QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB

FRIDAY 27 FEBRUARY 2026

WEATHER –Overcast
TRACK RATING –Soft 5; Upgraded to Good 4 following Race 4.
RAIL – +1m Entire Course
PENETROMETER – 5.83

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – D Griffiths
Stewards – P Gillard; P Warren; S Nosworthy; A Holzhauser

GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted the following overweights.
Race 6. No 7. Ivo Fry (BURRANEER BUOY) - +1.0kg.
Race 6. No 8. Adam Sewell (JOURNALISM) - +0.5kg.
Race 7. No 14. Amanda Thomson (AIN’T NOBODY) - +0.5kg.
Race 9. No 14. Peta Edwards (HELL OF A BENTLEY) - +0.5kg.
Race 10. No 16. Chris Meehan (MISS KIYOSHI) - +1.0kg.
Race 10. No 20. Chelsea Jokic (MAJESTIC BLAZE) - +1.0kg
 
Race 1: WRC TICKETS ON SALE NOW Maiden Handicap 1200M
 
COVENTRY LANE – Checked and lost ground on jumping.
 
TYRANNICAL (NZ) – Over-raced in the initial stages when leading.
 
PARPPY ‘N’ ME – Jumped in abruptly at the start hampering I SWIM I WIN, which was taken in onto COVENTRY LANE, which was also checked and lost ground. Over-raced in the preliminary stages.
 
I SWIM I WIN (NZ) – Hampered then taken in on jumping onto COVENTRY LANE.
 
SHADYVALE AL – Rider Ivo Fry dropped his whip at the 300 metres.
 
CALAMARIS (NZ) – Held up for clear running in the early part of the home straight before shifting to the inside of I SWIM I WIN passing the 200 metres.
 
LADY DE VEGA – Slow to begin. Raced keenly approaching the home turn. Improved quickly on to the heels of CALAMARIS (NZ) nearing the 150 metres and had to be shifted wider.
 
MARCH MADNESS – Raced wide with cover in the middle stages. Raced greenly over the concluding stages.
 
VOLARE – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
RACE 2: BELLE PROPERTY TOWNSVILLE QTIS Three-Years-Old Maiden Plate 1200M

AMELIA’S PRINCE – Slow to begin. Raced ungenerously in the early stages and nearing the 900 metres, shifted in and away from MIGHTY CONQUEROR tightening FROSTY QUEEN, which in turn shifted in hampering JOT GIRL.
 
MIGHTY CONQUEROR – Began awkwardly. Raced wide without cover in the initial stages. When questioned regarding his riding from the 600 metres, rider Micheal McDonald explained that whilst his mount lost ground in relation to the leaders when the pace quickened passing the 500 metres, he was under instructions to try and save his mount for one final run and did not immediately place his mount under pressure until entering the home straight. His explanation was noted.
 
STANDARD GLADIATOR – Slow to begin. Raced ungenerously in the preliminary stages. Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
FROSTY QUEEN – Shifted out on jumping bumping with HIGH SOBRIETY. Tightened for room nearing the 900 metres when AMELIA’S PRINCE shifted in when racing ungenerously. Hampered approaching the home turn when JOT GIRL shifted in when racing greenly.

HIGH SOBRIETY – Bumped on jumping. Lost its off-hind plate during the event.
 
JOT GIRL – Slow to begin. Hampered nearing the 900 metres. Lost its off-hind plate during the event. Approaching the home turn, shifted in when racing greenly hampering FROSTY QUEEN. Raced greenly over the concluding stages.
 
VALADORE – Proved difficult to load delaying the start. Trainer Liliana McCormack was advised a warning would be placed on the filly’s record. Raced keenly in the early stages. Lost its off-side front and rear plates in running.
 
RACE 3: LADBROKES PUNTER ASSIST BM60 Handicap 1609M
 
RELEASE LA MISSILE – Slow to begin.
 
