QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

ROCKHAMPTON JOCKEY CLUB INC

THURSDAY 29 JANUARY 2026

WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING –  Soft 5
RAIL – +0.5m Entire
PENETROMETER – 5.7

 
OFFICIALS

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

GENERAL
 
Stewards approved overweights as per the race day summary.
 
Trainer S Kendrick was fined $200 under the provisions of LR67(1) for failing to declare a rider for STORM FORCE TEN in race 4 by the prescribed time.
 
Trainer T Simmons was reprimanded under LR67(1) for failing to declare a rider on OFFICE POLITICS in race 7 by the prescribed time. In determining penalty stewards were mindful of Ms Simmons’ exemplary record in relation to the rule.
 
All horses that had raced in the preceding 7 days or returning after an extended period were inspected by the race day veterinarian and were cleared to start.
 

RACE 1: TAB QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP 1100M

BARBARIAN KING – Raced keenly in the early stages. Raced greenly in the home straight and laid outwards passing the 100m, resulting in ANDERS KISS becoming awkwardly placed on its heels momentarily. Jockey C Collis was reminded of his obligations in ensuring he stops and straightens his mounts when shifting ground. 
 
LITTLE LINDA – Was very fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Began awkwardly, making contact with the barrier partition and as a result was slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early stages. Approaching the 200m, had to change course and shift inwards when ANDERS KISS shifted outwards. Jockey W Satherley reported upon return to scale that LITTLE LINDA raced greenly throughout the event and would derive significant benefit from race experience.
 
CRAIGLEA MONNIE – Commenced to over race in the early stages.
 
ANDERS KISS – Approaching the 200m, shifted grounds outwards and momentarily inconvenienced LITTLE LINDA. Awkwardly placed on the heels of BARBARIAN KING near the 100m when that runner laid outwards.
 

RACE 2: GREAT NORTHERN MAIDEN PLATE 1100M

BOLD CHANGE – Knuckled at the start. Apprentice L Martyn pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for using her whip 9 times prior to the 100m and 14 times in totality. Apprentice Martyn’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 days, with the suspension to commence midnight 1st February 2026 and to conclude midnight 8th February 2026. In determining penalty, stewards took into consideration the QRIC whip penalty guidelines.
 
VERBALIZE – Was fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages. Held up for clear racing room in the early stages of the home straight.
 
WAYNO – Shifted outwards and bumped RED ENVELOPE shortly after the start. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Laid outwards in the early stages of the home straight and then laid inwards when placed under pressure over the final 200m.
 
RED ENVELOPE – Blundered at the start and was bumped by WAYNO which shifted outwards shortly after. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
SHE'S GOT LYRICS – Slow into stride. Laid inwards when under pressure over the final 200m.
 
LEICA FLAMINGO – Was inconvenienced for a stride and had to shift out to avoid the heels of STORM SURGE when that runner shifted inwards approaching the 200m.
 
STORM SURGE – Raced keenly in the early stages. Raced greenly in the home straight. Approaching the 200m, shifted inwards under pressure and inconvenienced LEICA FLAMINGO for a stride.
 

RACE 3: ROCKHAMPTON MINI LOADS BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1600M

BOLD HUSSAR – Blundered on jumping and bumped with OUTTA CONTROL at the start.
 
OUTTA CONTROL – Bumped with BOLD HUSSAR at the start. Commenced to race keenly in the early stages when being restrained to find cover in the rear of the field. Continued to race keenly in the middle stages.
 
GRUMPYWANTSATISSUE – Slow to begin.
 
SHADOW PROJECT – Began awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin.
 
STAR CHANCE – Began awkwardly. Raced wide in the early stages until obtaining position in the lead near the 1300m. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight. STAR CHANCE was detained on course for approximately two and a half hours for post-race blood samples to be taken.
 
