QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB
 
FRIDAY 13 DECEMBER 2024
 
WEATHER – Overcast
TRACK RATING –  Soft 6– (Upgraded to a Soft 5 Following Race 4)
RAIL – True Entire Course
PENETROMETER – 5.75
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – R. Neal
Stewards – D. Griffiths, P. Warren, J. McIntosh, S. Nosworthy (Cadet) (ex R10)
 
GENERAL
 
Stewards approved the following overweights:
Race 2. S. Sheargold +1.0kg
 
Race 1: TOWNSVILLE EARTH MOVING QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP 1609m
 
WELL HELD – Raced keenly rounding the first turn and was taken forward to lead. Continued to over-race through the middle stages.  Stewards noted rider R. Wiggins exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+1) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use, no further action was taken.
 
UNDER THE SHADOW – Slow to begin. Stewards questioned Jockey Pietro Romeo regarding the run of UNDER THE SHADOW. In response, Jockey Romeo stated that he was instructed to ride where comfortable, and after settling at the rear of the field, the filly was inclined to hang out passing the 800 metres. Jockey Romeo added that the UNDER THE SHADOW never came onto the bridle and raced disappointingly. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly to be displaying a poor post-race recovery consistent with mild heat stress.
 
SOGOYA – Raced keenly rounding the first turn.
 
TRUSTING STAR – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
 
Race 2: TOWNSVILLE AUTOMOTIVE MAIDEN HANDICAP 1200m
 
BINGHAMTON – Slow to begin. Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
GOODNIGHT ROMEO – Jockey Graham Kliese reported that the gelding resented the whip in the final straight, with him reverting to a hands and heels ride over the final 80 metres.
 
COOL MACAW – Contacted the side of the barriers on jumping then shifted out abruptly hampering ELIZABETHAN. Jockey Nathan Day reported the gelding to be making a respiratory noise rounding the home turn and did not persevere with the gelding thereafter. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormality.
 
RUN FREDDIE RUN – Held up from passing 400 metres up until passing the 200 metres.
 
PRIDEOFTHEBIGFISH – Proved difficult to load delaying the start. Trainer Joanna Hassett was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s barrier manners.  Bumped with WHATA BOBBI DAZZLA on jumping. Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
TAKE A DIVE – Hampered on jumping when THE JUDGING SAINT shifted in.
 
THE GENERAL TALKS – Crowded on jumping. 
 
THE JUDGING SAINT – Shifted in on jumping hampering TAKE A DIVE. Raced three-wide without cover throughout.
 
WHATA BOBBI DAZZLA – Bumped with PRIDEOFTHEBIGFISH on jumping.
 
ELIZABETHAN – Proved difficult to load delaying the start. Trainer Scott Seymour was advised that a warning would be placed on the mare’s barrier manners. Slow to begin then hampered on jumping when COOL MACAW shifted out.
 
HOLD MY HALO – Crowded on jumping.
 
RISING PROPHET – Slow to begin. Raced wide with cover in the middle stages. Laid in over the concluding stages.
 
 
Race 3: LADBROKES MATES MODE OPEN HANDICAP 1000m
 
COCHRANE – Knuckled shortly after the start however recovered quickly. Lost it’s off-side front plate in running. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormality.
 
KING JESTER – Trainer Lachie Manzelmann was reprimanded pursuant to AR 206 for failing to lodge a gear chance (removal of Pacifiers) by the required time. Stewards questioned Mr Manzelmann following the improved performance of KING JESTER. In response Trainer Manzelmann stated that after racing 3 times in consecutive weeks at the end of October, the geldings form deteriorated, and it was sent for a brief spell. Mr Manzelmann added that after trialling well at Rockhampton in strong company recently he was confident of a forward showing today. Stewards noted his explanation.
 
AURA GOLD – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
 
Race 4: CAMPBELL CUSTOM FABRICATION CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1609m
 
ULTIMATE – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Lost its near-side hind plate in running.
 
KEEP ON RUNNING – Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
MOON LIGHTNING – On returning to scale, Jockey Wanderson D’Avila reported concerns with the actions of MOON LIGHTNING. A post-race veterinary examination revealed soreness in the off-fore carpal. Trainer Scott Seymour was advised a veterinary clearance would be required prior to MOON LIGHTENING next racing or trialling.
 
PRIDE AN' JOY – Slow to begin.
 
MERRY OLD SOUL (NZ) – Raced wide rounding the first corner before being taken forward to lead.
 
