer Raymond Williams was fined $100 under LR67(1) for failing to declare riders on his runners DWAYNE and FINE SHOT by the prescribed time.
 
Trainer Tom Button was fined $100 under LR67(1) for failing to declare a rider on CONVO by the prescribed time.
 
Trainer Alisha Taylor was reprimanded under AR227(a) in which she was negligent in not requesting overweight for LETMELETGO in race 7 by the prescribed time.
 
Stewards permitted overweights as per the race day summary.
 
 
RACE 1: LADBROKES ODDS SURGE MAIDEN HANDICAP (QTIS BONUSES APPLICABLE 2&3YO'S ONLY)       1100 M
 
CHATSWORTH – Began awkwardly. Carried inwards soon after the start and tightened BALKAN MELODY. Raced keenly in the early stages.

SHEFFLIN – Began awkwardly. Tightened between runners and lost ground near the 1000m. Raced greenly under pressure in the home straight.
 
AVGAS – Began awkwardly and bumped with CINCHICATED at the start. Raced greenly under pressure in the home straight. Rider S Cormack reported that his mount raced greenly throughout and will derive benefit with further race experience.

BRITISH NAVY – Shifted in and away from MINNIE VEGAS when that runner was clear to cross soon after the start, resulting in CHATSWORTH being carried inwards and tightening the ground of BALKAN MELODY, which lost ground in consequence. SHEFFLIN which was racing further to the inside was tightened between runners and lost ground.
 
SENSEI GIRL – Began awkwardly. Raced ungenerously in the early stages. Hung out badly throughout and carried INSAIN LADY very wide for a significant distance. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities. Trainer G Kinlyside was advised that the filly has been stood down from racing until the completion of a satisfactory trial.

MURMURS – Began awkwardly and was slow to begin. Raced wide early. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

CINCHICATED – Blundered at the start and bumped with AVGAS. Raced keenly in the early stages. Placed awkwardly at the heels of AVGAS near the 900m.

BALKAN MELODY – Reared at the start. Hampered and lost ground soon after the start when tightened between CHATSWORTH and SENSEI GIRL. Over raced in the early stages. Held up for clear racing room entering the home straight.
 
INSAIN LADY – Began awkwardly. Over raced onto the heels of SENSEI girl approaching the 600m and shifted wider. Impeded for a significant distance and caried very wide between the 500m and well into the home straight when SENSEI GIRL hung outwards badly.
 
MISS SO AND SO – Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 

RACE 2: MOJO'S QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP         1300 M
 
MIND OVER MATTER – Began awkwardly. Over raced in the early stages when racing wide on the track. Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight. Rider S Cormack advised that he felt the weight impost and step up in distance today where contributing factors that would explain the disappointing performance.

LUCKY LASS – Began awkwardly. Held up for clear racing room for the majority of the home straight and was only able to obtain clear running leaving the 100m.
 
ASPEN COWBOY – Began awkwardly. Liad out under pressure over the final 100m.

CHLOE FIRST – Slow into stride. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

THE KOBAY TRAIN – Began awkwardly. Raced wide early until obtaining the position outside the leader near the 900m. Over raced in the early and middle stages.

INNOVADER – Raced keen in the early stages.

MR SUGAR DADDY – Began awkwardly.


RACE 3: LADBROKES MACKAY CUP SATURDAY 25TH JULY BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP       1200 M
 
GUAC ON – Began awkwardly and bumped with MR DAMAGE. Raced wide early until obtaining the lead near the 700m. Shifted out under pressure in the home straight.
 
MAGIC IN ME – Began awkwardly. Raced wide in the early stages.

LUCKY DUCK – Began awkwardly and bumped with I’M STELLAR. Bumped with I’M STELLAR near the 100m.

MOOCHI STARLIGHT – Began awkwardly. Over raced noticeably in the early and middle stages.
 
EMILIA JANE (NZ) – Began awkwardly.

MARAVILLAS – Over raced in the early stages.

I'M STELLAR – Knuckled at the start resulting in the rider becoming unbalanced. Bumped with LUCKY DUCK soon after the start. Raced wide throughout. Bumped by LUCKY DUCK near the 100m.

RAVENITE – Inclined to lay out under pressure in the home straight.
 
SENSATIONABULL – Rider L Tilley reported that his mount felt awkward in its action on occasions during the run. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.

POWER CHIC – Began awkwardly and was slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early stages.

MR DAMAGE – Raced greenly throughout.


RACE 4: STARCUT FLOWERS BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP         1560 M
 
Prior to the declaration of correct weight both riders T Fenlon and M Goring viewed the replays of the home straight to ascertain whether they may have had grounds to lodge a protest. After viewing the replays neither rider wished to proceed with a protest and correct weight was declared on the judges numbers.
 
