QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT
 
ROCKHAMPTON JOCKEY CLUB
THURSDAY 18TH DECEMBER 2025


WEATHER – FINE
TRACK RATING – SOFT 5
RAIL – +7.5m entire
PENETROMETER – 5.9

 
OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – Ethan Suli
Stewards – Shane Larkins, Hayden Gillett, Gary Wust, Shikira Stehbens & Russell Doss

 
GENERAL
 
Stewards approved the following overweights:
 
Race 4.         Adam Sewell (+0.5kg)
Race 8.         Sean Cormack (+1kg)
                     Adam Sewell (+0.5kg)
 
 
RACE 1: TAB QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE (1050 Metres)

BIG BARRY – Bumped with BALKAN MELODY soon after the start. Briefly tightened for running around the turn near the 900m.         
 
SNAPPEN – Jumped away awkwardly. Raced wide in the early stages. Gave ground over the final 300m to be beaten approximately 26 lengths. Trainer Lachie Manzelmann’s representative, John Manzelmann, was advised that a warning had been placed on the record of the gelding for being uncompetitive.        
 
TAUTARA – Due to apprentice Tom Orr being unable to claim his full 3kg allowance, in consultation with trainer Stephen Rundle and considering no other apprentice was available at the time, stewards permitted apprentice Orr to claim 2.5kg of his allowance. Under the provisions of AR143(14)(a), apprentice Orr was fined $100 for failing to claim his full allowance. Jumped away awkwardly
 
BALKAN MELODY – Fractious in the barriers. Jumped away awkwardly and bumped with TIGER ROCKET at the start. Bumped with BIG BARRY soon after the start. Raced greenly into the turn near the 900m and briefly tightened the ground of BIG BARRY. Laid in under pressure in the home straight. When questioned regarding the performance jockey Chris McIver advised that he was of the view the filly was showing signs of shin soreness. A post-race veterinary examination revealed shin soreness and Trainer Jamie McConachy advised that the filly would now be spelled. Trainer McConachy was advised that a veterinary clearance is required prior to BALKAN MELODY resuming racing.     
 
TIGER ROCKET –  Bumped with BALKAN MELODY at the start.


RACE 2: GREAT NORTHERN MAIDEN PLATE (1600 Metres)
 
SKILFUL ARTIST – Ducked its head as the start was effected.
 
I'M NOT GREY – Jumped away awkwardly and bumped with ANNA CHATABOX at the start. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
UNION DELEGATE – Bumped with ANNA CHATABOX at the start. Raced ungenerously in the middle stages. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.     
 
YOROKOBI (NZ) – Jumped away awkwardly.  
 
ATLANTIC LACE – Jumped away awkwardly. Jockey Brendan Newport pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for applying the whip to his mount on 9 occasions prior to the 100m and 10 times in total. Jockey Newport was fined $500 after assessing the Whip Penalty Guidelines and his prior record.
 
ANNA CHATABOX – Jumped away awkwardly and buffeted between UNION DELEGATE and I’M NOT GREY at the start and lost ground in consequence. Laid in under pressure in the home straight as a result rider Jason Taylor had to stop riding and straighten his mount on a number of occasions.   


RACE 3: MOLTEC MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200 Metres)

MOOCHI STARLIGHT – Jumped away awkwardly. Laid out under pressure over the concluding stages.     
 
KAJETAN – Jumped away awkwardly. Buffeted between CRACKTHELATCH and PICNIC BLANKET near the 1000m.
 
BELLAH'S HOPE – Slow into stride.      
 
FICTIVE (NZ) – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after having not started in a race for an extended period and was cleared to start. Raced wide in the early and middle stages. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
BECAUSE I CAN – Jumped away awkwardly.  
 
CRACKTHELATCH – Laid in and bumped with KAJETAN near the 1000m. Raced wide throughout.                 
 
JOHN'S ROAD – Hung in noticeably on occasions when under pressure in the home straight.     
PICNIC BLANKET – Bumped with KAJETAN near the 1000m. Over raced in the early stages.


RACE 4: HILCHER SIGNS MAIDEN HANDICAP (1200 Metres)

FOUR LEAF WONDER – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after having not started in a race for an extended period and was cleared to start. Jumped away awkwardly.    
 
ZAVY'S SUN – Jumped away awkwardly. Raced three wide throughout.             
 
BUSH BATTLE – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.                    
 
I'M A CONDYGIRL – Held up for clear racing room until a point near the 200m.       
 
SHEMAKESMENERVOUS – Jumped away awkwardly. Raced keenly during the middle stages. 
HEROIC TALENT – Hung in under pressure in the home straight.       
 