QUEENBEEL (NZ) – Inclined to lay in over the concluding stages.
 
TELMESOMETHIN'GIRL – Shifted in abruptly on jumping.  
 
Following the running of Race 4, the Track was upgraded to a Soft 5.
 
 
Race 5: SKB INDUSTRIES BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1000m
 
The start was delayed due to the cross-over nose band on TO LOVE SOMEBODY having to be adjusted after being incorrectly affixed. Trainer Ms Maree Young was firmly reminded of her obligations with respect to saddling.
 
KISS ME LATER – Bounded on jumping. Held up rounding the home turn up to a point passing the 200 metres.
 
MORPHEUS BRAGI (NZ) – Hampered on jumping by NANO STAR and lost ground. Laid in when making the junction onto the course proper. Held up rounding the home turn and was unable to gain clear running over the concluding stages and could not be fully tested by its rider.
 
SATURDAY VIBES – Was declared a late scratching at 1:32pm on veterinary advice after sustaining an injury to the right-hind stifle when transiting from the tie-up stalls to the mounting enclosure. Upon the declaration of correct weight Stewards ordered that all monies invested on SATURDAY VIBES be refunded with the following deductions to apply-   
 
1st Place (NORTHERNONTAP) – 12 cents the win, 9 cents the place
2nd Place (KISS ME LATER) – 17 cents the place
3rd Place (YAMABUSHI) – 9 cents the place
 
Trainer S. Massingham was advised that SATURDAY VIBES would require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
 
NANO STAR – Began awkwardly then shifted in hampering MORPHEUS BRAGI (NZ) which lost ground.
 
 
Race 6: COHEN CONSTRUCTIONS QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN PLATE 1000m
 
CHOCMINT – Shifted out on jumping taking MIMMY’S SECRET wider onto CATMISS. Bumped by CRIMSON DECIPHER rounding the home turn. Jockey Jackson Murphy dismounted from the gelding on pulling up. A post-race veterinary examination of CHOCMINT revalled the gelding to have sustained a significant sesamoid injury which necessitated it being humanely euthanised by the on-course veterinarian.
 
CODENAME ULTRA – Raced wide without cover throughout. Became unbalanced rounding the home turn when bumped by CHOCMINT. Bumped passing the 200 metres when placed in restricted room between CHOCMINT which shifted out, and CATMISS which shifted ground inward. Given all circumstances, no further action was required.
 
HEZA ROMEO – Shifted in on jumping.
 
MR GRUMBLER – Shifted out on jumping bumping with WEBS
 
MYTHBUSTA – Held up in the final straight and was unable be fully tested by its rider.  
 
SAN TAN TONI – Proved difficult to load.
 
CATMISS – Bumped rounding the home turn.
 
CRIMSON DECIPHER – Laid out rounding the home turn bumping with CHOCMINT, which in turn was taken out onto CODENAME ULTRA which became unbalanced and bumped with CATMISS. Stewards questioned rider Raul Olivera regarding the performance of CRIMSON DECIPHER which was well supported. In explanation, Jockey Olivera stated that the filly, which was having its first race start, had been inclined to race greenly throughout, and rounding the final turn, had changed legs resulting in an outward shift bumping with CHOCMINT. Mr Olivera’s explanation was noted.
 
MIMMY'S SECRET – Taken wider on jumping, losing ground. Raced wide throughout.
 
SAINT ANNS – Slow to begin.
 
SOCIAL CHANGE – Raced wide throughout.
 
WEBS – Bumped by MR GRUMBLER on jumping.
 
 
Race 7: CUTLERS DIESEL PERFORMANCE CLASS 4 HANDICAP      1300m
 
VALENKI – Over-raced in the early and middle stages.
 
JOHN JOSEPH – Bumped by MISS TAMBO passing the 150 metres.
 
GROWL – Blundered on jumping. Held up rounding the home turn before shifting wider passing the 200 metres to gain clear running.
 
MISS TAMBO – Hampered on jumping by SWAHILI MAI. Raced ungenerously in the middle stages. Jockey Ryan Wiggins pleaded guilty to a charge under AR132(7)(a)(ii) for applying the whip on 10 occasions prior to the 100 metres, (5 more than permitted). Jockey Wiggins’ licence to ride in races was suspended from the close of racing on Thursday 19th December 2024 up to and including Friday 27th December 2024 (8 days).
 
GAMADALE NIP – Slow to begin. Raced ungenerously passing the 800 metres, then raced wide thereafter.
 
