QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
GATTON
THURSDAY 1ST OCTOBER 2026
WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING – Soft 5, Good 4 (2:42pm)
RAIL – True
OFFICIALS
Stewards – S. Fletcher (Chair), D. Aurisch, B. Wright, A. Streckbein and Cadets T. Hendy & E. Batten
Clerk Of Scales – A. Dowsett
General:
As apprentice J. Busuttin was unavailable due to personal reasons she was replaced by apprentice K. Barker on SEND THE MONEY in race seven.
Race 1 - BARRIER REEF POOLS MAIDEN PLATE 1600 M
MAHMOA (NZ) - Began awkwardly and bumped QUARTZOPOLIS.
MOONLIGHT ODYSSEY - Raced wide throughout. Inclined to lay in under pressure in the home straight. Approaching the winning post was steadied from GRANDSTANDER (A. McColm) which shifted in under pressure. Apprentice A. McColm was advised to exercise greater care in future circumstances.
PANZER READY - Near the 1100m bumped by GRANDSTANDER and became unbalanced.
QUARTZOPOLIS (NZ) - Began awkwardly and bumped MAHMOA. Raced wide throughout.
BELLE FRANCAIS - Upon straightening was momentarily steadied from the heels of MISS ELYSE which shifted marginally.
MISS ELLYSE – Bumped on the hindquarters shortly after the start.
RITA'S ROSE – Began awkwardly and then bumped MISS ELLYSE on the hindquarters. Near the 200m shifted out under pressure requiring the rider to stop riding and straighten and then shifted ground again when placed under pressure before being corrected.
GONE BY DAYLIGHT - Slow to begin and then a short distance after commenced to buck for several strides, before trailing the field throughout. Trainer J. Hancock was advised the gelding would be required to trial to Stewards satisfaction prior to racing again.
GRANDSTANDER - Near the 1100m shifted in marginally and bumped PANZER READY which became unbalanced. Shifted out to improve leaving the 600m and raced wide from that point on. Approaching the 100m commenced to lay in under pressure obliging apprentice A. McColm to straighten his mount.
COOL THOUGHTS – Slow to begin. Held up momentarily upon entering the home straight, before shifting in approaching the 200m to obtain clear running.
Race 2 - CONGRATS TO 2025 - 2026 LVTC WINNING PREMIERSHIP TRAINER - REX LIPP MAIDEN PLATE 860 M
DEMES GIRL - Shortly after the start, shifted in and bumped REEVACITY, which shifted in and made contact with BAR STAR, which in turn became unbalanced and attempted to buck for several strides. Raced wide throughout.
MY SHALONA – Raced wide without cover throughout. Laid out rounding the home turn.
ROTH'S ROMANCE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination due to having not raced for an extended period and was cleared to start. Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid out rounding the home turn. Over the concluding stages was eased when racing in restricted room between DEMES GIRL and BOLD GEM which shifted out.
BAR STAR – Bumped shortly after the start and attempted to buck for several strides. Trainer A. Campton was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding for attempting to buck. Raced greenly in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a laceration to the off hind hock which was treated by the race day veterinarian.
JUST JIMMY - Raced wide throughout.
BOLD GEM – Raced greenly in the home straight.
EMILY NINETYNINE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination due to having not raced for an extended period and was cleared to start. Slow to begin.
Race 3 - CONGRATS TO 2025 - 2026 LVTC WINNING PREMIERSHIP JOCKEY - BRANDON LERENA BENCHMARK 58 HANDICAP 860 M
RUNAROUND SUE - Knuckled on jumping unbalancing apprentice W. Galloway.
FUNKY ZEBRA - When questioned regarding the tactics adopted today, rider M. Gray reported that the gelding began well but could not go with the early speed. He added that his mount never travelled comfortably and despite his efforts, did not take him into the race. He further added that his mount finished the race off reasonably well and would be better suited to racing over further distance. Stewards noted the explanation.
