QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
STEWARDS REPORT
SUNSHINE COAST
SUNDAY 16TH AUGUST 2026
WEATHER – Overcast TRACK RATING – Soft (5)RAIL – +4M Entire
PENETROMETER – 6.17
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – J. Williamson
Stewards – B. Wright, A. Schofield, L. De-Witt Rowson
Clerk of Scales – J. Robinson
Race 1 - VANTAGE BUILDING GROUP MAIDEN PLATE 1800 Metres
KALAMIA KING – Raced wide throughout.
KOJAK (NZ) – Jockey B.Thompson reported that his mount was under pressure early to improve and in his opinion, was disappointing in its finshing effort.
SHIP HAPPENS – Laid in under pressure in the straight.
AMELIORATION – Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
IT'S OK – When caught wide in the early stages, heavily restrained to obtain cover at the tail of the field. Apprentice B. Osmond reported that IT’S OK was under pressure from the 800m and weakened badly in the straight. A post race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Trainer’s representative M. Eggleston was advised that the mare must officially trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.
Race 2 - BELMO GROUP CLASS 1 PLATE 2220 Metres
FIREY TRUTH – When asked to comment, apprentice B. Osmond stated that in his opinion, his mount requires time to quicken into the race and he would have improved earlier than he did, however, he was caught behind both MORE YOU THINK and MOANA NUI passing the 600m, and at this point of the race, these runners were not improving. Stewards noted apprentice Osmond’s comments. A post race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the left hindlimb. Trainer’s representative M. Eggleston was advised that FIREY TRUTH will require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
ORMOND ROAD – Began awkwardly. Shifted out to improve to the lead approaching the 900m.
VEGA SICILIA – Began awkwardly. Shifted out to improve to the lead approaching the 1000m.
BOLERO – Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
MISSILE AWAY – Began awkwardly before being tightened between runners. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
RACE 3 - HALSE LODGE CLASS 4 HANDICAP 1200 Metres
ACAPULCO GIRL (NZ) – Stewards questioned jockey A. Butler regarding the tactics adopted in the early stages when it appeared there was opportunity to allow ACAPULCO GIRL to improve forward into a position closer to the leader ITALIAN DANCER rather than allow that runner to establish a significant lead. Jockey Butler confirmed that he had the intention to ride in a forward position and gave consideration to improving with ITALIAN DANCER, however as ITALIAN DANCER’S rider was having significant difficulty restraining that gelding, he quickly formed the view that ITALIAN DANCER would likely be detrimentally effected by this and would weaken in the later stages of the race. Trainer D. Vandyke was questioned, and he advised Stewards that jockey Butler had been given no specific instructions however, he had anticipated that mare racing in a forward position. He stated that in hindsight he was not of the opinion that ACAPULCO GIRL would have finished closer had the mare been ridden more forward as he was disappointed with the finishing effort. Stewards accepted the explanation.
TEN GOOD REASONS (NZ) – Over raced in the early and middle stages.
TIZ WORTHY – Stewards questioned Jockey Maloney regarding the tactics adopted in the early stages when it appeared there was opportunity to allow TIZ WORTHY to improve forward into a position closer to the leader ITALIAN DANCER rather than allow that runner to establish a significant lead. He advised stewards that it had been his instructions to take up a position in the second half of the field, and when TIZ WORTHY began well, he attempted to steady to fulfill the instructions given by trainer D. Vandyke. He added that at no stage did he anticipate being as forward on the race as where TIZ WORTHY settled. Trainer D. Vandyke confirmed the instructions and was satisfied that jockey Maloney had attempted to fulfill the instructions however whilst not critical of the ride, in hindsight, he may have been better served riding forward after beginning well.
NORTH OF ELI – Blundered on jumping. Over raced in the early stages.
ITALIAN DANCER – Over raced whilst leading in the early and middle stages.
CARBONARA – Began awkwardly.
RACE 4 - NOOSA HEADS SLSC MAIDEN HANDICAP 1300 Metres
FIDARDO – Raced greenly in the home straight.
PHOENIX LEGEND – Over raced at heels in the early stages. Improved onto heels near the 600m and had to be restrained. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
LILI ANNA – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn and had difficulty securing clear running until the 200m.
HOLY STEPS – Over raced in the early stages before shifting wider approaching the 900m.
FIERY LASS – Began awkwardly. Raced greenly under pressure in home straight causing its rider to stop riding and straighten over the concluding stages.
KINDRED – Over raced in the early stages and raced ungenerously for the majority.
EXOBRAZEN – Began awkwardly and lost ground. After passing the 1200m, when the pace of the race slackened, improved onto the heels of FIERY LASS and had to be checked.
COOL THOUGHTS – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after taking charge of its rider in the preliminary and cleared to start. Began awkwardly then hampered when BOWLING HARRY shifted in. Over raced in the early stages and middle stages.
Race 5 - STANLEY RIVER THOROUGHBREDS BENCHMARK 62 HANDICAP 1000 Metres
GOLD FEVER – Raced wide throughout. Shifted in under pressure near the 150m.
BELIEVE IN ANGELS (NZ) – Inclined to lay out in the middle stages.
CUSTO – Rider B. Lerena dropped his whip near the 150m.
ANDI DON'T CARE – Shifted out under pressure near the 150m before being corrected by its rider.
CAXTON LASS – Laid in under pressure over the final 200m.
