QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

ROCKHAMPTON JOCKEY CLUB

FRIDAY 24 APRIL 2026

WEATHER –Fine
TRACK RATING –Soft 5
RAIL – +6m Entire Course
PENETROMETER – 5.30

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – Shane Larkins
Stewards – Darryl Griffiths, Sam Nosworthy, Shikira Stehbens, Gary Wust (Scales)
 
GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted the following overweights:
Race 3. Adam Sewell (LEICA FLAMINGO) +0.5kg, Raul Silvera Olivera (WAYNO) +1.0kg
Race 5. Raul Silvera Olivera (SPELLMASTER(NZ)) +0.5kg
 
 
Race 1: TAB QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1200M
 
 
THE BARBER – Began awkwardly.

SPORT – Began very awkwardly, then shifted in making heavy contact with STYLISH DIAMOND and became unbalanced for a short distance. Raced three wide without cover throughout. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

STYLISH DIAMOND – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Began awkwardly, then shifted out abruptly shortly after, making heavy contact with the hindquarters of SPORT, and lost ground in consequence. Briefly held up for clear running on entering the home straight. Laid in under pressure over the final 500 metres.  

DAZZLING GEISHA – Bumped on jumping. Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Rider R. Stewart reported at scale that DAZZLING GEISHA over-raced throughout and raced in a dour manner when placed under pressure in the home straight. Rider Stewart added that in his opinion, the filly may be better suited with a freshen up. Trainer C. Taylor advised that after being disappointed with the performance, he would look to have the filly to be ridden in a more conservative manner.

FORMAL AFFAIR – Shifted out on jumping bumping DAZZLING GEISHA. Raced greenly under pressure in the home straight and had to be straightened by its rider on several occasions.

WHIP 'N NEIGHNEIGH – Leaving the 200 metres, briefly placed awkwardly at the heels of FORMAL AFFAIR when that filly shifted ground under pressure. Lost its left hind shoe in running.
 
 
 
RACE 2: GREAT NORTHERN MAIDEN HANDICAP (QTIS BONUSES APPLICABLE 2&3YO ONLY) 1050M
 
 
MORUNDAH – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages. Raced wide without cover in the early stages. Laid in under pressure over the final 500 metres.
 
TRIPLE SPIRIT – Began awkwardly. A post-race veterinary examination after TRIPLE SPIRIT became fractious in the tie-up stalls revealed lameness and contusions to the left hind leg. Trainer L. Peterson was advised that a veterinary clearance would be provided prior to racing again.

BOWDENE – Inclined to race ungenerously in the early stages. Raced wide without cover in the early and middle stages. Laid in under pressure in the home straight. When questioned regarding the performance, rider C. McIver stated that in his opinion BOWDENE had to endure significant work from the widest barrier in the early and middle stages, which had a telling effect on the finishing efforts of his mount.

AGILE ANNIE – Slow to begin.

I WANT IT ALL – Began awkwardly then shifted out bumping with JOLLY JAPES, losing ground. Carried outwards by CASH PIT shortly after entering the home straight. Laid in under pressure and raced greenly in the home straight.

JOLLY JAPES – Began very awkwardly making heaving contact to the inside barrier partition, then bumped with I WANT IT ALL shortly after, losing ground as a consequence. Raced keenly in the middle stages before shifting out approaching the 700 metres to continue to improve. Briefly impeded on entering the home straight.

CASH PIT – Shifted outwards to improve entering the home straight carrying I WANT IT ALL wider, which resulted in JOLLY JAPES being briefly impeded.
 
 
RACE 3: ROCKHAMPTON CUP TICKETS ON SALE QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP 1400M
 
 
SARAQAEL – Raced wide in the early stages, then raced three-wide without cover for the remainder. On entering the home straight, shifted in marginally contacting MILK MAID, and became unbalanced for a short distance. When questioned regarding SARAQAEL racing three wide throughout, rider W. Satherley stated that after beginning from a wide barrier, he had attempted to obtain a position closer to the rail in the initial stages, however, was unable to do so, and as a result, raced wide throughout. Rider/Trainer Satherley added that, in his opinion, the track conditions were marginally softer than what the gelding is best suited to and despite racing wide he was disappointed with the overall performance. Mr Satherley advised that following today’s performance, he would look to give the gelding a let-up.