I AM A WINNER – On return to scale apprentice M. Goring reported soreness to his left thumb. Apprentice M. Goring was advised a medical clearance would be required prior to riding again. Trainer B. Gorman was reprimanded pursuant to AR106(2) for presenting I AM A WINNER without pre-race ear muffs, which are a part of the geldings approved gear.
IGOTMYMINDONYOU – Apprentice K. Lenton was reminded of her obligations to ride her mounts out fully to the finish line.
ANOTHER VEUVE – Inclined to lay out approaching the home turn. Rounding the home turn was steadied from the heels of GUNNA REIGN which laid in, despite the efforts of its rider.
GUNNA REIGN - Shortly after the start was tightened for room and eased, between SCARTOON and IGOTMYMINDONYOU (K. Lenton) which shifted in when not fully clear. Apprentice K. Lenton, the rider of IGOTMYMINDONYOU was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding. Over raced in the early stages. Laid in, in the middle stages and then continued to lay in rounding the home turn. Upon entering the home straight put in an awkward stride and dipped. Trainer N. Hemmings was advised a warning would be placed on the mare for laying in.
Following the running of this race Stewards upgraded the track to a Good 4 at 2:42pm.
Race 4 - CONGRATS TO 2025-2026 LVTC WINNING PREMIERSHIP APP JOCKEY BAILIE BAKER RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP 2000 M
POUR BENN (NZ) - Leaving the 1600m, commenced to over race for a short distance with its head in the air before being steadied from heels near the 1500m. Near the 500m improved onto the heels of the weakening HEADLINE LEGEND and was steadied.
TRUSTY BANDIT - Raced wide from passing the 600m.
DEVIL RIDER - Raced wide until passing the 1200m.
CALIFORNIA GRASS - Began awkwardly.
SHEDRIVESABENTLEY - Held up momentarily for clear running approaching the home turn. Near the 50m was steadied when in restricted room to the inside of TRUSTY BANDIT, which shifted in under pressure before being corrected, resulting in SHEDRIVESABENTLEY not being able to be tested over the concluding stages.
LORD PROTECTOR (NZ) - Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to race. Began awkwardly and lost ground. When asked to comment on the performance, rider J. Lloyd reported the gelding missed the start and settled at the rear of the field. He added that his mount was back in distance today, and as a result of the pace of the race, was obliged to make a sustained run from the 800m, which he felt had a detrimental effect on the finishing performance. Rider J. Lloyd was fined $200 pursuant to AR131(b), for failing to ride his mount out over the final three strides. When considering penalty Stewards could not be satisfied that J. Lloyd’s actions had cost his mount fourth place.
JACKS AND SODA - When asked to comment on the performance, rider L. Tilley stated that the gelding travelled comfortably to the 800m, however failed to respond to his riding and was disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Lost the offside hind plate.
HELL OF A PRINCE – Bumped shortly after the start. Approaching the winning post on the first occasion raced in restricted room to the inside of JACKS AND SODA, which after being ridden forward, shifted in toward the rail placing HELL OF A PRINCE in restricted room. L. Tilley, the rider of JACKS AND SODA, was advised to exercise greater care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Commenced to over race passing the winning post on the first occasion. When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice K. Johnston stated that she obtained a forward position as per her instructions, however the gelding raced very keenly, and when under pressure from near the 600m, failed to respond to her riding. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
BESIEGE – Laid in under pressure over the final 100m.
DECARBONISE – Blundered on jumping and then a short distance after bumped HELL OF A PRINCE. Approaching the 600m was steadied when racing tight between TRUSTY BANDIT and DEVIL RIDER which shifted out slightly.
QUALITY MISS - Approaching the winning post on the first occasion commenced to over race and when being steadied, raced with its head in the air and shifted out approaching the crossing.
On return to scale, rider J. Lloyd became physically ill. J. Lloyd subsequently refused assessment from QAS Officials and fulfilled his remaining riding engagements. Stewards advised J. Lloyd that in any similar circumstances, that he must not refuse medical assessment in consideration for his fitness to continue riding.
