QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

ROCKHAMPTON JOCKEY CLUB INC

TUESDAY 29TH JULY 2025

WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING –SOFT 6          
RAIL – +7m entire
PENETROMETER – 6.01

OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – Ethan Suli
Stewards – Shane Larkins, Hayden Gillett, Shikira Stehbens & Gary Wust
 
 
GENERAL
 
Due to a section of the track being unsuitable for racing near the 1500m, Racing Queensland with the confirmation from QRIC Stewards and Club Officials altered the starting distance for Race 6 to 1400m.
 
The following overweights were permitted by stewards:
 
Race 1.           Ashley Butler + 1kg.
Bailey Wheeler + 0.5kg.
Adam Sewell + 0.5kg.
Race 4.          Ryan Wiggins + 0.5kg.
Race 5.          Ryan Wiggins + 0.5kg.
Tasha Chambers + 1kg.
Sean Cormack + 1kg.
Race 6.          Bailey Wheeler +0.5kg.
 
 
Trainer Mark Currie was fined $100 under the provisions of AR227(a) for negligently failing to request a half kilogram overweight by the prescribed time for Apprentice Bailey Wheeler on ELEANOR NANCY and FREEMAN in races 1 and 6 respectively.
 

RACE 1: TAB QTIS THREE-YEARS-OLD HANDICAP (1200m)

ASK ME MATE – Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
BETTER THAN WORDS – Slow to begin. Held up for clear racing room in the home straight until a point near the 450m. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight and had to be straightened by its rider on a number of occasions.
 
ELEANOR NANCY – Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
AMBERINGER – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early stages. Help up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.
 
HORRIBLE HANK – Jumped away awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight and was unable to obtain clear racing room until shifting outwards passing the 300m.  
 
SUNSHINYDAY – Raced wide in the early stages. Inclined to lay in when placed under pressure in the home straight. When asked to comment on the performance, jockey Adam Sewell stated that in his opinion SUNSHINYDAY did not handle the step up in class and distance in today’s event.
 

RACE 2: GREAT NORTHERN QTIS TWO-YEARS-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP (1050m)
 
Stewards inquired into the circumstances where TAYLOR’S RAGE was checked rounding the turn near the 900m. After taking evidence from apprentice Brooke Johnson (EMBEZZLES), jockeys Les Tilley (TENNYSON MISS), Raul Silvera Olivera (NEXT LEGACY) and Hannah Richardson (TAYLOR’S RAGE), it was established that EMBEZZLES crossed in advance of TENNYSON MISS, when clear to do so. TENNYSON MISS then stepped inwards from that runner marginally, which resulted in NEXT LEGACY shifting in and away, with jockey Silvera Olivera taking immediate action. TAYLOR’S RAGE, which was racing to the inside of NEXT LEGACY, was then checked as a consequence. As stewards could not attribute blame fully to one rider to a degree that warranted a charge being issued, the circumstances were noted and reported as such.
 
I'M NOT GREY – Jumped away awkwardly and shifted inwards, bumping the hind quarters of EMBEZZLES.
 
NEXT LEGACY – Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight. A post-race examination revealed the filly to have lost its near hind shoe in running.
 
TAYLOR'S RAGE – Jumped away awkwardly. Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
EMBEZZLES – Bumped on jumping by I’M NOT GREY which shifted inwards.
 
MILK MAID – Jumped away awkwardly and shifted outwards abruptly shortly after the start.
 
SPINALONG LASS – Slow to begin.
 
TENNYSON MISS – Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
THE PALACE – Shifted inwards on jumping, bumping with LUNA READY.
 
LUNA READY – Shifted outwards on jumping, bumping with THE PALACE.


RACE 3: CQ FASTENERS & CONSTRUCTION SUPPLIES BM60 HANDICAP (1050m)

DEVIL DEVIL – Slow into stride. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
RIDEAU – Jumped away awkwardly. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
UNCUT GEM – Slow to begin. Overraced in the early and middle stages. Apprentice Chloe Lowe pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip on 10 occasions prior to the 100m, 12 times in total. Apprentice Lowe’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 8 days, with stewards ordering the suspension to commence midnight the 13th August 2025 and to concluding midnight 21st August 2025, following a suspension apprentice Lowe’s incurred at the Toowoomba meeting on Monday 28th July. In determining penalty, stewards took into consideration the QRIC whip penalty template.
 
BRAVE COWBOY BILL – Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
BULL DIMPLE RUM – Jumped away awkwardly and then bounded for a number of strides shortly afterwards, losing significant ground as a result.

 
RACE 4: BOOK FOR CAULFIELD CUP TODAY OPEN HANDICAP (1300m)
 
MASTER MONTARO – When asked to comment on the performance, jockey Les Tilley reported that MASTER MONTARO failed to travel at any stage throughout the event.
 
