QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT

SUNSHINE COAST TURF CLUB
SATURDAY 4TH JULY 2026
 

WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING – Soft 7 (Upgraded to a Soft 6 after Race 1)         
RAIL – True
PENETROMETER – 6.53

 
OFFICIALS

Stewards: J. Williamson (Chair), J. Adams, P. Zimmerman, A. Dowsett, H. Matthews
 
Clerk of Scales: J. Robinson
 
 
 
GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted the following overweight:
 
Race 8: Rider D. Moor +1kg (54kg)  
 
 
Trainer C. Maher was fined $200 pursuant to LR67(1) for the late rider declaration of A. Morgan on HUSH HUSH in Race 6.
 
 
 
RACE 1: CALOUNDRA RSL BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP 1200 M


LIVALITTLE (NZ) – Leaving the 600m, attempted to improve between FASVARA and RUINS OF ROME where there was insufficient room to do so and was steadied as a result. Obliged to alter course near the 200m to obtain clear running.
 
BELTHIL – Began awkwardly. Lost its near-front plate.

SENESCHAL (IRE) – Trainer S. Kendrick was reprimanded pursuant to AR106(2) for presenting the gelding to the enclosure with incorrect gear. Shifted out on jumping.

CONTILDA'S LOVE – Slow to begin. Laid out under pressure over the concluding stages.

FASVARA – Began awkwardly.

TORNADO EXPRESS – Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
FIGHTING IDOL – Began awkwardly. Rider J. Stanley reported that his mount did not travel conformably at any stage during the event.


RACE 2: SHERRIN RENTALS QTIS BENCHMARK 80 HANDICAP 1200 M

 
EN POINTE – Rider A. Morgan stated that in his opinion, his mount resented racing to the inside of another runner from approaching the 600m and did not travel comfortably from that point onwards.     
 
SHE'S EXOTIC – Over-raced when approaching the 800m and continued to do so until approaching the 500m.       
 
SHOT OF WHISKEY (NZ) – Apprentice F. Sandkuhl reported that in her opinion the gelding was disappointing and she felt that the horse may not have appreciated being restrained after obtaining the lead in the early stages.

BALANCE THE BOOKS – Began awkwardly.

BONDED AFFAIR – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Raced fiercely near the 1000m and shifted wider, inconveniencing BLUEPINOT which was forced to steady and lost ground. Continued to race fiercely, forcing WHISKEY DREAM and ELECTRIC ARROW wider. Continued to over-race badly and as a result, was allowed to improve to the lead near the 600m. Trainer S. Kendrick was advised the gelding would be required to officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.

CLICK CLICK BOOM – After being caught wide in the early stages was ridden forward to obtain the lead. Raced wide throughout. Rider J. Stanley reported his mount laid in throughout the event

THELWELL – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

BLUEPINOT – Inconvenienced and forced to steady near the 1000m.

WHISKY DREAM – Forced wider near the 1000m. Near the 800m, shifted in across the heels of KADALL and in doing so, made contact with the heels of KADALL and lost ground. Rider M. Savva was reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a) for this incident. Rider M. Savva reported that her mount laid in throughout the event.
 
OBEROI PRINCESS – Near the 400m had to be steadied from the heels of the weakening EN POINTE. Had difficulty obtaining clear running for a short distance passing the 200m and then again over the concluding stages.  

KADALL – A post-race veterinary examination revealed a significant laceration to the near hind. Trainer K. Clark-Peoples was advised the gelding will need to obtain a veterinarian certificate prior to racing again.
 
HURRICANE LU – Held up for clear running from the 200m until leaving the 50m.
 
ELECTRIC ARROW – Forced wider near the 1000m. Raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination revealed minor lacerations to the off-fore heel.  


RACE 3: ACCESS INSULATION BRUCE MCLACHLAN CLASSIC QTIS 2YO HANDICAP 1000 M
 

The start of this race was delayed by approximately two minutes when DREAMS DON’T LIE proved difficult to load.
 
 
AREPRICE – Shifted in on jumping. Raced wide throughout. Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight.

ON THE CLOCK – Shifted out abruptly on jumping and hampered HEN’S NIGHT. Over-raced in the early stages.
 
TENGUN TOMMY – Began awkwardly and bumped SCARTOON.

