QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT
 

TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB

FRIDAY 16 JANUARY 2026
 

 
WEATHER – Overcast      TRACK RATING –Soft 6    RAIL – 4.5 metres 1,000 metres to winning post – 2 metres for the remainder.
PENETROMETER – 5.91

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – D Griffiths
Stewards – R Neal, H Gillett, S Nosworthy and P Warren.


GENERAL

1.      Stewards approved the following overweights at today’s meeting:
 
R4   Ashvin Goindassamy +1kg (SHE’S A SWEET STAR)
R6   Ryan Wiggins +½ kg (SUPER TWENTY THREE)   
R6   Tasha Chambers +1kg (CRAICARO)
R7   Ryan Wiggins +½kg (TYCOON BEAU)
R7   Jackson Murphy (TAMBO’S JUSTICE)


 
RACE 1: LADBROKES PUNTER ASSIST QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP    1000 M

SCARLENA – slow to begin; raced greenly rounding the final turn; underwent a post-race veterinary examination after returning scale with a minor laceration to the near side which required treatment.
MERSEY LASS – proved exceedingly difficult to load and delayed the start; trainer Mr Bill Kenning was advised that the filly must trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards prior to next racing:  travelled wide throughout; raced greenly for a distance leaving the 500 metres.
TIGER ROCKET – raced ungenerously for a short distance in the middle stages.
ANDERS KISS – raced in restricted room passing the 500 metres, and bumped for several strides near the 400 metres, when between SCARLENA which shifted out and MERSEY LASS, which was laying in. Rider Aidan Holt (SCARLENA) was reminded to exercise care when attempting to improve his position.


RACE 2: HYGAIN BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP            1609 M
 
Stewards have opened and adjourned an investigation, including interviewing riders and trainers, into the tactics adopted by riders in the race, also including a review of the betting activity associated with the event.
MOKTAFFY (IRE) – slow to begin; over-raced in the middle stages; inclined to lay out rounding the home turn.
OUR TURN NOW (NZ) – began awkwardly and was slow to begin.
RELEASE LE MISSILE – got back at the start from a wide draw.
PRINCE AKEEM – began awkwardly.
JOE'S GIGGLE - Stewards questioned trainer Joanna Hassett regarding the improved run of race winner JOE'S GIGGLE which had disappointed in recent starts. Ms. Hassett advised that the gelding had worked well in the lead-up to the race and believed the gelding was best suited over the 1609 meters or longer distances. Ms. Hassett further stated that the stable had not supported the horse in betting. The explanation was noted.

RACE 3: LADBROKES ODDS SURGE MAIDEN PLATE            1200 M

NIVEN – laid in under pressure in the home straight.
SMOKIN REELS – jumped inward shortly after the start; gave ground in the home straight and finished well back. When questioned, rider Jackson Murphy stated that the gelding had travelled only fairly throughout, and when pressured had failed to respond and was disappointing. Rider Murphy added that he believed that something may have been amiss with SMOKIN REELS in the straight and when beaten had not ridden the gelding out to the line. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a minor hoof injury.
TAKE A DIVE – began awkwardly and slow away. Had to steady passing the 600 metres when awkwardly near the heels of MISS THE MUSIC; laid in under pressure in the home straight.
MISS THE MUSIC – began awkwardly then contacted by SMOKIN REELS which shifted in; commenced to over-race leaving the 900 metres and had to restrained on several occasions; improved onto heels passing the 600 metres and had to be firmly restrained.
MR SUGAR DADDY – Rider Michael McDonald was unable to make the weight for MR SUGAR DADDY and was replaced by Nathan Thomas. Rider McDonald admitted a resultant breach of AR190(3) and was fined $100.00. Held up briefly entering the home straight before being taken wider to obtain clear running.
MIDDLE CHILD – shifted out on jumping and bumped with VOLARE; raced wide throughout.
VOLARE – bumped at the start.
SHE'S A SWEET STAR – began awkwardly; Rider Ashvin Goindassamy was reminded of his obligations when shifting ground after not being fully clear when crossing to the lead. Rider Goindassamy was also firmly reminded of his obligations to maintain a genuine pace after crossing.
 

RACE 4: LADBROKES ODDS SURGE MAIDEN PLATE            1200 M

HERE'S MASON – bumped heavily leaving the 1,000 metres when outside JUST FOR LOVE which shifted out.
MARCH MADNESS – slow into stride; laid in under pressure in the home straight.
SHADYVALE AL – became fractious in the barriers and escaped riderless and broke through the running rail. Declared a late scratching at 1:04pm. Trainer Melisa Beri was advised that SHADYVALE AL must trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards prior to next racing. Because of SHADYVALE AL’s barrier issues its barrier was damaged and could not be used for the remainder of the program. The start was delayed while remedial work was conducted on the running rail.
Stewards ordered that all bets on SHADYVALE AL be refunded with the deductions to apply.
1st – WIRED FOR FUN $0.00 Win / $0.02 cents Place
2nd – MARCH MADNESS                 $0.02 CENTS Place
3rd STORM CAPITAL                        $0.02 CENTS Place
On returning scale rider J Babarovich (SHADYVALE AL’s) reported that he was suffering discomfort and bruising on a left-hand finger.
STORM CAPITAL – raced wide until the 800 metres.
THE GENERAL TALKS – laid in under pressure in the home straight.
JUST FOR LOVE – bumped at the start and shifted inward abruptly. A short distance later then shifted out abruptly and bumped heavily with HERE'S MASON
MISSIN' DE QUO – became awkwardly placed inside the heels of MINNIE VEGAS near the 1100 metres and was dictated inward onto VAN DER WOODSEN which was checked.
WIRED FOR FUN – began awkwardly.
MINNIE VEGAS – shifted in when improving to the lead near the 1100 metres and dictated MISSIN' DE QUO off its rightful line of running onto VAN DER WOODSEN which was checked. Rider Lacey Morrison pleaded guilty to a resultant charge under AR131(a) and after consideration of penalty Ms. Morrison’s licence to ride in races was suspended from midnight 24 January 2026 up to an including 1 February 2026 (8 days).
VAN DER WOODSEN – shifted in on jumping and bumped with JUST FOR LOVE; checked near the 1100 metres, struck the running rail and lost ground because of pressure from outside runners shifting in.