KATHY'S BEAU – Near the 1000m, had to shift wider on the track to avoid the overracing GRAND DE LAGO when that runner raced to its inside.
 
FOR VALOUR – Near the 100m, was momentarily steadied when KATHY’S BEAU shifted inwards under hard riding. Jockey Ryan Wiggins was advised to exercise greater care and be mindful of other runners when allowing his mounts to shift ground.
 
FINE SHOT – Slow to begin. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight. When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice Gabrielle Semmens stated that FINE SHOT proved disappointing and in her opinion the gelding may not have handled the softer track conditions.
 
MOENAVE – Slow to begin.
 
GRAND DE LAGO – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after having competed at Middlemount on the 26th of July 2025 and was cleared to start. Commenced to overrace in the early and middle stages, charging forward between runners near the 1000m despite the efforts of its rider. Was held up for clear racing room in the home straight until a point near the 300m.
 

RACE 5: FRENCHVILLE SPORTS CLUB MAIDEN HANDICAP (1400m)

BOOM CRUSHER – Was carried wider by FINE AND RARE which laid outwards near the 200m. When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice Chloe Lowe stated that BOOM CRUSHER travelled well in the early and middle stages of the event, however when asked to respond after being placed under pressure in the home straight, the gelding failed to do so and proved disappointing over the final stages.
 
NAUGHTYNODDY – Bumped on jumping by PITLECO LASS which shifted outwards. Trainer Tim Cook advised that it would be his intention along with connections, to look into the immediate racing future of NAUGHTYNODDY within his stable.
 
VILLANDRY – Held up for a clear racing room in the home straight until a point near the 150m.
 
JAY BEE ELL (NZ) – When asked to comment regarding the seemingly improved performance, jockey Adam Sewell advised that JAY BEE ELL (NZ) had derived significant benefit following its first start within the new stable on the 18th of July and appreciated the step up in distance in today’s event. Trainer Julieann Lancaster concurred with jockey Sewell’s comments, adding that the gelding had been working well in the lead up to todays and the stable were expecting the forward showing.   
 
PEAKING TOM – Jumped away awkwardly and shifted inwards, bumping ARTHUR’S DREAM. Raced wide throughout. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
BARGARA BOUND – Trainer Olivia Cairns was fined $100 under the provisions of LR30(1)(b) for failing to present BARGARA BOUND on course by the prescribed time. Trainer Olivia Cairns was also reprimanded under the provisions of AR106(2) for presenting BARGARA BOUND with incorrect gear, that being a tongue-tie. Jumped away awkwardly. Was unable to obtain clear racing room in the home straight until a point near the 200m.
 
ANGE – Jumped away awkwardly. Raced wide throughout. Raced keenly in the early stages. When asked to comment on the performance, jockey Jackson Murphy stated that ANGE was inclined to overrace after having blinkers applied for the first time, and after being trapped wide throughout, the filly tired noticeably over the final stages. Jockey Murphy further added that filly was not fluent in its action over the final stages, therefore he elected to ease the mount out over the concluding stages. Trainer Jess Kuhn was advised to report to stewards on the filly’s condition in the subsequent days.
 
ARTHUR'S DREAM – Bumped on jumping by PEAKING TOM which shifted inwards. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
CHECK ONE TWO – Jumped away awkwardly.
 
PITLECO LASS – Shifted outwards on jumping, bumping NAUGHTYNODDY.
 
FINE AND RARE – Laid outwards when placed under pressure in the home straight and carried BOOM CRUSHER wider near the 200m.
 
HADMYTIME – Slow to begin. Had to steady and shift inwards to avoid racing onto the heels of ARTHUR’S DREAM passing the 100m. Jockey Natalea Summers pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip on 10 occasions prior to the 100m, 11 times in total. Jockey Summers licence to ride was suspended for a period of 8 days with the suspension to commence midnight 5th August 2024 and to conclude midnight 13th August 2025. In determining penalty, stewards took into consideration the QRIC whip penalty template.
 

RACE 6: LJ HOOKER BM65 HANDICAP (1400m)

ZHUANG SHI – Jumped away awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin.
 
FIRE KING – Near the 400m was bumped by GENERAL HIPPO which laid inwards.
 
PREPOTENT – Shifted inwards on jumping, bumping THE LAST SAGA shortly afterwards. Raced wide in the early stages. Laid out when placed under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
GENERAL HIPPO – Commenced to overrace in the early stages. Commenced to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight and bumped FIRE KING near 400m. When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice Chloe Lowe stated that GENERAL HIPPO did not appreciate the tempo set throughout the early stages and despite her efforts, the gelding would have benefitted restraining and finding cover instead of overracing.  
 
FREEMAN – Was held up for clear racing room in the home straight until a point near the 300m. When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice Bailey Wheeler stated that he was slightly disappointed in the gelding’s overall performance and in hindsight, may have been better served racing in a more forward position.
 