FEARLESS WIN – Bumped on jumping away and had to be steadied.

LADY OF FIVE – Laid in under pressure in the home straight. The training partnership of P. & W. Hulbert was advised a warning would be placed on the filly for hanging.  

MAKE ME GREAT – Bumped at the start.
 
SCARTOON – Began awkwardly and bumped TENGUN TOMMY. Raced three-wide without cover throughout.
 
MY UTOPIA – Shifted out on jumping and bumped MAKE ME GREAT.     
 
DREAMS DON'T DIE – Raced wide throughout. Trainer P. Duncan was advised a warning would be placed on the filly for being difficult to load.
 
HEN'S NIGHT – Bumped heavily on jumping and had to be checked. Obliged to race in restricted room and was steadied near the 800m when CASCADING shifted in.
 

RACE 4: MALENY HOTEL DR BERNIE SPILSBURY 3YO HANDICAP 1000 M

 
GET READY LASS – Raced wide throughout.  

POINT VEGA – Began awkwardly. Over the concluding stages, shifted out slightly and had to be checked to avoid the heels of ALL ADORE (Apprentice C. Keatings) which shifted in under pressure. Apprentice C. Keatings was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding.

ALL ADORE – Bumped on jumping.
 
DRAGONNE ROUGE – Held up rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the home straight. Was obliged to alter course near the 200m to obtain clear running. Rider M. Rodd reported his saddle shifted back marginally during the event.

TOO HOT TO TORQUE – Bumped on jumping. Steadied near the 800m when ALL ADORE shifted in.         
 
LUVA FLUTTA – Raced wide throughout. Laid out rounding the home turn.
 
HAND IN HAND (FR) – Hampered and lost ground on jumping.    
 
JIMMY'S BROTHER – Shifted out abruptly on jumping, hampering HAND IN HAND and bumping SPIES ON. Rider B. Thompson reported that it was the intention to lead, however after beginning awkwardly, he had to use too much energy early which effected the finishing effort of JIMMY’S BROTHER. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a poor recovery. Trainer D. Vandyke was advised the gelding would be required to Officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.
 
RACKETEER – Improved onto heels near the 600m and was held up for clear running until approaching the 300m.                
 
NATURALLY LIT - Began awkwardly and lost ground. Raced wide throughout.  

SPIRIT OF BARTY – Raced wide throughout.  
 
OVER SPRAY – Began awkwardly.

SPIES ON  - Bumped at the start.
 

RACE 5: KEVLACAT POWER BOATS OPEN PLATE 1000 M

 
EPIC PROPORTIONS - Bumped at the start.
 
STEADY READY – The training partnership of T. & M. Sears was reprimanded pursuant to AR106(2) for presenting the gelding to the enclosure with incorrect gear.

SCAMPI – Trainer C. Maher was fined $200 pursuant to AR106(2) for presenting the gelding to the enclosure with incorrect gear. Shifted out on jumping and bumped NETTUNO.
 
BELEGATO (NZ) – Approaching the 800m, improved to the inside of EPIC PROPORTIONS and to the outside of TALTARNI FIELDS, shortly afterwards was then placed awkwardly at the heels of EPIC PROPORTIONS when TALTARNI FIELDS shifted out slightly. Following this incident, BELEGATO, whilst over-racing, remained awkward at the heels of EPIC PROPORTIONS which shifted in, further tightening the running of BELEGATO causing that horse to shift in, tightening the running of TALTARNI FIELDS, causing that horse to be checked. Stewards inquired into this incident and were not satisfied that any rider had ridden in a careless manner and therefore took no further action in this incident. Continued to over-race at heels during the middle stages.       

NETTUNO - Bumped at the start.

TALTARNI FIELDS – Approaching the 200m, was placed in restricted room between BELEGATO which shifted out slightly and EPIC PROPORTIONS which shifted in under pressure and had to be steadied as a result.  

HURTS SO GOOD – Trainer C. Cox was fined $100 pursuant to AR106(2) for presenting the gelding to the enclosure with incorrect gear. Bumped at the start. Approaching the 600m, obliged to race in restricted room to the inside of KITTY FLASH which shifted in and as a result, had to be steadied. Rider C. Graham was advised to exercise greater care.

PRE EMINENCE – Slow to begin.

