QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB
 
FRIDAY 14 MARCH 2025
 
 
 
WEATHER – Overcast/Showery           TRACK RATING –          Soft (5) – Downgraded to Soft (6) following Race 2 – Downgraded to Soft (7) following Race 5.             
RAIL – Out6 Metres 1000 Metres – W/Post, Out 2 Metres for the remainder          PENETROMETER – 5.70
 
OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – R. Neal
Stewards – P. Gillard, K. Dean
 
GENERAL
 
Permitted overweights:
Race 3, G. Kliese + 1kg 
Race 3, J. Stanley + 1kg
Race 4, J. Stanley + 0.50kg
Race 5 J. Stanley + 0.50kg
 
Race 1: MILTON 'BUB' BAKER MEMORIAL MAIDEN PLATE – 1000 METRES
 
THE KAMIKAZE (NZ) – Slow into stride.
 
LONGCROSS – Slow to begin. Raced greenly for the majority of the race.
 
ONE PERCENT – Blundered on jumping and lost ground. 
 
BUBBLES'N'FROTH – Raced greenly when placed under pressure in the home straight and laid in approaching the winning post. Raced three wide without cover for the majority of the race.
 
BULLSEYE BANJO – Raced greenly when placed under pressure in the home straight and shifted in approaching the winning post. Stewards noted rider Michael McDonald exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+ three) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use no further action was taken.
 
MAGIC TYLA – Raced three wide for the majority of the race.
 
 
Race 2: LADBROKES ODDS SURGE MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1400 METRES
 
IMPERIAL BLOSSOM – Slow into stride.
 
MISSIN' DE QUO – Tendency to over-race in the early stages.
 
RAFFY'S GIRL – Laid out under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
MARCH MADNESS – When questioned in regard to the performance of MARCH MADNESS jockey Justin Stanley stated the gelding travelled well in the early and middle stages however failed to quicken when placed under pressure and was dissapointing.
 
Following the running of this race the track was downgraded to a Soft (6).    
 
Race 3: HYGAIN OPEN HANDICAP – 1400 METERS
 
MISS SEATTLE – Slow to begin.  
 
MYSTERY 'N' MAGIC – Slow to begin.  
 
INCHING CLOSER – Over-raced for a short distance in the early stages.
 
REGGIE'S BOY – Over-raced for a short distance in the early stages; became awkwardly placed on heels near the 1200 metres and when being restrained shifted out metres forcing DEVIL KICK wider for a short distance. Laid out under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
DEVIL KICK – Over-raced for a short distance in the early stages. Forced wider for a distance passing the 1200 metres.
 
NORTHERN PRIDE – When questioned regarding the performance of NORTHERN PRIDE jockey Ryan Wiggins stated that in his opinion had not backed up from racing at Mackay earlier this week (10 March 2025). Trainer Mr Tom Button concurred with jockey Wiggins, and further added the gelding would now be sent for a spell.
   
 
Race 4: MITAVITE BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP – 1400 METRES
 
READ 'EM AND WEEP – Slow to begin. Restrained leaving the 100 metres after shifting out under pressure and becoming awkwardly placed on the heels of HERNE HILL, which shifted in marginally. Lost its near hind plate during therunning.
 
YELLOWSTONE BETH – Slow to begin. Raced wide without cover for the majority of the race.
 
SHE'S REWARDING – Slow to begin. Over-raced in the early and middle stages.
 
TEN SCHILLING – Over-raced in the early stages.
  
 
Race 5: GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP – 1200 METRES
 
SILVER GLITTER – Stood flatfooted and lost considerable ground. Shifted in near the 800 metres making contact with the running rail and becoming briefly unbalanced. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings. Trainer Mr Tom Button undertook to advise the Stewards should any factor become apparent that may have had a bearing on its performance today. Mr Button was advised a warning had been placed on SILVER GLITTER’S racing performance.   
 
ARGUABLE – Shifted in at the start bumping with MARGOT BARBIE.
 
MARGOT BARBIE – Bumped on jumping.
 
I'LLTELLYOUSO – Over-raced in the middle stages.
 
POLITICAL POWER – Raced wide without cover for the majority of the race.
 
TSUNAMI – When questioned in regard to its performance jockey Amanda Thomson stated the gelding never travelled comfortably throughout, and when placed under pressure had failed to respond to her riding. Trainer Mr Roy Chillemi advised he was very disappointed and was unable to offer any tangible explanation for the disappointing performance. Mr Chillemi further added he would have further veterinary examinations and blood tests conducted on returning to its stable, and should anything adverse be detected then these would be forwarded to the Stewards. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings.
 
Following the running of this race the track was downgraded to a Soft (7).
 
   
Race 6: LADBROKES PUNTER ASSIST BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP – 1200 METRES
 
FLYING ARTIST – Began awkwardly. Momentarily crowded for room near the 900 metres. Shifted in near the 300 metres and had to be straightened. Shifted in under pressure leaving the 200 metres bumping with SENSATIONABULL. 
 
SNITZAROO – Bounded in the air on jumping. 
 
DOLLSON – Raced wide leaving the 900 metres.
 
AIDENABET – Held up for clear running leaving the 400 metres until entering home.
 
SENSATIONABULL – Bumped by FLYING ARTIST on the hind quarters which shifted in under pressure near the 200 metres and was unbalanced. Rider dropped his whip near the 150 metres.
 
SPIRIT OF GIVING – Jockey Justin Stanley advised stewards on returning to scale the gelding laid out for the majority of the race.
  
   
Race 7: LADBROKES BET TICKER CLASS 1 HANDICAP – 1300 METRES
 
LOOK AT ROSA – Slow to begin and was then tightened for room.
 
WEMYSS – Shifted in at the start tightening the running of LOOK AT ROSA which was initially slow to begin.
 
CHARTWELL – Crowded for room and shifted in tightening of MELANIN near the 1200 metres. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a minor eye injury.
 
FALLGUY (Chris Whiteley) – directed inward shortly after leaving the barriers, bumping with PELSAERT, which was taken inward and into the line of CHARTWELL, which in turn shifted in resulting in MELANIN having to steady. While Stewards acknowledged jockey Whiteley’s efforts to straighten his mount, he nonetheless was severely reprimanded under AR131a and firmly reminded of his obligations when in similar circumstances. Over-raced in the early and middle stages.   
 
PELSAERT (NZ) – Bumped and shifted in near the 1200 metres crowding CHARTWELL.
 
QUEENBEEL (NZ) – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
OUR FOLLY – Over-raced in the early and middle stages and shifted wider leaving the 900 metres.
 
HE GOES BOOM – Over-raced in the early and middle stages; raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
MELANIN (NZ) – crowded near the 1200 metres and had to be restrained.
 
MISSISSIPPI ALIBI – When questioned regarding the performance of MISSISSIPPI ALIBI Apprentice Gabrielle Semmens advised that after settling back the mare failed to respond when pressured which she believed may have been attributed to worsening track conditions.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 7:  Chris Whiteley [AR131a] -Severe reprimand - Shifting ground inward after the start.  
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
IMPERIAL BLOSSOM, DEVIL KICK, YELLOWSTONE BETH, SNITZAROO.
  
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 5, SILVER GLITTER – Racing performance
  
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
Race 3:  DEVIL KICK – Apprentice Tahlia Fenlon
Race 7:  OUR FOLLEY – Isabella Teh  
 
 
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.