BETTERLUCKNEXTTIME – Began awkwardly,

OUR EAGLE ROCK – Began awkwardly. Raced wide in the early stages. Rider C. Collis was reminded of his obligations to ride his mount out fully to the finish.

LEICA FLAMINGO – Began awkwardly and shifted in bumping heavily with SCIALLA.

SCIALLA – Began awkwardly and shifted out bumping heavily with LEICA FLAMINGO. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

WAYNO – Began awkwardly, briefly unbalancing rider R. Olivera then shifted in hampering THE KOBAY TRAIN. Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight. When questioned regarding the seemingly improved performance, rider R. Olivera advised that WAYNO endured very little luck in stronger class at its most recent start and in today’s event was better suited by improving into the race wider on the track after settling near the rear, therefore the unimpeded run was of significant assistance.

THE KOBAY TRAIN – Hampered shortly after the start when WAYNO shifted in.

MILK MAID – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Bumped by SARAQAEL on entering the home straight.
 

RACE 4: ASHTON ENGINEERING BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP (QTIS BONUSES APPLICABLE FOR 3,4&5YO'S) 1600M
 
 
PREPOTENT – Raced keenly in the early stages. Shifted in under pressure during the initial stages of the home straight then inclined to shift ground outwards under pressure over the final 250 metres.

KAREEM – Raced three-wide without cover throughout. When questioned regarding the gelding racing three-wide throughout, rider P. Hamblin advised that from an awkward barrier draw, he allowed his mount to stride forward to a midfield position in the early stages with the intention of obtaining a position one off the running rail, however, this proved unobtainable. When further questioned as to whether consideration was given to restraining near the 1100 metres to obtain cover, rider Hamblin stated that, given the weight impost and the moderate tempo of the race, he did not feel it would be advantageous to lose ground at that stage and then be required to make up the lost ground when the tempo increased in the later stages. After considering the circumstances of the race and the explanation provided, Stewards did not consider rider Hamblin’s decision not to restrain near the 1100 metres to be unreasonable in the circumstances. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.

SMART MISSION – Began awkwardly. Brushed with BOLD BLAZE on numerous occasions over the final 400 metres.

BO BO BEWARE – Slow to begin.

REPLACE THE ACE – Began awkwardly.

BOLD BLAZE – Laid in under pressure in the final straight. Brushed with SMART MISSION on numerous occasions over the final 400 metres. Rider R. Stewart was fined $500 under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii) for applying the whip to his mount on 9 occasions prior to the 100m. In determining penalty, stewards took into consideration jockey Stewart’s previous record, his guilty plea and the QRIC whip penalty template.

OUT OF ACES – Began awkwardly.

SAN JUAN – Slow to begin.
 
 
RACE 5: CQ FASTENERS BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 1050M
 
 
REBELIOUS RED – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Began awkwardly.

BLITZWATER – Bumped by IRISH ROCKET on jumping. Raced ungenerously leaving the 900 metres.

IRISH ROCKET – Began awkwardly and shifted out bumping with BLITZWATER. Hung out for the majority of the event. Apprentice rider T. Fenlon reported at scale that her mount hung out throughout. The current warning will remain on the mare’s racing manners.
 
NEVERENOUGHLEGO – Inclined to shift ground outwards under pressure over the concluding stages.

TEN CARAT LUCY – Held up for clear racing room shortly after entering the home straight up to a point leaving the 400 metres.

SPELLMASTER (NZ) – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after becoming agitated in the float during transport and was cleared to race. Slow to begin.
 

RACE 6: CJB CONSTRUCTIONS BENCHMARK 72 HANDICAP 1050M

 
DRAGON'S SNIP – Contacted the side of the barriers on jumping. Over raced in the middle stages.