WHIRLWIND – When questioned regarding the performance, apprentice rider Fiona Sandkuhl reported that the mare travelled fairly throughout however passing the 500 metres, WHIRLWIND failed to run on when placed under pressure and was disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any significant findings.
 
MOOLOOLABA (NZ) – Over-raced in the early and middle stages when leading.
 
UNIFIES – Shifted in under pressure approaching the 200 metres when struck with the whip, contacting the running rail.
 
KHAMIS – Slow into stride.
 
STELLAR LEGEND – Raced three-wide without cover throughout.
 
RACE 4: NORTH QUEENSLAND QTIS JEWEL QUALIFIER 2YO Plate 1000M
 
BETTER BLITZEM – Laid in under pressure in the early part of the home straight.
 
DUB STEPPING – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
GONE COUNTRY – Began awkwardly.
 
SCARLENA – Slow into stride. Shifted wider to improve passing the 500 metres. Apprentice rider Fiona Sandkhul reported that SCARLENA hung out throughout. Returned to the enclosure with blood in the mouth region due to biting its tongue.
 
TAMBO’S SISTER – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Began awkwardly however recovered quickly. Over-raced in the early and middle stages when leading.
 
CRYPTIC MISTRESS – Slow to begin.
 
Following the event, the track was upgraded to a Good 4.
 
RACE 5: HAPPY BIRTHDAY WAYNE ‘SCOBIE’ RYAN Maiden Plate 1000M
 
KING CANUTE – Raced wide with cover throughout. Laid in under pressure nearing the 250 metres and as a result had to be restrained off the heels of MIDDLE CHILD.
 
RADIO WAVES – Raced keenly in the middle stages and when doing so had to be steadied away from heels on several occasions. Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
STORM CAPITAL – Briefly held up nearing the 500 metres.
 
ARANCIA – Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
BELINDA’S RUBI – Began awkwardly. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn. Laid in under pressure nearing the 150 metres and had to be restrained away from the heels of JUST FOR LOVE and consequently lost momentum and ground.
 
JUST FOR LOVE – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the initial stages.
 
MIDDLE CHILD – Raced very wide without cover throughout.
 
PRINCESS SHANGHAI – Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Steadied off heels approaching the home turn.
 
ROCK ON ANGEL – Raced four-wide without cover throughout.
 
BOOM BUNNY – Raced wide throughout.
 
TUTU TOULOUSE – Slow to begin.
 
VAN DER WOODSEN – Slow to begin. Hung out for a distance nearing the 500 metres.
 
RACE 6: GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO Open Handicap 1300M
 
NORTHERN PRIDE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was passed fit to race.
 
STATS – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the preliminary stages. Restrained off heels nearing the 500 metres and lost ground. Held up for rounding the home turn before shifting to the inside of JOURNALISM to obtain clear running however was then disappointed for that run when both BEAU RAIN and SWEET KISSES shifted marginal ground over the concluding stages and consequently STATS then went to the line untested. When questioned about his riding, rider Ryan Wiggins stated he was under no specific instructions. Rider Wiggins explained that STATS was fractious in the barriers and can be a difficult horse to ride, with a tendency to hang in throughout its races. When questioned regarding his riding over the final 500 metres and in particular whether there may have been an opportunity to shift wider on the track to obtain clear running, Rider Wiggins stated that he elected to stay to the inside of JOURNALISM given that STATS was reluctant to shift to the outside. Rider Wiggins added after making ground between the 250 metres and 150 metres, a narrow run presented itself between BEAU RAIN and SWEET KISSES, however both runners shifted ground marginally and as a result he could not test his mount over the final 100 metres. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
SWEET KISSES – Inclined to lay in under pressure over the final 100 metres.
 
TYCOON BEAU – Difficult to load. Shifted wider to improve the 550 metres.
 
BURRANEER BUOY – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start.
 
SAVVY THINKER – Slow to begin.
 
