QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

 SUNSHINE COAST TURF CLUB

SUNDAY 29 MARCH 2026

WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING – Soft 6
RAIL – + 5m entire.
PENETROMETER – 6.53

OFFICIALS

Stewards – P. Zimmerman, B Wright, S. Fletcher, H. Matthews & P Reardon.
Clerk of scales – J. Robinson.
 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT


GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted jockey M Murphy to ride MISHANI MAUI 0.5kg overweight race 3. Later replaced by T Brooker when jockey M Murphy was unable to make the weight.
 
Stewards permitted jockey B Lerena to ride MORE FOR READY 0.5kg overweight in race 4.
 
After considering submissions from trainer P Jenkins on his late rider declarations for EVADE THE GAME & ECHO HUNTER stewards accepted his explanation.

RACE 1:ADAMS FINANCIAL GROUP MAIDEN PLATE          1800 M
 
The start of this event was delayed approximately 5 minutes due to AMELIORATION losing its near fore plate behind the barriers and having to be reshod. Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start.
 
Prior to the declaration of correct weight, B Lang, trainer of AMELIORATION (3rd place getter) after viewing the films lodged a protest against 1st place getter RIGHTEOUS LEGEND ridden by K Wilson-Taylor alleging interference from near the 300m to the winning post. Stewards, after hearing evidence from all parties and on review of the official films, found that whilst RIGHTEOUS LEGEND had been shifting out under riding from the 300m, no interference with AMELIORATION occurred until near the 40m mark. Stewards considering the margin between AMELIORATION and RIGHTEOUS LEGEND and the manner in which AMELIORATION finished off the race. Stewards could not be satisfied when considering the incident in its entirety, therefore dismissed the objection and declared correct weight on the judges placings.
 
IRISH ACCOLADE  - Began awkwardly and shifted out at the start onto EMPRESS ASPEN which was taken out onto MOANA NUI (NZ). A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
MISSILE AWAY – Significantly slow to begin. Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight. Trainer B Mair was advised a warning would be placed on MISSILE AWAY for being slow to begin.
 
MOANA NUI (NZ) – Inconvenience at the start when EMRESS ASPEN was taken out.
 
OAKFIELD GALAXY – Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight.
 
RIGHTEOUS LEGEND – Over raced in the early and middle stages of the event. Raced greenly under pressure in the early part of the home straight and continued to lay out under riding over the final 50m.
 
AMELIORATION – Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight. Hampered approximately 40m from the winning post. Jockey K Wilson-Taylor was severely reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) for this incident.
 
EVADE THE GAME - Inconvenienced at the start when HOT MISS began awkwardly and shifted out. Raced wide until approaching the 1200m.
 
HOT MISS – Trainer C Waller advised that HOT MISS would attempt to settle further forward in today’s event. Ridden accordingly. Began awkwardly and shifted out onto EVADE THE GAME at the start.
 
EMPRESS ASPEN  - Taken out at the start onto MOANA NUI (NZ) when IRISH ACCOLADE began awkwardly and shifted out.


RACE 2: CONTRACT HYDRAULICS MAIDEN PLATE          1400 M
 
ERAJA – Raced wide until working forward to the lead near the 1000m.
 
FOUR DOZEN OYSTERS – Slow to begin. Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight.
 
GAS BRIGADE – Over raced in the early stages.
 
LEGAL CAUSE – Slow to begin. When attempting to restrain to cover, raced keenly. Commenced to over raced near the 1200m and shifted out.

LA GRACIA (NZ) – Over raced in the early stages.
 
TAPPY'S STAR (NZ) – Began awkwardly. Carried wider on the course by LEGAL CAUSE which shifted out when over racing.         

RACE 3: CLAYTON'S TOWING SERVICE QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1400 M
 
NEIGHTHAN - Tightened on jumping when INQUICKTIME shifted in, jockey M Du Plessis was reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) for this incident. Over raced early. Held up approaching home turn before being obliged to shift in near the 150m to secure clear running.  
 