HEARTONI – Approaching the 600m, obliged to race in restricted room to the inside of KITTY FLASH which shifted in.  

ZOUPERB – Slow to begin. Rider J. Bayliss reported that his mount was unable to muster early speed and did not travel comfortably at any stage of the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in the near hind.

KITTY FLASH (NZ) – A post-race veterinary examination revealed minor lacerations to the inside of the off-hind pastel.

 

RACE 6: DOUBLE R GROUP WINX GUINEAS 1600 M

 
HILLIER – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Approaching the 1200m, was obliged to steady when racing in restricted room to the inside of HUSH HUSH, which had been taken in by WITHIN THE LAW which shifted in.
 
KOHLER KID – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Rider J. Stanley reported that his mount over-raced throughout and laid out under pressure in the home straight, placing his mount at a disadvantage.  

CELLARMASTER (NZ) – Raced three-wide throughout.

RUSTEMO – Had difficulty securing clear running rounding the home turn until leaving the 200m.        

LYNEHAM – Raced wide without cover throughout.

VANDEVELDE – Had difficulty securing clear running rounding the home turn.       
 
WITHIN THE LAW – Rider D. Gibbons reported that his mount travelled well throughout, however failed respond when under pressure in the home straight. Trainer B. Baker advised it would now be the intention to send the filly for a spell and would report back to stewards in subsequent days regarding the filly’s condition.

STATE OPERA – Shifted out on jumping and bumped HUSH HUSH.
 
HUSH HUSH – Bumped at the start. Raced three-wide without cover in the early stages.           

RUN TO YOU – Placed in restricted room on jumping away.
 

RACE 7: STANLEY RIVER THOROUGHBREDS CALOUNDRA CUP 2400 M
 

FAWKNER PARK (IRE) – Began awkwardly.

KALUAKOI – Rider E. Lang pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that she used her whip on 10 occasions prior to the 100m and 14 occasions in totality. Rider E. Lang’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of eight (8) days, commencing midnight 12/07/2026 until midnight 20/07/2026. Rider E. Lang was fined $200 pursuant to AR132(6)(b) for using her whip above shoulder height.
 
THEBUDGIESMUGLA - Stewards questioned rider D. Gibbons regarding the tactics adopted in today’s event, which resulted in the gelding settling near the tail of the field which is in contrast to its most recent racing pattern. Rider D. Gibbons stated that his instructions had been to ride the horse in a similar manner to its established pattern, however connections were concerned that there was speed in the event and he was therefore instructed not to ride aggressively out of the barriers for fear of being caught wide from the wide barrier. Being mindful of these instructions, he advised stewards that he rode neutrally from the barriers and was surprised by the gelding’s lack of speed in the early stages. Stewards accepted there had been no intended change of tactics and noted the explanation.

CABOCHE (NZ) – Held up on heels from the 600m and until approaching the 300m.         
 
SPEYCASTER (GB) – Raced three-wide without cover throughout.
 
THE IRISH (IRE) – A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the near-fore. Trainer J. Healy was advised the gelding would be required to obtain a veterinarian certificate prior to racing again.  
 
TAPILDOODLEDO (NZ) - Raced three-wide throughout.
 

RACE 8: TAB GLASSHOUSE HANDICAP 1400 M
 

REGAL ZEUS – Apprentice B. Osmond reported his mount hung out throughout and didn’t finish off as expected. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.
 
CIFRADO - Bumped at the start. Rider B. Thompson reported that his mount raced keenly in the early stages and as a result raced further forward than anticipated.

COTE ATLANTIQUE (IRE) – Raced three-wide without cover throughout.

GERRINGONG – Held up rounding the home turn  

BAND OF BROTHERS - Began awkwardly and bumped CIFRADO.
 
ESJAY – Laid in during the early stages of the home straight. Awkwardly placed on heels over the concluding stages and went to the line without being fully tested.
 
KING ZEPHYR – Raced wide throughout.      
 
XIDAKI – Rider A. Morgan reported his mount didn’t let down as expected. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.

ROLL ON HIGH – Had some difficulty securing clear running passing the 200m.

JOHN RAMBO – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
SILVER WEDDING – Began awkwardly and lost ground.

SUNSET DREAMING – Began awkwardly. Steadied near the 300m when SILVER WEDDING shifted out.         
 
