Skip to Content search facebook instagram pinterest twitter youtube

Alice Springs Turf Club Inc: 04/05/2026

Weather: Fine Track: Good Rail: True

Stewards: D Hensler (Chairman), M Hurley, R Hamilton, R Shiers (Deputy), W Preston

Assistant to Stewards: J Turgeon, E Baird

Clerk of Scales: B Huppatz, C Preston

Judge/Assistant: C Flattum, D Smith

Number of Races: 9

Number of Runners: 87

Stakes Paid: $425,000

 

General – Stewards inquired into a complaint lodged by jockey J Philpot relating to an incident that she alleged occurred during the running of Race 6 at the Alice Springs Turf Club race meeting on Saturday 2nd May 2026. She rode HIGHLANDS in the event and alleged that jockey I Luximon (VERBOSITY) had deliberately struck her with his whip on three occasions between the 550m and the 350m. Following the running of this race J Philpot was examined by the Paramedics and it was identified that she had sustained an injury to her right thumb and bruising to her left arm. She was cleared to take her remaining riding engagement in race 7 and declined a follow up examination by the Paramedics after the race. She subsequently attended the Alice Springs Hospital and an x ray cleared her of any fracture to the right thumb but after a medical review she was stood down from riding for seven days.

At the inquiry Stewards interviewed both riders, reviewed the patrol vision, considered the Paramedic’s incident report and hospital medical report. It was evident at the hearing that J Philpot had bruising on her upper left arm and forearm. The patrol vision identified that J Philpot was struck on the upper body by the whip of I Luximon on two occasions rounding the home turn. VERBOSITY was racing in advance of and to the inside of HIGHLANDS and both horses were racing in close proximity. I Luximon acknowledged that he had inadvertently struck his fellow rider when using the whip in his right hand and claimed the strikes were accidental. Ms Philpot advised that she did not call out or react adversely when struck with the whip. She remained adamant that in her view the incident was deliberate but did not present any further evidence to support her allegation.

After considering all of the evidence and in particular the patrol vision, the Stewards formed the opinion that I Luximon had not deliberately used his whip to strike fellow jockey J Philpot. The Stewards were satisfied that in the circumstances his whip action had not varied from the normal manner in which he rode and therefore the two strikes to her upper body when racing tightly were deemed accidental. Jockey I Luximon was reminded of his responsibility to ensure that when using the whip he remains alert to maintaining the safety of other riders in the race.

General - Stewards approved a request on race morning from the connections of MOUGENOT to replace jockey I Luximon with jockey S Fawke. A similar request from the connections of EXALTED FIRE to replace jockey D Tourneur with jockey P Denton was also approved. Stewards ruled that connections must pay both I Luximon and D Tourneur a riding fee and any winning percentage in accordance with AR20(j).

As jockey J Philpot was indisposed through injury the following riding replacements were approved: Races 1, 5 & 9 – S Fawke, Races 2, 4 & 5 – J Lyon and R8 – R Vigar

 

Race 1: Mulgas Adventures Handicap 0-58 - 1100m

Stewards interviewed trainer G Connor in relation to the riding instructions he intended to issue as the stable had multiple runners in this event.

EVEN SHARPER (D Tourneur) – Slow into stride and then crowded between runners.

ONLY THE BEST (J Booth) – Slow into stride. When questioned regarding the unplaced performance rider advised after missing the start she had been unable to race in a forward position and her mount then resented the kickback.

QUANAPIRRI BAY (D Hirini) – Commenced awkwardly and bumped.

REVOLUTION RISING (P Denton) – When questioned regarding failing to ride his mount out, rider advised that after his cap had blown off his helmet rounding the home turn, this caused his goggles to be displaced and he was obliged to re adjust them near the 200m and again over the final 75m due to being unable to see because of the kickback and as result he could not fully ride his mount out to the end of the race. This explanation was accepted.

LEAN ON ME (I Luximon) – Bumped at the start.

RISING FIRE (J Lyon) – Raced wide from the 600m.

MISS BOOM (J Doyle) – Commenced awkwardly.

BAD MAN (R Vigar) – Crowded after bounding at the start. Raced wide from the 600m.

CANADA BAY (S Fawke) – Knuckled at the start.

1ST CANADA BAY 2ND MISS BOOM 3RD EVEN SHARPER

 

Race 2: Rimfire Energy Handicap 0-66 – 1000m

FRAWLEY (R Vigar) – Commenced awkwardly.

SCISSOR ME TIMBERS (D Hirini) – Bumped at the start. Tightened for room and checked at the 900m. Shifted outwards passing the 200m.

ZESTIMAN (P Denton) – Slow into stride. Carried outwards passing the 200m.