BUNGARRIBEE LAD – Slow to begin.

UNIVERSAL HARMONY – Bumped by ELECTRIC BRAE on jumping. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Leaving the 75 metres, shifted out marginally under pressure contacting the hindquarters of BEEN A SECRET.

SVINDAL – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the middle stages.

BEEN A SECRET – Raced wide without cover throughout. Contacted on the hindquarters leaving the 75 metres when UNIVERSAL HARMONY shifted out marginally.

PRETTY SLICK – When questioned regarding the performance of PRETTY SLICK, rider R. Stewart advised that the mare travelled well throughout however put in some awkward strides nearing the 300 metres and he felt that there may have been some soreness issues in front. Rider Stewart reported that on pulling up and when returning to scale, the mare felt normal in her action. A post-race veterinary examination revealed lameness to the right foreleg. Trainer Ricky Vale was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to next racing.

ELECTRIC BRAE – Began awkwardly and shifted out, bumping UNIVERSAL HARMONY.
 

 
RACE 7: KORTE GROUP BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP         1300M
 
 
OUTBACK BANDIT – Held up for clear racing room from rounding the home turn up to a point nearing the 350 metres.

BAVARIAN LADY – Began awkwardly then hampered shortly after when DETERMINATION shifted in.

WARNA – Slow to begin. Held up for clear racing room from rounding the home turn up to a point nearing the 300 metres. When questioned in relation to her decision to attempt to obtain inside runs in the early part of the home straight, apprentice S. Tierney stated that after being slow away and considering that the gelding was first up since December 2025, she allowed her mount to relax at the rear of the field. Rider Tierney added that upon entering the home straight, she considered shifting wider, however, given the field was tightly bunched, she felt she would have been forced significantly wider when improving and therefore elected to ride for luck to the inside.
Apprentice Tierney further explained that when making this decision, SUJEED, which was racing in advance of her, shifted outwards, which presented an opportunity to improve to that runner’s inside. Shortly thereafter, BOOM BOOM BELLA (T. Fenlon) shifted away from the rail before being directed back inwards by its rider, resulting in WARNA being obliged to shift around that runner. Ms Tierney also added that she was briefly held up approaching the 300 metres after shifting three wide to trail DETERMINATION, and soon after obtained clear running to the inside of RICKYTHESTEAMBOAT. After considering the circumstances of the race and the explanation provided, Stewards did not consider apprentice rider Tierney’s decision to attempt to obtain inside runs in the early part of the straight to be unreasonable in the circumstances and took no further action.

VICTORY'S GHOST – Began awkwardly. Raced wide with cover throughout. Approaching the 300 metres, hung in despite the efforts of its rider, and as a consequence SUJEED was impeded.

DETERMINATION – Began awkwardly and shifted in hampering BAVARIAN LADY. Raced keenly in the early stages. Held up for clear racing room from rounding the home turn up to a point nearing the 400 metres.

RICKYTHESTEAMBOAT – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after not having started for an extended period of time and was cleared to start. Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid out under pressure over the final 250 metres.

BETTER THAN WORDS – Raced wide without cover throughout.

SUJEED – Slow to begin. Held up for clear racing room from rounding the home turn up to a point nearing the 300 metres. Impeded nearing the 300 metres when VICTORY’S GHOST hung in.

OUR HEART THROB – Began awkwardly. Trainer T. Cook reported that OUR HEART THROB would now be spelled.

LUXOR PRINCE – Began awkwardly.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Fines
Race 4 – Rider Ron Stewart – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Use of the whip 9 times – $500
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
SCIALLA, PREPOTENT, KAREEM, BLITZWATER, PRETTY SLICK, SUJEED.
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 2. TRIPLE SPIRIT – Lameness and contusions to left-hind leg – Veterinary clearance required.
Race 5. IRISH ROCKET – Hanging out – Warning continued.
Race 6. PRETTY SLICK – Lameness to right-foreleg – Veterinary clearance required.
 
 
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.