QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
TARA RACE CLUB
SATURDAY 3RD OCTOBER 2026
WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING – Fast / Dirt
RAIL – True
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – A. Dowsett
Stewards – Z. Lines
GENERAL
As rider N. Fazackerley was absent through injury, he was replaced as per the Stewards Raceday Summary. N Fazackerley was advised that he requires a medical clearance prior to next riding.
Race 1 - NORFORD RURAL SERVICES / A.D. GROVES CONTRACTING QTIS Maiden Plate (1050 METRES)
NEW PROSPECT – Slow to begin. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
MOVER AND SHAKER – Raced three-wide without cover throughout
BORN TO RACE – Slow to begin. Raced three-wide without cover throughout.
CIPHER SHOW – Inclined to lay in rounding the home turn and whilst under pressure in the home straight.
REAL KISS – Rider J. Molloy pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(ii) in that he used his whip on 10 occasions prior to the 100m and 13 occasions in totality. J. Molloy’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of eight (8) days, commencing midnight 6/10/2026 and concluding midnight 14/10/2026.
PRINCESS NELLIE – Rider G. Goomany reported that his mount struggled to maintain the pace which was set in todays event.
Race 2 - TARA RURAL SUPPLIES / MEANDARRA TRANSPORT Class B Handicap (1050 METRES)
FREEMAN FURY – Rider dropped his whip near the 200m. Laid out under pressure passing the 150m.
SUMMER READY – Raced three-wide without cover throughout.
COSMIC ARC – Shifted in on jumping. Approaching the 150m, raced in restricted room between FREEMAN FURY, which was laying out, and HIGHER CALLING.
HIGHER CALLING – Shifted out on jumping and hampered READY MISTER MUSIC.
READY MISTER MUSIC – Hampered at the start. Stewards inquired into J. Molloy’s whip use prior to the final 100m, however on the available footage, could not be satisfied that the ninth strike was prior to the 100m, and as such no further action was taken other than to remind J. Molloy of his obligations under AR132(7)(a)(ii).
Race 3 - THE TARA HOTEL / HENCOL CONSTRUCTIONS BENCHMARK 60 Handicap (1200 METRES)
MANHATTAN THUNDER – Laid out rounding the home turn.
BLACK ‘N’ DEADLY – Raced three-wide without cover throughout.
SUNNY’S GIRL – Slow to begin. Commenced to lose ground from the 1200m. Tailed off from the 800m. Rider H. Richardson reported that after finding herself behind the field early, her mount resented the kickback and was hesitant to proceed. Trainer S. McEwan was advised a warning would be placed on the mare for its poor performance.
ROTHERO ESSGEE – Laid in under pressure in the early part of the home straight before being corrected by its rider.
Race 4 - WESTERN DOWNS REGIONAL COUNCIL KEN DOWLING MEMORIAL TARA CUP OPEN Handicap (1400 METRES)
The declaration of correct weight was delayed to allow Stewards to view patrol footage of the start of the race to determine if PRETTY RHO had been denied a fair start. After viewing the footage and taking evidence from rider S. Wilcock, it was established that a barrier attendant, who was tasked with being the ‘Man up’ with the mare as per its Starter’s requirement, had hold of PRETTY RHO’s head as the start was effected and in the immediate moments after the barriers had opened, resulting in PRETTY RHO beginning awkwardly and losing significant ground. Stewards determined that PRETTY RHO had been denied a fair start and was declared a non-starter under the provisions of AR204(1)(c). On the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered all bets on PRETTY RHO to be refunded in full with the following deductions to apply:
1st – DON PEDRO – 7c win, 9c place.
2nd – VILLADEN – 9c Place.
3rd – NTD
ACEDROD – Began awkwardly. Rider K. Yoshida reported that his mount resented the kickback.
LINWAR – Raced three-wide without cover throughout.
ARIAT – Apprentice W. Galloway was severely reprimanded pursuant to AR132(7)(a)(i) for using his whip in consecutive strides prior to the 100m. When determining penalty, Stewards took into account apprentice W. Galloway’s relative inexperience as an apprentice and the proximity of the offence to the final 100m.
Race 5 - BRANDON AND ASSOCIATES RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 Handicap (1400 METRES)
MERCHANT MOON – Laid out passing the 200m and bumped LECAN before being corrected by its rider. Laid out again passing the 150m.
LECAN – Bumped passing the 200m.
OAKFIELD ECHIDNA – Slow to muster speed. Upon pulling up after the race, rider J. Baker dismounted abruptly and began to show signs of distress, citing pains in the chest area and breathing difficulties. He was tended to by the QAS and transported to Tara Hospital for further tests. Rider J. Baker was advised that he requires a medical clearance prior to next riding.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning licensees
Reprimands
Race 4: Apprentice rider W. Galloway – AR132(7)(a)(i) – Use of whip in consecutive strides prior to the 100m – Severe
Suspensions
Race 1: Rider J. Molloy - AR132(7)(a)(ii) - Use of the whip on 10 occasions prior to the 100m (13 in totality) - Eight (8) day suspension commencing midnight 6/10/2026 and concluding midnight 14/10/2026
Race day injuries/illness
Race 5: J. Baker – Medical Required
Absent jockeys
N. Fazackerley – Collarbone injury – Medical Required
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 3: SUNNY’S GIRL – Warning - Poor performance
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1: 4 OUTAGES – H. Richardson
Race 2: 5 READY MISTER MUSIC – J. Molloy
Race 3: 5 SUNNY’S GIRL – H. Richardson
Race 4: 2 VILLADEN (NZ) – H. Richardson
Race 5: 3 LECAN – J. Molloy
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.