QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB

TUESDAY 6 JANUARY 2026
 

 
WEATHER – Overcast        TRACK RATING – Soft (6)RAIL – Out 2 metres from 1,000 metres to the winning post.
PENETROMETER – 5.85

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – R Neal
Stewards – D Griffiths; P Gillard; S Copelin and P Warren

GENERAL
 
1.    Following the postponement of Saturday’s meeting rider Ashvin Goindasamy requested that the commencement of riding suspension he incurred at the Mackay meeting on Tuesday 30th December 2025, be deferred so that he could fulfil his engagements taken for today’s meeting. This request was approved with rider Goindasamy’s suspension to ride in races now commencing at the close of racing today, and to expire at the close of racing on Tuesday 13th January 2026.
 
2.    Permitted overweights:
Race 1, Tasha Chambers (KHAMIS) + 1kg
Race 2, Sean Cormack (SUPID DATE) + 1kg, Adam Sewell (VALUBIOUS)+ 0.50kg, Ivo Fry (LOST LAMB) + 1kg
Race 4, Amanda Thomson (WHO ASKED ZOU) + 1Kkg
Race 6, Sean Cormack (LIDDER VALLEY) + 1kg
Race 7, Adam Sewell (LOOK AT ROSA) + 0.5kg  

 
RACE 1: HYGAIN BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP – 1609 Metres

RELEASE LE MISSILE – Slow to begin. Shifted out under pressure leaving the 200 metres momentarily hampering KHAMIS.
 
KHAMIS – Began awkwardly. Momentarily hampered leaving the 200 metres.
 
GARINION RIGH – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
NAPA VALLEY – Raced wide in the early stages. 
 
BETTER BREAKOUT – Raced wide in the early stages. 
 
MOOLOOLABA (NZ) – Over-raced in the early and middle stages. When questioned in regard the tactics adopted today jockey Ashley Butler stated that gelding did not muster its usual early speed and he was reluctant urge it forward as the gelding has a tendency to over-race. He further added that MOOLOOABA travelled into the race nicely approaching the home turn and finished the race off fairly. His explanation was noted.
 
ULTIMATE – Held up running for a short distance rounding the home turn.
 
 
RACE 2: COWBOYS LEAGUES CLUB QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP – 1400 Metres

SUPID DATE – Fractious proceeding the barriers dislodging rider Sean Cormack who declared himself free of any injury. Improved onto heels approaching the 800 metres when over-racing and raced in restricted room for a short distance brushing BAGGY STICK. Shifted out near the 300 metres causing jockey Sean Cormack to be momentarily unbalanced.  
 
LOST LAMB – Slow into stride and was then crowded for room. Lost its off-hind plate during running.
 
NOSEY NEO – Slow into stride and was bumped shortly after the start. Jockey Tasha Chambers advised stewards on returning to scale she was of the opinion the gelding resented the cross over noseband to which she advised trainer Joshua Manzelmann. 
 
CHANCE – Shifted in at the start crowding LOST LAMB.
 
BANG STICK – Shifted out shortly after the start bumping NOSEY NEO.
 
ASPEN COWBOY – Jockey Lacey Morrison was firmly reminded of her obligation to ride her mount out to the finish, after relaxing her ride approaching the winning post and narrowly retaining fourth placing.

 
RACE 3: LADBROKES PUNTER ASSIST BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP – 1400 Metres
 
JOE'S GIGGLE – Anticipated the start and as a result shifted out bumping with TRAPEZE PLEASURE and was slow into stride. Raced in restricted room at the heels of TRAPEZE PLEASURE near the 300 metres and was restrained. Lost its off-hind plate during running. A post-race veterinary examination revealed minor lacerations to the geldings head, consistent with it striking the barriers immediately prior to release. 
 
TRAPEZE PLEASURE – Shifted inwards at the start and bumped with JOE’S GIGGLE. Raced three wide without cover for the majority of the race.
 
BURRANEER BUOY – Slow to begin. Over-raced approaching the 1000 metres for a short distance. Shifted out near the 300 metres placing JOE’S GIGGLE in restricted at the heels of TRAPEZE PLEASURE. Jockey Ivo Fry was advised to show greater care. 
 
