QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB
 
FRIDAY 10th January 2025
 
WEATHER – FINE            TRACK RATING – GOOD 4          RAIL – TRUE
PENETROMETER – N/A
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – D. Griffiths
Stewards – P. Gillard, P. Warren, R. Neal, A. Holzhauser
 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
Ladbrokes Cannon Park 28 Dec 2024
Race 10: FGF BITUMEN BM65 HANDICAP – 1250 METRES
MUTAFIQ –Stewards will inquire and interview jockey R. Wiggins in relation to his use of the whip in the home straight.
 
Subsequently jockey R. Wiggins pleaded guilty to a charge under AR132 (7) (a) (ii) in that he used his whip 7 times prior to the 100m and 16 times in totality. Jockey Wiggins license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 7 days commencing midnight the 18/01/2025 till midnight 25/01/2025.
 
Townsville Turf Club 13th Dec 2024
Race 8: NQ AESTHETICS RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1000m
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.
 
Subsequent investigation confirmed trainer S. Massingham had placed a small wager on FLYING ARTIST as advised and that despite shorting in the market overall support for FLYING ARTIST was minimal. Mr Massingham advised that whenever possible he will issue instructions to ride FLYING ARTIST off the pace - his explanation was noted.
 
GENERAL
 
As jockey S. McCormack was not riding at today’s meeting he was replaced as per steward’s summary.
 
Permitted overweight’s:
Race 3, A. Thomson +1kg
Race 7, G. Kliese +0.5kg
Race 9, L. O’Donnell +0.5kg, C Whiteley +0.5KG
 
 
 
Race 1: COWBOYS LEAGUES CLUB MAIDEN PLATE 1000 M
 
OUR FOLLY – Slow to begin.
 
HEAD BEE – Threw its head in the air on jumping. Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
FALLGUY – Shift out bumping CHIROGRAPHY which shifted out. Was inclined to lay out under pressure down the home straight.
 
CHIROGRAPHY (NZ) – Raced in restricted room between FALLGUY and OHMIKKIUSOFINE shortly after the start.
 
OHMIKKIUSOFINE – Shortly after the start raced in restricted room between CHIROGRAPHY and SPRINGS GIFT.
 
SPRING'S GIFT – Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
Stewards were advised that the photo finish failed to operate. Placings were confirmed by the judge and the stewards after viewing the stewards replay footage.
 
Race 2: EDE EVENTS QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1000 M
 
The start was delayed when OUTBID dislodged its rider on the way to the barriers. The start was further delayed when HEZA ROMEO was fractious in the barriers and became momentarily cast.
 
OUTBID – Dislodged jockey on route to the barriers and was declared a late scratching by order of stewards acting on veterinary advice at 1:37pm. All monies invested on OUTBID were ordered to be refunded. Deductions applicable to bets placed on winner and placegetters prior to 1:37pm:
 
21 cents in the dollar for the win OUR IMPACT
16 cents in the dollar for the place of winner OUR IMPACT
43 cents in the dollar for 2nd place MISS COMANECI
11 cents in the dollar for 2nd place MYTHBUSTA
 
Trainer G. Hughes was reprimanded for taking the gelding off course early and without the permission of stewards resulting in it being unable to be examined by the veterinary surgeon under the provision of AR165 (3).
 
HEZA ROMEO – Was declared a late scratching at 1:42pm by order of stewards acting on veterinary advice when the gelding become cast in the barriers. All monies invested on HEZA ROMEO were ordered to be refunded. Deductions applicable to bets placed on winner and placegetters between 1:37 p.m. to 1:42pm:
 
15 cents in the dollar for the win OUR IMPACT
9 cents in the dollar for the place of winner OUR IMPACT
30 cents in the dollar for 2nd place MISS COMANECI
8c cents in the dollar for 2nd place MYTHBUSTA
 
Trainer J. Caught was advised HEZA ROMEO must obtain a further barrier certificate prior to being permitted to race again.  
 
CLOUD EIGHT– Slow to begin.
 
SNEAKY TAY– Slow to begin.
 
WILD BUDDY – Shifted out at the start inconveniencing WEBS.
 
WEBS – Began awkwardly and was inconvenienced by WILD BUDDY which shifted out. Shifted out near the 300 metres to improve hampering CLOUD EIGHT. Jockey W. D’Avila was reprimanded and advised to be clear when shifting ground.
 
MYTHBUSTA – Shifted out on jumping bumping SWEET ‘N’ ELITE. On returning to scales rider A. Butler advised the gelding had a tendency to lay out for the majority of the race.
 
SWEET 'N' ELITE – Was bumped and forced out at the start bumping MR GIGILO on the hindquarter which became unbalanced.
 
MR GIGILO – Bumped on the hind quarter soon after the start and became unbalanced. Raced 3 wide for the majority of the race.
 
MISS COMANECI – Raced 3 wide for the majority of the race.
 
Race 3: THANK YOU NATALIE RINTALA QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP 1609 M
 
LOVE 'N' VISION – Slow into stride. Stewards questioned rider A. Thomson as to whether she had ridden her mount to the finish line. After hearing evidence from Ms Thomson and viewing the stewards patrol film it was established that Ms Thomson had not ridden her mount to the line and given the beaten margin between 3rd and 4th place stewards were of the opinion it had cost LOVE ‘N’ VISION 3rd place.  Ms Thomsons pleaded guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR 131(b) and her license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 14 days to commence from Midnight the 11/01/2025 and expire Midnight 25/01/2025.
 
CLUCK – Slow to begin.
 