EAGLE WARRIOR – Began awkwardly.
 
SHOALWATER BAY – Carried wider over the final 150m when GOT GUMPTION shifted outwards under pressure. Apprentice M Goring was struck on the arm on at least 1 occasion by the whip of jockey T Fenlon (BANXI) leaving 100m and the whip of T Fenlon also struck the head of SHOALWATER BAY on at least 1 occasion when racing in close confines leaving the 100m.

GOT GUMPTION – Began awkwardly. Over raced in the early stages. Shifted outwards under pressure in the home straight and carried SHOALWATER BAY wider over the final 150m. Jockey B Kennedy was reprimanded under AR131(a) for failing to ensure his mount maintained a straight course.

TWIN TURBO – Raced keenly in the early stages. Raced wide throughout. Inclined to lay out in the early stages of the home straight.

KICKAGOAL KENNY – began awkwardly and bumped with BANXI.
 
BANXI – Bumped at the start with KICKAGOAL KENNY. Raced keenly for the majority. Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight.

BRASCO – Began awkwardly and was slow into stride.

GENERAL GORDON – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.

MAYOR OF KINGSTON – Began awkwardly and was slow into stride. Raced keenly in the early stages. Improved onto the heels of EAGLE WARRIOR near the 1000m and shifted wider on the track racing wide thereafter. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.


RACE 5: BLACKS REAL ESTATE H.L. BLACK MEMORIAL OPEN HANDICAP    1800 M
 
CAFFREY (IRE) – Began awkwardly and was slow to begin.
 
GOING NUCLEAR – Began awkwardly and was slow to begin. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
JOURNALISM – Began awkwardly. Briefly tightened near the 1100m when CASH ARTIST shifted inwards. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

ODEGAARD – Began awkwardly and bumped with THE PENSKE FILE. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

CANBERRA LEGEND (IRE) – Began awkwardly. Over raced noticeably in the early and middle stages. Jockey A Butler when questioned regarding the horse establishing a significant leading margin in the middle stages advised that after allowing the horse to steadily progress to the lead in the initial stages his mount commenced to over race and despite his efforts the gelding refused to settle. Jockey Butler further advised that it was not intention to establish such a lead and with the addition of blinkers today he was placed at a disadvantage.
 
THE PENSKE FILE – Bumped with ODEGAARD at the start.

TAVANASIA (NZ) – Began awkwardly. Over raced in the early stages. Jockey L Tilley was reminded of his obligations regarding his use of the whip when out of contention.

THE DRILLER – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages. Raced in restricted room for a number of strides leaving the winning post with a lap to travel when GOING NUCLEAR shifted outwards and CASH ARTIST shifted inwards.

EL PENSADOR – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages.

CASH ARTIST - Raced wide in the early stages. Raced keenly in the early stages. Shifted in near the 1100m and briefly tightening JOURNALISM. Rider N Summers was advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances.

MISTERKIPCHOGE (NZ) – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 

RACE 6: S.H. TAIT & CO CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP         1800 M
 

BATEMANS BAY (FR)       - Began awkwardly. Tightened for room leaving the winning post on the first occasion. Had difficulty obtaining clear racing room in the home straight. Raced in restricted room over the final 50m when ECLIPSION shifted inwards and DWAYNE shifted out and was unable to be fully tested to the finish.
 
BEG ME – Underwent a resaddle upon arrival at the barriers. Began awkwardly and bumped with SAVVY THINKER at the start. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

DWAYNE – Began awkwardly.

ECLIPSION – Began awkwardly. Over raced in the early and middle stages.

CONVO – Slow to begin. Raced wide throughout. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

MORDECAI – Began awkwardly and was slow to begin. Impeded immediately after the start when JETPACK VERDI (NZ) shifted in.

SAVVY THINKER – Began awkwardly and bumped with BEG ME at the start.

JETPACK VERDI (NZ) - Began awkwardly. Tightened and checked, contacting the running rail racing out of the home straight when BATEMANS BAY (FR) was tightened inwards by HOWSE which hung inwards despite concerted efforts from rider O Kendal. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
HOWSE – Hung inwards leaving the winning post on the first occasion despite efforts of the rider and tightened BATEMANS BAY (FR) in onto JETPACK VERDI (NZ) which was checked and contacted the running rail.
 
YOROKOBI (NZ) – Began awkwardly. Near the 1200m over raced onto the heels of GONCALO and had to be restrained. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

GONCALO – Over raced in the early stages.

LATIN LOVE – Fractious in the barriers, began awkwardly and was slow to begin as a result. Over raced in the middle stages. Shifted wider leaving the 600m in an attempt to improve. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

BOOM CRUSHER – Began awkwardly. Raced keen when wide in the early stages.

WICKED GAMES – Raced wide throughout.


