Controversial steward Des Gleeson appointed to review recent Queensland protest howlers

Queensland integrity officials have headhunted former Victorian steward Des Gleeson, who played a role in some of the most controversial Australian racing decisions, to review two recent protests.

Former Victorian chief steward Des Gleeson will review a protest decision in Queensland. Picture: Andy Rogers

A former steward who was a part of some of the most controversial protest decisions in Australian racing will conduct a review into two recent howlers upheld by Queensland integrity officials.

Former Victorian chief steward Des Gleeson has been headhunted by the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission to review the processes around the two upheld protests by Queensland steward Brett Wright at Beaudesert and the Gold Coast following widespread dismay by punters and industry participants.

A respected figure with more than 35 years experience in racing, Gleeson has been front and centre at some of the biggest protest decisions in Australian racing.

READ | Trainers warn controversial Beaudesert protest could open a can of worms

Gleeson famously overturned the result in the now Group 2 Danehill Stakes in 2002, despite superstar Choisir bolting in by 1.3 lengths over Planchet and Blur.

He was also in the chair when Craig Williams protested the result in the 2006 Stutt Stakes, claiming his mount Churchill Downs was “intimidated” by race winner Magic Jet, despite no contact ever being made.

Despite many declaring the protest frivolous, it was upheld, gifting the race to Churchill Downs, with Magic Jet’s trainer Stephen Theodore labelling it “a disgrace.”

Quade (Jag Guthmann-Chester, circled) was elevated from second to first after stewards deemed he was tightened by Beachside Babe (Andrew Spinks, yellow cap) at the 300m. Picture: Screengrab/Racing Queensland

Gleeson also opted against overturning the result in the 1998 Caulfield Cup and 2001 Cox Plate, despite significant interference being involved.

He also played a role on the stewards panel who stripped Our Poetic Prince of the 1987 Group 1 Caulfield Guineas in favour of Marwong, despite winning by more than a length after being eased down in the final 100.

While QRIC are unable to change the result of the race at Beaudesert, which saw Beachside Babe demoted to second for alleged interference caused at the 300m mark, Queensland racing officials could be pressured into paying out her connections the extra $22,000 in prizemoney she would have won.

READ | ‘I almost fell off my chair, it was bizarre': Trainer fumes over protest howler

Gleeson has also been tasked with reviewing the processes around an upheld protest by Wright at the Gold Coast, where he changed the minor placings of a race a week before the Beaudesert howler.

QRIC commissioner Shane Gillard said he opted for an independent third party to review the decisions in the name of transparency.

“Even though there is no right of appeal against any decision of the Stewards in relation to a protest, this independent investigation may provide us with information that will benefit future protest rulings,” he said.

Wright has been on the stewards panel for the past two midweek metropolitan meetings at Doomben and Ipswich since the Beaudesert controversy.

Originally published as Controversial steward Des Gleeson appointed to review recent Queensland protest howlers