FROM THIS MOMENT – Bumped shortly after the start.
 
STRATHCONA – Shifted inwards soon after the start bumping FROM THIS MOMENT.
 
SIR ROCKET – Raced ungenerously for the majority of the race.  
 
PRINCE AKEEM – After coughing on returning to scale a post-race veterinary examination revealed respiratory noises.   
 
Following the running of this race the track was upgraded to a soft (5).    
 

RACE 4: GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO MAIDEN HANDICAP – 1000 Metres

RUBY'S PRIDE – Became fractious in the tie up stalls after prior to its race and sustained a laceration to its head, which after a veterinary examination, necessitated it being declared a late scratching at 1.51pm. All monies wagered on RUBY’S PRIDE were ordered to be refunded and no deductions were applicable.
 
VAN DER WOODSEN – Slow to begin.
 
BELINDA'S RUBI – Slow into stride and was then tightened for room by VOLARE which shifted in. Shifted in near the 600 metres placing STORM CAPITOL in restricted room. Jockey Graham Kliese was advised to show greater care.
 
VOLARE – Shifted in at the start tightening BELINDA’S RUBI.
 
NIVEN – Forced wider at the start.
 
STORM CAPITAL – Tightened for room shortly after the start and lost ground. Steadied near the 600 metres when crowded for room by BELINDA’S RUBI which shifted in. Held up passing the 300 metres until near the 150 metres. Stewards spoke advisedly to Apprentice Fiona Sandkuhl, assisted by Rider Aidan Holt, regarding her decision near the 500 metres to remain positioned near the back of the weakening BELINDA’S RUBI. Apprentice Sandkuhl acknowledged that, with the benefit of hindsight, an attempt could have been made sooner to improve her position at that point of the race.
 
I SWIM I WIN (NZ) – Momentarily crowded for room near the 250 metres
 
KADIATCHA MAN – Raced wide for the majority. Shifted in near the 250 metres momentarily crowding I SWIM I WIN.
 
ROCK ON ANGEL – Shifted inwards at the start bumping with A BIT ABOUT IT. Shifted in despite the efforts of its rider near the 700 metres crowding A BIT ABOUT IT.  
 
A BIT ABOUT IT – Shifted out at the start bumping with ROCK ON ANGEL.
 
WHO ASKED ZOU – Shifted out at the start forcing NIVEN wider.
 
ROTH'S TIGER – Became detached from the field shortly after leaving the barriers and was distanced throughout. Jockey Michael McDonald reported that the gelding never travelled at any point of the race. Trainer Gareth Smith was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s competitiveness. 
 
 
RACE 5: 2026 MEMBERSHIPS ON SALE NOW BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP – 1000 Metres
 
KHUMBILA – Slow to begin. Shifted in near the 200 metres crowding the running of CHARTWELL before being corrected. Jockey Aidan Holt was advised to exercise greater care.
 
SINGULAR – Began awkwardly.
 
RESTRICTIONS – Shifted out at the start tightening runners to its outside. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have bled from both nostrils. As this is the second occasion on which RESTRICTIONS has bled, it will now, pursuant to AR79(6), incur a lifetime ban from racing.
 
TRAPASSI – Shifted inwards at the start tightening runners to its inside. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
CHARTWELL – Tightened shortly after leaving the barriers lost ground. Held up passing the 500 metres; crowded near the 200 metres and had to steady when inside KHUMBILA which shifted in. Again, had to steady passing the 75 metres when between KHUMBILA and KAHAYLAAN which both shifted ground. Stewards questioned rider Ashley Butler regarding his riding of CHARTWELL and in particular his decision not to shift wider before entering the final straight. In explanation rider Butler stated that while it was his intention to settle off the pace, he had got back further than expected after being hampered at the start, and that he then elected to ride patiently and wait for runs to develop, rather than improve wide and potentially be forced very wide on the track. Rider Butlers explanation was noted.
 
ILZOOMYA – Tightened for room on jumping.  Shifted in near the 700 metres tightening the running of PENNYPACKER which was checked and lost it rightful running. Jockey David Sparks admitted a resultant breach of AR131(a) (careless riding) and after consideration of penalty Jockey Sparks’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 11 days, with this to commence at the close of racing today and expire midnight on Saturday 7 January 2026.  Lost its off-fore plate during running. 
 
