QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT
 

TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB – SATURDAY 22 MARCH 2025
 
 

WEATHER – OvercastTRACK RATING –  Soft (6)RAIL –1 Metre Entire Course
PENETROMETER – 5.68

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – R. Neal
Stewards – P. Gillard, S. Copelin, K. Dean  
 

GENERAL
 
1.    Given the rescheduling of today’s meeting, latitude was provided with respect to rider declarations after the prescribed deadline, however these were all completed by noon Friday 21st March 2025.
 
2.    Riders Ms. Gabrielle Semmens and Zac Sprie were not riding at today’s meeting, with their replacements as per Steward’s Race Day summary.   

Race 1: HYGAIN QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP – 1000 Metres

CAROHVIC – Slow to begin; raced ungenerously for a short distance in the middle stages.
 
GIRLS GOT ATTITUDE – Shifted in approaching the 900 metres when racing greenly bumping BATTLEKATT and became unbalanced; raced greenly when placed under pressure in the home straight and shifted ground having to be straightened.
 
GYMNOSOMATA – Bumped on the hind quarters and was unbalanced approaching the 900 metres.

BATTLEKATT – Tightened for room approaching the 900 metres having to be restrained and lost ground; rider accidently dropped his whip near the 300 metres.  
 
NOSEY NEO – Shifted in near the 50 metres brushing the running rail.
 
 
Race 2: LADBROKES BLACKBOOK BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP – 1000 Metres

SATURDAY VIBES – Delayed the start when proved difficult to load; slow to begin; travelled three wide without cover for the majority of the race; when questioned regarding the performance of SATURDAY VIBES jockey Ryan Wiggins stated that after beginning only fairly and settling further back than anticipated, the gelding had finished the race off only fairly and was disappointing. Trainer Mr Stephen Massingham advised Stewards that following today’s performance SATURDAY VIBES will be sent for a spell. A post-race veterinary examination of SATURDAY VIBES revealed bilateral conjunctivitis to the eyes,which it was treated for.
 
IRISH MIST – Slow to begin; lost both hind plates during therunning.
 
RIGEL STAR – A post-race veterinary examination of gelding identified the presence of blood in both nostrils. RIGEL STAR shall not without the permission of the Stewards: (a) for a period of 2 months must not be trained, exercised or galloped on a racecourse, recognized training track, private training establishment, or other place; (b) must not start in any race for a period of 3 months, and then only after firstly completing a satisfactory gallop of at least 1,000 metres; or competing in an official trial or jump-out; in the presence, and to the satisfaction of a Steward. Trainer Steven Royes advised Stewards the gelding would now be retired from racing.
 
 
Race3: CLUDEN PARK BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP – 1200 Metres
 
NOBLE ATTACK – Slow to begin; over-raced in the early stages and shifted wider near the 800 metres, racing wide from that point onwards. Jockey Wanderson D’Avila when asked to explain the performance today stated the gelding failed to respond to his riding leaving the 500 metres and in his opinion was disappointing.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. 
 
LOOK AT ROSA – Slow to begin and shifted out bumping with CONVERTOR.
 
CONVERTOR – Slow to begin and was bumped on jumping.
 
PREMIUM STAR – Bounded in the air on jumping. Difficulties obtaining clear running in the early part of the home straight until leaving the 100 metres.  
 
ALMIGHTY JAB – Stewards questioned jockey Ryan Wiggins regarding his tactics in the middle stages when he raced some lengths off the race leader ELLIIE’S DREAM which, at this point, had established a clear lead and went on to win the race. In explanation jockey Wiggin’s stated that his intention was to position ALMIGHTY JAB in mid-field, as this positioning had advantaged the gelding at its previous start in Cairns where it had won the race. However, after settling handier than anticipated today, he elected not to pressure the gelding in the middle stages as he believed, that notwithstanding ELLIIE’S DREAM had established a 3-length lead, it would not be able to maintain the strong tempo set and would come back to the field. Jockey Wiggin’s added that he was happy with ALMIGHTY JAB’s performance, given this was step up in grade from winning in maiden company. Given all circumstances Jockey Wiggins comments were noted.
 
 
Race 4: LADBROKES RACING CLUB OPEN HANDICAP – 1200 Metres

OVERLORD – Slow to begin; over-raced in the early stages. When questioned regarding OVERLORD’s performance jockey Chris Meehan stated that the gelding travelled well in the early stages however when placed under pressure only responded fairly and may have not been suited to today’s going, and being second up from a spell.
 
