QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
ROCKHAMPTON
FRIDAY 31ST JULY 2026
WEATHER – FINE
TRACK RATING – GOOD 4
RAIL – +5M ENTIRE
PENETROMETER – 4.87
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – Ethan Suli
Stewards – Hayden Gillett, Shikira Stehbens, Tait Hendy & Gary Wust
GENERAL
The following runners all underwent pre-race veterinary examinations after having competed within the previous 7 days:
ANDERS KISS, BESTOV, SPITZBERG, TRIPLE JAB, VIKING SUN, MY SPY, DARLING CLEMENTINE & BOOM BOOM BELLA.
Stewards approved the following rider overweights:
Race 3: Jockey Warwick Satherley (MR DEMOCRAT) +1/2kg
Race 7: Jockey Warwick Satherley (LONERGY) +1/2kg
Trainer John Wigginton was reprimanded under the provisions of LR36(6) for failing to scratch the dually accepted BELVEDERE MISS by the prescribed time.
Stewards inquired into the scratching of GOLD CZECH from Race 1 and took evidence from trainer Liam Birchley. Trainer Birchley explained that, when nominations were extended, the gelding’s owner, who is local to the area, requested that the horse be nominated for the event. He further stated that, after final acceptances and upon assessing the strength of the field, he and the owner elected to scratch GOLD CZECH in favour of targeting a more suitable race in Southeast Queensland in the coming weeks.
Stewards questioned co-trainer Adam Simpson regarding the scratching of SI SI SI SIESTA from Race 1. Trainer Simpson stated that the gelding had been working well in the lead-up to time of acceptances, however the gelding had not trialed since February. Trainer Simpson added that it had been his intention to start the gelding in today’s event, however, after a difference of opinion among the horse’s connections as to whether it should run, a decision was ultimately made to scratch SI SI SI SIESTA. Trainer Simpson further advised that the gelding would now be aimed at a trial on Tuesday.
Stewards questioned co-trainer Adam Barling regarding the scratching of URBAN REALITY and THE CAN CAN from Race 1. Trainer Barling stated that URBAN REALITY had been intended to start, however, after pulling up dour following its final work, and given the travel required to Rockhampton, he elected to scratch the gelding. Trainer Barling undertook to report on the gelding’s condition in the coming days. Regarding THE CAN CAN, trainer Barling stated that the filly had also been accepted for the Sunshine Coast on Sunday, 2 August. After assessing both races, and noting the more favourable barrier and reduced travel, connections elected to scratch the filly from today’s event and race at the Sunshine Coast instead.
RACE 1 - TAB QTIS TWO-YEARS-OLD HANDICAP (1200M)
JUNGLE RHYTHM – Raced keenly in the early stages. Shifted inwards under pressure in the home straight.
DOUBTWILLY – Knuckled on jumping and as a result was very awkward to begin. Overraced in the early stages. Near the 50m, shifted outwards under pressure when insufficiently clear of AVGAS resulting in that runner being hampered and crowded.
AVGAS – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages whilst being restrained to find cover. Near the 50m, shied in away from JUNGLE RHYTHM, whilst simultaneously DOUBTWILLY shifted outwards under pressure when insufficiently clear, resulting in AVGAS being hampered and crowded. Apprentice Steph Tierney was issued a severe reprimanded under the provisions of AR131(a).
RACE 2 - BECOME A RJC MEMBER QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP (1050M)
BOOM CHIKA WOW – Began awkwardly, bumping with KANNA KAMUI shortly afterwards. Raced wide in the early and middle stages. Overraced in the middle stages. Laid inwards under pressure.
IN THREE DEE – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages. Raced wide throughout. Approaching the 600m, improved onto the heels of the tiring SARAH’S BELLE and had to be checked and lose ground. When questioned regarding the overall performance of IN THREE DEE, jockey Les Tilley stated that he was not overly disappointed in the gelding’s performance, given the fact that the IN THREE DEE had raced three-wide throughout the event and being inconvenienced shortly prior to entering the home straight by SARAH’S BELLE which had a detrimental impact on the gelding’s finishing chances.
