QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
ROCKHAMPTON TURF CLUB
THURSDAY 13 AUGUST 2026
WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING – Good 4
RAIL – +3m Entire Course
PENETROMETER – 5.05
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – Ethan Suli
Stewards – Hayden Gillett, Sam Nosworthy, Shikira Stehbens & Gary Wust (Clerk of Scales)
GENERAL
Stewards approved the following overweights:
Race 4 – Paul Hamblin (+1kg) & Warwick Satherley (+1/2kg)
Race 7 – Tasha Chambers (+1kg)
Stewards accepted the reasons tendered by trainer Leonie Hortsman for the late rider declaration of Tasha Chambers on TENNER in Race 7.
LITTLE FREDDY, trained by Nicole Viulle, was declared a late scratching at 8:30am due to no suitable rider being available.
Due to the abandonment of Wellington (NSW) today, the following starting times were amended:
Race 1 – 1:18pm
Race 3 – 2:37pm
Race 4 – 3:15pm
Race 5 – 3:48pm
Prior to the commencement of the meeting, Stewards, along with a delegation of senior jockeys, inspected a section of the track near the 550m which was noted to be softer than the remainder of the racing surface. Following the inspection being conducted, the delegation of senior jockeys were satisfied with this section of the track, therefore deemed the surface suitable for racing.
RACE 1 – GREAT NORTHERN QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP1200M
RATTLESNAKEWHISKEY – Bumped on jumping.
GIN 'N' JUICE – Proved difficult to load. Jumped outwards abruptly at the start bumping with SARAH’S BELLE, which in turn was taken out onto IT’SALL ABOUT MARY, which was hampered and bumped with RATTLESNAKEWHISKEY as a result.
IT'SALL ABOUT MARY – Hampered on jumping as a result of GIN ‘N’ JUICE jumping outwards abruptly and was slow to begin. Overraced in the early and middle stages. When questioned regarding the performance, jockey Ryan Wiggins stated that ITSALL ABOUT MARY travelled well in the early stages, however when asked for an effort in the home straight, the filly failed to respond accordingly. Jockey Wiggins added that the step up in distance may have attributed to the overall performance.
SARAH'S BELLE – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Carried wider on jumping after being bumped by GIN ’N’ JUICE. Raced ungenerously in the early stages when racing wide. Hung inwards under pressure in the home straight and had to be stopped and straightened by its rider on several occasions. Trainer John O’Sing was advised that a warning would be placed the on the filly’s record for its racing manners (hanging inwards).
BALKAN MELODY – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early stages.
SCOTCH ROCKET – Began awkwardly.
TIGER ROCKET – Inclined to lay inwards when placed under pressure approaching the 200m.
RACE 2 – TAB CLASS 5 HANDICAP 1400M
ASK ME MATE – Slow to begin. Overraced in the early and middle stages. Trainer Jamie McConachy advised Stewards that following today’s event, it would now be the intention for ASK ME MATE to be sent for a spell.
LONERGY – Was hampered shortly after the start was WARNA which shifted outwards and as a result became awkwardly placed on the heels of DARLING CLEMENTINE and had to be restrained.
WARNA – Shifted outwards at the start and hampered LONERGY. Raced keenly in the early stages. Momentarily held up for clear running shortly upon entering the home straight.
BOLD ARTIC – Began awkwardly.
PRESSZORA – Shifted outwards on jumping. Was inclined to overrace in the early stages when settled in the lead position.
DARLING CLEMENTINE – Began awkwardly. Inclined to lay inwards when under pressure in the home straight.
RACE 3 – PREMIER RACEHORSE - PRIDE OF VENUS MAIDEN HANDICAP (QTIS BONUSES APPLICABLE FOR 3,4 & 5YO'S) 1050M
MANOFTHELAND – Bumped with HE’S A FIGHTER shortly after the start.
HE'S A FIGHTER – Bumped with MANOFTHELAND shortly after the start.
BRITISH NAVY – Laid inwards when placed under pressure over the final 300m.
NEXT STOP JUPITER – Shifted inwards at the start, bumping with OUR GIRL SNIP. Raced wide in the early stages. Raced keenly rounding the home turn.
READY AS BAM – Began awkwardly.
OUR GIRL SNIP – Shifted out at the start, bumping with NEXT STOP JUPITER. Raced keenly in the early stages. Raced wide throughout.
