QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

ROCKHAMPTON JOCKEY CLUB INC

THURSDAY 28 AUGUST 2025

WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING – Soft 5
RAIL +8m entire
PENETROMETER – 5.55

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – S. Larkins
Stewards – H. Gillett, S. Stehbens, O. Legg, A. Dowsett.
 
GENERAL
Stewards permitted the following overweight:
Race 5 – A. Sewell +0.5kg
 
As Jockey T. Chambers was unable to make the weight in Race 2, she was subsequently replaced by Jockey A. Sewell on FLAWLESS AMBITION. Jockey T. Chambers was reprimanded pursuant to AR 190(3) for accepting a ride when overweight. In determining penalty, Stewards took into consideration Ms Chambers good record of more than 18 months.

RACE 1: TAB BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP 1100 M

GILBERT'S GOLD – Began awkwardly. Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
RARE AND RELIABLE (NZ) – Blundered on jumping. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
AMBERINGER – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Inclined to lay in under pressure over the final 200m.
 
DIAMOND MONEY – Slow to begin.
 
RACE 2: CLINTON TAYLOR PREMIER TRAINER CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1200 M

ZELEZNY – Carried wider rounding the home turn when TEN CARAT LUCY shifted out to improve.

SCRUFFY – Began very awkwardly and lost ground.
 
TEN CARAT LUCY – Inclined to over race during the early stages before obtaining cover near the 800m. Jockey J. Huxtable reported his mount travelled well in transit and proved slightly disappointing in its finishing efforts when placed under pressure over the concluding stages. Trainer C. Taylor advised that the mare proved disappointing and the three week break between runs may have contributed to today’s performance.
 
HI FRANK – Raced three wide during the early stages before obtaining the lead near the 800m.

AZURE DE LAGO – Had to be resaddled upon arrival at the barriers.

RACE 3: JUSTIN STANLEY PREMIER JOCKEY BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP 1500 M

ZHUANG SHI – Trainer S. Green advised a change of tactics that ZHUANG SHI would be ridden further forward if circumstances permitted. Slow to begin. Settled in a midfield position. When asked to comment, jockey J. Huxtable stated that after beginning only fairly, he elected to allow his mount to gradually progress forward during the first section of the race to ensure he was able to settle closer to the speed than in recent starts. Trainer S. Green was reminded of her obligations under AR 100(1)(b) to ensure that tactic change notification was provided by the prescribed time.
 
PREPOTENT – Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight.
 
GENERAL HIPPO – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Over raced during the early and middle stages. Inclined to lay in under pressure over the concluding 300m. Stewards questioned Apprentice N. Olzard in regards to the tactics adopted, in particular with regard to GENERAL HIPPO settling at the rear of the field, Apprentice N. Olzard stated that after beginning awkwardly, she was of the view that BO BO BEWARE would progress forward close to the lead and it was her original intention to take cover on that runner, however soon after the start, she identified that the runners positioned wider on the track had advanced forward quickly and as a consequence, she settled further back than anticipated. Apprentice Olzard further added that being mindful of GENERAL HIPPO’s propensity to over race in the past, she was conscious to not ride with any aggression during the middle stages. When considering the statement of apprentice N. Olzard, the available replays and the stewards observations, Stewards were satisfied that the tactics adopted by Ms Olzard were not unreasonable in the circumstances .
 
ELECTRIC BRAE – Began awkwardly.
 
BO BO BEWARE – Stewards questioned Apprentice B. Johnson in regard to BO BO BEWARE settling at the rear of the field, which is contrary to its recent racing pattern. Apprentice Johnson explained that today’s race was a drop back in distance in comparison to the last start and connections felt the gelding would be better suited with cover. Apprentice Johnson further added that it was her intention to settle closer to the speed, however due to runners drawn wider on the track progressing forward after the start, she found herself settling towards the rear of the field. Ms Johnson further stated that when she rides BO BO BEWARE, she is of the view that the gelding does not perform at its best and may be better suited to stronger riders.
 
