QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

RICHMOND RACE CLUB

SATURDAY 16 AUGUST 2025

WEATHER –Fine
TRACK RATING –Dirt (Fast)
RAIL – True Entire Course
PENETROMETER – N/A

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – S. Nosworthy
Stewards – P. Warren

GENERAL
 
1.    The following runners were declared a late scratching at 11:00am due to no rider being available:
Race 1: No 1. CHARGRILL, No 2. OUTCAST SOLDIER, No 5. WHOLELOTTALOVE, No 6. BEGORRA, No 11. RUSTY ROSE
Race 2: No 2. MONTE AZUL, No 4. SIR BOB, No 6. EROTAS, No 8. SEABEE
Race 3: No 7. TRICKETEER, No 9. TORONADO ROUGE
Race 4: No 4. TRICKETEER, No 6. ZEQUEL, No 9. SANTORINI SUN, No 10. YELLOWSTONE BETH, No 11. RED SUTURE
Race 5: No 3. JOY MCCOY, No 7. GLASSOUT, No 9. SUPERSTELLAR, No 10. DANGEREUSE
2.    Prior to the commencement of the race meeting, all riders were subject to a random breath test and all cleared to fulfil their engagements.
 
 
Race 1: MONTY O’ SULLIVAN 42ND BT AIF MEMORIAL RATINGS BAND 0-50 Handicap 1000M
 
HELLARAMA – On returning to scale, rider Hannah Phillips reported that in her opinion HELLARAMA did not handle the Richmond track today.
 
TUCK – Slow to begin then bumped with WHISKEY RIVER, losing ground.
 
WHISKEY RIVER – Began awkwardly and shifted in bumping with TUCK, losing ground.
 
BASQUE – Laid in through the early part of the home straight.
 
SNIPPILICIOUS – Raced wide in the early stages. Laid in under pressure despite the efforts of its rider over the concluding stages.
 
Race 2: WJ & VM HARRINGTON & DAUGHTER ANNIE CORAL SEA MEMORIAL QTIS Maiden Plate 1000M

AZCONPETE – When questioned on the performance of the beaten favorite, rider Tessa Townsend stated that after beginning on terms with the field she elected to ride AZCONPETE with cover, however after assuming such position, the gelding began to heavily resent the kickback and lost considerable ground through the middle stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.
 
SCHOOL FEES (NZ) – Slow into stride.  
 
UP TO US – Raced wide throughout.
 
TALLULAH – Had to be steadied away from the heels of AZCONPETE shortly after the start, losing ground.
 
THE JILLAROO – Proved difficult to load. Stewards noted rider David Sparks exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+3) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use, no further action was taken.
 
Race 3: HUGHES EARTHMOVING OPEN PLATE 1200M

HANG FIVE – Approaching the 350 metres, shifted in and contracted the running rail, becoming unbalanced for a distance losing ground. Rider Hannah Phillips reported that her right foot had struck the rail in this incident, and subsequently was examined by QAS officials and cleared to fulfil her remaining engagements. 
 
ILZOOMYA – Stewards noted rider David Sparks exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+3) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use, no further action was taken.
 
VIBURNUM – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
WELLOUTOFREACH – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
Race 4: LT COL HARRY MURRAY VICTORIA CROSS BENCHMARK 60 Handicap 1200M

GARDENEZIO – Raced wide throughout.
 
PENNYPACKER – Shifted wider to improve passing the 500 metres. Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
CHASETON – Began only fairly. Ran wide rounding the home turn, taking CLOGS wider.
 
REVVED UP READY – Rider David Sparks pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 132(7)(a)(ii) for applying the whip to his mount on 10 occasions prior to the 100 metres and 12 times in total. Rider Sparks’ license was subsequently suspended from riding in races from the conclusion of racing on Saturday 16th August 2025 up to and including racing on Sunday 24th August (8 Days).
 
CLOGS – Raced wide throughout. Taken wider rounding the home turn.
 
Race 5: RI MCCLYMONT MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 50 Handicap 1400M

THE TYLER – Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
I SHOT THE SHERIFF – Momentarily crowded for room rounding the home turn.
 
FAR REACHING – Began awkwardly. Raced wide without cover throughout. Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
TEQUILA DANCER – Raced wide passing the 700 metres.
 
SOGOYA – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Laid in rounding the final turn momentarily crowding I SHOT THE SHERIFF.
 
ZOUHOPE – Very slow to begin. Stewards noted rider David Sparks exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+2) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use, no further action was taken.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Nil
Fines
Nil
Suspensions
Race 4 – Rider David Sparks –AR 132(7)(a)(ii) – whip use 8 times prior to the 100 metres and 12 in total – Suspended 16th August 2025 to 24th August 2025 (Inclusive)
Race day injuries/illness
Rider Hannah Phillips – Minor swelling to right foot. Was advised to update Stewards should she seek any medical attention. 
Absent jockeys
Nil
Adjourned inquiries
Nil

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
HELLARAMA, TUCK, SCHOOL FEES (NZ), LETHALLAY STELLA, HANG FIVE, VIBURNUM, WELLOUTOFREACH, CHASETON, REVVED UP READY, CLOGS, RACATOON
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Nil
Bleeders
Nil
Falls
Nil
Adjourned inquiries
Nil

Protests
Nil

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Nil
 
Late scratchings
 
The following runners were declared a late scratching at 11:00am due to no rider being available:
Race 1: No 1. CHARGRILL, No 2. OUTCAST SOLDIER, No 5. WHOLELOTTALOVE, No 6. BEGORRA, No 11. RUSTY ROSE
Race 2: No 2. MONTE AZUL, No 4. SIR BOB, No 6. EROTAS, No 8. SEABEE
Race 3: No 7. TRICKETEER, No 9. TORONADO ROUGE
Race 4: No 4. TRICKETEER, No 6. ZEQUEL, No 9. SANTORINI SUN, No 10. YELLOWSTONE BETH, No 11. RED SUTURE
Race 5: No 3. JOY MCCOY, No 7. GLASSOUT, No 9. SUPERSTELLAR, No 10. DANGEREUSE
 


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.