QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

ROCKHAMPTON JOCKEY CLUB INC

THURSDAY 21ST AUGUST 2025

WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING –  Soft 5 (R1-R4), Good 4
RAIL – +5m Entire
PENETROMETER – 5.75

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – H Gillett
Stewards – S Larkins, E Suli. G Wust & S Stehbens

 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
Gladstone 20/5/25: Race 4 – 2025 Battle of the Bush Gladstone Qualifier Open Plate 1194m
 
Stewards concluded an inquiry into an incident which occurred shortly after the start of Race 4. Evidence was taken from apprentice jockey Julie Busuttin, rider of TAKE THE LEAD, and jockey Hannah Phillips, rider of BAYERISCHE, along with viewing the available replays. It was established that shortly after the start, TAKE THE LEAD had shied away from another runner to its inside and, despite the efforts of apprentice Busuttin, shifted out across the heels of BAYERISCHE, which resulted in TAKE THE LEAD clipping heels and subsequently blundering. Stewards were satisfied that BAYERISCHE, maintained a straight course leading into the incident and could not be attributed to the interference. Given the circumstances, and after considering all evidence, stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that any rider was careless in the incident. As such, the matter was deemed a racing incident, and no further action was taken.

 
GENERAL

Stewards approved the following overweight:
 
Race 3 – Adam Sewell +0.5kg
 

RACE 1: GREAT NORTHERN QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP (1050 M)

KRACKACAN – Bumped on jumping by TINKERBELLA which shifted inwards.  Upon returning to scale, apprentice M Apel stated that KRACKACAN travelled well in the event, however, was one paced throughout and when asked to quicken over the final stages, the gelding failed to do so. Apprentice M Apel was reprimanded under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(i) for using her whip on 3 consecutive strikes prior to the 100m.
 
TINKERBELLA – Was fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Shifted inwards on jumping, bumping KRACKACAN. Inclined to lay outwards passing the 300m, carrying HI FRANK wider. Jockey H Richardson was reminded of her obligations in ensuring she keeps her mounts on a straight course in the home straight.
 
OUR EAGLE ROCK – Began awkwardly. Laid outwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
HI FRANK – Began awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Hung out noticeably rounding the home turn. Carried wider in the home straight passing the 300m when TINKERBELLA laid outwards. Trainer S Green was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s record for hanging out.
 

RACE 2: TAB BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP (1050 M)

PRETTY SLICK – Had difficulty obtaining clear racing room for majority of the home straight until electing to shift outwards passing the 100m, and in doing so carried BOLD AND SMOOTH wider.
 
DEVIL DEVIL – Overraced throughout the event. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
BOLD AND SMOOTH – Raced keenly in the early stages. Carried wider passing the 100m when PRETTY SLICK shifted outwards.
 
RIDEAU – Began awkwardly.
 
ANDIRON – Began awkwardly and made contact with the outside barrier partition. Upon returning to scale, apprentice M Apel advised stewards that ANDIRON felt awkward in its action in the home straight. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
ZUFASTA – Stewards approved a late gear change to allow the gelding to wear pre-race earmuffs. Trainer K Sinclair was reprimanded under AR206(2) for failing to request the gear change by the prescribed time. Began awkwardly. Laid outwards when placed under pressure in the home straight. Jockey R Silvera Olivera was fined $200 under the provisions of AR132(6)(b) for using his whip above shoulder height.  
 

RACE 3: GET YOUR CAULFIELD CUP TICKETS BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP (1600 M)

ZHUANG SHI – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
PREPOTENT – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
MOOTESSA – Began awkwardly. Raced ungenerously in the early stages. Apprentice J Metcalfe pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip 11 times prior to the 100m. Apprentice Metcalfe’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 9 days, with the suspension to commence midnight 30th August 2025 and to conclude midnight 8th September 2025. In determining penalty, stewards took into consideration the QRIC whip penalty guidelines.  
 
GENERAL WOLFFE – Slow into stride. Held up for clear racing room in the early stages of the home straight.
 
BOOM BOOM BELLA – Shied away from the inside running rail near the 500m and became unbalanced for a short distance.
 
ALL BUSINESS (NZ) – Began awkwardly.
 