THREE TEES – Began awkwardly and shortly after the start attempted to buck, losing ground. Following the event, Stewards questioned jockey Chris McIver regarding the gelding’s racing manners in the early stages. Jockey McIver stated that soon after the start, when attempting to urge THREE TEES forward to obtain a more favourable position, his saddle shifted backwards prior to the gelding attempting to buck. This was consistent with the report he provided on returning to scale. Stewards reviewed the available patrol footage and were satisfied that the saddle had shifted prior to THREE TEES attempting to buck. In the circumstances, Stewards elected to take no formal action against the gelding at this time, however trainer Tim Cook was advised that the racing manners of THREE TEES would be monitored at future starts. THREE TEES underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed no apparent abnormalities.
WHENHARRY METELSIE– Began awkwardly.
RACE 4 – PREMIER JOCKEY – WARWICK SATHERLEY OPEN HANDICAP 1100M
TRACK TALE – Anticipated the start and lunged forwards, making contact with the front gates simultaneously to the start of the event being effected. After reviewing the available replays, and considering all aspects of the start, including the vigour in which TRACK TALE was ridden by jockey Ryan Wiggins soon after beginning to obtain the lead position, Stewards were comfortably satisfied that the start of TRACK TALE had gained no material advantage in this incident.
DON PEDRO – Shifted outwards at the start, bumping with RESURRECTED. Improved on the heels of PANTELONE leaving the 800m and shifted out, carrying RESURRECTED wider as a result.
HURTLE – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight.
TIZSO FAB – Shifted outwards at the start.
RESURRECTED – Bounded at the start and was bumped by DON PEDRO soon after. Carried wider leaving the 800m by DON PEDRO.
PANTELONE – Restrained from heels leaving the 700m. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.
RACE 5 – PREMIER TRAINER – CLINTON TAYLOR BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1300M
Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards considered an objection lodged by Jamie McConachy, trainer of the 3rd placegetter AUTUMN GALE (jockey Chris McIver), against 1st placegetter TEN CARAT LUCY (jockey Ryan Wiggins), alleging interference near the 200m. After taking evidence from the relevant parties and reviewing the available patrol footage, Stewards established that approaching the 400m, with both runners under pressure, AUTUMN GALE held an advantage of approximately one length over TEN CARAT LUCY. Approaching the 250m, TEN CARAT LUCY had improved to be racing approximately one length in advance of AUTUMN GALE, with both runners continuing to be ridden along. Passing the 200m, TEN CARAT LUCY shifted out under hard riding and continued into the running line of AUTUMN GALE, resulting in that runner being checked for a number of strides. In considering the matter, Stewards took into account the official margin between 1st and 3rd of 1¾ lengths, together with the manner in which both runners finished off the race over the final 150m. Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that if the interference had not occurred, AUTUMN GALE would have finished ahead of TEN CARAT LUCY. Accordingly, the objection was dismissed, and correct weight was declared on the Judge’s placings.
Following the protest at a subsequent inquiry, jockey Ryan Wiggins pleaded guilty to a charge under the AR131(a) for careless riding. Jockey Wiggins’ licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 9 days, which the suspension commencing midnight 18th August 2026 and to conclude midnight 27th August 2026.
KING'S DUTY – Hampered at the start by TEN CARAT LUCY which shifted outwards.
BITTER SPIRIT – Raced keenly in the early stages. Raced in restricted room nearing the 175m when TEN CARAT LUCY shifted outwards.
MOOCHI STARLIGHT – Inclined to overrace in the early and middle stages when leading. Laid inwards when placed under pressure in the home straight, resulting in its rider having to stop and straighten.
ITZA MOTZA – Hampered at the start by FITZROY STREET (NZ) and LUXOR PRINCE. Overraced in the early stages.
AUTUMN GALE – Began awkwardly. Raced greenly in the early stages of the home straight. Had to be checked passing the 200m when TEN CARAT LUCY shifted outwards under hard riding when insufficiently clear.
TEN CARAT LUCY – Shifted outwards at the start, hampering KING’S DUTY. Commence to overrace for some distance leaving the 150m when being restrained.
FITZROY STREET (NZ) – Began very awkwardly and shifted outwards, hampering ITZA MOTZA.
LUXOR PRINCE – Began very awkwardly and shifted inwards, hampering ITZA MOTZA.
RACE 6 – PREMIER APPRENTICE – STEPHANIE TIERNEY RATINGS BAND 0 – 55 HANDICAP 1500M
ENCOURAGED – Improved onto the heels of REMEMBER THE BOYS approaching the 650m and had to be steadied.
GENERAL WOLFFE – Slow to begin.