SWAHILI MAI – Shifted in on jumping hampering MISS TAMBO.
 
 
Race 8: NQ AESTHETICS RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1000m
 
TARGETED – Hampered shortly after the start. Raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages. Held up rounding the final turn, then had difficulty obtaining clear racing room until passing the 75 metres.
 
NO LOVE LOST – Bumped passing the 75 metres.
 
CATALINA DREAMING – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
LET'S RIDE – Taken wider on the track rounding the home turn.
 
REMEMBER ROY – Over-raced in the early and middle stages.
 
FLYING ARTIST – Connections advised that it is their intention to ride FLYING ARTIST further back if circumstances permit. The gelding was ridden accordingly. Began awkwardly. Jockey Ryan Wiggins advised that his saddle slipped back during the run placing him at a disadvantage. Held up momentarily passing the 300 metres; inclined to lay in over the final 150 metres and when near the 75 metres shifted in and bumped NO LOVE LOST. Stewards opened and adjourned an investigation into the improved performance of the race winner FLYING ARTIST which had finished well back in all 3 races during its current campaign.
 
PUSS BOOTS – Bounded on jumping, then when racing ungenerously hampered TARGETED. Shifted off heels rounding the home turn dictating LET’S RIDE wider on the track. Jockey Raul Olivera was reminded of his obligations when shifting ground.
 
GROVERS PREDICTION – Slow into stride. Contacted the running rail passing the 200 metres.
 
 
Race 9: 102.3 TRIPLE M RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1000m
 
CONVERTOR – When questioned regarding the performance of CONVERTOR, Jockey Ashley Butler stated that after being held up in the early stages of the straight the gelding made ground fairly over the concluding stages.
 
ALLANON – Reared on jumping and lost ground.
 
THE WALLET – Raced wide throughout.
 
GOOD KITTY – Bumped with LITTLE RED PEPPER on jumping.
 
SASSY DIVA – Raced wide throughout.
 
WICKLOW LASS (NZ) – Raced wide throughout.
 
ALLEZ PARIS – Laid in across the heels of EXSENSIBLE when making the junction onto the course proper and had to be steadied.
 
LITTLE RED PEPPER – Bumped with GOOD KITTY on jumping. Raced wide throughout. 
 
 
Race 10: BUSH TO BEACH REAL ESTATE BENCHMARK 60 Handicap 1400m
 
YOU ARE KING – Laid in passing the 250 metres when under pressure bumping with KEFALONIA. When questioned regarding the run of YOU ARE KING, which finished well back, Jockey Nathan Day stated that the gelding had failed to respond to his riding when placed under pressure with it being his opinion that the gelding had come to the end of its preparation. Trainer Ben Williams advised that YOU ARE KING would now be sent for a spell.
 
JOE’S GIGGLE – Held up for a short distance passing the 250 metres.
 
ALL THE SHOPS – Hung out across heels passing the 1,000 metres and had to be heavily restrained, losing ground. Continued to hang out for the remainder and could not be ridden to full advantage. Connections were advised that a final warning would be placed on the gelding with regard to its racing manners.
 
KEFALONIA – Bumped with YOU ARE KING passing the 250 metres.
 
SAVEE – Raced wide throughout.
 
BARMERA – Bounded on jumping.
 
ENCROACHMENT – Raced wide throughout.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
R3. Trainer L. Manzelmann – AR 206 – Failure to lodge gear change by required time.
 
Fines
Nil     

Suspensions
Race 7: Jockey R. Wiggins – AR132(7)(a)(ii) – use of whip 10 occasions prior to 100m – 8 days – suspended 20th to 27th December 2024 (inclusive)
 
Race day injuries/illness
Nil
Absent jockeys
Nil
Adjourned inquiries         
Nil
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
BINGHAMPTON, KING JESTER, SATURDAY VIBES, CODENAME ULTRA, KEFALONIA.
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 2. PRIDEOFTHEBIGFISH – Warning – Barrier Manners.
Race 2. ELIZABETHAN – Warning – Barrier Manners.
Race 4. MOON LIGHTNING – Soreness off-fore carpal – Veterinary clearance required.
Race 5. SATURDAY VIBES – Injury – Veterinary clearance required.
Race 10. ALL THE SHOPS – Warning - Hung out.
 
Bleeders
Nil
 
Falls
Nil
 
Adjourned inquiries
Race 8. Flying Artist
 
Protests
Nil
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Nil
 
Late scratchings
Race 5. No 8. SATURDAY VIBES @ 1:32PM – 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.