MAHTIKKAINSTINCT – Jumped away awkwardly and was slow to begin as a result.
 
SUNSHINE RUBY – Jumped away awkwardly. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.


RACE 5: BVH CIVIL BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP (1400 Metres)

The start of this race was delayed due to AIDENABET having to undergo remedial farrier work behind the barriers.
 
MOKTAFFY (IRE) – Held up for a clear run in the early part of the home straight before shifting wider near the 400m and as a result carried FIFTY FIVE MUSTANG wider on the track.          Laid out under pressure and inconvenienced FIFTY FIVE MUSTANG near the 150m.
 
RAETIHI (NZ) – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.         
 
DEFERENTIAL – Jumped away awkwardly. Over raced in the early and middle stages. Raced wide throughout. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, and in particular, racing three wide throughout. Apprentice Maddie Mankelow, in the presence of senior rider, Georgina Cartwright, explained that after beginning only fairly she attempted to obtain cover to trail DARLING CLEMENTINE, however her mount commenced to over race and as a result was unable to obtain the desired position. Apprentice Mankelow further added that from the 900m onwards she attempted to rate her mount in an attempt to afford some respite and did not feel that letting DEFERENTIAL progress forward to cross AIDENABET leaving the 900m was in her best interest to get the horse to settle. The rider further added that a step up in distance may have contributed to racing manners of the gelding. Stewards, after considering the statements of the rider and viewing the available replays, did not feel the tactics adopted by Miss Mankelow were unreasonable in the circumstances due to the racing manners of DEFERENTIAL.
 
DARLING CLEMENTINE – Jumped away awkwardly.
 
FIFTY FIVE MUSTANG – Fractious in the barriers. Jumped away awkwardly and was slow into stride as a result. Carried wider leaving the 300m when MOKTAFFY (IRE) shifted out. Inconvenienced and had to switch in across the heels of MOKTAFFY (IRE) near the 150m. Apprentice Gabrielle Semmens was reprimanded under AR 131(a) for carelessly allowing her mount to shift ground at this point of the race.   
 
AIDENABET – Had to have the right hind shoe refitted behind the barriers after it shifted and was then removed when presented to the mounting yard. Slow to begin.


RACE 6: BELROMA PARK CLASS 1 & MAIDEN PLATE (1050 Metres)

DETERMINATION – Commenced to over race for some distance leaving the 900m. Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight.  
 
HOU LONG GWAI – Jumped away awkwardly which resulted in apprentice Tom Orr contacting the barrier partition and becoming unbalanced as a result. Raced wide throughout.         
 
PRESOCRATICS – Fractious in the barriers. Jumped away awkwardly.   
 
ROCKY REWARD – Slow to begin.       
 
RUM RUMBLE – Jumped away awkwardly. Bumped with UNIFIES soon after the start.      
 
UNIFIES – Bumped with RUM RUMBLE soon after the start.


RACE 7: CARSELDINE AIRCONDITIONING BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP (1835 Metres)

The start of this race was delayed due to the on-course QAS Officers being required to attend an on-course patron.

FINAL COMMENT – Slow to begin. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.        
 
REPLACE THE ACE – Fractious in the barriers. Raced keenly in the early stages.     
 
PRIDE OF SAVABELLA – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after contacting the mounting yard gate when proceeding to the barriers and was cleared to start. Slow to begin. Inclined to lay in on occasions under pressure in the home straight.

GENERAL WOLFFE – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.       
 
SOUTHAVEN – When questioned regarding the performance, apprentice Tom Orr advised that the gelding travelled strongly in the early and middle stages and then failed to respond to his riding efforts prior to entering the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities. Trainer John Wiggington will be contacted in the coming days in relation to the post-race recovery of SOUTHAVEN.
 
KAYLEEN'S PROFIT (NZ) – Slow into stride. Had difficulty obtaining clear running for some distance leaving the 250m and until approaching the 50m.
 
HOT SUMMER – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after having competed at Townsville on the 13th of December 2025 and was cleared to start. Slow to begin.   
 
RACE 8: MAGIC MILLIONS COUNTRY CUP QUALIFIER OPEN HANDICAP (1200 Metres)

MASTER MONTARO – Raced in restricted room for a short distance approaching the 300m when TRACK TALE shifted inwards. Tightened for racing room for a few strides near the 100m when ASTRA STAR shifted inwards.      
 
CHERRY ROSE – Jumped away awkwardly. Near the 200m shifted outwards and when being corrected, shifted inwards resulting in ASTRA STAR being impeded and switching inwards to avoid the heels of that runner. MASTER MONTARO, which was racing to the inside of runners at this point, was tightened for room for a number of strides.
 