RACE 7: HYGAIN BM55 Handicap 1400M
 
RHEGION – Began very awkwardly and shifted in jumping bumping with CRAICARO.
 
OH SO THRILLING – Slow to begin then shifted out tightening SEERESS.
 
LOOMING ONE – Raced three-wide with cover throughout.
 
FLOURISH – Over-raced in the early and middle stages.
 
MISS SHU (NZ) – Shifted out on jumping bumping with WINNING SAGA. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
MISSION RIDGE – Raced three-wide without cover throughout.
 
WINNING SAGA – Shifted in on jumping bumping with MISS SHU (NZ). Over-raced in the middle stages.
 
SEERESS – Slow to begin then tightened shortly after.
 
STORE BEACH – Slow to begin then shifted in tightening SEERESS.
 
SUPID DATE – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn.
 
AIN’T NOBODY – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination behind the barriers after being kicked by another runner and was passed fit to start. Shifted in shortly after the start bumping with WINNING SAGA and became unbalanced. Raced three-wide with cover throughout.
 
CRAICARO – Shifted out on jumping bumping with RHEGION.
 
RACE 8: LADBROKES SAME RACE MULTI BM72 Handicap 1000M
 
CAPTAIN BOND – Slow into stride. On returning to the enclosure, rider Micheal McDonald was unwell after suffering from effects of dehydration. Rider McDonald was advised that an appropriate medical clearance would be required prior to riding again.
 
COLE’S BEST – Began awkwardly.
 
SINGULAR – Raced wide in the initial stages.
 
SUPER FREEZE – Gave ground nearing the 450 metres and finished at the rear of the field. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant findings. When questioned regarding the performance, rider Les Tilley stated that SUPER FREEZE travelled fairly in the preliminary stages, however after being unable to gain the lead, failed to run on when placed under pressure and was disappointing. Trainer Tom Button advised that the gelding has endured a lengthy preparation and may have felt the effects from it’s most recent start at Eagle Farm on the 28th of January, in addition to the associated travel, which may have been a telling factor today. Nevertheless, Trainer Button expressed his disappointment with the effort. Trainer Button advised he would monitor the geldings progress in the coming days before deciding on its immediate racing program and would advise Stewards accordingly.
 
LUCKY ROLLA – Slow into stride.
 
TIME TO PROPHET – Over-raced throughout when leading.
 
UPSTART LEGEND – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
RACE 9: CHRYSALIS MEDISPA QTIS Class 3 Plate 1000M
 
CHARTWELL – Slow to begin. Lost the near-side front plate during the event.
 
REMEMBER ROY – Bumped with BAGGAGE HANDLER passing the 850 metres and became unbalanced. Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
BAGGAGE HANDLER – Shifted in on jumping bumping with BRAVE INTENT. Bumped with REMEMBER ROY passing the 850 metres.
 
BRAVE INTENT – Bumped on jumping. Shifted out to improve leaving the 300 metres, resulting in COLOURS OF AUTUMN becoming awkwardly placed on the heels of MATERIALIST. Rider Adam Sewell was reminded to exercise care when racing in similar circumstances.
 
COLOURS OF AUTUMN – Restrained off heels leaving the 300 metres.
 
MATERIALIST – Underwent a veterinary examination upon arrival on course after suffering a minor laceration on the near-side hind and was declared fit to race. Slow to begin. Raced wide throughout.
 
MIND OVER MATTER – Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
HELL OF A BENTLEY – Jockey Peta Edwards replaced indisposed Micheal McDonald and was permitted to ride the gelding +0.5kg over the allotted weight. Fractious in the barriers. As the start was affected, HELL OF A BENTLEY got its near-hind leg up on the barrier platform and as a result began very awkwardly and lost considerable ground. Trainer Les Gordy was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s barrier manners.
 
