QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
EMERALD JOCKEY CLUB INC
MONDAY 17TH AUGUST 2026
 
 
WEATHER –FINE
TRACK RATING –GOOD 4
RAIL – TRUE
PENETROMETER – N/A

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – H Gillett
Stewards – E Suli, R Hanson, G Wust & T Brummell
 

GENERAL
 
As jockey C McIver was not riding at todays meeting due to illness, stewards approved replacements as per the race day summary. Jockey McIver was advised he must provide a medical clearance prior to riding again.
 
Trainer R Hay was reprimanded under the provisions of LR 36(6) for failing to scratch dual accepted BITOFTHEBLARNEY (NZ) from one of the races by the prescribed time.
 
Trainer K Miller was fined $100 under LR67(1) for the late declaration of rider on his runners ANTHROPOLOGY and WOODSTOCK ROCK.
 
Stewards permitted the following overweight:
Race 7 – Jockey Paul Hamblin +0.5kg
 
Following a track inspection stewards upgraded the track to a good 4 at 11:50am.
 
 
Race 1 - FAIRBAIRN BAKERY MAIDEN PLATE 1200 M
 
MYSTIC MOUNTAIN – Raced keenly in the early stages. Carried wider approaching the 500m by BESTOV when that runner shifted outwards. Trainer G Bell advised stewards that it would be her intention to consider the immediate racing future of MYSTIC MOUNTAIN within her stable following today’s event.
 
THE DEFENDER – Bumped with BESTOV at the start. Overraced in the early and middle stages. Raced wide throughout. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
ANTHROPOLOGY – Began awkwardly and bumped with I WANT IT ALL shortly afterwards, and as a result, was slow to begin. Near the 400m, stepped outwards momentarily and awkwardly placed BESTOV on its heels.
 
BESTOV – Bumped with THE DEFENDER soon after the start. Near the 900m, improved onto the heels of MYSTIC MOUNTAIN and had to be restrained. Near the 500m, shifted outwards and in doing so carried MYSTIC MOUNTAIN wider. Near the 400m, became awkwardly placed onto the heels of ANTHROPOLOGY when that runner stepped outwards. Apprentice N Olzard was reminded of her obligations to ensure she does not allow her mounts to shift ground when insufficiently clear of other runners.

I WANT IT ALL – Shifted inwards at the start, bumping ANTHROPOLOGY.

MAJESTIC CHOICE – Overraced in the early stages. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.

PENNYVILLE – Proved difficult to load. Began awkwardly and as a result was slow to begin.

QUEEN OF LIGHT (NZ) – Began awkwardly. Overraced in the early stages. Near the 900m, when overracing, had to be restrained to avoid the heels of MAJESTIC CHOICE for some distance, when that runner was slackening the pace. Apprentice G Semmens was reprimanded under the provisions of AR131(d).
 


Race 2 - FAT MAN SMALL MOTORS BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP 1630M
 
The start of this race was delayed after PRIDE OF SAVABELLA became fractious in its barrier stall, reared and became cast. As a consequence of PRIDE OF SAVABELLA fractiousness, PANDA DRUM was subsequently removed from its allocated barrier stall in order for PRIDE OF SAVABELLA to be removed from the barriers. Due to starter L Lewis failure to communicate with stewards, PANDA DRUM was re-loaded and the start was effected before the late scratching of PRIDE OF SAVABELLA was able to be relayed to the appropriate channels.
 
PRIDE OF SAVABELLA was subsequently declared a late scratching by order of stewards at 1:28pm. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards order that all bets placed on PRIDE OF SAVABELLA be refunded in full, with the following deductions to apply:
 
1st PANDA DRUM – 20c win, 21c place
2nd DWAYNE – 18c place
3rd BITOFTHEBLARNEY (NZ) – 15c place
 
Following the running of this race, stewards spoke to Starter L Lewis regarding his processes and procedures that are required when starting.
 