TRACK TALE – Jumped away awkwardly. Approaching the 300m, shifted in under pressure and briefly tightened the racing room of MASTER MONTARO.
 
LETMELETGO – Raced wide in the early stages.       
 
CAPTAIN FOX – Fractious in the barriers and was then removed to undergo a veterinary examination. The gelding was subsequently cleared to start. Jumped away awkwardly and bumped with ASTRA STAR.
 
ASTRA STAR – Jumped away awkwardly and bumped with CAPTAIN FOX. Held up for clear racing room in the early part of the home straight. Impeded and had to switch in across the heels of TRACK TALES near 150m after being tightened by CHERRY ROSE. Jockey Justin Huxtable was reprimanded under AR131(a) for carelessly allowing his mount to shift ground at this point of the race.    
 
IMAGINE THAT – Jumped in the air at the start and as a result lost ground.  
 
BUNGARRIBEE LAD – Slow to begin.   
 
FROSTY BEAR – Slow to begin. 


RACE 9: CHESS ELECTRICS CLASS 3 PLATE (1200 Metres)

RUSH HOUR – Raced wide in the early and middle stages.  
 
SILVER HAMMER – Jumped away awkwardly.
 
SUJEED – Fractious in the barriers. Jumped away awkwardly. Raced wide throughout.    
 
THE PUNISHER – Connections advised that the gelding would be ridden in a more forward position, circumstances permitting. Blundered badly on jumping resulting in jockey Aiden Holt becoming noticeably unbalanced.
 
UNIVERSAL HARMONY – Jumped away awkwardly and the attempted to buck for some distance and was retired from the event. Trainer Jamie McConachy was advised that the gelding must complete a satisfactory trial or jumpout prior to its next start.         
 
FLYING ANIMO – Jumped away awkwardly. Jockey Jai Williams pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(i) for applying the whip to his mount on four occasions in consecutive strides prior to the 100m. Apprentice Williams was fined $300. In assessing penalty stewards were mindful that this was the riders fourth offence in the past 18 days. Apprentice Williams was reminded of his obligations in relation to his arm above shoulder height when using the whip.    
 
NEW LEVEL (NZ) – Jumped away awkwardly.           
 
RED BEAUTY – Jumped away awkwardly. Held up for clear running until a point near the 300m.       
 
BETTERLUCKNEXTTIME – Raced keenly in the early stages.                    


RACE 10: MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM THE RJC BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP (1400 Metres)

FIOREEN – Threw its head in the air soon after the start.     
 
EL FORTRESS – Buffeted at the start between MR GREY and BELL’S BOY. Over raced in the early stages.   
 
HE'S THE ONE – Raced wide throughout. Jockey Jason Taylor was reprimanded under the provisions of AR132(5) for applying the whip to his mount on 15 occasions in total.
 
PEAKING TOM – Jumped away awkwardly.    
 
SMASHING ROSIE – Raced wide throughout. 
 
THE PUBLICAN – Jumped away awkwardly.   
 
BELLE'S BOY – Jumped away awkwardly and bumped with EL FORTRESS. Raced wide throughout.              
 
MR GREY – Jumped away awkwardly.  
 
FLYBALL – Slow to begin. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.       
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 5.         Apprentice Gabrielle Semmens – AR131(a) – Careless riding
Race 8.         Jockey Justin Huxtable – AR131(a) – Careless riding
Race 10.       Jockey Jason Taylor – AR132(5) – Totality whip use
 
Fines
Race 1.         Apprentice Tom Orr AR143(14)(a) – $100 – Failed to claim full allowance
Race 2.         Jockey Brendon Newport AR132(7)(a)(ii) – $500 – Use of the whip
Race 9.         Apprentice Jai Williams AR132(7)(a)(i) – $300 – Consecutive whip use
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
ATLANTIC LACE, WHENHARRY METELSIE, MOKTAFFY (IRE), FINAL COMMENT, BETTERLUCKNEXTTIME, SMASHING ROSIE.

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 1.         BALKAN MELODY – Veterinary clearance required
                     SNAPPEN – Warning – Uncompetitive
Race 9.         UNIVERSAL HARMONY – To trial / Jumpout – Bucked

 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 1.         TIGER ROCKET – Ms Gabrielle Semmens (a2/54kg),
Race 2.         I’M NOT GREY – Jai Williams (a0/56kg),
Race 3.         CRACKTHELATCH – Adam Sewell
Race 10.       THE PUBLICAN – Jai Williams (a0/56kg),

 
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.