QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT
 
SUNSHINE COAST TURF CLUB
SATURDAY 20 DECEMBER 2025


WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING – Good 4
RAIL – +9m Entire Course
PENETROMETER – 6.52

OFFICIALS

Stewards – P. Zimmermann (Chair); G. Goold; A. Schofield, J. Robinson; H. Matthews, L. De Witt – Rowson (Asst. Stewards)

GENERAL
 
As Jockey J. Huxtable was unable to make weight in races 4 and 5, rider replacements were made as per the Stewards Raceday Summary. Jockey J. Huxtable was fined $200 pursuant to AR 190(3) for accepting a ride for which he was to be overweight.
 
Race 1: VICTA PEACH-TIN MAIDEN HANDICAP      1800 M

OHH ERROL – Raced keenly in the early stages. Inclined to lay in when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
AMELIORATION – Slow into stride. Raced keenly in the early stages.

SHIP HAPPENS – Slow to begin. Raced keenly and wide in the early stages.

STILL UNWANTED – Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
Race 2: VICTA MUSTANG CLASS 5 HANDICAP      1800 M

WIREWALKER – Brushed with TEXAS FIREBALL near the 250m. Laid in under pressure over the final 200m.
 
TEXAS FIREBALL – Laid out in the early part of the home straight and brushed with WIREWALKER near the 250m.

SAXON KING (GB) – When asked to comment on the performance, Apprentice C. Vitler was unable to offer an explanation for the disappointing performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow recovery.
 
RING BEARER – Carried wider rounding the home turn when WIREWALKER shifted out to improve. Shortly after entering the home straight, became awkward on the heels of WIREWALKER. Jockey J. Huxtable was advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances. Laid out when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
Race 3: VICTA TOE-CUTTER MAIDEN HANDICAP  1200 M

BOLD CHANGE – Bumped near the 200m.

DAWSON DIRECTOR – Over raced in the early stages. Laid out when placed under pressure near the 300m. Shifted out under pressure near the 200m and bumped with BOLD CHANGE. Apprentice J. Newman was advised to stop and straighten her mounts when they commence to shift ground.
 
GUNNIE GUNFIGHTER – Began awkwardly and bumped with LILLY GRACE (NZ).

CANTANKEROUS – Began awkwardly. Laid out near the 200m. After the running of this race it was noted the gelding had lost its near fore plate.

MIDNIGHT MAGGIE (NZ) – Slow to begin. Jockey T. Brooker reported the filly felt awkward in its action. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow recovery.

LILLY GRACE (NZ) - Bumped at the start. Raced wide for the majority. Weakened from the 400m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer J. Bayliss was advised LILLY GRACE (NZ) would be required to officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to resuming (poor performance).
 
Race 4: VICTA CORVETTE FILLIES AND MARES CLASS 1 HANDICAP   1200 M

RETAINER – Held up for clear running until leaving the 200m.
 
DATA SCRAMBLE – Inclined to lay out in the middle stages. Shifted out near the 200m under riding. When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey A. Allen stated the mare laid out for the majority of the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
KAHLUA GIRL – Began awkwardly and bumped HOME ZONE. When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey B. Thornton stated the filly may have resented the gear change of the cross-over noseband. Trainer P. Shailer advised it is his intention to send KAHLUA GIRL for a spell following today’s disappointing performance.

PEE BEE NOIR – Slow to begin. Near the 150m, obliged to steady from the heels of GREY IMPACT which shifted out under riding. Apprentice J. Newman was reprimanded pursuant to AR 131(a) for careless riding in this incident.
 
THE SOUR – Near the 200m when weakening, steadied from the heels of DATA SCRAMBLE which shifted out under riding.
 
GREY IMPACT – Raced wide for the majority.
 
HOME ZONE – Bumped at the start. Had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the home straight, then approaching the 200m, was obliged to steady from the heels of DATA SCRAMBLE which shifted out under riding.  Jockey A. Allen was advised to exercise greater care and to stop and straighten his mounts when they commence to shift ground. Jockey C. Collis lost his whip near the 80m.  
 
SHOW ME THE STARS – Began awkwardly. Raced wide for the majority.
 
Race 5: VICTA CLUBSMAN COLTS, GELDINGS AND ENTIRES CLASS 1 HANDICAP  1200 M
 
GONE TO CAPE YORK was declared a late scratching at 3:32pm due to the gelding refusing to leave the mounting yard. Stable representative N. Boyle for Munce Racing was advised GONE TO CAPE YORK would be required to officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to resuming.
 
On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on GONE TO CAPE YORK to be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:
1st - THE BEAR – 15c win, 10c place.
2nd - PROMINENT LAD – 15c place.
3rd - MAIKROW – 17c place.

ROCHEDALE HERO – Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout. Laid in slightly near the 150m. Jockey D. Boche was advised to stop and straighten his mounts when they commence to shift ground.
 
THE BEAR – Began awkwardly.
 
LANTAU ISLAND – Began awkwardly.
 
TURN THE CORNER – Bumped with BRUTAL BOWLER at the start. Leaving the 600m, was obliged to steady when the pace of the race slackened. Approaching the 200m, was held up for clear running before being disappointed for a run between LANTAU ISLAND and MAIKROW.
 
BRUTAL BOWLER – Bumped with TURN THE CORNER at the start. Near the 600m, was obliged to steady when awkwardly placed at the heels of BILLY BOOM which was taken in slightly by SAMMAAN CITY which continued to shift in. Jockeys A. Allen and C. Collis were both advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances. Approaching the 500m, was again steadied when the pace of the race slackened.
 
