QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

SUNSHINE COAST TURF CLUB

FRIDAY 3 OCTOBER 2025

WEATHER – Fine    TRACK RATING – Good (4)RAIL – +2M Entire
PENETROMETER – 6.29

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – J. Williamson
Stewards – P. Zimmermann, A. Schofield, O. Legg, H. Matthews

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT


GENERAL
 
Stewards approved the following overweights:
Race 1. A. Thompson +1kg
Race 5. M. Hellyer +1kg


Race 1: HAZELDEN REALTY MAIDEN PLATE         2200 Metres

BRIEF SPIRIT – Slow to begin. Inconvenienced near the 500m when MAN TALK shifted out. Jockey K. Zechner, rider of MAN TALK, was advised to exercise more care when shifting ground.
 
SILVIO DANTE – Began awkwardly, bumped and lost ground.
 
MAN TALK – Began awkwardly.
 
STELLA SIMONE – Raced wide during the early stages.
 
 

Race 2: TEWANTIN NOOSA RSL SUB BRANCH BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP       1800 Metres

LOYALTY COUNTS – When asked to comment on the performance of the gelding, rider T. Brooker reported that her mount was disappointing and failed to let down in the home straight. A post race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer P. Duncan was reprimanded pursuant to AR165(3) for removing LOYALTY COUNTS from the racecourse before the allotted 30 minutes post race.
 
SETTAT (NZ) – When asked to comment on the improved performance, trainer S. Kendrick advised that the gelding was not suited to shorter distances at its last two starts and he had expected a forward showing stepping up to 1800m today
 
HARLEY CHARLIE – When asked to comment on the tactics adopted, apprentice L. Martyn reported that she was not given specific instructions to lead however, she was of the opinion that HARLEY CHARLIE had sufficient natural speed to race in a forward position, in a race lacking genuine tempo. She also added that when LOYALTY COUNTS improved to her outside near the 1400m, the gelding commenced to race keenly until the 1000m. Stewards noted apprentice Martyn’s comments. 
 

Race 3: CALOUNDRA RSL FILLIES AND MARES MAIDEN HANDICAP          1000 Metres
 
CEEKAY'S CHOICE – Laid out under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
HURRICANE LU – Slow to begin. Raced greenly in the early and middle stages.
 
MISSISSIPPI DREAM (NZ) – Began awkwardly. Jockey D. Thornton could offer no excuse for the disappointing performance. A post race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be displaying clinical signs of the thumps. Trainer D. Vandyke reported that the mare returned to scale with its tongue back and he would experiment with the use of a tongue tie and a crossover noseband to the gear. Mr Vandyke was advised that MISSISSIPPI DREAM would be required to trail to Stewards’ satisfaction prior to racing again.  
 
TINKERTINO – Had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the home straight.
 
YAKITORI – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
SPIRITOF THE OCEAN – Trainer D. Hansen was fined $200 pursuant to LR67(1) for failing to declare a rider by the prescribed time. Raced wide throughout. Raced greenly under pressure in the home straight.
 
ELEMISS – Began awkwardly. Whilst racing greenly, shifted in bumping the running rail near the 450m and became unbalanced as a result.


Race 4: CALOUNDRA RSL SUB BRANCH CLASS 1 PLATE          1600 Metres
 
Declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow apprentice J. McMurray, rider of second placegetter COOL RUNNING, to view the patrol footage in the home straight. 

BUSKER – Raced ungenerously for a number of strides shortly after the start. Trainer R. Heathcote was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing manners.
 
CHEERS – Trainer C. Morphy was reprimanded pursuant to AR206(2) for presenting without pre-race earmuffs. Slow to begin.
 
COOL RUNNING – Steadied near the 1300m when CONTINGENCY shifted in when not fully clear. Jockey D. Turner, rider of CONTINGENCY, was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding in this incident. Near the 300m, inconvenienced and obliged to alter course when CONTINGENCY shifted out under pressure.
 
MAD ANA – Began awkwardly. Raced in restricted room over the concluding stages.
 
CONTINGENCY (NZ) – Began awkwardly. Shifted out under pressure near the 300m. Cast the near hind plate.
 

Race 5: TOTAL VETERANS HEALTH CARE CLASS 3 HANDICAP          1000 Metres

SHAKO – Raced wide throughout.
 
STANISLAUS – Raced wide throughout. Rider D. Moor reported that it had been his intention to ride further back with cover, however his mount began well and it became apparent that he would not be able to steady and obtain cover, therefore he elected allow his mount to stride forward to attempt to obtain a position closer to the fence.
 
DEFERENTIAL – Slow to begin. Held up rounding the home turn and improved onto heels near the 300m and obliged to alter course to obtain clear running.
 
THE SUN DANCE – Inconvenienced shortly after the start and lost ground.
 