ARABIAN ROSE – Raced wide throughout.
 

RACE 9: HEIGHT 4 HIRE BENCHMARK 85 HANDICAP 1400 M
 

BENGAL DIAMOND – Made contact with the enclosure fence en route to the barriers and underwent a pre-race veterinary examination. Rider B. Thompson reported that after having a favourable run behind the leaders, the mare failed to quicken on entering the home straight and was disappointing.

FELIX THE SCAT – Obliged to alter course to secure clear running approaching the 200m.

EXPRESS PAYMENT – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn        

CUNNAMULLA FELLA - Shifted out on jumping and hampered DEEP RESPECT.
 
DEEP RESPECT – Hampered at the start and lost ground.

NORTH POLE – Began very awkwardly and lost significant ground, resulting in rider C. Graham becoming severely unbalanced and losing her near side iron. Trainer K. Schweida was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding.  

NAVAL TRADER – Hampered at the start and lost ground. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.         
 
OCEAN ZAR – Rider J. Bayliss reported that his mount didn’t handle the soft racing surface and would take benefit from the run. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.

SOCIAL OUTCAST – Shifted out on jumping and hampered NAVAL TRADER. Obliged to alter course to secure clear running passing the 200m.
 
POCKETMONEY – Began awkwardly.

 
 

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees
 

Reprimands

Race 1: Trainer S. Kendrick – AR106(2) - Presented horse with incorrect gear
Race 2: Rider M. Savva – AR131(a) – Careless riding
Race 4: Apprentice rider C. Keatings - AR131(a) – Careless riding
Race 5: Trainers T. & M. Sears - AR106(2) - Presented horse with incorrect gear


Fines
 
Race 5: Trainer C. Maher - AR106(2) - Presented horse with incorrect gear - $200 fine
Race 5: Trainer C. Cox - AR106(2) - Presented horse with incorrect gear - $100 fine
Race 6: Trainer C. Maher - LR67(1) – Late rider declaration - $200 fine
Race 7: Rider E. Lang - AR132(6)(b) – Whip above shoulder height - $200 fine
 

Suspensions
 
Race 7: Rider E. Lang - AR132(7)(a)(ii) - Use of the whip on 10 occasions prior to the 100m (14 in totality) – Eight (8) day suspension commencing midnight 12/07/2026 until midnight 20/07/2026
 


Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 

Horses swabbed pre-race
 
BELTHIL, BLUEPINOT, KADALL, MAKE ME GREAT, STEADY READY, STORM THE RAMPARTS, BELEGATO , PLATINUM PANTHEON, CELLARMASTER, LYNEHAM, WITHIN THE LAW, THEBUDGIESMUGLA, CABOCHE, SO YOU ARE, PULVERISER, WOWZINO, GERRINGONG, KING ZEPHYR, JOHN RAMBO, SILVER WEDDING, ARABIAN ROSE, BENGAL DIAMOND, EXPRESS PAYMENT, ECLAIR AWESOME
 

Horses swabbed post-race
 
All winners, All 2nd place getters
 
 
Warnings/bars
 
Race 2: BONDED AFFAIR – Official trial – Racing manners
Race 2: KADALL – Vet cert – Near hind laceration
Race 3: DREAMS DON’T DIE – Warning – Difficult to load
Race 3: LADY OF FIVE – Warning – Hanging
Race 4: JIMMY'S BROTHER – Official trial – Slow to begin and poor performance
Race 5: ZOUPERB – Vet cert – Lame near-hind
Race 5: BELEGATO – Vet cert – Lame near-fore
Race 7: THE IRISH – Vet cert – Lame near-fore
Race 9: NORTH POLE – Warning – Barrier manners
 
 

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 1: 17 FIGHTING IDOL – J. Stanley, 21 I MISS MARGIE – T. Brooker
Race 2: 17 HURRICANE LU – T. Brooker
Race 4: 17 SPIES ON – T. Marshall
Race 6: 13 HUSH HUSH – A. Morgan
Race 8: 8 GERRINGONG – D. Gibbons, 20 SUNSET DREAMING – D. Moor, 21 ARABIAN ROSE – T. Brooker
Race 9: 17 DIRTY DANCING – A. Thompson, 18 SOCIAL OUTCAST – R. Dolan, 21 CALICO JACK – T. Brooker
 

 

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.