QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
SUNSHINE COAST
FRIDAY 16TH OCTOBER 2026
WEATHER – Showers
TRACK RATING – Soft 6 - Soft 7 at 2pm – Heavy 8 following Race 4 – Heavy 9 following Race 5 – Heavy 10 following race 7.
RAIL – +3m entire.
PENETROMETER – 6.13
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – P. Zimmermann
Stewards – G. Goold, H. Matthews, B. Connell & E. Batten.
Clerk of scales – P. Reardon.
GENERAL
Trainer C. Anderson was fined $200 pursuant to LR67(1) in that he failed to declare a rider for BLUE WHITE BLUE by the prescribed time.
Trainer T.Thomas was fined $200 pursuant to LR36(6) for failing to scratch WHAT ARTISTS DO as a dual acceptor by the prescribed time.
Apprentice M. Philpot is not riding at today’s meeting due to being injured. Rider replacements as per meeting summary report.
Race 1 - VANTAGE BUILDING GROUP CLASS 4 HANDICAP 1000 M
CROWN GUINEA - Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination at the barriers at the request of jockey J. Bayliss and was cleared to start.
SHAKO – Momentarily got a hind leg up in the gates and was cleared to start.
TEQUILA BABY – Raced wide throughout.
STAR RAPPER - Slow to begin. Over raced in the early and middle stages. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
DREAM LANTERN – Slow to begin. When asked to comment on the performance of DREAM LANTERN, A. Jones stated that she felt the mare may not have handled today’s track conditions. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to have bled bilaterally on the first occasion. Trainer B. Healey was advised that DREAM LANTERN would now be stood down under the provisions of AR79(4)(b).
LUNAR EIGHT - Apprentice G. Semmens pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that she used her whip on 14 occasions in totality with 9 strikes being prior to the 100m. Apprentice G. Semmens license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 days, to commence m/night the 16th October 2026 and to conclude m/night the 23rd October 2026. She was informed of her right of appeal.
CROWN GUINEA – Raced wide throughout.
I MISS MARGIE – Raced wide throughout. Bumped rounding the home turn. Laid in over the concluding stages.
Race 2 - AMERRO ENGINEERING CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1000 M
The start of this event was delayed approximately 3 minutes due to MISS ADRIFT becoming fractious, then cast in the barriers and subsequently declared a late scratching on veterinary advice. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards declared that all bets placed on MISS ADRIFT are to be refunded with the following deductions to apply:
1st – DESANTO - 11c win, 11c place
2nd – BUCKEYE - 13c place
3rd – BLUE WHITE BLUE - 13c place
Trainer D. Peoples was advised that MISS ADRIFT would now be required to obtain a further barrier certificate prior to accepting for a future race.
PROBLEMATICAL – Began awkwardly and bumped DESANTO.
QUIT 'N' TAP – Over raced in the early stages. Steadied from the heels of BLUE WHITE BLUE near the 900m when that runner shifted in when insufficiently clear, apprentice E. Pozman was severely reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a). Rounding the home turn, shifted out and bumped HIDDEN WHISPER and became unbalanced. Apprentice J. Taplin was advised to exercise greater care when shifting ground.
DESANTO – Bumped at the start by PROBLEMATICAL.
HIDDEN WHISPER – Raced wide throughout. Rounding the home turn shifted in and bumped with QUIT ‘N’ TAP and became unbalanced. Apprentice K. Johnston was advised to exercise greater care when shifting ground.
Race 3 - OCEANSIDE ORTHOPAEDICS RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP - 1200 M
WHAT ARTISTS DO – Slow to begin.
LYRICAL GANGSTER - Momentarily raced in restricted room near the 400m and hampered when GROENING shifted out slightly, and GALLERY MASTER which laid in under pressure.
HELL OF A LAD – Began awkwardly.
MISTER MIGHTY – Slow to begin. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
SALCHOW (NZ) – Put in an awkward stride near the 550m and became unbalanced.