CERTIFY (NZ) – Bumped with PIGGIETALES on jumping. Over raced early. Carried in slightly approaching the home turn when SHIP HAPPENS laid in slightly. Improved onto heels near the 300m and was steadied.
 
DON'T DOUBT MISSY – Approaching the home turn improved onto heels and was steadied.
 
EMPHATIQUE – Near the 1200m when over racing, shifted in before being corrected by its rider. Raced wide until reaching the 800m. Jockey B Thornton was reprimanded pursuant to AR128(2) for leaving the course early without gaining permission from the stewards.
 
PERINI MISS - Near the 1200m raced in restricted room when EMPHATIQUE shifted in before being corrected by its rider. Had difficulty obtaining clear running near the 300m. Jockey K Wilson-Taylor was reminded of his obligations to ride his mount to the finish line.
 
PRIZE WITNESS – Near the 1200m was taken inwards, contacted the running rail when PERINI MISS was carried in by EMPHATIQUE which shifted in when over racing, before being corrected by its rider. Stewards whilst noting the racing manners of PRIZE WITNESS were of the opinion that jockey B Thornton could have exercised greater care.
 
VOLTESSA  - Raced wide.
 
MISHANI MAUI – Prior to the running of race 3, jockey M Murphy advised stewards that he would not be able to make the allocated weight on MISHANI MAUI and was replaced by jockey T Brooker. Jockey M Murphy pleaded guilty to a charge and fined the sum of $100 pursuant to AR190(3) in that he accepted a ride when overweight, resulting in him having to be replaced on MISHANI MAUI.
 
PIGGIETALES – Bumped with CERTIFY (NZ) on jumping.
 
INQUICKTIME – Bumped on jumping away. Reprimand careless


RACE 4: CMBM FACILITY SERVICES CLASS 4 HANDICAP          1600 M
 
Starter reported to stewards post-race that his initial attempt to start the race failed due to an electrical error. Stewards were satisfied that no runner was disadvantaged.
 
SAN JOSE BOY – Trainer J Bruce advised that SAN JOSE BOY would attempt to settle further forward depending on how the gelding began in today’s event. After being caught wide early, was restrained to the rear. Had difficulty obtaining clear running between the 350 until near the 200m.
 
ITALIAN DANCER   - Over raced early before being allowed to stride forward passing the 1200m and occupy a forward position near the 800m. Inclined to lay out under pressure in the home straight.
 
RETAINER – Laid out over the concluding stages.
 
PIREONTI – Slow to begin.
 
DECIMUS – Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight.
 
MORE FOR READY – Slow to begin. Over raced early.
 
GREY IMPACT – Jockey J Newman reported that GREY IMPACT was inclined to lay in over the concluding stages. Jockey J Newman was reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(b) in that she failed to ride her mount GREY IMPACT out to the finish line.
 
EIGHT CYLINDERS (NZ) – Raced wide. Near the 1200m momentarily taken wider when ITALIAN DANCER shifted out to improve.


RACE 5: 91.1 HOT FM CLASS 5 HANDICAP   1000 M
 
Prior to the running of this event the barriers were retested.
 
PROVANCE - Began awkwardly and lost ground. Raced wide. Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight. When asked to comment on the performance in today’s event, Jockey A Jones stated that in her opinion the gelding raced dour and proved disappointing.
 
ADMITTED – When asked to comment on the performance in today’s event. Jockey B Thompson stated that in his opinion the gelding races best when leading and proved disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
OUTWEIGHED – Began awkwardly.
 
BRIGHT BLONDE – Began awkwardly and bumped with CHALICE WELL on jumping.
 
CHALICE WELL – Began awkwardly and bumped BRIGHT BLONDE. Laid out under pressure in the straight.
 
I MISS MARGIE – Raced wide.


RACE 6: GREGSON & WEIGHT FUNERALS MAIDEN HANDICAP   1000 M
 
Prior to the running this race, stewards noted KICKSTART to have presented into the mounting yard with blood present in the near side nostril. After undergoing a veterinary examination, the stewards declared KICKSTART a late scratching on veterinary advice. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards declared that all bets placed on KICKSTART are to be refunded with the following deductions to apply:
1st – NATURALLY LIT 3c win, 5c place
2nd – HILLS OF MINTO 7c place
3rd – REVANTAS 7c place
Subsequent to the running of this event, KICKSTART underwent an endoscopic examination prior to leaving the course. This examination conclusively dismissed any evidence of an internal bleed and the likely cause of the presence of blood to be head trauma. Stewards took no further action.