RACE 7: LADBROKES MACKAY NEWMARKET         1300 M
 
SPEED LEGEND – Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure in the home straight. Had difficulty obtaining clear racing room until a point near the 200m.

YES DREAM – Began awkwardly. Tightened for racing room when crossed by LETMELETGO near the 950m. Jockey S Cormack (LETMELETGO) was reprimanded under AR131(a) for failing to leave sufficient clearance when crossing. Raced fiercely in the early and middle stages. Held up for clear racing room in the early part of the home straight.

NORTHERN PRIDE – Raced keenly in the middle stages. Laid in under pressure in the early part of the home straight.

OBLIGATED – Held up for clear racing room in the early part of the home straight.

HELLISH – Raced wide early. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

TRACK TALE – Slow into stride. Raced wide throughout.

LIBERTY STEPS – Began awkwardly and was slow to begin as a result. Briefly held up for a clear run entering the home straight. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

PARADE GROUND – Began awkwardly and was slow to begin as a result. Was disappointed for a run between TRACK TALE and OUTSMARTED near the 250m. Bumped with ROLL UP near the 200m.

FINE SHOT – Began awkwardly and blundered soon after the start. Bumped with ROLL UP near the 950m. Had difficulty obtaining a clear run until a point near the 150m.

ROLL UP – Began awkwardly. Bumped with FINE SHOT near the 950m. Raced in restricted room over the concluding stages.

RED HOT LIZZIE – Began awkwardly.

OUTBACK ACTION – Raced wide throughout.


RACE 8: RACING AGAIN SATURDAY 25TH JULY BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP 1300 M

SIGIRIYA ROCK – Slow to begin and impeded at the start between KHUMBILA and ARCTIC BEAR.

KHUMBILA - Began awkwardly. Over raced in the early and middle stages.
 
DEALING'S DONE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination behind the barriers and was cleared to start. Slow to begin.

INCA TRAIL – A post-race veterinary examination revealed the presence of blood in both nostrils. Trainers A and D Simpson were advised of the provisions of AR79(4) for a first time bleeder.

FLYING SHAMUS – Raced wide throughout. Laid in under pressure over the final 100m. Jockey C Jokic when questioned regarding her mount being ridden with vigor to race in a forward position which is contrary to recent starts advised that her instructions were to attempt to ride in as forward a position as possible if the mare responded to the efforts to achieve that desire. Ms Jokic further added that her mount began relatively well and responded to her initial vigor to race forward, however was unable to obtain the lead and was then trapped wide throughout. Stewards intend to question trainer J Hatfield regarding the tactics adopted and riding instructions provided.   

ALABAMA MOONLIGHT – Began awkwardly.

COLLEANO – Began awkwardly. Briefly held up for a clear run in the early stages of the home straight. Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight.

LINE 'EM UP LOUI – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Laid in under pressure over the final 100m.

CARPACCIO – Began awkwardly.

ARCTIC BEAR – Began awkwardly and shifted in at the start.

RAJNISH – Hung in under pressure. Had difficulty obtaining clear racing room in the home straight.


 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Overweights
Race 5 – Jockey Les Tilley - +1kg
Race 5 – Jockey Lacey Morrison - +1kg
Race 7 - Jockey Les Tilley - +1kg
Race 7 – Jockey Sean Cormack + 0.5kg
 
Reprimands
 
Race 4 – Jockey Ben Kennedy – AR131(a) careless riding.
Race 7 Jockey Sean Cormack – AR131(a) careless riding.
General – Trainer A Taylor – AR227(a) – Reprimand – Negligence in failing to request overweight by the prescribed time.

Fines
 
General – Trainer R Williams – LR67(1) - $100 – late declaration of rider
General – Trainer T Button – LR67(1) - $100 – late declaration of rider
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
BRITISH NAVY, MIND OVER MATTER, ASPEN COWBOY, GUAC ON, SHOALWATER BAY, CAFFREY (IRE), GOING NUCLEAR, ODEGAARD, BATEMANS BAY (FR), DWAYNE, LATIN LOVE, LETMELETGO, PARADE GROUND, RED HOT LIZZIE, ARCTIC BEAR.

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners & OUTBACK ACTION.

Warnings/bars
Race 1 SENSEI GIRL – Stood down 1 satisfactory trial – Hung out badly.
 
Bleeders
Race 8 INCA TRAIL – bled 1st occasion, stood down AR79(4).
Falls
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications

Race 6:         4 DWAYNE - Ms Chelsea Jokic
                    6 CONVO - Ben Kennedy
                    15e BOOM CRUSHER - Wanderson D'Avila
                    16e WICKED GAMES - Ron Stewart
Race 7:         11 FINE SHOT - Nathan Thomas 
 
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.