LAUNCH MODE – Began very awkwardly and bumped with SHINY LOVE (NZ), resulting in jockey Ryan Wiggins becoming unbalanced for a short distance. Overraced in the early stages.
NITROGEN – Began awkwardly, resulting in apprentice Nikki Olzard contacting the inside barrier partition. Apprentice Olzard was assessed by the on-course ambulance and was cleared to take her remaining engagement.
KAYLEEN'S PROFIT (NZ) – Bumped shortly after the start.
SHINY LOVE (NZ) – Bumped at the start with LAUNCH MODE. Laid inwards when placed under pressure over the concluding stages.
BOTTOM BAR – Approaching the 1200m, commenced to hang out and as a result became awkwardly placed on the heels of SHINY LOVE (NZ).
RACE 7 – VALE WENDY MULRY CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1100M
Prior to the field being fully loaded, AUGUST JOE became fractious in the barriers, reared, placed its forelegs over the partition and subsequently became cast under the barriers. As a result, all runners that had already been loaded were removed from their respective stalls to allow AUGUST JOE to safely regain its footing before being removed from the barriers. Acting on veterinary advice, AUGUST JOE was declared a late scratching at 5:06 pm.
When loading recommenced, LLAMA CHARMER proved reluctant to load and was subsequently declared a late scratching by order of the Stewards at 5:09 pm. Due to these incidents, the start of the race was delayed by approximately 12 minutes.
Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered that all bets placed on AUGUST JOE and LLAMA CHARMER be refunded in full, with the following deductions to apply:
AUGUST JOE
1st TARA I AM – 16c win, 14c place
2nd DOUBTWILLY – 16c place
3rd PEAKING TOM – 16c place
LLAMA CHARMER
1st TARA I AM – 1c win, 1c place
2nd DOUBTWILLY – 1c place
3rd PEAKING TOM – 2c place
Trainer Laurie Clem was advised that AUGUST JOE would be required to obtain a veterinary clearance and then trial to the satisfaction of Stewards due to its barrier manners before being permitted to race again.
Given LLAMA CHARMER had already been loaded and subsequently removed due to the incident involving AUGUST JOE, Stewards elected to take no action in relation to its failure to load when the loading process recommenced.
DIALIDAE – Shifted out shortly after the start bumping with PEAKING TOM. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn. Had difficulty obtaining clear running up to a point approaching the 300 metres. When questioned regarding the performance, apprentice rider Sophie Wilcock stated that DIALIDAE had difficulty obtaining clear running on multiple occasions in the home straight and added that the mare raced greenly over the concluding stages. Apprentice Wilcock further added that she advised connections that in her opinion it may be beneficial to assess the racing gear of DIALIDAE.
FUTURE SOLDIER– Contacted on jumping. Briefly held up in the early stages of the home straight. Laid out under pressure over the final 300 metres.
DOUBTWILLY – Shifted out on jumping bumping with BELVEDERE MISS.
BLUE TOES (NZ) – When questioned regarding the performance, rider Ryan Wiggins stated that BLUE TOES (NZ) failed to respond when placed under pressure and was disappointing. Trainer Tim Cook undertook to report to Stewards should anything arise in the coming days.
PEAKING TOM – Bumped shortly after the start. Hung in under pressure over the concluding stages.
BELVEDERE MISS– Shifted in on jumping bumping with DOUBTWILLY.
TARA I AM – Raced wide in the early stages before improving to obtain the lead leaving the 850m. Over-raced in the middle stages.
TENNER – Raced wide throughout.
MAKING HISTORY – Shifted out on jumping contacting the hind-quarters of FUTURE SOLDIER.
HARBOUR CHILL – Raced wide in the early stages.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning licensees
Suspensions
Race 5. Jockey Ryan Wiggins – AR131(a) – Careless Riding – 9-day suspension – m/night 18th August 2026 to m/night August 2026
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses swabbed pre-race
IT’SALL ABOUT MARY, BOLD ARTIC, READY AS BAM, RESURRECTED, FITZROY STREET, WHISKEY GLASSES, AUGUST JOE.
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 1. SARAH’S BELLE – Racing Manners (Hanging in) – Warning
Race 7. AUGUST JOE – Fractious in barriers (Became cast) – Veterinary clearance/ Required to trial
Protests
Race 5. 3rd vs 1st – Dismissed
Late scratchings
Race 7. LITTLE FREDDY – Late scratching @ 8:30am – No suitable rider
Race 7. AUGUST JOE – Late scratching @ 5:06pm – On Veterinarian advice
Race 7. LLAMA CHARMER – Late scratching @ 5:09pm – 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.