 
RACE 4: ROCKHAMPTON ENGINEERING AND MAINTENANCE BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1300M

BOLD ARTIC – Began awkwardly and shifted outwards crowding NEXT LEGACY. Raced keenly in the early stages. When asked to comment on the seemingly poor performance, apprentice L Martyn reported that BOLD ARTIC felt flat throughout the event and when asked for an effort in the home straight, the gelding failed to respond. Trainer G Taylor advised stewards that the stable would consider sending BOLD ARTIC for a spell. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
SARAQAEL – Began awkwardly. Laid outwards under pressure in the home straight.
 
STORM FORCE TEN – Near the 650m, had to be steadied by its rider and shift outwards to avoid racing up onto the heels of SARAQUEL. Raced ungenerously for a stride upon entering the home straight. When questioned regarding her mounts mannerisms rounding the home turn, apprentice S Tierney explained that when BOLD ARTIC improved to the inside approaching and leaving the 700m, her mount commenced to over race significantly and as a result got close to the heels of SARAQUEL, and as she did not want to expose the horse from such a distance to the finish, she attempted to restrain STORM FORCE TEN who resisted her efforts, throwing its head in the air and proved difficult for some strides.  
 
CRAIGLEA LA VIE – Raced wide in the early stages.
 
NEXT LEGACY – Crowded at the start by BOLD ARTIC and HOLY CROWN. Raced keenly in the early stages. Had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early stages of the home straight. Laid inwards when placed under pressure over the final stages of the home straight.
 
HOLY CROWN – Shifted inwards at the start crowding NEXT LEGACY.
 
 
RACE 5: WARNER BUILDING GROUP RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1400M

BOLD BLAZE – Trainer G Taylor was fined $100 under the provisions of AR106(1) for presenting BOLD BLAZE to race without its approved gear, that being winkers. Laid inwards under pressure and brushed with OUR HEART THROB near the 150m.
 
SKILFUL ARTIST – Bumped at the start by OUR HEAR THROB which shifted outwards. Raced wide throughout. When questioned regarding whether or not there was an opportunity to obtain a position closer to the rail rather than racing wide throughout, jockey C McIver stated he attempted to progress steadily forward in the initial stages, however due to other runners drawn inside settling further forward than anticipated, he was unable to obtain a desired position and was ultimately trapped wide. Jockey McIver further added that in his opinion it would have been detrimental to his mounts overall chances if he were to restrain and attempt to settle in a position towards the rear of the field. Jockey McIver’s comments were noted.  
 
THE LAST SAGA – Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
PEAKING TOM – Began awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin.
 
WHATTA WHITT – Began awkwardly. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
SPIRIT TALKER – Raced wide throughout.
 
AIN'T NOBODY – Raced wide in the early stages.
 
MAKING HISTORY – Began awkwardly. Hung in for some distance between the 400m to the 300m.
 
THE PROPHECY – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
OUR HEART THROB – Shifted outwards at the start and bumped SKILFUL ARTIST. Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight. Brushed with BOLD BLAZE near the 150m when that runner laid inwards.
 

RACE 6: HIGHGROVE BATHROOMS OPEN HANDICAP 1100M

The start of this race was delayed due to PIPISTRELLE being fractious in the barriers and becoming cast in the barriers.
 
MASTER SHOWMAN – Began awkwardly. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight. Inclined to lay outwards when placed under pressure passing the 200m.
 
STAMPE – Began awkwardly and shifted inwards, hampering SCRUB CHAIN. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
EARLY FUSION – Laid outwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
PIPISTRELLE – After being loaded, PIPISTRELLE became fractious in the barriers, reared and slipped backwards before becoming cast underneath the barrier partition. PIPISTRELLE was then safely removed by the barrier staff and was declared a late scratching by order of stewards at 4:13pm. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, stewards ordered that all bets placed on PIPISTRELLE were to be refunded, with the following deductions to apply:
 
29 cents in the dollar for the winner (MASTER SHOWMAN)
27 cents in the dollar for the place of the winner (MASTER SHOWMAN)
14 cents in the dollar for 2nd place (EARLY FUSION)
34 cents in the dollar for 3rd place (UPSTART LEGEND)
 
Underwent a veterinary examination which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Even though the examination revealed no abnormalities at the time of examination, trainers representative C Russell was advised that a veterinary clearance of soundness would be required prior to the mare being required to trial/jump-out to the satisfaction of stewards prior to racing again.
 