DECORATIVE - Began awkwardly.
HERECOMESANTORINI – Raced wide.
DASHING HOPE – Momentarily held up between the 300m and the 200m.
GROENING – Laid out slightly near the 400m before being corrected.
HALF MOON ROO - Raced wide.
GALLERY MASTER – Laid in and brushed with LYRICAL GANGSTER near the 400m when tiring.
Race 4 - AUTO MASTERS BARINGA & BEERWAH MAIDEN HANDICAP 1000 M
Stewards inspected a section of the track near the 550m and were satisfied to proceed.
CRYPTO DUBAI – Slow to begin.
EMPHATIQUE - Near the 800m, when over racing, steadied from the heels of CASSIA COUNTY. Hampered over the final 50m when CASSIA COUNTY laid out under pressure.
CASSIA COUNTY – Laid out over the final 100m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slow post-race recovery.
WILD LASS – Raced wide.
Stewards downgraded the track to a heavy 8 following race 4.
Race 5 - AIRMASTER SUNSHINE COAST BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1200 M
GOOD LIEUTENANT - Began awkwardly and shifted out.
PREVAILED – When asked to comment on the performance of PREVAILED in today’s event, apprentice A. McColm stated that he felt the gelding in his opinion did not handle today’s heavy track condition. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
TEN GOOD REASONS (NZ) – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Over raced in the middle stages.
CORRUPTED – Slow to begin. Over raced in the early stages. Apprentice M. Mankelow pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that she used her whip on 18 occasions in totality with 12 strikes being prior to the 100m. Apprentice M. Mankelow’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 11 days, to commence m/night the 17th October 2026 and to conclude m/night the 28th October 2026. She was informed of her right of appeal.
LIMERO – Raced wide.
ROYAL GLADIATOR – Hampered shortly after the start. Raced wide. When asked to comment on the performance of ROYAL GLADIATOR in today’s event, apprentice R. Houston stated that in his opinion the gelding did not handle today’s heavy track conditions.
MISS FUNNY HONEY – Hampered shortly after the start. Raced in restricted room between the 800m and the 600m.
PORSHA CRYSTAL – Began awkwardly and shifted out. Leaving the 900m, raced ungenerously for a short distance and shifted out.
Stewards downgraded the track to a heavy 9 following race 5.
Race 6 - DIAGEO AUSTRALIA BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1800 M
The start of this event was delayed due to LARUSSO getting its off hind leg up in the barriers and was found to be lame in the off hind leg, therefore, subsequently being scratched on veterinary advice at 8pm. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards declared that all bets placed on LARUSSO are to be refunded with the following deductions to apply:
1st – FAMILY OF LEAGUE - 17c win, 15c place
2nd – WEEKEND ARTIST - 19c place
3rd – OUR TURN NOW (NZ) - 19c place
Stable representative for J. Bruce was advised that LARUSSO would now be required to obtain a further barrier certificate and a veterinary clearance prior to accepting for a future race.
HAZEY HILL – Slow to begin.
RING BEARER – Apprentice F. Sandkuhl pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that she used her whip on 16 occasions in totality with 9 strikes being prior to the 100m. Apprentice F. Sandkuhl’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 9 days, to commence m/night the 21st October 2026 and to conclude m/night the 30th October 2026. She was informed of her right of appeal.
CRACKENTHORPE (NZ) – Slow to begin. Raced wide until near the1300m.
KOWLOON MAGNATE – When asked to comment on the performance of KOWLOON MAGNATE in today’s event, apprentice A. McColm stated that he felt the gelding in his opinion did not handle today’s heavy track condition. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
WEEKEND ARTIST – Laid in when placed under pressure in the home straight, obliging its rider to stop and straighten.
FIFTY CALIBRE (NZ) – Slow to begin.
Race 7 - XXXX CLASS 2 HANDICAP 1400 M
COL BURN – Held up rounding the home turn.
MOCKRIDGE - Slow to begin.