PENNYPACKER – Shifted in at the start tightening INJADA. Tightened for room near the 700 metres and was checked, losing its rightful running.
 
INJADA – Slow into stride and then tightened for room and lost ground. Improved onto the heels of the tiring AMNESTY near the 50 metres and was restrained.  

AMNESTY – Shifted out at the start tightening INJADA.
 
RACE 6: SMIRNOFF VODKA CRUSH OPEN HANDICAP – 1000 Metres
 
SATURDAY VIBES – Delayed the start when proved difficult to load.
 
ROWEINER’S DANCE – Stewards questioned rider Aiden Holt regarding the run of ROWEINER’S DANCE which, resuming from a spell, performed below market expectations. In explanation rider Holt stated that after racing handy to the pace the gelding had been unable to quicken when pressured. Rider Holt added that in his opinion, ROWEINER’S DANCE would take benefit from the run.
 
FAMILY STAR – Shifted in at the start bumping with MOLONGLE PRIDE resulting in jockey Ivo Fry becoming unbalanced. Held up for clear running near the 200 metres for a short distance.
 
MOLONGLE SURPRISE – Bumped on jumping.
 
LIDDER VALLEY – Shifted in shortly after the start tightening HOPEFUL which lost ground.
 
HOPEFUL (FR) – Tightened for room shortly after the start and lost ground.
 
RUBUNKAR – Laid in for a short distance near the 850 metres.
 
VIBURNUM – Raced wide for the majority of the race. VIBURNUM was treated heat stress by the Track Veterinarian upon returning to the tie-up area post-race. Trainer Shryn Royes was advised a veterinary clearance must be provided prior to its next race start or trial.      
 
RACE 7: MITAVITE RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP – 1200 Metres

LOOK AT ROSA – Slow to begin.
 
GABBY'S READY – Changed stride near the 400 metres when hanging out, losing momentum and coming back onto DALT JAZ, which was checked. NEGATION which was following had to take evasive action. A post-race veterinary examination of GABBY'S READY revealed no abnormalities. Trainer Mathew McGuire advised Stewards consideration will be given to the mares racing future. Mr McGuire was advised nonetheless that GABBY’S READY must trial to the satisfaction of stewards prior to being permitted to race again.    
 
DALT JAZ – Hampered near the 400 metres
 
NEGATION – Hampered near the 400 metres and hung in for the remainder of the race. Pulled up quickly after passing the winning post and returned to scale riderless. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
PONTIUS – When asked to explain the performance today jockey Sean Cormack advised stewards the gelding traveled well in the early and middle stages however raced greenly when placed under pressure. Trainer Steven Royes advised he will experiment and consider gear changes prior to its next start.
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
 
Summary of action concerning licensees

Suspensions
R5: David Sparks [AR 131(a)] – Careless riding – Suspended 7th to 17th January 2026 (inclusive)   

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race: Mooloolaba (NZ); Candlelit; I Swim I Win (NZ); Hopeful; Trapassi; Store Beach.

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 4, ROTH’S TIGER – Uncompetitive
Race 6, VIBURNUM – Heat stress post-race – veterinary clearance required
Race 7. GABBY’S READY – Trial to stewards’ satisfaction prior to next start. AR 20(e)

Bleeders
Race 5:  RESTRICTIONS bled both nostrils. Second time – will now incur a lifetime ban from racing. AR79(6)
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Rae 1, BETTER BREAKOUT – Adam Sewell
Race 2, MR OREO – Ms. Amanda Thomson, RED CITY SUB – Ms. Fiona Sandkuhl
Race 4, MR SUGAR DADDY – David Sparks, WHO ASKED ZOU – Ms Amanda Thomson, VAN DER WOODSEN – Ms Rachel Shred
Race 5, KAHAYLAAN – Ms. Rachel Shred  

Late scratchings
Race 5, HAND GRENADE – Vets advice 8.50am – Veterinary certificate of fitness required prior to next start or trial.
Race 7, CRAICARO – No suitable rider available. 8.43am  

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.