GO GETABOY – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
FAMILY STAR – Shifted in near the 900 metres becoming awkwardly placed on heels and was steadied.
 
Following the running of this race apprentice jockey Tyler Leslight (ROWEINER’S DANCE) reported he had discomfort to his left shoulder. After being examined by the QAS officers he was cleared to fulfil his further engagements.
 
 
Race 5: MITAVITE MAIDEN PLATE – 1200 Metres 

ELIZABETHAN – Slow to begin.
 
SPRING'S GIFT – Slow to begin.
 
BLEDISLOE (NZ) – Shifted out at the start bumping GABBY’S READY; inconvenienced near the 1000 metres and had to steady. 
 
GABBY'S READY – Apprentice jockey Nikki Olzard advised Stewards on returning to scale that the breast plate had broken on jumping, placing her at a disadvantage for the race. Shied near the 1,000 metres and shifted out ,inconveniencing BLEDISLOE which was following; laid out for some distance thereafter.
 

Race 6: LADBROKES FORM GENIUS QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE – 1200 Metres

HEZA ROMEO – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start; shifted out at the start bumping with CHARM TELLER; travelled wide for the majority of the race.
 
MYSTERIOUS BAY – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start; travelled wide in the early stages.
 
CHARM TELLER – Shifted in at the start bumping with HEZA ROMEO.
 
MARCH MADNESS – Slow to begin.
 
MAJESTIC BLAZE – Slow to begin.
 
COACHMAN – Began awkwardly.
 
Following the running of this race jockey Michael McDonald became unwell and was stood down from his remaining engagement in Race 8. Jockey McDonald was advised a medical clearance would be required prior to riding next.

 
Race 7: LADBROKES PUNTER ASSIST RATINGS BAND 0 - 58 HANDICAP – 1000 Metres

THREEBROTHERS – Slow to begin and shifted out bumping LEAN EAGLE, over-raced in the early and middle stages.
 
LUCKY ROLLA – Slow to begin.
 
HIT SNOOZE – Bounded in the air on jumping; bumped on the hind quarters leaving the 900 metres and shifted out tightening KING RUPPERT. 
 
SET THE SAILS – Began awkwardly.
 
MISHANI MAVERICK – Began awkwardly.
 
LEAN EAGLE – Began awkwardly and lost ground when bumped by THREEBROTHERS which shifted out.
 
CORBUSIER – Shifted in leaving the 900 metres when not fully clear of KING RUPERT which was crowded inwards, bumping with HIT SNOOZE. Jockey Sean Cormack was reprimanded under AR131a and advised to show greater care when shifting ground. 
 
KING RUPERT – Restrained leaving the 900 metres when crowded for room by CORBUSIER which shifted in. Raced three wide without cover. 
 
CITY OF BOULDER – Travelled wide in the early stages.
 
LINE OF KINGS – Travelled wide for much of the race.
 

Race 8: GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO CLASS 3 PLATE – 1400 Metres

ACCLIMATISE – Jason Taylor replaced Michael McDonald (unwell); Over-raced in the early and middle stages.
 
MOUNT MUMUKAI – Slow to begin.
 
HARROW (IRE) – Slow to begin.
 
CRAICARO – Began awkwardly.
 
YELLOWSTONE BETH – Began awkwardly.
 
DECRYPTING GOLD – Compounded in the home straight. Trainer Georgie Holt advised Stewards the gelding would be sent for an immediate spell. 
 
BETTA AL – Laid in under pressure in the final straight having to be straightened on a number of occasions. travelled three wide without cover for the majority of the race. Stewards noted rider Chris Meehan exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+ one) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use no further action was taken.


STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 7, Sean Cormack – [AR131a] – shifting ground.  

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
Tycoon Beau, Noble Attack, Ellie’s Dream, March Madness, Hit Snooze

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Bleeders
Race 2, RIGEL STAR – AR79(4) – Both nostrils first occasion – 3 months ban + 1000m gallop/trial/jumpout.

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 2, Gossip Torque – Ms. Nikki Olzard(a3)                                     
Race 5, Gabby's Ready – Ms. Nikki Olzard(a3)
Race 6, March Madness – Ms. Isabella Teh
Race 7, Hit Snooze – Jason Taylor
Race 8, Sir Maximus – Tyler Leslight(a3), Acclimatise – Jason Taylor
 
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.