SAMMAAN CITY – Raced wide for the majority. Near the 150m when weakening, was hampered by the tiring LANTAU ISLAND which when racing greenly, bumped with MAIKROW and shifted in. Apprentice L. Martyn was advised to exercise greater care and to stop and straighten her mounts when they commence to shift ground.  

STATE A FACT – Slow to begin.

Race 6: VICTA BRONCO CLASS 2 HANDICAP        1400 M

CARPACCIO – Began awkwardly.
 
COLLEANO – Began awkwardly and shifted out. When asked to comment on the performance, Jockey B. Thornton stated his mount traveled well, however when placed under pressure, the gelding failed to respond to his riding and was disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have cardiac arrythmia (first occasion). Trainer M. Hoysted was advised COLLEANO is subject to Racing Australia’s Code of Practice protocol Section 1 relating to cardiac arrythmia.  
 
BOLD ARTIC – Tightened for room at the start between runners. Leaving the 900m, became awkwardly placed on the heels of PARIAH ENGAGEMENT after that runner shifted in.  Jockey H. Van Der Hoven was severely reprimanded pursuant to AR 131(d) for excessively reducing the speed of the race.
 
SAN JOSE BOY – Near the 200m, was disappointed for a run between COLLEANO which shifted out and PARIAH ENGAGEMENT. Jockey B. Thornton rider of COLLEANO was advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances.

PARIAH ENGAGEMENT – Shifted in at the start.
 
STAR VENTURE – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Steadied leaving the 900m when the pace of the race slackened. Improved onto heels rounding the home turn and was held up for clear running until leaving the 300m.
 
SACRED BULL (NZ) – Began awkwardly.
 
SHUBMAN – Trainer B. Gill was reprimanded pursuant to AR 106(2) for presenting SHUBMAN with the incorrect gear (with visors).
 
Race 7: VICTA PACE BENCHMARK 62 HANDICAP 1600 M

OKESUTORA – Tightened at the start between runners. Raced wide in the early stages.

GOLD PRINCE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination by order of Stewards and was subsequently cleared to start.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed the horse to be lame in the right fore leg. Trainer P. Busuttin was advised GOLD PRINCE would require veterinary clearance inclusive of x-rays of the right fore fetlock prior to resuming.

HE'S A SAINT (NZ) – Jockey B. Thornton reported concerns with the gelding’s action. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the right fore leg. Trainer S. Morrisey was advised HE’S A SAINT (NZ) would require veterinary clearance prior to resuming.
 
BOLD HUSSAR – Slow to begin. Near the 250m, was tightened for room between INSAIN JEWEL which laid out and SLIPSAIN which shifted in and was obliged to steady, shift around heels. Jockeys H. Van Der Hoven and A. Thompson were reprimanded pursuant to AR 131(a) for careless riding in this incident.
 
CRAIGLEA LA VIE  – Bumped at the start. Raced wide for the majority.
 
HAMILTON BROWN – Raced wide for the majority.

INSAIN JEWEL – Shifted out at the start. Near the 100m, was obliged to steady when FAMILY OF LEAGUE (T. Brooker) shifted in. Jockey T. Brooker was advised to stop and straighten her mounts when they commence to shift ground.

PLANNED ENCOUNTER (NZ) – Restrained from the wide barrier to obtain a position closer to the rail.
 
CHANCE WITH WOLVES – Began awkwardly. Trainer J. Aitkenhead reported she was not surprised to see the improved performance of the gelding due to the tempo of the race and CHANCE WITH WOLVES races well on Good track rated surfaces.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 4: 6 GREY IMPACT – J. Newman – AR 131(a) – reprimand - careless riding.
Race 6: 12 PARIAH ENGAGEMENT – H. Van Der Hoven – AR 131(d) – severe reprimand - excessively slow the speed of a race.  
Race 6: 15 SHUBMAN – B. Gill – AR 106(2) – reprimand - presented to the mounting yard with the incorrect gear.  
Race 7: 5 SLIPSAIN – A. Thompson – AR 131(a) – reprimand – careless riding.  
Race 7: 13 INSAIN JEWEL – H. Van Der Hoven – AR 131(a) – reprimand – careless riding.

Fines
Races 4 & 5: 8 MISS MERCY, 9 GONE TO CAPE YORK – J. Huxtable – AR 190(3) – $200 – accepting a ride when overweight.  

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses sampled pre-race
Race 1: AMELIORATION, KEY COMPONENT
Race 2: TEXAS FIREBALL, RING BEARER
Race 6: COLLEANO
Race 7: OKESUTORA

Horses sampled post-race
All winners, AMELIORATION

Warnings/bars
Race 3: 10 LILLY GRACE (NZ) – official trial – poor performance.
Race 5: 9 GONE TO CAPE YORK – official trial – refused to leave the mounting yard.
Race 6: 3 COLLEANO – cardiac arrythmia (1st) – refer Racing Australia Code of Practice.
Race 7: 3 GOLD PRINCE – veterinary clearance inclusive of x-rays of the right fore fetlock required – lame right fore leg.
Race 7: 4 HE’S A SAINT (NZ) – veterinary clearance required – lame right fore leg.

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 4: 8 MISS MERCY – M. Butler
Race 5: 9 GONE TO CAPE YORK – A. Thompson
Race 6: 15e SHUBMAN - Morgan Butler

Late scratchings
Race 5: 9 GONE TO CAPE YORK (Stew @ 3:32pm – refused to leave the mounting yard).
 
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.