STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB
 
SATURDAY 18th JANUARY 2025
 
 
 
WEATHER – Fine    TRACK RATING –  Good 4 – Upgraded to Good 3 after Race 3       RAIL Out 2 metres 1,000 to winning post.
PENETROMETER – N/A
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – R Neal
Stewards – P Warren; J McIntosh and K Dean.
 
 
GENERAL
 
1.          As the Bureau of Meteorology’s forecast temperature for today’s meeting was 36 degrees, this activated the QRIC, Caring for Racing Animals in Extreme Heat Policy, with parade times shortened and cooling stations established adjacent to the race stall areas.
 
2.          Stewards approved the following overweight allowances at today’s meeting:
 
R2: ELIZABETHAN – Chris Meehan + 1kg (55kg)
R3: FODOR – Ryan Wiggins +½ kg (56.5kg)
R3: REGGIES BOY – Adam Sewell +½ kg (54.5kg)
R4: SEALION – Adam Sewell +½ kg (54.5kg)
R5: DIVINE HUNTER – Chelsea Jokic +½ kg (54.5kg)
R6: MIMMY’S SECRET– Adam Sewell +½ kg (54.5kg)
R7: SHE’S REWARDING – Chris Meehan + 1kg (55kg)
 
3.          Jockey Ryan Wiggins advised, upon arrival at the track, that he would be unable to make the required weight for RAFF VADER in Race 1 and FODOR in Race 3. The replacement for RAFF VADER being Ashley Butler, and FODOR, Nathan Thomas. Jockey Wiggin’s admitted a resultant breach of AR190(3) and after consideration of all relevant factors, a fine of $300.00 was imposed.

4.          Jockey Chris Meehan was unable to make the required weight for ELIZABETHAN in Race 2 and was replaced by Nathan Thomas. Mr. Meehan admitted a resultant breach of AR190(3) and after consideration of all relevant factors was fined $100.00
 
5.          Given the increased temperatures experienced throughout the afternoon all riders were provided leniency with respect to the weight required to be carried, should they need to rehydrate.
 
 
 
Race 1: THE VANILLY 60TH CLASSIC QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP           1,000 M
 
RAFF VADER – crowded on jumping and settled back. Held up rounding the final turn and then passing the 150 metres had to steady when MUSIC GIRL shifted out when racing greenly. Stewards questioned rider Ashley Butler regarding the run of RAFF VADER, which was unplaced. In explanation rider Butler stated that after getting back at the start the gelding was then reluctant to come onto the bridle and raced greenly for the majority of the race. Mr Butler added that when pressured to improve RAFF VADER became hesitant with other horses around him and passing the 150 metres had been unable to improve when the run ahead closed. Mr Butlers explanation was noted.
 
MISS PIERATA – began awkwardly.
MUSIC GIRL – raced greenly throughout.
 
Race 2: LADBROKES RACING CLUB MAIDEN HANDICAP   1200 M
 
MISCHIEVOUS GIRL crowded shortly after leaving the barriers and had to steady.
 CLOUD EIGHT – travelled wide throughout.
ALL POWERED UP – travelled 3-wide for the majority of the race.
ELIZABETHAN – held up for a short distance passing the 700 metres.
MR GRUMBLER – travelled wide throughout; over-raced for a short distance near the 700 metres.
SHE’S A MISSION – rider reported that the mare had never travelled well at any stage – a post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormality.
 
 
 
Race 3: COCA COLA OPEN HANDICAP       1300 M
 
OUTBACK ACTION -laid in rounding the final turn, shifted ground inward over the final 200 metres.
 
FODOR – hung out when placed under pressure in the final straight and could not be ridden to full advantage; rider Nathan Thomas reported that the gelding was unsuited to the firm nature of today’s track.
 
BRAD- over-race in the early and middle stages.
 
MYSTERY ‘N’ MAGIC – tightened near the 50 metres and had to steady when attempting to improve between STICK TO YOUR GUNS, which shifted ground inward, and REGGIES BOY which shifted out. After questioning all riders no further action was deemed necessary other than to remind riders of their obligations when ridding out.
 
Following this race the track was upgraded to Good 3.
 
 
Race 4: RENEW YOUR CLUB MEMBERSHIP CLASS 6 HANDICAP         1609 M
 
INDICTMENT – retired from the race passing the 600 metres when distanced. When questioned rider Ryan Wiggins stated that after struggling to maintain contact, the gelding had then reacted badly when ridden along and had resented his urgings by refusing to stride out, thereby losing further ground, with the gelding then being pulled up. Rider Wiggins added that in his opinion INDICTMENT was uninterested in racing today. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormality.
Trainer Mr Stephen Massingham advised that INDICTMENT would be retired from racing. Nonetheless, should at some stage the gelding be recommissioned then it must trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards before racing again.
 