THE LAST SAGA – Bumped by PREPOTENT which shifted inwards shortly after the start. When asked to comment on the performance, jockey Sean Cormack advised that THE LAST SAGA failed to show early speed in the event, however travelled well towards the rear of the field. Jockey Cormack added that his mount progressed forward satisfactorily in the early stages of the home straight, however proved disappointing when asked to respond and was unable to run on as expected. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
BO BO BEWARE – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 

RACE 7: NEXT RJC RACEDAY 5 AUGUST CLASS 1 HANDICAP (1400m)

DETERMINATION – Jumped away awkwardly. Overraced in the early and middle stages. Held up for clear racing room in the home straight until a point near the 400m.
 
OUT OF LUCK – Jumped away awkwardly. Laid inwards when placed under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
SPIRIT TALKER – Slow to begin.
 
ICONIC PRINCE – Was declared a late scratching on veterinary advice at 8:19am. Trainer Craig Russell was advised that ICONIC PRINCE would require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
 
AIN'T NOBODY – Jumped away awkwardly
 
NEPTUNE LEGEND – Shifted inwards on jumping, bumping SPIRITED SMILE. Raced wide throughout.
 
GRAECI – When questioned regarding the performance, jockey Ashley Butler advised that GRAECI travelled well in the early and middle stages without enduring any work, however proved disappointing when placed under pressure in the home straight, going to the line disappointingly. Trainer Ricky Vale advised stewards that it would be his intentions to have blood tests conducted and advised of any anomalies.
 
SIDESHOW FRANKIE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after having competed at Bundaberg on 26th July and was cleared to start. Jumped away awkwardly. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
SPIRITED SMILE – Buffeted between runners at the start.
 
MASALI RAFFA – Raced wide in the early stages until obtaining a lead position near the 700m. Raced keenly in the middle stages. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, in particular obtaining a significant lead in the middle stages, apprentice Brooke Johnson stated that after beginning from the wide barrier, it was her intention to attempt to be situated on pace near the lead, however MASALI RAFFA commenced to overrace quite fiercely in the early stages and was quite difficult to restrain. Apprentice Johnson added that once her mount commenced to overrace, instead of being trapped wide she elected to push forward hoping her mount would settle and race in a comfortable position. Stewards noted apprentice Johnson’s comments.  
 

RACE 8: MELBOURNE CUP AT CALLAGHAN PARK 0 - 55 HANDICAP (1200m)

GILBERT'S GOLD – Raced wide until obtaining a lead opposition near 800m.
 
UPTURN – Raced keenly throughout.
 
THE DARK SIDE – Commenced to overrace in the early stages. Near the 800m, had to steady and shift outwards to avoid the heels of HERE’S TO POWER after that runner put in an awkward stride. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.  
 
ELECTRIC BRAE – Jumped away awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin. Raced wide throughout.
 
HERE'S TO POWER – Jumped away awkwardly. Near the 850m shied away from CRAIGLEA MERIDA, put in an awkward stride after making contact with the inside running rail. Momentarily inconvenienced near 150m when SILVERADO MISS shifted inwards marginally. When questioned on the performance jockey L Tilly reported that after becoming unbalanced near 900m the filly failed to travel well there after and proved disappointing.
 
IMPERIONESS – Raced wide throughout.
 
SILVERADO MISS – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Near the 150m, shifted inwards to obtain clear racing room and momentarily inconvenienced HERE’S TO POWER.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 5.          Trainer Olivia Cairns – AR106(2) – Incorrect gear

Fines
Race 1 & 6.   Trainer Mark Currie – AR227(a) – $100 – Negligently failing to request overweight by prescribed time
Race 5.          Trainer Olivia Cairns – LR30(1)(b) – $100 – Failed to present horse on course by prescribed time
 
Suspensions
Race 3.          Apprentice Chole Lowe – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Use of the whip – 8-day suspension – m/n 13/08/2025 to m/n 21/08/2025
Race 5.          Natalea Summers – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Use of whip – 8-day suspension – m/n 5/08/2025 to m/n 13/08/2025
 

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
ELEANOR NANCY, RIDEAU, MASTER MONTARO, BOOM CRUSHER, NONDISCLOSURE, GRAECI, UPTURN, BARGARA BOUND.

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
 
Race 7.          ICONIC PRINCE – Veterinary clearance required


Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 2.          LUNA READY – Apprentice Amy Graham
Race 5.          FINE AND RARE – Apprentice Gabrielle Semmens
HADMYTIME – Natalea Summers
Race 7.          MASALI RAFFA – Apprentice Brooke Johnson
Race 8.          HERE’S TO POWER – Les Tilley
                        IMPERIONESS – Hannah Richardson

 
Late scratchings
 
Race 7.          ICONIC PRINCE – Late scratching @ 8:19am 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.