QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

SOUTH BURNETT RACE CLUB - WONDAI

SATURDAY 18 OCTOBER 2025

WEATHER – Fine   TRACK RATING – SandRAIL – True
 

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – S. Fletcher
Stewards – A. Dowsett

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT


GENERAL
Stewards approved the following overweight requests:
Race 1: C. Taylor + 0.5kg
Race 4: N. Morton + 1kg
Race 5: N. Morton + 1kg
 
Apprentice jockey J. Busuttin in the presence of R. Fradd from the Racing Queensland Training Department, pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR143(14)(a) for failing to claim her full allowance on GREAT ANGELS (Race 1) and SUPERIOR FUN (Race 2). In considering penalty, stewards were mindful of J. Busuttin’s recent poor record in relation to this rule, her guilty plea and subsequently imposed a $400 fine.
 
TORVI was a late scratching from race 2 at 7.46am when there was no rider available.
 
Stewards declared SNITCH’N’SNATCHING a late scratching from race 4 at 8.12am for acceptable reasons.
 
 

RACE 1: ACROSS COUNTRY REAL ESTATE BURNETT TO THE BEACH SERIES – HEAT - BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP 1100 M

ABOVE THE WORLD – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
LATE NIGHT DEVIL – When asked about the performance, apprentice E. Molloy stated that the mare did not appreciate the kick back from the track, however when positioned wider on the track in the middle stages, ran on fairly in the home straight.
 
YAMUMZA – Laid out approaching and rounding the home turn. Stewards questioned rider N. Morton regarding her whip use in the home straight. Stewards on the available evidence could not be comfortably satisfied N. Morton had breached the whip rules, however drew to her attention the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(ii).
 
SILVANNA’S SONG – Rider C. Taylor reported that the mare which had the tongue control bit removed for today’s race, had choked down which effected the performance. He added that he had advised the trainer of this circumstance.
 
 
RACE 2: SOUTH BURNETT REAL ESTATE QTIS MAIDEN PLATE 1000 M

BRILLIANT EIGHT (NZ) – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after taking control of the rider in the preliminary and was cleared to start. Blundered on jumping away resulting in rider K. Gates becoming extremely unbalanced and momentarily losing her footing from her offside stirrup iron. Shortly after the start put in several awkward strides and shifted out before being corrected by the rider. Stewards after interviewing rider K. Gates, were satisfied that the gelding had not bucked, however advised trainer L. Anderson that a warning would be placed on BRILLIANT EIGHT’S racing manners.
 
ROIGARD – Inconvenienced on jumping away and lost ground.
 
STRABERRY LADY – Raced wide throughout. When asked regarding the performance, rider M. Butler stated that the mare did not handle today’s track surface.
 
SUPERIOR FUN – Became fractious in the saddling enclosure, rearing on several occasions when apprentice J. Bussutin attempted to mount up. Trainer M. Jeynes was advised that a warning would be placed on the pre-race manners of the mare. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
RACE 3: WONDAI POST OFFICE BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 850 M

MAJESTIC REQUEST – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
HATTUSA – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after not having raced for an extended period and was subsequently cleared to start. Slow to begin.
 
IGBO – Raced wide without cover throughout. Jockey M. Butler pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to AR 132(7)(a)(ii) for using his whip on 11 occasions prior to the 100m, 17 occasions in totality. Jockey M. Butler’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 11 days commencing midnight 18th October 2025 and to conclude midnight 29th October 2025. When determining penalty, Stewards considered M. Butler’s record, guilty plea and the QRIC whip penalty guidelines. M. Butler was reprimanded under the provisions of AR131(b) for failing to ride his mount out to the finish, which in the opinion of Stewards, cost his mount fifth place. In determining penalty, Stewards considered M. Butler’s excellent record in relation to this rule, the status of the race and the official placing of the horse.
 

RACE 4: THE MONICA RYAN & KATHLEEN HOULT MEMORIAL RATINGS BAND 0 – 50 HANDICAP 1577 M

SUMMER STAR – Raced wide in the early stages. Laid in under pressure in the home straight obliging apprentice J. Busuttin to momentarily stop riding and straighten on two occasions.
 
MAXIE TAP (NZ) – Laid out rounding the turn near the 1100m and bumped NICHOLAS ADAM. When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice K. Johnston stated the gelding did not handle the sand track and resented the kickback. She added that approaching the home turn MAXIE TAP began to respond to her riding and ran home well.
 
SHACKAMAXON – Knuckled on jumping and lost ground. Raced wide in the early stages. When asked to comment on the performance, rider M. Butler stated that his mount was having its first start on a sand track and after beginning awkwardly, the mare travelled only fairly during the race and when placed under pressure from the 300m, failed to respond to his riding.
 
DAUNTING INSTINCT – When asked to comment on the seemingly improved performance, trainer M. Bailey stated the gelding had been working well in the lead up and had benefitted today being back on a sand track as well as a step up in distance.
 
NICHOLAS ADAM – Trainer W. Kuskopf was reprimanded under the provisions of AR206(3) for presenting the gelding to the enclosure without a nasal strip. As W. Kuskopf believed he had enacted a gear change, he had not brought the nasal strip to the race meeting. Stewards in the circumstances permitted the gelding to race without this gear. Tightened for room at the start between DAUNTING INSTINCT and HELL OF A PRINCE, both of which shifted ground. Bumped near the1100m. Leaving the 1000m was momentarily steadied between SHACKAMAXON and MAXIE TAP which laid out. Apprentice K. Kohnston the rider of MAXIE TAP was advised to exercise greater care.
 
 
RACE 5: THE ROY & GLENIS RADUNZ WONDAI CUP OPEN HANDICAP 1577 M
 
Stewards identified storm activity in the area and in consultation with the South Burnett Race Club, brought the start time of this race forward to start at 4pm.

STAMPEDE WARRIOR – Began awkwardly.
 
BANDIT – Raced wide in the early stages.


 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 3: Jockey M. Butler – AR131(b) - Fail to ride mount out to end of the race – Severe
Race 4: Trainer W. Kuskopf – AR206(3) - Presenting with incorrect gear.

Fines
Race: 1 & 2 – Apprentice J. Busuttin – AR143(14(a) - Fail to claim full allowance - $400

Suspensions
Race 3: Jockey M. Butler – AR 132(7)(a)(ii) – Use of whip 11 times prior to the 100m, 17 times totality – license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 11 days commencing midnight 18/10/2025 up to and including midnight 29/10/2025.


Race day injuries/illness
C. Taylor – Inflammation to left foot from insect bite – Treated by QAS



Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 2: SUPERIOR FUN – Fractious in the saddling enclosure – warning
Race 2: BRILLIANT EIGHT – Racing manners - warning


Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 3: HATTUSA – Ms Erin Molloy
Race 4: NICHOLAS ADAM – Ms Natalie Morton


Late scratchings
Race 2: TORVI – Scratched at 7.46am, due to no rider available.
Race 4: SNITCH’N’SNATCHING – Scratched by Stewards at 8.12am, for acceptable reasons.
 



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.