QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

 ROCKHAMPTON JOCKEY CLUB

SATURDAY 14 MARCH 2026

WEATHER – Showery
TRACK RATING – Soft 5
RAIL – +5m Entire Course
PENETROMETER – 5.5

 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – S. Nosworthy
Stewards – S. Larkins, E. Suli, P. Warren, S. Stehbens
 
GENERAL
 
1.    As apprentice Leah Martyn (injury) was not riding at today’s race meeting, rider replacements were made as per the steward’s race day summary. Due to the limited number of apprentices engaged at today’s meeting, with races 3 and 4 having no other apprentice available to replace apprentice Martyn, stewards approved the engagement of a senior rider in those races.
 
2.    Due to the limited number of riders available at today’s meeting, stewards refrained from taking any action against trainers in relation to late rider declarations. 
 
3.    Stewards accepted the reasons tendered by trainer Ricky Vale in relation to failing to scratching dually accepted DETERMINATION from one of its engagements by the prescribed time. In adopting this approach, stewards were mindful that the gelding was scratched within 3 hours of the prescribed time on the day of acceptances.
 
4.    Stewards approved the following overweights:
Race 1. Raul Silvera Olivera (TARA I AM) - +1kg
Race 3. Raul Silvera Olivera (CRIMSON DECIPHER) - +1/2kg
Race 3. Adam Sewell (IMPACTFUL MISS) – +1kg
Race 5. Raul Silvera Olivera (SPIRIT TALKER) – +1kg
 
RACE 1:TAB QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP 1100M

OUR EAGLE ROCK – Began very awkwardly and contacted the side of the barriers on jumping. Bumped by WAYNO shortly after entering the home straight on a number of occasions.

KRACKACAN – Began awkwardly and shifted in, bumping MAKE IT BETTER.
 
WAYNO – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination upon arrival at the barriers for a tooth injury and was cleared to start. Began awkwardly. Shortly after entering the home straight was inclined to lay outwards, and in doing so, bumped OUR EAGLE ROCK on a number of occasions. Trainer Ricky Vale stated that whilst satisfied with the overall performance, he was mindful that the WAYNO did not show its initial early speed as per its recent starts and advised Stewards that we will undertake to have blood tests conducted on the gelding and report any anomalies that may be detected.  
 
TARA I AM – Was declared a late scratching at 1:10pm on veterinary advice after TARA I AM was found to be lame in off foreleg. Trainer Stephen Rundle was advised that the filly would require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.    
 
MAKE IT BETTER – Bumped by KRACKACAN on jumping. Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid in when placed under pressure in the early stages of the home straight.  
 
SCARLET HAZE – Raced keenly in the early stages. Brushed the running rail near the 700 metres and then again shortly after entering the home straight.          
 
HI FRANK – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Slow into stride.
 
RACE 2: GREAT NORTHERN MAIDEN PLATE (QTIS BONUSES APPLICABLE 2&3YO'S ONLY) 1050M

PROVISEUR (NZ) – Stood flat footed at the start and as a result was slow into stride. Failed to muster speed in the early stages.          
 
SAN JUAN – Slow into stride.     
 
AUTUMN GALE – Began awkwardly. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
SHE'S GOT IT – Raced keenly in the early stages. Leaving the 150 metres, shifted in when not fully clear, resulting in MILK MAID having to be checked. Near the 100 metres, was checked as a result of SAY IT LOUD (Nikki Olzard) shifting in under riding.
 
WHENHARRY METELSIE – Raced wide without cover throughout.  
 
MILK MAID – Began awkwardly and made contact with the inside barrier partition. Leaving the 150 metres, was tightened and checked when SHE’S GOT IT (Gabrielle Semmens) shifted in when not fully clear. Near the 100 metres, was checked on a second occasion when SAY IT LOUD (Nikki Olzard) shifted in under riding carrying CRAIGLEA MONNIE inwards.
 
PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE – Shifted out at the start, crowding SAY IT LOUD.                  
 
CRAIGLEA MONNIE – Shifted in at the start, crowding SAY IT LOUD. Raced greenly in the home straight. Near the 100 metres, carried in by SAY IT LOUD (Nikki Olzard), when that runner shifted in under riding.
 
SAY IT LOUD – Crowded on jumping.  Held up for clear running approaching the 200m and was obliged to shift grounds outwards in an attempt to obtain clear racing room.
 
Apprentice Gabrielle Semmens was found guilty of a charge under the provisions of AR131(a) for careless riding in that leaving the 150 metres, she permitted her mount to shift in when not sufficiently clear of MILK MAID, which was checked. Apprentice Semmens’ licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 days from the conclusion of racing on Sunday 15th March 2026 up to and including racing on Sunday the 22nd March 2026. In determining penalty, stewards considered the QRIC careless riding template, apprentice Semmens’ not guilty plea and her previous record, which indicated no offences under the careless riding rule in the last twelve months.
 
Apprentice Nikki Olzard was found guilty of a charge under the provisions of AR131(a) for careless riding in that leaving the 100 metres, she permitted her mount to shift in under riding carrying CRAIGLEA MONNIE inwards, resulting in a MILK MAID and SHE’S GOT IT being checked. Apprentice Olzard’s licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 6 days from the conclusion of racing on Saturday the 21st March 2026 up to and including racing on Friday the 27th March 2026. In determining penalty, stewards considered the QRIC careless riding template, apprentice Olzard’s not guilty plea and her record, which indicated no prior suspensions for careless riding during her time as an apprentice rider in over 750 race rides.