IN NO DOUBT (J Todd) – Bounded at the start getting its head up.

SUITS (D Tourneur) – 2 kg re-handicap applied after winning on 2 May 2026. Bumped at the start.

UNCLE BARRY (J Doyle) – Raced wide throughout.

General – On inquiry apprentice jockey L Maloney (DAD BOD) pleaded guilty to a charge under AR131(a) for engaging in careless riding. The specifics being that near the 900m he permitted his mount to shift inwards when insufficiently clear resulting in SCISSOR ME TIMBERS (D Hirini) being tightened for room and checked. Apprentice L Maloney had his permit to ride in races suspended for a period of 2 NT meetings to expire after 16 May 2026 and in addition was fined the sum of $500.

1ST BLACK ZOUS 2ND DAD BOD 3RD ZESTIMAN

 

Race 3: Gallaghers Insurance Brokers Handicap - 1000m

O’TYCOON (P Denton) – Commenced awkwardly and bumped. Carried outwards over the concluding stages.

MOUGENOT (S Fawke) – When questioned regarding the unplaced performance rider advised that his mount was disappointing and yielded ground quickly from the 200m. A post race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

REAL VALENTIA (J Doyle) – Raced wide throughout.

POMPEII EMPIRE (D Tourneur) – Bumped at the start and steadied across heels shortly after.

1ST ARIZONA ACTIVIST 2ND POMPEII EMPIRE 3RD ZOURATA

 

Race 4: JJ’s Waste & Recycling Handicap BM68 3-Y-O – 1200m

Stewards interviewed trainer K Petrick in relation to the riding instructions she intended to issue as the stable had multiple runners in this event.

BEACHBARBECKONS (P Shiers) – Commenced awkwardly and lost ground. Impeded for clear running between the 300m and the 150m.

OUR SQUAMOSA (I Luximon) – Commenced awkwardly. Raced wide throughout.

PRICE SHARE (S Tsaikos) – Raced wide throughout.

STANDARD STREET (L Maloney) – Steadied when racing in restricted room rounding the home turn.

BRASH LASS (J Doyle) – A post race veterinary examination revealed the filly to be lame in the off-fore leg. Trainer K Healy was advised he must present a veterinary clearance prior to the filly racing again.

HIGHSTRUNG (J Lyon) – The veterinarian reported the gelding returned with a laceration to the near-hind leg.

1ST VORONYA 2ND OUR SQUAMOSA 3RD PRICE SHARE

 

Race 5: Magic Millions Red Centre Classic BMNT - 1200m

Stewards interviewed trainer K Petrick in relation to the riding instructions she intended to issue as the stable had multiple runners in this event.

BAHAMA BAY (L Maloney) – Raced wide throughout.

TELLEZ (S Tsaikos) – Shifted outwards and bumped shortly after the start. Rider was cautioned for allowing his mount to shift outwards under pressure near the 100m causing minor interference.

THROW AT DA STUMPS (I Luximon) – Carried outwards and crowded shortly after the start. Raced wide from the 600m. Rider reported the gelding lay outwards in running.

BON’S A LAD (P Denton) – Bumped on the hindquarters shortly after the start. Crowded and impeded between runners near the 100m.

1ST BAHAMA BAY 2ND THROW AT DA STUMPS 3RD PUB CRAWL

 

Race 6: Scope Building NT Queen of the Desert Fillies & Mares Handicap 0-76 - 1200m

PRINCESS PANCAKES (S Tsaikos) – Bumped shortly after the start.

DEMIQUAVER (P Denton) – Bumped shortly after the start.

GRINZINGER LASS (S Fawke) – Commenced awkwardly and bumped shortly after the start.

LUCKY FORTUNA (J Doyle) – Commenced awkwardly and bumped. Raced wide throughout.

FAST FREEZE (J Todd) – Bumped at the start. Raced wide on straightening. A post race veterinary examination revealed the mare to be lame in the off-fore leg. Trainer D Leech was advised he must present a veterinary clearance prior to the mare racing again.

DOLCE D’AMOUR (I Luximon) – Commenced awkwardly and bumped another runner. Rider reported his mount lay outwards in running and he was of the opinion the mare may have got its tongue over the bit. A post race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

NASHA (R Vigar) – Commenced awkwardly. Slow to muster early speed.

General – Jockey S Tsaikos, rider of the 6th placed PRINCESS PANCAKES, pleaded guilty to a charge under AR131(b) for failing to ride his mount out to the end of the race and was fined the sum of $200.

1ST LUCKY FORTUNA 2ND HELL FIRE MISS 3RD TIPSY TORONADO

 

Race 7: Paul Hassett Memorial (Sponsored by Povey Stirk Lawyers) Handicap 0-62 - 1600m

KIEFFER (S Fawke) – Rider reported his mount lay outwards in running. Raced wide on straightening.