Race 5 - BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH MAIDEN PLATE 1100 M
MR HILTON - Began awkwardly. When asked to comment on the performance Rider L. Tilley stated that his instructions were to have the gelding behind the speed with cover, however after beginning awkwardly, settled further back than anticipated. He added that his mount travelled well throughout, however dropped the bit at the 400m, but once he placed his mount under pressure, the gelding finished the race off only moderately. He further added the gelding didn’t handle the tight turning track today and would be suited to a bigger track at its next start.
SPOILT ROTTEN - Began awkwardly.
BRAVE LIKE LILY – Began awkwardly. Leaving the 800m raced ungenerously and shifted in making contact with the running rail. Shifted out near the 500m taking PACIFIC GEM wider on the track.
PACIFIC GEM – Near the 500m taken wider on the track
THINKER - When questioned regarding the tactics adopted today, rider H. Richardson stated that THINKER was having its first start for the stable and considering previous racing patterns, it was the intention to ride the mare where comfortable. She added that her mount jumped fairly from the wide gate, however when runners to her inside improved, she decided not to pressure her mount which would have resulted in her mount being wide and elected to come back and obtain cover closer to the rail. She further added that in the middle stages she elected to ride for luck and that near the 500m when beginning to make a run, BRAVE LIKE LILY shifted away from the rail which allowed her to track up behind BEFORE THIS WORLD. H. Richardson further added that approaching the home turn she had intentions to take the rails run, however was mindful of BEFORE THIS WORLD shifting ground inward and therefore elected to keep up her mount’s momentum and wait before shifting around that runner’s heels to make her run. H. Richardson stated that the mare finished off the race well and that in her opinion would appreciate a step up in distance which would provide better opportunity for the mare to travel comfortably and in a more forward position. Stewards noted the explanation. Rider H. Richardson was reminded of her obligations to ride her mounts out to the finish.
STARZAIN – Began awkwardly. Raced wide without cover throughout. Apprentice I. Jessop reported her mount raced greenly throughout.
THE CARE TAKER – A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding, which raced uncompetitively and trailed the field throughout, revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer P. Wallace was advised the gelding would be required to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.
LEAN WARRIOR – Raced wide throughout.
BEFORE THIS WORLD - Began awkwardly and then tightened between SPOILT ROTTEN and MR HILTON, when both runners shifted ground.
Race 6 - VALE LVTC LIFE MEMBER TONY PRENTICE RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1100 M
The running of this race was delayed when SPLIT THE CASH became fractious and reared in the barriers, getting its front legs over the barriers and making some head contact. SPLIT THE CASH subsequently underwent a veterinary examination and was declared a late withdrawal at 4:23pm by Stewards acting on veterinary advice.
Upon the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered that all monies invested on SPLIT THE CASH, be refunded in full, with the following deductions to apply:
1st ROCKY BLONDE 0c win 2c place
2nd QICKWIT 1c place
3rd STARWARD 2c place
Trainer G. Thwaite was advised the mare would be required to obtain a further barrier certificate prior to racing again.
MAJESTIC LOUVRE - Raced wide from the 600m. Apprentice W. Galloway reported that his mount travelled comfortably in the early and middle stages but failed to respond to his riding as anticipated and in his opinion may have come to the end of its preparation. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
QICKWIT – Passing the 700m steadied and altered course when ROCKY BLONDE (S. Tierney) shifted in when not fully clear. Apprentice S. Tierney, the rider of ROCKY BLONDE, was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding.
STARWARD - Over the concluding stages raced in restricted room between ROCKY BLONDE and QUICKWIT when both runners shifted ground.
OCEAN JOY - Slow to begin. Trainer L. Powell was reprimanded pursuant to AR106(2) for presenting OCEAN JOY without pre race ear muffs, which are a part of the mares approved gear.
HUMAN TOUCH – Slow to begin.
THE ANSWER MAN - Slow to begin. When asked to comment on the performance, rider M. Gray reported the gelding would be better suited to a step down in class and may prefer racing back on dirt surfaces.