Stewards heard submissions from trainer G Bell regarding the action to be taken against PRIDE OF SAVABELLA for its barrier manners. After considering the submissions, Stewards noted that a proper blindfold was not used, with a towel being substituted, as the towel was removed the bridle had became displaced over the blinkers cups and as a result the gelding had became fractious as the barrier attendant was attempting to refit the bridle. Taking these factors into account, Stewards determined that standing down the gelding was inappropriate. Instead, a warning was issued. Trainer G Bell was further advised that the barrier manners of PRIDE OF SAVABELLA would be monitored in future starts.
 
BITOFTHEBLARNEY (NZ) – Overraced in the early stages and had to be restrained from the heels of DWAYNE on a number of occasions. Elected to shift wider near the 500m in an attempt to improve.

DWAYNE – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
FINAL MISSION – Raced wide in the early stages.

VIKING SUN – Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
PANDA DRUM – Raced wide in the early stages. Jockey C Whiteley was reprimanded under the provisions of AR132(5) for using his whip on 16 occasions in total.
 
MR GREY – Raced wide in the early stages.


Race 3 - CMF RURAL & INDUSTRIAL OPEN HANDICAP 1630M
 
ZIPITALIST – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Shifted wider near the 400m when attempting to improve. Inclined to shift inwards over the final 150m.
 
JUNE – Raced wide in the early stages. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight. When questioned regarding the performance, apprentice G Semmens stated that the gelding overraced in the early and middle stages, which proved detrimental to its finishing effort. Apprentice Semmens further reported that, when placed under pressure in the second half of the event, JUNE failed to respond. Apprentice Semmens also added that she had advised connections that, in her opinion, the gelding may not have been suited by the addition of blinkers in today’s event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

ACEDROD – Raced wide in the early stages until obtaining the lead position near the 1400m. Raced keenly in the middle stages.

NEW LEVEL (NZ) – Began awkwardly and was slow to begin as a result. Overraced in the early stages.
 
TAPA KICK – Slow into stride.


Race 4 - EMERALD ISUZU UTE CLASS 4 PLATE 1280M
 
BRASCO – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the middle stages.

DARK GLEAM – Commenced to overrace in the early stages and had to be restrained from heels for some distance. Inclined to lay inwards over the final 100m and had to be corrected by its rider.

WOLFGANG – Began awkwardly. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
 
ARMSTRONG BAY – Began awkwardly.
 
STECARA – When questioned regarding the performance, jockey P Hamblin stated that STECARA travelled well in the early stages, however, when placed under pressure rounding the home turn, the mare failed to respond. Jockey Hamblin added that, in his opinion, the run would be beneficial from a fitness perspective, as it was the mare’s first race since 29 June.
 
ELLIBABY – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Inclined to lay outwards over the final 150m when placed under pressure.

I'M STELLAR – Slow into stride. Shifted wider approaching the 700m when attempting to improve. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.


Race 5 - FARM & CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS QTIS CLASS 6 PLATE 1000M
 
CONTEMPORARY – Bumped with WOODSTOCK ROCK at the start. Raced keenly in the early stages.

GOOD LIEUTENANT – Raced keenly in the middle stages. Elected to shift wider near the 400m in an attempt to improve. Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.

DIDDLEY SQUAT – Raced wide in the early stages. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer G Bell was advised that a warning would be placed on DIDDLEY SQUAT’s record for its performance. Trainer Bell advised stewards that the immediate racing future of DIDDLEY SQUAT would be considered within her stable.
 
GREYLIST – Raced keenly in the early stages. Raced three-wide throughout. Near the 500m, raced in restricted room between ASTAPOR and KRACKACAN, when that runner shifted inwards slightly. Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.

KRACKACAN – Raced four-wide throughout.

WOODSTOCK ROCK – Bumped with CONTEMPORARY at the start.

AMBERINGER – Slow to begin. Raced wide in the early stages.
 

Race 6 - GOLDACRES BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP 1000M
 
Prior to the declaration of correct weight stewards viewed the available replays to determine if MIDNIGHT MAGGIE (NZ) and EMERALD JOY had been afforded a fair start. After doing so stewards were satisfied that both runners had been afforded a fair start and the poor start could be attributed to horse mannerisms.
 