RACE 3: BRUCE MCKENZIE MEMORIAL BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP   1050M

SAILOR'S RUM – Blundered on jumping.
 
MISS MERCY – Raced wide without cover throughout. When questioned regarding the run of MISS MERCY along the tactics adopted in the event, apprentice rider Stephanie Tierney stated that after beginning well she elected to stride forward, which is consistent with the filly’s usual racing pattern. Rider Tierney added that after being trapped wide in the early stages, she did not fell as though she had sufficient speed to cross the runners to her inside. When questioned regarding whether there may have been an opportunity to obtain cover behind CRAIGLEA MERIDA approaching the 800 metres, apprentice Tierney stated that she took some restraint in an attempt to obtain cover at this point of the race, however MISS MERCY commenced to hang outwards, and as a consequence, remained three wide without cover for the remainder of the event. After considering the explanation of apprentice Tierney, stewards could not be satisfied that the tactics adopted were unreasonable in the circumstances, particularly considering the racing mannerisms of MISS MERCY.   
 
HARD TO DISMISS – Began awkwardly.
 
IRISH ROCKET – Slow into stride. Hung out under pressure noticeably in the home straight. Trainer Dane McKinnon was advised that a warning would be placed on the mare’s racing manners.  

CRIMSON DECIPHER – Began awkwardly and brushed with IMPACTFUL MISS shortly after the start. Unable to obtain clear racing room in the home straight from a point near the 400 metres until electing to shift outwards approaching the 100 metres.        
 
LUXOR PRINCE – Began awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin.
 
CRAIGLEA MERIDA – Raced wide in the early stages.        
 
IMPACTFULL MISS – Brushed with CRIMSON DECIPHER shortly after the start.        
 
RACE 4: ST PATRICK'S DAY CLASS 4 HANDICAP 1200M

LIMERO – Was declared a late scratching by order of stewards at 12:25pm after LIMERO was found to have significant abrasions to both right and left hips and swelling to its near fore fetlock, which occurred after the gelding had been fractious in its float en-route to the course. Trainer’s representative Adrian Coome was advised that LIMERO would require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.  
 
CANNY BE BETTER – Began awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin. Over-raced in the early stages.            
 
DETERMINATION – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly throughout.   Rider Warwick Satherley pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 132(7)(a)(ii) for applying the whip to his mount on 6 occasions prior to the 100 metres and 17 times in total, and after consideration of all factors a $500.00 fine was imposed.
 
SUJEED – Began awkwardly.     
 
OUR HEART THROB – Slow into stride. Raced keenly in the middle stages.        
 
RACE 5: MASOT PTY LTD CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1400M

DWAYNE – Bumped at the start by VILLANDRY which shifted inwards. Over-raced in the early stages.
 
STORM FORCE TEN – Was fractious in the barriers prior to the start.  
 
BOOM CRUSHER – Raced wide in the early stages.
 
VILLANDRY – Shifted inwards at the start and bumped DWAYNE. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.        
 
SIDESHOW FRANKIE – Over-raced in the early stages.      
 
SPIRIT TALKER – Slow into stride. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
CARRARA KING – Restrained off heels leaving the 1050 metres. Laid out under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
MAKING HISTORY – Began awkwardly. Shortly after the start, attempted to buck for some distance and as a result lost considerable ground. Trainer Tim Cook was advised that MAKING HISTORY must trial or jumpout out to the satisfaction to Stewards prior to racing again.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Nil
Fines
Race 4. Rider Warwick Satherley – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Whip use prior to 100m – $500
Suspensions
Race 2. Apprentice Rider Gabrielle Semmens – AR131(a) – careless riding – m/night 15/03/2026 to m/night 22/03/2026 – 7 Days
Race 2. Apprentice Rider Nikki Olzard – AR131(a) – careless riding – m/night 21/03/2026 to m/night 27/03/2026 – 6 Days.
Race day injuries/illness
Nil
Absent jockeys
Apprentice Leah Martyn
Adjourned inquiries
Nil

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
AUTUMN GALE, PLEASEPLEASEPLEASE, IRISH ROCKET, ELECTRIC BRAE, DWAYNE & KAYLEEN’S PROFIT (NZ)
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 1. TARA I AM – Lame off foreleg – Veterinary clearance required.
Race 3. IRISH ROCKET – Hung outwards – Warning.
Race 4. LIMERO – Abrasions to left/right hips & swelling to left fore fetlock – Veterinary clearance required.
Race 5. MAKING HISTORY – Attempted to buck – Required to trial.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1. OUR EAGLE ROCK – Apprentice Nikki Olzard (a2/52kg).
Race 3. SAILOR’S RUM – Warwick Satherley.
 Race 3. IMPACTFULL MISS – Adam Sewell.
Race 4. ELECTRIC BRAE – Natalea Summers.
Race 5. BOOM CRUSHER – Apprentice Nikki Olzard (a2/52kg).
Race 5. KAYLEEN’S PROFIT (NZ) – Warwick Satherley.

Late scratchings
Race 1. No 4. TARA I AM – 1:09PM – Veterinary advice.
Race 4. No 1. LIMERO – 12:25PM – 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.