Race 7 - BOOK YOUR XMAS PARTY NOW - FRIDAY 4TH DECEMBER RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1400 M
CHEERFUL CAT – Steadied and obliged to shift out when WATER LAD (W. Galloway) shifted in under pressure over the final 100m. Apprentice W. Galloway the rider of CHEERFUL CAT was reprimanded pursuant to AR131(a) for careless riding and advised of his obligations to stop and straighten his mounts when shifting ground.
WATER LAD – Connections advised a change of tactics; settle further forward. Settled behind the leaders. Laid in under pressure in the home straight and near the 100m apprentice W. Galloway dropped his near side rein.
MIGHTY JUDD – Held up for clear running from the 500m when close to the heels of the weakening SEA WARNING, until the 250m. Approaching the winning post was awkwardly placed near the heels of CHEERFUL CAT which had shifted out. Rider L. Tilley reported his mount was inclined to lay in throughout.
STRENUOUS - Raced wide in the early stages. Rounding the home turn was steadied when close to the heels of WILDSPITZE. When asked to comment on the performance, apprentice A. McColm reported that from an inside draw, he was required to pressure his mount to obtain a forward position and felt that his mount had to do too much work in the early stages, which had a detrimental effect on the geldings’ finishing effort. Apprentice A. McColm was reminded of his obligations to ride his mounts out, where possible to the end of the race. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
ZHONGXIN KOALA - Slow into stride. Rider S. Sheargold reported his mount wasn’t suited by today’s firm surface and the tight turning track.
PERCOLATE – Commenced to over race for a short distance approaching the 1200m. Raced wide for the majority of the event.
SEA WARNING – Began awkwardly.
SEND THE MONEY – Slow to begin.
AIR OF AUTHORITY – Began awkwardly. Raced wide for the majority. Rider C. Taylor reported that from the wide gate he rode to obtain a leading position, however runners to his inside improved near the 1100m which placed him in a very wide position, and that he elected not to continue forward and come back. He added the gelding was not suited to the tighter turning track.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning licensees
Reprimands
Race 3: Apprentice K. Lenton – AR131(a) – Careless riding.
Race 3: B. Gorman – AR106(2) – Presented with incorrect gear.
Race 6: Apprentice S. Tierney – AR131(a) – Careless riding.
Race 6: L. Powell – AR106(2) – Presented with incorrect gear.
Race 6: Apprentice W. Galloway – AR131(a) – Careless riding.
Fines
Race 4: J. Lloyd – AR131(b) – Failed to ride mount out - $200
Race day injuries/illness
Race 3: Apprentice M. Goring – Soreness to left thumb – Medical Clearance.
Absent jockeys
Apprentice J. Busuttin – Personal reasons.
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses sampled pre-race
MOONLIGHT ODYSSEY, QUARTZOPOLIS, HEADLINE LEGEND, LORD PROTECTOR, MISHPAT, QICKWIT, WATER LAD
Horses sampled post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 1: GONE BY DAYLIGHT – Bucked – Trial to Stewards satisfaction.
Race 2: BAR STAR – Attempted to buck – Warning.
Race 3: GUNNA REIGN – Laying in – Warning.
Race 5: THE CARE TAKER – Uncompetitive – Trial to Stewards satisfaction.
Race 6: SPLIT THE CASH – Fractious in barriers/Late scratching - Further barrier certificate required.
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1:15e COOL THOUGHTS - Wayne O'Connell
Race 2:11e EMILY NINETYNINE - Danny Peisley
Race 3:13e GUNNA REIGN - Kenji Yoshida
Race 5:17e BEFORE THIS WORLD - Jaden Lloyd
Race 6:14e SPLIT THE CASH - Kenji Yoshida
Race 7:2 WILDSPITZE - Jade Hampson
Race 7:15e SEND THE MONEY – Kayla Barker
Late scratchings
Race 6: SPLIT THE CASH – Veterinary advice at 4:23pm.
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.