CAROHVIC – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
After taking initial evidence from riders Ryan Wiggins (BAGGAGE HANDLER) and apprentice Fiona Sandkuhl (WHITSUNDAY SESSION) in the presence of senior rider Aidan Holt, Stewards adjourned an inquiry into the reason PRO FORMA fell leaving the 200 metres, dislodging rider Les Tilley, which as a result, REMEMBER ROY was interfered with, dislodging rider Graham Kliese and also WHITSUNDAY SESSION was checked. Both Les Tilley and Graham Kliese were transported to hospital for further observations, and Stewards adjourned the inquiry to a date and time to be fixed when all riders can attend. Riders Les Tilley and Graham Kliese will require medical clearances prior to riding again.
 
RACE 10: MITAVITE 0-55 Handicap 1200M
 
Due to the race fall incident in race 9, the start of Race 10 was delayed to 5:40PM.
 
LASER BEAM – Raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages.
 
SUPER TWENTY THREE – Began awkwardly and was slow to begin.
 
ULTIMATE – Initially Graham Kliese replaced Michael McDonald, however following the fall in Race 9, was then replaced by apprentice Gabrielle Semmens. No senior rider was available.
 
BURLINGTON ARCADE – Hung in under pressure approaching the 200 metres.
 
TO LOVE SOMEBODY – Slow to begin. Lost its near-hind plate in running.
 
FARAWAY DOWNS – Was declared a late scratching at 4:58pm after no other rider was available following the fall in Race 9. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered that all bets placed on FARAWAY DOWNS be refunded with the following deductions to apply:
 
1st BURLINGTON ARCADE 8c win, 9c place
2nd SHE’S A SWEET STAR 9c place
3rd ULTIMATE 9c place
 
Due to the deductions system not being operational following the running of the event, deductions were obtained by stewards under the provisions of Betting Rule 23(7)(a).
 
MISSISSIPPI DREAM (NZ) – Shifted wider to improve rounding the home turn.
 
WIRED FOR FUN – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
MISS KIYOSHI – Slow into stride. Had to be steadied away from heels shortly after the start. Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
MAJESTIC BLAZE – Slow to begin.
 
VEE EIGHT POWER – Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
At a time and date to be fixed, Stewards intend to inquire into an incident nearing the 1,000 metres which resulted in GINGER MICK losing ground. Further Stewards also intend to inquire into an additional incident nearing the 800 metres which resulted in BUBBLES’N’FROTH losing ground. Both inquiries could not be held post-race due to the starting time of Race 10 being delayed thus reducing riders’ time limits for return flight commitments.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands:
Nil
Fines:
Nil
Suspensions:
Nil
Race day injuries/illness:
Rider Micheal McDonald – Stood down following Race 8 – Medical Clearance required.
Rider Les Tilley – Suspected collarbone / wrist injury – Medical Clearance required.
Rider Graham Kliese – Suspected wrist injury – Medical Clearance required.
Absent jockeys:
Nil
Adjourned inquiries:
Race 9. Fall dislodging riders Les Tilley and Graham Kliese.
Race 10. Incident nearing the 1000 metres (GINGER MICK)
Race 10. Incident nearing the 800 metres (BUBBLES’N’FROTH)
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
RELEASE LE MISSILE, TAMBO’S SISTER, PRINCESS SHANGHAI, BURRANEER BUOY, PRO FORMA, BURLINGTON ARCADE.
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars:
Race 2. VALADORE – Difficult to load. Warning.
Race 9. HELL OF A BENTLEY – Began very awkwardly – Warning.
Bleeders
Nil
Falls
Race 9. PRO FORMA & REMEMBER ROY.
Protests
Nil
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 9. No 14. HELL OF A BENTLEY – Peta Edwards replaced Michael McDonald
Race 10. No 4. ULTIMATE – Gabrielle Semmens replaced Michael McDonald.
 
Late scratchings
Race 10. No 10. FARAWAY DOWNS – 4:58PM – No other rider available.
 
 
 
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.