STORMYBOB – Began awkwardly and shifted outwards, hampering POWER OF ANGELINE. Raced wide throughout. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
SARAH'S BELLE – Was fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Bumped with BALKAN MELODY shortly after the start. Raced wide throughout. Hung inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight. Apprentice Tom Orr was reminded of his obligations in relation to applying his whip to his mount when out of contention.
GLEN'S HEN – Was fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Began awkwardly and was slow to begin as a result. Raced keenly in the early stages.
KANNA KAMUI – Began awkwardly and bumped with BOOM CHIKDA WOW soon after the start. Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
BALKAN MELODY – Was fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Began awkwardly and bumped with SARAH’S BELLE soon after the start.
POWER OF ANGELINE – Began awkwardly and was hampered soon after the start by STORMYBOB and as a result was slow to begin. Held up for clear racing room in the early stages of the home straight.
ANDERS KISS – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages. Raced wide in the early stages. Inclined to hang inwards when under pressure in the home straight.
RACE 3 - JOIN THE RJC GOLD CLUB MAIDEN HANDICAP (QTIS BONUSES APPLICABLE 2&3YO'S ONLY) 1400M
ALL BANGED UP – Began awkwardly.
BRITISH NAVY – Slow to begin. Inclined to lay inwards under pressure in the home straight.
SAILING SOLO – Began awkwardly. Raced ungenerously in the early stages and had to be restrained momentarily from the heels of MR DEMOCRAT (jockey Warwick Satherley) which shifted inwards marginally near the 1000m. Jockey Warwick Satherley was advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances. Raced wide throughout.
BESTOV – Had difficulty obtaining clear racing room in the home straight until a point near the 100m. Was briefly placed in restricted room over the concluding stages when MR DEMOCRAT stepped inwards marginally, resulting in being carried inwards onto CASH PIT, inconveniencing that runner momentarily.
CASH PIT – Began awkwardly. Momentarily inconvenienced by over the concluding stages by BESTOV which was carried inwards marginally by MR DEMOCRAT.
CHECK ONE TWO – Began awkwardly. Inclined to lay inwards under pressure in the home straight.
MR DEMOCRAT – Began awkwardly. Raced wide in the early stages. Near the 1000m, shifted inwards marginally which resulted in SAILING SOLO having to be steadied from heels. Close to the finish, stepped inwards marginally and placed BESTOV in restricted room.
TIGER ROCKET – Began awkwardly.
RACE 4 - GREAT NORTHERN BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1050M
ITALIAN DANCER – Began awkwardly. Hampered at the start by KRACKACAN and CRYOSEIMES and as a result was slow to begin.
KRACKACAN – Began awkwardly and shifted outwards hampering ITALIAN DANCER, before shifting out further and bumping with CRYOSEISMS shortly after. Overraced in the early and middle stages.
CRYOSEISMS – Carried inwards at the start by IDHANA, which shifted inwards, and hampered ITALIAN DANCER as a result. Soon afterwards, was bumped by KRACKACAN which had shifted outwards. Overraced in the early and middle stages. Held up for clear racing room in the early stages of the home straight. Was disappointed for a run approaching the 200m to the inside of IDHANA when that runner had laid inwards under pressure before being corrected by its rider. Apprentice Nikki Olzard (IDHANA) was reminded of her obligations to ensure she is mindful of other runners when shifting ground.
GUAC ON – Raced keenly in the early stages. Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
IDHANA – Shifted inwards at the start, carrying in CRYOSEISMS in onto ITALIAN DANCER. Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight, having to be corrected on a number of occasions by its rider.
RACE 5 - SAVE THE DATE 17 OCT CAULFIELD CUP RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1200M
BOLD AS BRASS – Began awkwardly and bumped with SPITZBERG. Overraced in the early stages. Inclined to lay outwards rounding the home turn.
BOLLA BOLLA BABE – Began awkwardly and made contact with the outside barrier partition. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any apparent abnormalities.
RESOLUTE LADY – Bounded on jumping. Briefly held up for clear running passing the 300m.
BELVEDERE MISS – Inclined to lay inwards when under pressure over the final 100m.
LUXOR PRINCE – Began awkwardly and was slow to begin as a result. Raced keenly in the early stages and near the 800m, improved on the heels of RESOLUTE LADY and had to be eased.