BENDER MCGEE (J Todd) – Raced wide throughout.

MR JONES (P Denton) – Raced keenly approaching the 800m.

THE ACCELATOR (S Tsaikos) – Mistrode at a shadow at the winning post.

THE BIG FREEZE (J Doyle) – Lay outwards rounding the home turn.

1ST MR JONES 2ND ANPHINA 3RD THE ACCELATOR

 

Race 8: Great Northern Handicap 0-70 - 2000m

ROCK REVOLUTION (J Lyon) – 1.5 kg re-handicap applied after winning on 2 May 2026. When questioned regarding the unplaced performance rider advised that after leading in the event his mount was under pressure prior to straightening and yielded ground from thereon. He was of the opinion that the gelding had not been suited to carrying the additional weight over an increased distance when backing up after winning over 1600m. A post race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

IKNOWHATYOUREDOING (S Fawke) – Bumped at the start. Raced wide from the 1200m and yielded ground from the 600m. A post race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

ENTERPRISE LASSIE (P Denton) – Under pressure at the 600m and yielded ground from thereon.

DUTY (R Vigar) – Raced wide in the early and middle stages.

GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS (S Tsaikos) – Raced in restricted room rounding the home turn.

STARLITE REBEL (J Doyle) – Raced wide from the 600m.

VALLEY PRINCE (J Booth) – Rider reported that after racing outside the leader her mount yielded ground from the 600m and in her opinion was not suited to the step up in distance after racing on 2 May 2026.

OURANIA (J Todd) – Commenced awkwardly.

MAX ROCK (D Gillett) – Commenced awkwardly and lost ground.

BECQUEREL (D Tourneur) – Bumped at the start.

1ST FIGO THE GREAT 2ND MAX ROCK 3RD STARLITE REBEL

 

Race 9: Ladbrokes Alice Springs Cup - 2000m

All runners underwent a veterinary examination on Friday 1 May 2026. All runners were due on course 2 hours prior to start time for pre race testing.

Stewards interviewed trainer K Petrick in relation to the riding instructions she intended to issue as the stable had multiple runners in this event.

WOLFBURN (J Todd) – Following the unplaced performance rider advised that after leading his mount was under pressure leaving the 500m and in his opinion was not suited to the step up in distance when carrying the top weight in the event. A post race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

ACTIVE DUTY (H Le Blanc) – Bumped at the start. Raced wide throughout.

VENTING (L Maloney) – Commenced awkwardly. Raced keenly from the 1800m until leaving the 1000m and was under pressure prior to straightening.

MAGIC DEFENSE (S Tsaikos) – Shifted outwards under pressure over the final 50m.

EXALTED FIRE (P Denton) – Raced wide from the 1200m.

VANGUARD LEGEND (R Vigar) – Bumped at the start. Raced keenly passing the 1500m and again leaving the 1200m.

VALIMI (S Fawke) – Steadied outwards from heels when racing keenly leaving the 1200m.

ICHIBAN (P Shiers) – Bumped at the start.

MAXXI BON (D Gillett) – Commenced awkwardly and bumped.

1ST MAGIC DEFENSE 2ND LEVERAGED BUYOUT 3RD ICHIBAN

 

General:

All riders were subject to alcohol breath testing.

Post-race samples were taken from all winners, LEVERAGED BUYOUT (R9) & ICHIBAN (R9).

Pre-race samples were taken from: RISING FIRE, IN NO DOUBT, STANDARD STREET, CAPISTAN, NASHA and all runners engaged in race 9.

Reprimands:

Race 8 – Jockey D Tourneur was reprimanded for a whip breach, AR132(7)(a)(ii).

Suspensions:

Race 2 – Apprentice Jockey L Maloney was suspended for 2 NT meetings for careless riding, AR131(a).

Fines:

Race 2 – Jockey I Luximon was fined $1000 for a whip breach, AR132(7)(a)(ii).

Race 2 – Apprentice Jockey L Maloney was fined $500 for careless riding, AR131(a).

Race 4 - Jockey I Luximon was fined $200 for a whip breach, AR132(7)(a)(ii).

Race 6 – Jockey S Tsaikos was fined $200 for failing to ride his mount out, AR131(b).

Embargoes & Warnings:

Race 4 – BRASH LASS - Lame off-fore leg, vet clearance required.

Race 6 – FAST FREEZE - Lame off-fore leg, vet clearance required.

Medicals:

Jockey J Philpot - Requires a medical clearance.

 

D Hensler

Chairman of Stewards

Related Pages