A TOUCH FROM FAYT – As T. Brooker became ill following the running of race 3, she was replaced by jockey D. Thornton. Laid out when rounding the home turn and became awkwardly placed at the heels of SHAKO as a result. Raced wide throughout.  
 

Race 6: HOMEFRONT QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD & FOUR-YEAR-OLD BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP       1000 Metres

MISHANI EGO – Began awkwardly
 
THAT'S INTERESTING – Raced wide throughout.
 
BOLD ARTIC – Slow to begin. Had difficulty securing clear running rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the home straight. Inconvenienced near the 250m.
 
BREEZIN' – Raced wide throughout. Stewards questioned rider C. Graham regarding the tactics adopted in the early and middle stages resulting in her mount racing in a four wide position. Jockey Graham indicated that her intension had been to settle behind JOY A PLENTY and restrained during the early stages to obtain this position, however when JOY A PLENTY steadied  approaching the 800m she was obliged to remain outside that runner. Furthermore, when MISHANI EGO crossed JOY A PLENTY and was steadied, this resulted in JOY A PLENTY remaining in a three wide position outside MISHANI EGO, causing BREEZIN’ to race four wide. Jockey Graham indicated that in hindsight, more aggressive restraint during the early stages would have allowed her mount to obtain the position behind JOY A PLENTY or being aggressive and riding BREEZIN’ forward from the barriers would have afforded her mount a more favourable racing position. Stewards agreed with these comments and found that Jockey Graham had erred in failing to be more decisive during the early stages, however given the circumstances, were not satisfied that her actions were unreasonable and took no further action.

 
KING OF GERALDINE – Apprentice O. Webb reported that her mount raced greenly throughout and laid out under pressure in the home straight. 
 
MISHANI BREEZE – Began awkwardly.
 

Race 7: VWF - YOUNG VETERANS RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP            1400 Metres

CHANCE WITH WOLVES – When questioned regarding the tactics adopted in the early and middle stages, apprentice C. Bellamy stated that as CHANCE WITH WOLVES has over-raced when restrained in the past, she attempted to retain a position outside READY TO IGNITE when that horse had obtained the lead approaching the 1200m. When asked if she had considered restraining her mount to allow STEP ALONG to cross her mount and provide her mount cover or if she had considered restraining and attempting to cross behind READY TO IGNITE, as the pace set from the 1200m until leaving the 800m was significant, Apprentice Bellamy indicated that she had been happy to remain in this position as she was concerned that CHANCE WITH WOLVES may not respond well to being restrained. Stewards advised Apprentice Bellamy that despite CHANCE WITH WOLVES previous tendencies, attempts should have been made to steady the pace of her mount when the speed of the race was significant and other leading runners were already over-racing.
 
NORTH CHANNEL – Slow to begin.
 
READY TO IGNITE – When asked to comment on the instructions and the tactics adopted, rider C. Graham reported that she was instructed to obtain a midfield position with cover on the fence in an attempt to have READY TO IGNITE settle, as the gelding has a tendency to over-race and hang out, however after beginning well the gelding resented being restrained and raced very keenly in the early and middle stages. Trainer S Dwyer was also questioned and he confirmed the instructions noting that he was surprised when READY TO IGNITE led the event. Stewards noted Ms Graham’s comments.  
 
YEAH COPY – Blundered on jumping.
 
STEP ALONG – Raced wide throughout. Apprentice M. Philpot reported that when attempting to restrain her mount after passing the 1000m her saddle shifted forward placing her at a disadvantage. A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have bled from both nostrils for the first time. Trainer T. Miller was advised of the provisions of AR79(4).
 
SPIRIT OF STORM – Began awkwardly.
 
THE PROPHECY – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Trainer M. Butler was reprimanded pursuant to AR206(2) for presenting with prerace ear muffs which are not part of the mare’s advertised gear.
 
 





STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 1. Trainer P. Duncan – remove horse prior to 30 minutes – AR165(3).
Race 4. Trainer C. Morphy – present with incorrect gear – AR206(2).
Race 5. Jockey D. Turner – careless riding – AR131(a).
Race 7. Trainer M. Butler – present with incorrect gear – AR206(2).

Fines
Race 3. Trainer D. Hansen – late declaration of rider – LR67(1) - $200.


Race day injuries/illness
T. Brooker – illness – medical required.


 

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
ZOUSOUL, JAM PACKED, PRADO, LOYALTY COUNTS, CHEERS, CONTINGENCY.

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 3. MISSISSIPPI DREAM – poor performance – barrier trial required.

Bleeders
Race 7. STEP ALONG – both nostrils first time – AR79(4).

 

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 3. 10. SPIRITOF THE OCEAN – M. Hellyer
Race 6. 4. THAT’S INTERESTING – L. Dempsey
Race 7. 14. HELL OF A PRINCE – K. Zechner


Late scratchings
Race 7. 17. HARCASION @ 9.16am – Stewards (no suitable rider available)

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.