CITIROC – Began awkwardly and made contact with the outside barrier partition. Raced wide until obtaining a position outside the lead near the 1200m. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, in particular obtaining a position outside the lead in the early stages, jockey A Sewell stated that his instruction were to ride CITIROC more positively, which had been the instructions given in its previous starts, where it had failed to do so. Jockey Sewell added that after the average get away at the start, in an attempt to ride more positively and not be left flat footed in the later stages of the event when the tempo quickens, he elected to push forward and due to the lack of early pace in the race he was able to obtain the position outside the lead without having to endure too much work.
 
 
RACE 4: OFFICE NATIONAL EXPRESS OPEN HANDICAP (1300 M)

PANTELONE – Bumped with GALEKA on jumping.
 
MEDIA EMPIRE – Held up in the home straight until a point near the 250m.
 
DRAGON'S SNIP – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after competing at Gladstone 16/8/25 and was cleared to start. Over raced in the early stages. Inclined to lay outwards rounding the home turn. When asked to comment on the seemingly disappointing performance, apprentice N Olzard stated that DRAGON’S SNIP did not appreciate the distance in today’s event and the quick back up. Reported post-race that the gelding had lost one of its front plates in running. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
GALEKA – Bumped with PANTELONE on jumping. Held up in the home straight until electing to shift outwards near the 300m to obtain clear racing room.
 
Following the running of this race, the track was upgraded to a GOOD 4.  
 
 
RACE 5: MELBOURNE CUP RACES AT CALLAGHAN PARK MAIDEN PLATE (1100 M)

CASH PIT – Bumped with SHEEZA FLING shortly after the start.  Raced wide in the early and middle stages. Bumped with SHEEZA FLING upon entering the home straight.
 
GEE UP – Began awkwardly and was bumped by PENSEUR POSITIF shortly after the start. Laid outwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
HE'S A FIGHTER – Was declared a late scratching at 1:55pm on veterinary advice after being found lame in the left hindleg. Trainer G Taylor was advised that HE’S A FIGHTER would require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
 
MOOCHI STARLIGHT – Raced keenly throughout. Laid inwards upon entering the home straight, brushing the inside running rail near the 500m. Inclined to lay outwards when placed under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
PRIDE OF VENUS – Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight. Jockey R Wiggins was fined $200 under the provisions of AR211(1) for returning to scale in excess of 0.5kg overweight. In determining penalty, stewards took into consideration jockey Wiggins’ guilty plea and previous record.
 
SEWN UP – Slow to begin. Raced wide throughout. Stewards noted that jockey G Cartwright’s whip made inconsequential contact with apprentice N Olzard in the early stages of the home straight.
 
SHEEZA FLING – Bumped with CASH PIT shortly after the start. Bumped with CASH PIT upon entering the home straight.
 
SHELL INDIE – Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed SHELL INDIE to be shin sore. Trainer D Rideout was advised that the mare would be required to trial prior to racing again.
 
PENSEUR POSITIF – Shifted outwards on jumping, bumping GEE UP and as a result was slow to begin. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
TAYLOR'S RAGE – Raced wide in the early stages. Raced greenly in the home straight and near the 200m, elected to shift outwards to maintain clear running when PRIDE OF VENUS shifted inwards and MOOCHI STARLIGHT shifted outwards. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
 
GEECEEDIAMOND – Raced keenly in the early stages. Beaten 44L. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer D Rideout was advised that the mare would be required to trial prior to racing again for being uncompetitive.
 
WINDSOR ROAD – Began awkwardly. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
RACE 6: EDENBROOK DEVELOPMENTS CLASS 3 HANDICAP (1300 M)

OUTWITTED – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
WOODSTOCK ROCK – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
ROTHFURY – Over raced in the early stages.
 
MOISSANITE – Eased by its rider near the 300m taking no further competitive part in the event. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities. When questioned in relation to the performance jockey A Sewell stated that his mount raced flat throughout the event and had failed to respond to his riding urges from the 800m, as a result he elected to ease his mount. Stewards intend to contact trainer G Clem in the days subsequent in relation to MOISSANITES recovery.
 
NICCONORI – Slow to begin. Overraced in the early stages and was awkwardly placed onto heels of another runner near the 900m. Held up for clear racing room in the home straight until a point near the 400m.
 