Race 4: MITAVITE CLASS 2 HANDICAP 1609 M
 
KINGS CASTLE (FR) – Slow to begin.
 
QUEENBEEL (NZ) – Slow into stride.
 
KEEP ON RUNNING – Over raced in the early and middle stages before being allowed to stride forward approaching the 900metres.
 
MISHANI PERFECTION – Shifted out at the 300 metres inconveniencing MERRY OLD SOUL. Apprentice G. Semmens was advised to show greater care when shifting ground in similar circumstances.
 
MERRY OLD SOUL (NZ) – Inconvenienced near the 300metres.
 
Race 5: LADBROKES RACING CLUB OPEN HANDICAP 1000 M
 
NANO STAR – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Raced 3 wide without cover for the majority.
 
KING JESTER- Shifted in on jumping tightening the running of JEMELDI. Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
ZI WIN – Shifted out jumping tightening JEMELDI.
 
JEMELDI – Tightened for room on jumping.
 
OUTBACK ACTION - Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
Race 6: RENEW YOUR 2025 CLUB MEMBERSHIP MAIDEN HANDICAP   1400 M
 
BELMONT PARK – Slow to begin. Put in a awkward stride and became unbalnaced approaching the 200 metres.
 
HOLD MY HALO – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
COOL MACAW – Began awkwardly and shift in bumping RAFFY’S GIRL. Over raced in the early stages.
 
RAFFY'S GIRL – Bumped on jumping.
 
GONCALO – Shifted in bumping RUN FREDDY RUN shortly after the start. Raced three wide without cover for the majority. Jockey D Smith was reprimanded for using his whip when his horse was out of contention, under the provisions of AR 136 (6) (c).
 
RUN FREDDIE RUN – Bumped shortly after the start. Raced 3 wide in the early stages.
 
THE GENERAL TALKS – Began awkwardly and shift in bumping HOLD MY HALO.
 
PRIDEOFTHEBIGFISH - Jockey A. Butler reported that the gelding failed to run out the 1400 metres and in his opinion would be better suited over a shorter distance and ridden with cover.
 
Race 7: EXPLORE PROPERTY MUNRO & CO BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP 1400 M
 
EARLY THOUGHTS – Shifted in shortly after the start bumping TALONS. Over raced early.
 
TALONS – Bumped on jumping and shifted in bumping VALENKI.
 
VALENKI – Bumped on jumping.
 
SEALION – Over raced early. Shifted out approaching the 100 metres and bumped EARLY THOUGHTS.
 
Race 8: GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO. BENCHMARK 62 HANDICAP 1000 M
 
SATURDAY VIBES – Put its head down as the start was affected and lost ground
 
STARZ BARWON – Slow to begin. Shifted out hampering RUBUNKAR.
 
SPIRIT OF GIVING – Slow to begin. Held up for clear running leaving the 200 meters
 
YELLOWSTONE BETH – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Held up for clear running for the majority of the straight.
 
RUBUNKAR – Raced wide for the majority.
 
NO LOVE LOST – Raced wide for the majority.
 
ROTH 'N' BUBBLE – Raced wide for the majority.
 
Race 9: THANK YOU MIKAELA STARK RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1000 M
 
LUCKY ROLLA - Slow to begin. Raced wide.
 
LET'S ROLL – Began awkwardly
 
CRAICARO – Began awkwardly. Crowded for room shortly after the start.
 
SENSATIONABULL - Shifted out shortly after the start bumping SHE’S REWARDING.
 
KIDSTON – Shifted in shortly after the start bumping SHE’S REWARDING. Raced wide.
 
SHE'S REWARDING – Tightened for room shortly after the start.
 
KING PIN POWER – Raced wide.
 
LET'S RIDE - Held up for clear running until the final stages.
 
GOOD KITTY – Raced wide.
 
LOVES AFFECTION – Compounded over the concluding stages, A post-race veterinary examination revealed a poor recovery rate and an injury to the near hind. A Veterinary certificate will be required before LOVES AFFECTION races again.
Trainer S. Jokic advised it would be his intentions to retire the mare. 
 
EXSENSIBLE – Held up for clear running for the majority of the straight.
 
FLYING ARTIST – Held up for clear running from leaving the 500 meters till nearing the 300 metres.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 2, Wanderson D’Avila (Jockey) – Careless riding AR131 (a).
Race 2, Graham Hughes (Trainer) – Removing horse from course early AR165 (3)
Race 6, Denicious Smith (Jockey) – Use of whip on a horse when out of contention AR132 (6) (c)
 
Fines
Nil

Suspensions
Ms Thomsons - AR 131(b) suspended for a period of 14 days to commence from Midnight the 11/01/2025 and expire Midnight 25/01/2025.
 
 
Race day injuries/illness
Nil
 
Absent jockeys
 
 
Adjourned inquiries         
Nil
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
Heza Romeo, Jawgo, Saturday Vibes, Craicaro
 
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 2, HEZA ROMEO – Fractious in the barriers and must obtain a barrier certificate AR 20 (e).
 
Bleeders
Nil
 
Falls
Nil
 
Adjourned inquiries
Nil
 
Protests
 
Nil
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1, OHMIKKIUSOFINE – Adam Sewell
Race 2, MR GIGILO – Jackson Murphy
Race 8, STARZ BARWON – Denicious Smith
Race 9, GOOD KITTY – Ms. Gabrielle Semmens
Race 9, VALENTION MISS – Ms. Liv O’Donnell
 
Late scratching’s
 
Race 2 – Heza Romeo and Outbid
 
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.