Following damage to the barriers, barrier 9 was unable to be used for the remainder of the meeting.

RACE 5: ON-COURSE STABLES AVAILABLE BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP    1609 M

MOOLOOLABA (NZ) – began awkwardly. raced wide throughout, over-raced in the middle stages.
SOUTHAVEN – pulled up abruptly after the finish of the race. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a significant injury to the near-hind sesamoid which necessitated the gelding to be humanely euthanized.
BELMONT PARK – began awkwardly and was slow away.
NAPA VALLEY – raced wide in the early and middle stages.
BRAND NEW (NZ) – shifted out abruptly passing the 400 metres after becoming awkwardly placed near the heels of the weakening NAPA VALLEY, with KHAMIS being dictated wider on the track.
MISHANI PERFECTION – off hind plate became displaced during the running.
KHAMIS- dictated wider passing 400 metres; then hung in under pressure in the home straight.
CHANCE – began awkwardly.
 

RACE 6: MITAVITE CLASS 3 HANDICAP           1200 M

FLASHBANG – Slow to muster pace over the initial stages.
MAJOR LOOK – underwent a veterinary inspection at the barriers and was passed fit to run.
BIG DEMEANOR – Raced keenly in the preliminary stages.
RUSSIAN SUMMER - Raced keenly in the early stages.
HOT TORQUE INVEGAS – Bounded on jumping and consequently was slowly away.
SUPER TWENTY THREE – Raced keenly through the middle stages.
BRAVE INTENT – Rider Ivo Fry was harmlessly dislodged behind the barriers; raced 3-wide without cover throughout.
KHUMBILA – Held up for most of the home straight and had to steady off heels near the 100 metres.
CRAICARO – Inclined to lay in over the final 200 metres.
 

RACE 7: WRC GA TICKETS ON SALE NOW! OPEN HANDICAP            1400 M

NORTHERN PRIDE – held up until near the 200 metres.
ELLA TE AMA – began awkwardly and was slow away.
TYCOON BEAU – over-raced in the initial stages.
BURRANEER BUOY – began awkwardly and was slowly away.
FROM THIS MOMENT – had difficulty obtaining clear running in the home straight until near the 100 metres.
REGGIE'S BOY – began awkwardly.
 

RACE 8: GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO BENCHMARK 62 HANDICAP    1400 M

KEEP ON RUNNING – over-raced in the middle stages.
CLUEDO (NZ) – inclined to lay out under pressure in the home straight.
WINNING SAGA – began awkwardly.
ROOM FOR SQUARES - On returning scale rider J Babarovich reported that he was suffering discomfort and bruising in his right ankle sustained on jumping away from the barriers
ULTIMATE – bounded on jumping and lost ground; over-raced for some distance in the middle stages and had to be restrained off heals for some distance.
 

RACE 9: LADBROKES FORM GENIUS BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP    1000 M

KAHAYLAAN – laid out entering the home straight; improved onto heels
COPPABELLA ROAD – bumped heavily shortly after leaving the barriers and was unbalanced. Rider Aidan Holt was advised to exercise care after shifting ground after the finish and inconveniencing RARE AND RELIABLE (NZ).
RARE AND RELIABLE (NZ) – severely hampered shortly after leaving the barriers when runners either side shifted ground abruptly.
SAVVY THINKER – began awkwardly then shifted in making heavy contact with BUBBLES'N'FROTH and became unbalanced in consequence.
BUBBLES'N'FROTH – began awkwardly and shifted in making heavy contact with RARE AND RELIABLE (NZ)
MR DAMAGE – began awkwardly.
PONTIUS – bumped shortly after leaving the barriers. On returning scale rider Ryan Wiggins reported that he was suffering from discomfort in his left foot.
TIME TO PROPHET – raced wide throughout.
THREEBROTHERS - raced wide throughout.
HELL OF A BENTLEY - raced wide throughout.
POWER PUFF - raced wide throughout.
 
 
 



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
 

Summary of action concerning licensees

Suspensions
R4: Lacey Morrison [AR131(a)] – careless riding – suspended 25th January 2026 to 1st February 2026 (inclusive)
 
Fines
R3: Michael McDonald [AR190(3)] – unable to make required weight – fined $100.00

Adjourned inquiries
Race 2: Tactics adopted.

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race; Our Turn Now (NZ); Mooloolaba; Brand New; Tambo’s Justice; Kahaylaan.

Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars: R1 - MERSEY LASS– very slow to load - must trial
                        R4; SHADYVALE AL – barriers manners - must trial
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
R3: MISTER SUGAR DADDY – Nathan Thomas replaced Michael McDonald (overweight)

Late scratchings
R4:SHADYVALE AL


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.