RUBUNKAR – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after PIPISTRELLE became fractious in the neighboring barrier and was cleared to start. Over raced in the early and middle stages. Hung inwards under pressure in the home straight.
 
SCRUB CHAIN – Hampered at the start by STAMPE which shifted inwards. Laid inwards when pressure in the home straight.
 
SIR ROCKET – Slow to begin.
 
UPSTART LEGEND – Over raced in the early and middle stages. When questioned regarding the improved performance in today’s event, trainer L. Manzelmann explained that, in his view, UPSTART LEGEND had now reached its desired fitness level in comparison to its previous starts this preparation. He further stated that the quick back-up following its previous start in Townsville on 24 January was particularly beneficial, contributing positively to the horse’s fitness and overall performance.
 

RACE 7: LINCON HIRE AND SALES CLASS 2 HANDICAP 1050M

LA PETITE MAISON – Slow into stride. Raced wide throughout. Held up for clear racing room in the home straight and elected to shift outwards to obtain clear running near the 200m.
 
DALT JAZ – Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
CROWN GUINEA – Began awkwardly. Approaching the 200m, briefly raced in restricted room and bumped with PARTY FOR US, when that runner stepped outwards marginally and LA PETITE MAISON stepped inwards.
 
DETERMINATION – Briefly tightened for room and had to restrain when MELO MELO KAVA shifted inwards marginally near the 900m, and as a result raced keenly for some distance thereafter. Jockey A Sewell was advised to exercise greater care to ensure he is fully clear when shifting ground. Disappointed for a run near the 500m and switched inwards before obtaining clear racing room approaching the 200m.  
 
HOT TORQUE INVEGAS – Shifted inwards abruptly at the start crowding OFFICE POLITICS.
 
GRAECI – Blundered at the start. When questioned regarding the performance, Apprentice M Apel stated that she was overall disappointed in the performance after beginning poorly and failed to travel throughout. Apprentice Apel further added that in her opinion GRAECI may have been in season.
 
KING OF THE VIBE – Commenced to over race in the middle stages when being restrained.
 
OFFICE POLITICS – Crowded on jumping by HOT TORQUE INVEGAS which shifted inwards abruptly. Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid inwards over the concluding stages when placed under pressure.
 
GRUMPYOLDCOL – Raced wide throughout.
 
PARTY FOR US – Began very awkwardly.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Overweights
Race 3 – R Silvera Olivera + 1kg
Race 4 – T Chambers +0.5kg
Race 4 – R Silvera Olivera +1kg
Race 4 – C Collis +1kg
Race 5 – C Collis +1kg
Race 7 – R Silvera Olivera + 0.5kg
Race 7 – C Whiteley + 1kg

Reprimands
Race 7 – Trainer Tracy Simmons – LR67(1) – Failing to declare rider by prescribed time.

Fines
Race 4 – Trainer Stuart Kendrick – LR67(1) – Fail to declare rider by prescribed time – $200
Race 5 – Trainer Garnett Taylor – AR106(1) – Presented to race without gear – $100
 
Suspensions
Race 2 – Apprentice Leah Martyn – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Use of the whip prior to 100m – 7-day suspension – midnight 01/02/2026 to midnight 08/02/2026

 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
LEICA FLAMINGO, NATIVE BEE, SARAQAEL, MAKING HISTORY, RUBUNKER, CROWN GUINEA, KING OF THE VIBE
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners & STAR CHANCE

Warnings/bars
Race 6 - PIPISTRELLE – Fractious in barriers – Veterinary clearance of soundness and required to trial/ jump-out to satisfaction of stewards
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications

Race 4 – STORM FORCE TEN - Ms Stephanie Tierney (a3/50.5kg),
Race 7 – OFFICE POLITICS - Chris Whiteley

Late scratchings

Race 6.         PIPISTRELLE – Late scratching @ 4:13pm by order of stewards


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.