MUD 'N' BLOOD – Blundered at the start and then hampered between COLUMBIA REEF and DEMES GIRL.
 
OSCAR – Raced wide. Laid out rounding the home turn.
 
COLUMBIA REEF – Began awkwardly and bumped with MUD ‘N’ BLOOD.
 
LADY MILAN - Raced wide. When asked to comment on the performance of LADY MILAN in today’s event, she stated that despite racing wide, she was disappointed with the filly’s performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly to have heat stress.
 
NATURALLY LIT – Shortly after the start was bumped and forced inwards when HILLS OF MINTO shifted in without being fully clear. Jockey J Lloyd was severely reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) for this incident. Held up rounding the home turn until approaching the 250m.
 
TORQUE TOO EASY – Underwent a resaddle on arrival to the barriers. Began awkwardly.
 
DEMES GIRL – Began awkwardly and bumped with MUD ‘N’ BLOOD.

LOPE BY NIGHT – Reared on jumping away lost ground. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
 
SOUND THE BUGLE – Raced wide.
 
HILLS OF MINTO – Held up rounding the home turn until approaching the 300m.


RACE 7: PFD FOODSERVICES BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP          1000 M

Prior to the running of this race, BELLOVE when leaving the mounting enclosure, dislodged its rider Ceejay Graham and then continued to gallop freely before being captured. Stewards subsequently declared BELLOVE a late scratching at 3:42pm. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards declared that all bets placed on BELLOVE are to be refunded with the following deductions to apply:
1st – LITTLE VISTA 3c win, 5c place
2nd – CONFORMITY 4c place
3rd – TERRITORY ASH 4c place
Trainer T Mackinnon was advised a warning would be placed on BELLOVE for the fillies’ pre-race manners. Ceejay Graham was assessed by club medical staff and cleared of any injury.
 
JAGGERY – Raced wide. Bumped rounding the home turn and became unbalanced. Jockey J Guthman-Chester reported that he had concerns with the gelding’s action and  commenced to be eased up leaving the 300m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer L Birchley was advised that JAGGARY would be required to have a veterinary certificate and participate in an official trial prior to accepting for a future jump out, trial or race.
 
RITUALIZE – Jockey B Thompson reported that in his opinion the gelding would be best suited to distances further than 1000m.
 
DARTH INVADER – Bumped with LITTLE VISTA.
 
BLINKED – Began awkwardly. When asked to comment on the performance of BLINKED, jockey F Larson stated filly travelled well throughout the event however when placed under pressure near the 300m, failed to respond to his riding and proved disappointing.
 
CONFORMITY – Raced wide. When shifting wider rounding the home turn, bumped with JAGGERY.
 
LITTLE VISTA – Bumped with DARTH INVADER.


RACE 8: SOUTHEAST STAINLESS CLASS 1 HANDICAP          1800 M
 
PRAISE YOU – Near the 1400m obliged to steady from the heels of VREDEFORT (NZ) which shifted in when not fully clear. Jockey A Sewell was reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) for this incident. Lost the near hind plate in running.
 
MONTEVECCHIO – Slow to begin. Held up approaching the home turn. Held up over the final 50m.
 
O'CALDINO – Raced wide. Raced in restricted room over the final 200m and when approaching the finish line became awkward for a number of strides to the inside of TAP HIGH. Apprentice S Tierney was severely reprimanded for careless riding  pursuant to AR131(a) for this incident.
 
TAP HIGH – Shifted the near hind plate prior to presenting in the mounting yard. Proved difficult to be replated and stewards granted permission for TAP HIGH to race bare behind. Over raced early. Raced wide. Inlined to lay in over the final 300m.
 
CAVARETTA – Held up approaching the home turn.
 
LADY TANGALOOMA (NZ) – Raced wide.      
 
