QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
THANGOOL
SATURDAY 12TH SEPTEMBER 2026
 
 
WEATHER – FINE
TRACK RATING – GOOD 3
RAIL – TRUE

 
OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – Ethan Suli
Stewards – Hayden Gillett, Shikira Stehbens & Gary Wust
 

GENERAL
 
Following a track inspection conducted by Stewards prior to the running of Race 1, the track was upgraded to a GOOD 3.
 
Stewards accepted trainer Nicolle Vuille’s explanation for the late rider declaration of apprentice Nikki Olzard on LITTLE FREDDY in Race 3.
 
Due to the limited number of riders available at today’s meeting, Stewards approved trainer Raymond Williams’ request for the late rider declaration of apprentice Gabrielle Semmens on GIGI FILLE in Race 5. Stewards also approved apprentice Semmens riding GIGI FILLE 0.5kg over the allotted weight.
 
The following runners were declared late scratchings at 7:58am due to no riders available:
 
OUR EAGLE ROCK, MIGHTY JUDD & LAUNCH MODE
 
 
RACE 1 – THE BRENNAN FAMILY MAIDEN PLATE (3YO & UP) 800 METRES
 
ATLAN – Began awkwardly and bumped soon afterwards by ROYAL ARTIST which shifted inwards. Inclined to lay outwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.

THE SOLICITOR – Raced keenly throughout. Hung outwards when rounding the home turn. Put in an awkward stride shortly upon entering the home straight. Inclined to lay outwards over the final stages.

DUBIOUS BABE – Raced greenly throughout.

ROYAL ARTIST – Began awkwardly and shifted inwards, bumping ATLAN. Jockey Adam Spinks was reminded regarding his use of his whip on his mount when out of contention.  

TRICKETT'S JEWEL – Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.     


RACE 2 – MILNE BROS BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 800 METRES
 
LUNAR EIGHT – Inclined to lay inwards rounding the home turn. Laid outwards when placed under pressure over the final 100m.              
 
ZEDARI – Began awkwardly and was bumped by I AM A WINNER soon after the start.  
 
I AM A WINNER – Began awkwardly and shifted outwards, bumping ZEDARI soon after the start.              
 
LLAMA CHARMER – Raced keenly throughout. Inclined to hang outwards from a point near the 600m.        

SUBSIDISE – SUBSIDISE was fractious in the barriers prior to the start and, as the start was effected, reared and dislodged jockey Adam Spinks. The mare then completed the course riderless. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer Michael Stephens was advised that SUBSIDISE would be required to trial or jump-out to the satisfaction of Stewards and obtain a further barrier certificate prior to racing again.
 
TENNER – Began awkwardly and was slow to begin as a result.
 
MISSION RIDGE – Raced keenly in the early stages.          


RACE 3 – GORDON KRAFFT MEMORIAL CLASS 1 PLATE (3YO & UP) 1200 METRES
 
CLAW MACHINE – Began awkwardly. Raced wide in the early and middle stages until a point near the 700m.             
 
CRAIGLEA OREO – Began awkwardly and bumped with STROMBOLI DELIGHT. Hung out rounding the turn near the 1000m and raced ungenerously for some distance thereafter. Shifted wider near the 600m. Laid out rounding the home turn, then laid in under pressure in the home straight.          
JOEY D'OR – Raced wide throughout.          
 
LITTLE FREDDY – Began awkwardly and shifted inwards, hampering STROMBOLI DELIGHT.
 
SUPER TALON – Blundered at the start. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.           
 
READY TO RHYME – Began awkwardly and was slow to begin as a result. Upon pulling up, jockey Adam Spinks dismounted and READY TO RHYME was returned to the mounting yard with the assistance of the clerk of the course. Jockey Spinks advised Stewards that over the concluding stages the mare felt awkward in its action and, for that reason, he elected to dismount. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in the right foreleg. Trainer Bob Murray advised Stewards that READY TO RHYME would be retired following today’s event. Nevertheless, should the mare return to racing, trainer Murray was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required.
 
STROMBOLI DELIGHT – Began awkwardly and was bumped with CRAIGLEA OREO before being hampered soon afterwards by LITTLE FREDDY, which shifted inwards. Had to be steadied when racing onto the heels of CRAIGLEA OREO near the 1000m.
 