BIT OF GRUNT – Slow to begin. Approaching the 150m was disappointing for a run and steadied between HALF LISTENING (USA) and SNITZSTREAM.
HALF LISTENING (USA) – Raced wide early. Approaching the 100m was momentarily placed on heels of MOCKRIDGE which shifted in to improve.
MISTING – Carried wider rounding the home turn when COL BURN shifted out to improve.
GODTFRED KIRK – Wide for the majority.
Stewards downgraded the track to a heavy 10 following race 7.
Race 8 - RAY WHITE COMMERCIAL NORTHERN CORRIDOR SUNSHINE COAST MAIDEN HANDICAP 1600 M
SHAMOLATTE underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after working hard to the barriers and was cleared to start.
SOUL DISPLAY – Apprentice M. Mankelow was reprimanded for using her whip when out of contention pursuant to AR132(6)(c). A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer R. Heathcote was advised that SOUL DISPLAY would now be stood down to a trial for today’s poor performance.
EXOBRAZEN - Began awkwardly.
FASTEST CHOICE – Began awkwardly. Commenced to over race approaching the 1200m and was steadied from heels.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning licensees
Reprimands
E. Pozman – Race 2 - Severely reprimanded for careless riding pursuant to AR131(a).
M. Mankelow – Race 8 – Reprimand - Using her whip when out of contention pursuant to AR132(6)(c).
Fines
C. Anderson - $200 pursuant to LR67(1) in that he failed to declare a rider for BLUE WHITE BLUE by the prescribed time.
T.Thomas-$200 pursuant to LR36(6) for failing to scratch WHAT ARTISTS DO as a dual acceptor prescribed time.
Suspensions
G. Semmens – 7 days – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Whip use – 14 totality (9 prior to the 100m) - m/night the 16th October 2026 and to conclude m/night the 23rd October 2026.
M. Mankelow – 11 days - AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Whip use - 18 occasions totality (12 prior to the 100m) - m/night the 17th October 2026 and to conclude m/night the 28th October 2026.
F. Sandkuhl – 9 days - AR132(7)(a)(ii) – Whip use - 16 occasions totality (9 strikes being prior to the 100m) - m/night the 21 October 2026 and to conclude m/night the 30th October 2026.
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses swabbed pre-race
DREAM LANTERN, SCARLET HAZE, LARUSSO, MAKAMAE (NZ), HALF LISTENING (USA) & POOR OL’ JOHNY RAY (NZ).
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 2 – MISS ADRIFT – Fractious and cast in barriers and late scratching - Further barrier certificate required.
Race 6 – LARUSSO - Fractious and cast in barriers and late scratching - Further barrier certificate + veterinary clerarance required.
Race 8 – SOUL DISPLAY – Poor performance – Stood down to a trial.
Bleeders
Race 1 – DREAM LANTERN – 1st occasion – AR79(4)(b).
Summary of rider changes/Late notificationsRace 1: 8 I MISS MARGIE - Emily Lang
Race 2: 3 BLUE WHITE BLUE - Ms Emily Pozman (a1.5/53kg),
Race 3: 4 HELL OF A LAD - Sean Cormack
18e GULF OF SAROS - Ms Gabrielle Semmens (a2/54kg),
Race 4: CRYPTO DUBAI – M. Mankelow (a3/52kg)
Race 5: 7 CORRUPTED - Ms Maddie Mankelow (a3/52kg),
ROYAL GLADIATOR – R. Houston
Race 6: 17e SPOT THE AUSSIE - Ben Thompson
CRACKENTHORPE – J. Taplin.
Late scratchings
Race 2 – MISS ADRIFT – Fractious and cast in barriers and late scratching - Further barrier certificate required.
Race 6 – LARUSSO - Fractious and cast in barriers and late scratching - Further barrier certificate required.
Race 8 – POOR OL’ JOHNY RAY (NZ) – Stewards due to the track downgrade.
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.
