QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
ST GEORGE JOCKEY CLUB
SATURDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER 2026
 
 
WEATHER – Fine   
TRACK RATING – Good   
RAIL – True  


 
OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – A. Dowsett
Stewards – W. Glass
 

 

 
GENERAL
 
 
Stewards permitted the following overweights:
 
Race 2: N. Morton + 0.5kg (56.5kg)
Race 4: C. Taylor + 0.5kg (56.5kg)
Race 4: N. Morton + 0.5kg (56.5kg)
Race 4: P. Randall + 0.5kg (56.5kg)
Race 4: S. Sweedman +2kg (58kg)
 
 
As apprentice rider R. O’Connell was absent through injury, he was replaced as per the Stewards Raceday Summary. Apprentice R. O’Connell was advised that he requires a medical clearance prior to next riding. Due to no other apprentice riders being available, Steward’s approved the replacement of a senior rider for an apprentice on BLUEY’S CHOICE in Race 3 and HARLEQUIN FIELD in Race 5. As no riders were available to replace R. O’Connell’s rides on KACHINA GIRL, ROTHERO ESSGEE and RUSSIAN SUB, they were subsequently declared scratchings from Race 1, Race 2 and Race 5 respectively.
 
Rider S. Sweedman was permitted to ride HUGHIE +2kg overweight in Race 4 due to him being a raceday declaration and no other riders being available.
 
 
 
 
Race 1 -PRECISION AERIAL, ST GEORGE COTTON GROWERS ASSOCIATION AND SAGU PTY LTD BENCHMARK 50 Handicap (1400 METRES)

 
SACHEM – Laid out in the early stages whilst racing keenly, becoming awkwardly placed at heels approaching the 1000m and losing ground. Raced greenly in the home straight. Rider D. Boutet reported that after beginning well, his mount raced awkwardly to the 1100m where it became unbalanced when awkwardly placed on heels. He further added his mount continued to race greenly in the home straight.
 
BOULEVARD BOY – When asked to comment on the performance, rider S. Sweedman could offer no explanation for the geldings effort, however believed BOULEVARD BOY’s recent exploits in Birdsville earlier this month may have been a contributing factor, adding that the gelding was potentially at the end of its preparation.
 
PINS AND NEEDLES – Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
TITAHI BAY – Began awkwardly.

VIZSTAR – Laid in under pressure in the home straight. Rider C. Taylor reported that his mount hung out rounding the home turn and then commenced to lay in under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
 

Race 2 -ST GEORGE MACHINERY CENTRE RATINGS BAND 0 - 50 Handicap (1150 METRES)

 
The declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow Stewards to view patrol footage of the start of the race to determine the circumstances behind SENSE OF HUMOUR (C. Taylor), SPANISH RAGE (M. Taylor) and LAID BACK BON (N. Morton) being left a considerable distance behind the rest of the field upon the start being effected. After viewing the footage and taking evidence from the Starter and riders C. Taylor, M. Taylor and N. Morton, it was established that a significant barrier malfunction had occurred as the start was effected, resulting in the barriers of the three affected runners failing to open until several seconds after the start was effected. As a significant percentage of the final field had been affected and subsequently not afforded a fair start by this barrier malfunction, stewards declared the race void under the provisions of AR205 and ordered all bets to be refunded in full.  
 
Post-race veterinary examinations were carried out on SENSE OF HUMOUR, SPANISH RAGE and LAID BACK BON after all three runners made heavy contact with the front of the barriers in the incident. These examinations revealed no significant findings.  
 
After maintenance work and numerous tests were carried out on the barriers following this incident, stewards were satisfied that the barriers were functioning to the required standard and proceeded with the remainder of the race meeting.   
 
 


Race 3 -CROSS ENGINEERING AND TAIT TOYOTA QTIS Maiden Plate (1000 METRES)
 
 
The start of this race was delayed by eight (8) minutes, owing to the maintenance work and tests which were carried out on the barriers following the malfunction in Race 2.
 
 
BLUEY’S CHOICE – Raced three-wide without cover in the early stages. Laid in under pressure in the home straight. Rider C. Taylor reported that his saddle began to slip over the concluding stages.
 
CELTIC LIGHT – Hung out rounding the home turn. Rider P. Randall reported that his mount was inclined to hang out throughout the event.
 
LIBERTY CALLS – Laid out under pressure in the home straight. Rider S. Sweedman was reminded of his obligations pursuant to AR132(6)(b) regarding using his whip above shoulder height.
 
PASSKEY – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination as an unraced five-year-old. Began awkwardly and lost ground.  
 


Race 4 -CUBBIE OPEN FLYER Handicap (1000 METRES)
 
 
 
ELUSIVE EAGLE – Raced three-wide without cover throughout.
 
HUGHIE – Approaching the 100m, raced in restricted room to the inside of ZOUCHASE.
 
MIDNIGHT DREAM – Raced wide without cover throughout. Laid in under pressure in the home straight. Rider N. Morton reported that her mount was inclined to lay in throughout the event.  
 
ZOUCHASE – Laid in under pressure in the home straight. Rider M. Taylor was reprimanded pursuant to AR132(6)(b) for using her whip above shoulder height.
 
A LOT OF BOOTY – Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout.
 
RUM DIARY – Began awkwardly. Rider C. Taylor reported that his mount seemed uncomfortable and unsuited to todays surface.  

 

Race 5 -QUEENSLAND COTTON ST GEORGE CUP BENCHMARK 65 Handicap (1600 METRES)

 
 
VENTUROUS – Laid in under pressure passing the 100m.
 
SHINE LIKE IT DOES – Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
RANGI TOA – Raced three-wide without cover throughout. Rider D. Boutet was severely reprimanded pursuant to AR132(6)(b) for using his whip above shoulder height on a number of occasions.
 
 
 

 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 

Summary of action concerning licensees
 

Reprimands

Race 4: Rider M. Taylor – AR132(6)(b) - Whip above shoulder height
Race 5: Rider D. Boutet – AR132(6)(b) – Whip above shoulder height - Severe
 
 

Absent jockeys

R. O’Connell – Ankle injury – Medical clearance required
 

 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
 
 
Horses swabbed post-race
 
All winners, SAVVY SONG

 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 3: BLUEY’S CHOICE – C. Taylor
Race 4: HUGHIE – S. Sweedman
Race 5: HARLEQUIN FIELD – C. Taylor
 

Late scratchings
 
 
Race 1: 7 KACHINA GIRL, 10 CHAMPAGNE QUEEN (NZ)
Race 2: 6 ROTHERO ESSGEE
Race 4: 3 RUSSIAN SUB, 10 ZA HIDDEN DRAGON
Race 5: 4 TALMA I LOVE HER
 
 

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.