RACE 4: MCKENZIE APEL PREMIER APPRENTICE JOCKEY QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1050 M
 
VIKING SUN – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Over raced during the early and middle stages. Approaching the 800m, improved onto heels and shifted wider on the track. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
BETTER STORM – Began awkwardly. Rounding the home turn, became awkwardly placed on the heels of TENNYSON MISS and was restrained for a number of strides. Jockey A. Sewell rider of TENNYSON MISS pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding pursuant to AR 131(a) in that near the 800m, when easing to trail behind BORUS’ LEGACY, he allowed his mount TENNYSON MISS to shift in when insufficiently clear of BETTER STORM, causing that runner to become crowded and restrain from heels and as a consequence VIKING SUN, which was trailing, was impeded. Jockey A. Sewell’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 6 days commencing midnight 02/09/2025 up to and including 08/09/2025. Stewards, when considering penalty took into account Jockey A. Sewell’s excellent record and the QRIC Careless Riding Template.
 
ASK ME HARRY – Over raced during the early and middle stages. Approaching the 200m, had to shift off the heels of TENNYSON MISS when that runner shifted ground when racing greenly.
 
EMBEZZLES – Trainer K. J. Miller was advised a warning would be placed on the filly after proving difficult to load.
 
TENNYSON MISS – Began awkwardly. Raced greenly and was inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight.
 
TRUCK STOP HONEY – Slow to begin.

RACE 5: NICK WALSH BEST STRIKE RATE MAIDEN PLATE 1400 M
 
DUKE OF LANCASTER – Slow to begin.
 
GEE UP – Began awkwardly. Jockey J. Huxtable reported that his saddle slipped during the run, which placed him at a significant disadvantage when riding out over the concluding stages.
 
HADMYTIME – Raced wide throughout. Apprentice A. Graham was reminded of her obligations to refrain from using her whip on a horse which is clearly out of contention and also her use of whip on consecutive strides. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer J. Lancaster was advised the gelding would be required to satisfactorily trial prior to resuming racing after today’s poor performance.
 
PEAKING TOM – A post-race veterinary examination revealed clinical signs of the thumps. The gelding was subsequently treated on course and no further course of action is required.
 
CHECK ONE TWO – Trainer T. Cook advised a change of tactics and CHECK ONE TWO would be ridden more conservatively. Ridden accordingly. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
MAHTIKKAINSTINCT – Began awkwardly.
 
MISS ELOTAN – Raced very greenly under pressure in the home straight.
 
STRONG LATTE – Slow to begin.
 
RACE 6: HELLISH HORSE OF THE YEAR RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1600 M
 
ROY'S ROAD – Began awkwardly and slow into stride as a result. When questioned, Jockey J. Huxtable advised after beginning poorly, the mare settled further back than anticipated and as a result was placed at a disadvantage.
 
CITIROC – Raced wide during the early stages. Laid in near the 400m and bumped with ALL BUSINESS.
 
JAY BEE ELL (NZ) – Laid in under pressure over the final 300m.
 
BULL DIMPLE RUM – Over raced during the early and middle stages.
 
DOONA – Raced wide during the early stages. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
MASALI RAFFA – Began awkwardly, knuckled after the start and lost ground. Raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination revealed lameness to the left hind leg and a veterinary clearance is required prior to resuming racing.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 2 – Jockey T. Chambers – AR 190(3) – accept ride when overweight.
 
Suspensions
Race 4 – Jockey A. Sewell – AR 131(a) – careless riding – license to ride in races suspended for a period of 6 days commencing midnight 2/9/2025 up to and including midnight 8/9/2025.

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
YES I’M UGLY, SCRUFFY, CAPO STRADA, BO BO BEWARE, VIKING SUN, GEE UP, ROY’S ROAD.
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 4 – EMBEZZLES – difficult to load – warning only.
Race 5 – HADMYTIME – poor performance – satisfactory trial required.
Race 6 – MASALI RAFFA – lame left hindleg – veterinary clearance required.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 2:         6 FLAWLESS AMBITION – Adam Sewell
Race 4:         2 VIKING SUN - Ms Tasha Chambers
Race 6:         5 CITIROC - Ms Brooke Johnson (a3/50kg)
 
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.