Following the event, Stewards inquired into the circumstances surrounding apprentice Gabrielle Semmens having to take hold of CRAIGLEA OREO near the 800m when racing to the inside of CLAW MACHINE, ridden by apprentice Mitch Goring. After taking evidence from the riders and reviewing the available patrol footage, it was established that near the 800m CRAIGLEA OREO, which was racing ungenerously, hung out and became awkwardly placed in restricted room to the inside of CLAW MACHINE, despite the efforts of apprentice Semmens. Apprentice Semmens advised Stewards that her mount’s racing manners had placed her in a difficult position at the time CLAW MACHINE was shifting from a three-wide position to a position closer to the rail, and further added that when CLAW MACHINE shifted in, that runner was sufficiently clear. Stewards noted the evidence tendered by both riders and took no further action.   


RACE 4 – THE HOWARD FAMILY NEWMARKET BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP 1200 METRES
 
HURTLE – Began awkwardly and was slow into stride as a result.              
 
GOOD LIEUTENANT – Shifted outwards at the start, carrying MISHANI REACTOR wider. Raced wide throughout.          
 
PAPASITO – Bumped by CRAIGLEA MERIDA which shifted inwards at the start. Near the 50m, was bumped by CRAIGLEA MERIDA which laid inwards.  
 
MISHANI REACTOR – Carried out at the start by GOOD LIEUTENANT and, in turn, impeded IMAGINE THAT. Raced wide throughout. When questioned regarding the performance, apprentice Mitch Goring advised that MISHANI REACTOR was first up from a short spell and is better suited over longer distances. Apprentice Goring added that, after racing wide for the majority, the gelding failed to let down when asked for an effort in the finishing stages. He further added that the firm racing surface may have been a contributing factor to the gelding’s overall performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.       
 
COBBO – Raced keenly in the early stage.              
 
IMAGINE THAT – Began awkwardly and soon after the start was impeded by MISHANI REACTOR, which was carried outwards, and lost ground as a result. Raced wide in the early and middle stages.                            
 
CRAIGLEA MERIDA – Shifted inwards at the start, bumping PAPASITO. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight and near the 50m, bumped PAPASITO.    


RACE 5 – ERIC & VALL NOBBS THANGOOL CUP QTIS CLASS 3 HANDICAP 1400 METRES
 
MY SPY – Was fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Began awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin.        
 
BITTER SPIRIT – Began awkwardly. Overraced in the early stages and near the 1000m, shifted outwards and carried GIGI FILLE wider. Raced wide for the remainder thereafter.  
 
HOU LONG GWAI – Was declared a late scratching at 4:07pm on veterinarian’s advice after HOU LONG GWAI was found to be lame in one of its forelegs. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, stewards order that all bets placed on HOU LONG GWAI be refunded, with the following deductions to apply:
 
1ST THE DEFENDER – 3 cents win, 2 cents place
2ND TOO MANY KISSIES – 13 cents place
3RD BOTTOM BAR – 10 cents place
 
Trainer Michael Stephens was advised that HOW LONG GWAI would require a veterinary clearance prior to being permitted to race again.     
 
THE DEFENDER – Began awkwardly.           
 
THREE GONGS – Slow to begin.      
 
GENERAL WOLFFE – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.              

TOO MANY KISSES – Laid outwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.     

BOTTOM BAR – Began awkwardly.
 
GIGI FILLE – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early stages. Carried wider near the 1000m by BITTER SPIRIT which shifted outwards.       

 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners & TOO MANY KISSES

Warnings/bars
Race 2. SUBSIDISE – Barrier Manners – Trial/Jump-out to obtain further barrier certificate
Race 3. READY TO RHYME – Lameness in right foreleg – Veterinary clearance required
Race 5. HOU LONG GWAI – Lameness in the fore – Veterinary clearance required

 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 3. LITTLE FREDDY – Apprentice Nikki Olzard
Race 5. BOTTOM BAR – Jockey Natalea Summers & GIGI FILLE – Apprentice Gabrielle Semmens

 
Late scratchings
 
Race 4. OUR EAGLE ROCK – Late scratching at 7:58am – No rider available
Race 5. MIGHTY JUDD – Late scratching at 7:58am – No rider available
Race 5. LAUNCH MODE – Late scratching at 7:58am – No rider available   
Race 5. HOU LONG GWAI – Late scratching at 4:07pm – Veterinary advice
 
 
 
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.