Stewards inquired into an incident which took place near the 700m involving MIDNIGHT MAGGIE (NZ) ridden by jockey P Hamblin and GIGI FILLE ridden by apprentice G Semmens. After hearing evidence from both riders it was established that at a point near the 700m upon joining the course proper that MIDNIGHT MAGGIE (NZ) had improved quickly into a tight run to the inside of GIGI FILLE, simultaneously both runners had reached the inside running rail of the course proper which curves outwards marginally making the run tighter, at the same time GIGI FILLE had shifted inwards marginally. As a result MIDNIGHT MAGGIE (NZ) had to be restrained and lost ground. After considering, stewards could not be satisfied that the interference could be attributed to any one rider and as a result issued no charges, however advised both riders to exercise greater care in similar circumstances.
 
HELIKEDEMPRETTY – Inclined to hang inwards in the early stages.

MIDNIGHT MAGGIE (NZ) – Reared simultaneously as the start was effected and lost significant ground. Near the 700m improved into a very tight run and had to be restrained losing ground. Laid inwards under pressure. Underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer P O’Toole was advised that MIDNIGHT MAGGE (NZ) would be required to obtain a further barrier certificate prior to racing again due to it’s barrier manners.

EMERALD JOY – Moments prior to the start, EMERALD JOY got its head over the barrier partition and as a result was slow to begin, losing ground. Raced wide throughout.

GIGI FILLE – Raced keenly in the middle stages and had to be restrained from heels near the 600m.

SILENT ANGEL – Shifted wider leaving the 400m in an attempt to improve. Inclined to lay inwards under pressure in the home straight.


Race 7 - MARABOON TAVERN RATINGS BAND 0 - 60 HANDICAP 1200M
 
FLYING RUPERT – Bumped by VIKING TREASURE at the start and was carried outwards.
 
YES LARRY – Began awkwardly. Bumped with TOO MANY KISSES soon after the start.
 
BILLY BOOM – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Shifted wider approaching the 400m. Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure over the final 100m.

TIPSY TIGER – Bumped by ENTITLE at the start and was carried outwards, bumping VIKING TREASURE.

VIKING TREASURE – Bumped by TIPSY TIGER and was carried outwards, bumping FLYING RUPERT. Raced keenly in the middle stages.

STRAYA PRIDE – Began awkwardly and bumped with TOO MANY KISSES at the start. Shifted wider approaching the 400m to improve. Jockey P Hamblin was reprimanded under the provisions of AR132(7)(a)(i) for using his whip on 3 consecutive strides prior to the 100m.

TOO MANY KISSES – Bumped with STRAYA PRIDE at the start and soon afterwards, bumped with YES LARRY. Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.

ENTITLE – Shifted outwards at the start, bumping with TIPSY TIGER.


 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Overweights
Race 7 – Jockey Paul Hamblin +0.5kg
 
Reprimands
General – Trainer Rodney Hay – LR36(6) – Reprimand – Fail to scratch dual acceptor by the prescribed time.
Race 1 – Apprentice G Semmens – AR131(d) – Slackening the pace
Race 2 – Jockey Chris Whiteley – AR132(5) – Whip use in totality
Race 7 – Jockey Paul Hamblin – AR132(7)(a)(i) – whip use on consecutive strides prior to 100m.
 
Fines
General – Trainer Kevin Miller – LR67(1) - $100 – Late declaration of rider.
 
Absent jockeys
Jockey Chris McIver – illness – medical required
 

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
THE DEFENDER, ATHROPOLOGY (URINE), DWAYNE, ZIPITALIST, THE DRILLER (URINE), BRASCO, WOODSTOCK ROCK, YES LARRY & BILLY BOOM
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 2 – PRIDE OF SAVABELLA – Warning – Barrier manners
Race 5 - DIDDLEY SQUAT – Warning – Poor performance
Race 6 - MIDNIGHT MAGGIE (NZ) – Trial – Barrier manners.
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1: 2 THE DEFENDER - Raul Silvera Olivera
Race 3: 4 ACEDROD - Paul Hamblin

Late scratchings
Race 2 – PRIDE OF SAVABELLA @ 1:28pm – order of stewards
 
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.