OUT OF LUCK – Began awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin.
 
ELECTRIC BRAE – Raced in restricted room near the 700m and made contact with the inside running rail.
 
HOLY CROWN – Raced wide in the early stages. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
MASALI RAFFA – Began awkwardly. Raced wide in the early and middle stages
 

RACE 7: PARKHURST QUALITY MEATS RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP (1400 M)

TIZSO FAB – Began awkwardly and bumped with SPIRITED SMILE.
 
VICTORY'S GHOST – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages. Raced wide throughout. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
SANTORINI SUMMER – Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
ICONIC PRINCE – Began awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Held up for clear racing room in the early stages of the home straight.
 
KIRELLA SHORES – Began awkwardly and bumped with NATIVE BEE. Raced wide in the early stages and was restrained to the rear of the field near the 900m.
 
NATIVE BEE – Began awkwardly and bumped with KIRELLA SHORES.
 
JAY BEE ELL (NZ) – Held up for clear racing room in the home straight until a point near the 400m.
 
SPIRITED SMILE – Began awkwardly and bumped with TIZSO FAB.
 
BULL DIMPLE RUM – Began awkwardly.
 
FINE AND RARE – When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice N Olzard stated that over the concluding stages FINE AND RARE was displaying abnormal breathing sounds, therefore she elect to ease her mount and not place it under any further pressure. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities. Trainer T Cook advised stewards that FINE AND RARE would now be retired.
 
LATIN LOVE – Slow to begin. Was unable to obtain clear racing room for majority of the home straight and improved onto the heels of TIZSO FAB near the 50m and had to be restrained.
 

RACE 8: CENTRE STATE SIGNS RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP (1100 M)
 
The start of this race was delayed when SNAZZY SNITZEL’s bridle had to be re-fitted in the mounting yard. SNAZZY SNITZEL subsequently underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start.
 
GILBERT'S GOLD – Began awkwardly. Laid outwards when placed under pressure over the concluding stages.  
 
SNAZZY SNITZEL – Laid outwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
CRIMSON DECIPHER – Began awkwardly and bumped with FRENCH WISH. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight. When asked to comment on the performance, jockey A Allen stated that CRIMSON DECIPHER changed strides a number of times throughout and failed to respond to his riding efforts in the final stages. Trainer J Wigginton was advised to report to stewards on the mare’s condition in the subsequent days.
 
IRISH ROCKET – Raced wide in the early stages.
 
CHOCKABLOCK – Began awkwardly. Held up for clear running until a point near the 200m.
 
MONDAY CHOICE – Began awkwardly. Overraced in the early stages. Raced wide in the early stages. Held up for clear running until a point near the 400m.
 
FRENCH WISH – Raced wide throughout.
 
AZURE DE LAGO – Began awkwardly.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 1 – Apprentice McKenzie Apel – AR132(7)(a)(i) – Consecutive whip strikes prior to 100m
Race 2 – Trainer Kale Sinclair – AR206(2) – Fail to request gear change by the prescribed time.

Fines
Race 2 – Jockey Raul Silvera Olivera – AR132(6)(b) – Use of whip above shoulder height – $200
Race 5 – Jockey Ryan Wiggins – AR211(1) – Returned to scale in excess 0.5kg overweight – $200

Suspensions
Race 3 – Apprentice Jade Metcalfe – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Use of the whip – 9-day suspension – m/night 30/08/2025 to m/night 08/09/2025

 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
TINKERBELLA, CITIROC, DRAGON’S SNIP, PRIDE OF VENUS, JAY BEE ELL (NZ) & FINE AND RARE

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 1 – HI FRANK – Hung Out – Warning
Race 5 – SHELL INDIE – Poor Performance/ Shin Sore – Required to Trial
Race 5 – GEECEEDIAMOND – Uncompetitive/ Beaten 44L – Required to Trial
Race 5 – HE’S A FIGHTER – Lame left hind – Veterinary Certificate required
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 5 – GEECEEDIAMOND – Apprentice Tahlia Fenlon

Late scratchings
 
Race 5 – HE’S A FIGHTER – Late scratching @ 1:55pm 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.