LOKEN – Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout. Tightened and checked approaching the 100m, when racing to the inside of GOLD FEVER (P. Hamblin) which shifted in slightly, and I MISS MARGIE (T. Brooker) which shifted out whilst attempting to secure clear running to the outside of ANDI DON’T CARE, which also shifted out under pressure. Stewards inquired into this incident and were satisfied that no rider had ridden in a careless manner and took no further action.
I MISS MARGIE – Had difficulty securing clear running during the early stages of the home straight before shifting out around the heels of ANDI DON’T CARE and bumping LOKEN near the 150m.
RACE 6 - ROBILLIARD BUILDING & DESIGN RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP 1000 Metres
GALLERY MASTER declared a late scratching on veterinary advice at 4.01pm when the gelding got a hind leg up in the barriers. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered that all bets on GALLERY MASTER be refunded with the following deductions to apply:
1st VIN SANTO 0c win, 2c place
2nd ICYMISS 2c place
3rd STARSARISE 2c place
Trainer J. Harris was advised that a warning would be placed on the barrier manners of GALLERY MASTER. Trainer J. Harris was advised that the gelding would also require a veterinary clearance after sustaining a minor laceration to the near hind cannon during this incident.
KVAS – Raced wide throughout.
ICYMISS – Raced awkwardly at heels near the 500m.
STARSARISE – Underwent a pre race veterinary examination at the request of Stewards as an abrasion on the off foreleg was observed, before being cleared to start. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn and in the early stages of the home straight. Rider dropped near side rein near the 300m
BEAU'S GIRL – Change of tactics – to be ridden with cover if circumstances permit. Steadied at the start and took up a position in the second half of the field.
RACE 7 - FINCIERGE NOOSA CUP BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP 1400 Metres
Correct weight was delayed to allow connections of third placegetter LITTLE BEGINNINGS to view the Stewards patrol footage before deciding not to lodge an objection.
MISSISSIPPI PRINCE – Thornton – When asked to comment on the tactics adopted, jockey B. Thornton stated that although he intended to lead as was the gelding’s usual racing pattern, his mount was unable to muster speed during the early stages and he elected to steady and settle at the rear of the field to obtain a position closer to the rail. A post race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.
LITTLE BEGINNINGS – Attempted to improve to the inside of CARRAVILLA near the 300m when there was insufficient room to do so and had to be steadied as a result before altering course to the outside of that runner. Raced in restricted room for a short distance passing the 100m when racing between ITALIAN RIVIERA and CARRAVILLA which shifted out under pressure.
LIBERTY STEPS – Became awkward in its action shortly after the start when racing between LITTLE BEGINNINGS and ARCHER’S GAME which shifted in. Co-trainer A. Simpson was advised that a warning was placed on the gelding’s racing manners as a result of this incident. Approaching the 200m, attempted to improve between ITALIAN RIVIERA and DEMITASSE however, was unable to secure clear running between those runners when DEMITASSE shifted in under pressure. Stewards questioned jockey L. Tilley as to whether he could have persisted with this run and jockey Tilley stated that his mount was reluctant to improve given the restricted room and as he believed the run was closing he elected to direct out at the 100m in order to secure clear running. Stewards noted jockey Tilley’s comments.
CARRAVILLA – Began awkwardly.
DEMITASSE – Began awkwardly.
RACE 8 - STAY NOOSA RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP 1400 Metres
CLEARLY GEORGE – Improved onto heels approaching the 500m and had to be steadied and continued to be held up until leaving the 400m.
HOMERIC – Over raced in the early and middle stages, before shifting wider at the 700m and raced wide from that point onwards. Approaching the 200m, was brushed by WEEKEND SPIRIT which shifted out under pressure and as a result shifted wider on the track.
CLUBMAN (GB) – Began awkwardly.
WEEKEND SPIRIT – Began awkwardly. Raced greenly under pressure in the home straight.
GAS BRIGADE – Had difficulty securing clear running from approaching the 500 until leaving the 400m.
BADDA BOOM BABY – Reared as the start was effected and consequently lost ground. Improved onto heels near the 150m and had to be steadied before shifting back to the inside to secure clear running.
GALACTIC LEGEND – Began awkwardly.
EVADE THE GAME – Slow to begin. Over raced in the middle stages when the pace of the race slackened.
IN GREAT SPIRIT – Whilst weakening was placed in restricted room near the 50m when SIMBA’S PRIDE was taken in by RALOS STAR which shifted ground. When asked to comment, jockey C. Graham stated that her mount was disappointing in the home straight however, she could offer no further explanation. Trainer C Anderson advised stewards that in light of the performance the mare would be sent for a spell. A post race veterinary inspection revealed no apparent abnormalities.
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
Summary of action concerning licensees
Nil
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
Horses swabbed pre-race
KALAMIA KING, HIGHLAND KITTY, VEGA SICILIA, ITALIAN DANCER, TONKATSU GODDESS, ANDI DON’T CARE, VIN SANTO, KVAS.
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 1. IT’S OK – poor performance – official trial to Stewards satisfaction.
Race 2. FIREY TRUTH – lame left hind – veterinary clearance required.
Race 6. GALLERY MASTER – late scratching/hind leg up in barriers – warning.
Race 6. GALLERY MASTER – laceration near hind – veterinary clearance required.
Race 7. LIBERTY STEPS – attempted to buck – warning on racing manners.
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 4. 24. COOL THOUGHTS – M. Mankelow
Race 6. 12. BEAU’S GIRL – B. Youngberry
Late scratchings
Race 6. 13. GALLERY MASTER @ 4.01pm on 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.