ESPOIR DA TAP – Over raced approaching for a short distance after steadying from heels near the 1400m. Near the 300m steadied away from the heels of METCALFE which shifted in. Held up over the final 50m.
 
LORD DANILO – Slow to begin.
 
METCALFE  - Near the 1400m raced in restricted room to the inside of praise you which was taken in slightly by VREDEFORT (NZ).


RACE 9: TAB BENCHMARK 62 HANDICAP     1400 M

RUSTIC TZAR – Began awkwardly.
 
BIT OF GRUNT – Over raced early. Inclined to lay out over the final 150m.
 
ECHO HUNTER – Raced wide.
 
OUR ORATOR – Slow to begin.
 
SUPRENDRE – Slow to begin. Jockey L Dempsey, rider of LOCH AWE pleaded guilty to a charge for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) in that near 1100m, he failed to make sufficient effort to prevent his mount from shifting in and tightening ECHO HUNTER ridden by M Du Plessis causing it to lose its rightful running, be forced inwards onto SUPRENDRE ridden by F Larson causing that runner to be severely tightened and become awkward. Jockey L Dempsey’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 9 days commencing midnight 4th of April 2026 until midnight the 13th of April 2026. Jockey L Dempsey was informed of his right of appeal.
 
BOOM BOOM BELLA – Carried wider near the 600m when MOOTESSA became awkward on heels and shifted out. Jockey D Boche was reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) for this incident.
 
MOOTESSA - Slow to begin. Improved onto heels near 600m and obliged to shift out and forced BOOM BOOM BELLA wider. Had difficulty obtaining clear running near the 100m.
 
SILVER SMASH – Began awkwardly.
 
CROWN GUINEA – Slow to begin.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
K Wilson-Taylor – Race 1 - Severe Reprimand – Pursuant to AR131(a) careless riding.
 
M Du Plessis – Race 3 – Reprimand - Pursuant to AR131(a) careless riding.
 
B Thornton – Race 3 – Reprimand – Pursuant to AR128(2) – Leaving the course early.
 
J Newman – Race 4 – Reprimand – Pursuant to AR131(b) – Riding her mount out to the finish line.
 
J Lloyd – Race 6 – Severe reprimand – Pursuant to AR131(a) – Careless riding.
 
A Sewell – Race 8 – Reprimand - Pursuant to AR131(a) – Careless riding.
 
S Tierney – Race 8 – Severe reprimand - Pursuant to AR131(a) – Careless riding.
 
D Boche – Race 9 – Reprimand – Pursuant to AR131(a) – Careless riding.

Fines
M Murphy – Race 3 – Fined $100 – Pursuant to AR190(3) – Overweight and replaced.
 
Suspensions
L Dempsey – Race 9 – Pursuant to AR131(a) – 9 Days – From midnight the 4th April 2026, until midnight the 13th April 2026.

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
RIGHTEOUS LEGEND, EMPRESS ASPEN, VERBALIZE, SAN JOSE BOY.

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
MISSILE AWAY – Race 1 – Warning – Slow to begin.
 
JAGGERY – Race 7 – Trial and veterinary certificate required – Uncompetitive.

Protests
Race 1 – 3rd(AMELIORATION) VS 1st (RIGHTEOUS LEGEND) – Dismissed.

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1:         8 EVADE THE GAME - Jake Bayliss
Race 2:         8 TAPPY’S STAR (NZ) - Ms Kayla Johnston (a3/52.5kg),
Race 3:         16 INQUICKTIME - Mark Du Plessis
Race 4:         8 GREY IMPACT - Ms Jett Newman (a2/50kg),
Race 6:         16 SOUND THE BUGLE - Mark Du Plessis
                    17e HILLS OF MINTO - Jaden Lloyd
Race 9:         8 ECHO HUNTER - Mark Du Plessis
                    23e ZINGALONG - Ms Kayla Johnston (a3/52.5kg),
                    24e CROWN GUINEA - Ben Thompson

Late scratchings
Race 6 KICKSTART – Veterinary advice.
Race 7 BELLOVE – Prerace manners.

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.