EARLY THOUGHTS – on returning to scale rider Liv O’Donnell reported that her mount had been held by a Starters Assistant when the start was affected, and this had resulted her settling much further back than anticipated. Ms O’Donnell stated that her chances had been compromised, particularly given that the gelding made ground in the latter stages to be narrowly beaten for 4th placing. After reviewing vision of the start and questioning the Starter the Stewards determined EARLY THOUGHTS to be a non-starter pursuant to AR204.The relevant deductions were.
 
15 cents in the dollar for all win bets #3 (CASTILE)
20 cents in the dollar for all place bets #3 (CASTILE)
19 cents in the dollar for all place bets #1 (JOE’S GIGGLE)
17 cents in the dollar for all place bets #8 (MR METRICS)
 
 
TALONS – over-raced in the early and middle stages.
 
SEALION – underwent a veterinary examination upon returning to scale with no abnormalities being detected.
 
VALENKI – over-raced in the early and middle stages.
 
 
Race 5: NO LICENSED EVENTS CLASS 3 HANDICAP 1000 M
 
MORPHEUS BRAGI (NZ)- was attended by the Course Veterinarian post-race after displaying lameness in the left front carpal joint. Trainer Ms Bonnie Thomson was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to MORPHEUS BRAGI (NZ) next racing.
 
BOOMING LAD- began awkwardly and was slow away.
 
WICKLOW LASS (NZ) – travelled 3-wide without cover throughout.
 
CRAICARO – began awkwardly and got back.
 
 
Race 6: INDEPENDENT LIQOUR GROUP QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP           1000 M
 
I’LLTELLYOUSO – ran out when being steadied off heels near the 700 metres.
 
KOBAYASTAR – badly tightened on jumping and lost ground, with rider Chelsea Jokic being severely unbalanced.
 
COSMIC ATOM – jumped out abruptly at the start; hung out when making the turn near the 600 metres.
 
KICKAGOAL KENNY – jumped in at the start bumping heavily with KOBAYASTAR, unbalancing rider Jackson Murphy.
 
OUTBID- escaped from its attendant in the tie-up area and travelled a short distance before being recaptured; underwent a veterinary examination and passed fit to race; travelled wide in the early stages; dictated wider passing the 700 metres when I’LLTELLYOUSO ran out.
 
MYSTERIOUS BAY – proved difficult to load into the barriers; trainer Mr Peter Cullen was advised that a warning had been placed on the filly’s barrier manners.
 
 
 
 
 
Race 7: LONE WOLF SECURITY BENCHMARK 62 HANDICAP       1400 M
 
 
KING'S HALO – improved onto heels approaching the 800 metres and had to be steadied:  returned to the enclose showing signs of mild lameness in both forelegs; a post-race veterinary examination of the gelding revealed mild soreness, consistent with feeling the effects of the firmness of today’s track. Trainer Mr Stephen Massingham advised that reported that KING’S HALO would now be spelled.
 
ILZOOMYA – slow to begin.
 
FINSCEAL – slow in the early stages.
 
PRINCE AKEEM – travelled wide without cover throughout; shifted ground inward passing the 150 metres crowding SHE'S REWARDING which had to steady – rider Wanderson D’Avila was advised to exercise greater care.
 
SHE'S REWARDING – travelled 3-wide without cover in the early and middle stages. Had to steady passing the 150 metres when inside PRINCE AKEEM which shifted in; lost off-hind plate during the running.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Race 8: CLUDEN PARK RACE NAME SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP     1400 M

MORDECAI – slow into stride
CALDENTE – shifted out on jumping hampering LITTLE RED PEPPER
HUNT THE HUNTER – jumped in at the start bumping with ENCROACHMENT.
READ ‘EM AND WEEP – travelled 3-wide without cover throughout.
STORE BEACH – was declared a late scratching at 5:23pm after being found lame in the near
front when arriving at the barriers. Trainer Mr Les Gordy was advised that a veterinary clearance
would be required prior to the gelding next racing. The relevant deductions were.
 
3 cents in the dollar for all win bets #3 (MORDECAI)
4 cents in the dollar for all place bets #3 (MORDECAI)
4 cents in the dollar for all place bets #1 (KIDSTON)
4 cents in the dollar for all place bets #8 (CALDENTE)
ELLIE’S DREAM -had to steady momentarily near the 800 metres when in restricted room.
KIDSON – began awkwardly; steadied off heels near the 800 metres when racing keenly; Laid in
throughout the final straight and had to be continually corrected.
ENCROACHMENT bumped at the start.
LITTLE RED PEPPER – hampered on jumping.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
 
Fines:  Ryan Wiggins - [AR190(3)]– unable to make required weight – fined $300.00.
Chris Meehan - [AR190(3)]– unable to make required weight – fined $100.00.
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race: Reggie’s Boy; Mr Metrics; Booming Lad; Mysterious Bay
Horses swabbed post-race:
All winners.
 
Warnings/bars R4: INDICTMENT – must trial.
                           R5: MORPHEUS BRAGI (NZ – veterinary clearance required.
                            R6: MYSTERIOUS BAY – warning placed barrier manners.
                          R8: STORE BEACH – veterinary clearance required.
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
 
Late scratching’s
 
R8: Store Beach.
 
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.