SPITZBERG – Began awkwardly and bumped with BOLD AS BRASS. Raced keenly in the early stages.
MAKING HISTORY – Began awkwardly.
RACE 6 - OFFICE NATIONAL XPRESS QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP 1200M
THEE CREEK – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Inclined to lay outwards when under pressure over the final 100m.
BITTER SPIRIT – Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
MISS FUNNY HONEY – Began awkwardly.
I CAN HELP – Began very awkwardly. Bumped with NEXT LEGACY near the 400m. Upon return to scale, jockey Les Tilley reported that I CAN HELP felt very awkward in its action in home straight and elected to ease the gelding and not place it under any further pressure over the final stages. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any abnormalities at the time of inspection. Nonetheless, Trainer Pat Webster was advised that I CAN HELP would require a veterinary clearance of soundness prior to racing again.
TRIPLE SPIRIT – Raced wide in the early stages. Inclined to lay outwards when placed under pressure over the final 200m.
NEXT LEGACY – Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout. Bumped with I CAN HELP near the 400m.
AUTUMN GALE – Began awkwardly. Inclined to lay inwards under pressure in the home straight.
INNOVADER –Began awkwardly. Raced in restricted room near the 1000m and had to be momentarily eased.
VIKING SUN – Began awkwardly. Held up for clear racing room until a point near the 350m.
RACE 7 - DAVE BAILEY'S MOBILE REPAIRS OPEN HANDICAP 1200M
HEARTONI – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
RED HOT LIZZIE – Blundered at the start and as a result was slow to begin. When questioned in relation to the performance, jockey Adam Sewell stated that RED HOT LIZZIE had raced one paced in today’s event and believed that the heavy weight impost in comparison to its most recent starts may have been detrimental on the mare’s overall chances.
ROLL UP – Slow into stride. Raced keenly in the early stages.
TRACK TALE – Raced keenly in the early stages.
DOUBTING EYE – Began awkwardly and shifted outwards, hampering LONERGY. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
PARADE GROUND – Began awkwardly.
TIZSO FAB – Began awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin.
HEROIC MISS – Raced wide in the early stages.
LONERGY – Slow to begin and was hampered shortly after by DOUBTING EYE which shifted outwards. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.
RACE 8 - BURKE IN STYLE BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1400M
NIGHTSTICK – Began awkwardly and bumped with DARLING CLEMENTINE, and as a result was slow to begin. Inconvenienced close to the finish by CHLOE FIRST when that runner shifted outwards marginally.
ASK ME MATE – Raced wide in the early stages. Stewards opened an inquiry regarding the tactics adopted on ASK ME MATE in the middle stages by apprentice Steph Tierney. After taking initial evidence from apprentice Teirney, in the presence of senior jockey Chris McIver, Stewards have adjourned the matter to a time and date to be fixed.
GOT GUMPTION – Raced wide throughout.
ALL BUSINESS (NZ) – Raced wide throughout.
KING'S DUTY – Began awkwardly. Overraced in the early stages. Held up for clear racing room in the home straight until a point near the 200m.
HOU LONG GWAI – Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout.
MY SPY – Began awkwardly and shifted outwards, bumping GENERAL WOLFFE.
CHLOE FIRST – Slow to begin. Near the finish, shifted outwards and inconvenienced NIGHTSTICK.
DARLING CLEMENTINE – Bounded at the start and was slow to begin and as a result, bumped with NIGHTSTICK shortly afterwards.
GENERAL WOLFFE – Bumped by MY SPY at the start when that runner shifted outwards.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning licensees
Reprimands
General. Trainer John Wigginton – LR36(6) – Failed to scratch dual acceptor by prescribed time.
Race 1. Apprentice Stephanie Tierney – AR131(a) – Careless riding – Severe reprimand.
Adjourned inquiries
Race 8. Apprentice Steph Tierney (ASK ME MATE) – Tactics adopted in the middle stages.
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses swabbed pre-race
AVGAS, ANDERS KISS, ALL BANGED UP, CRYOSEISMS, BOLD AS BRASS & BITTER SPIRIT.
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 6. I CAN HELP – Veterinary certificate of soundness.
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 5: BOLD AS BRASS – Jockey Les Tilley & BELVEDERE MISS – Jockey Warwick Satherley
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.