QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOWNSVILLE
 
SUNDAY 18TH OCTOBER 2026
 
 
WEATHER – Fine  
TRACK RATING – Soft 5; Upgraded to Good 4 following Race 3.      
RAIL – Out 7.5 metres 1,000 metres to Winning Post. Out 3 metres remainder.
PENETROMETER – 5.98

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – S Nosworthy
Stewards – D Griffiths; P Gillard; R Neal and A Cox.

 
SUPPLEMENTARY REPORTS
 
1.    Townsville Turf Club: Sunday 4th October 2026
Race 6: Ladbrokes Benchmark 65 Handicap 1200M
 
Stewards today conducted an inquiry into a race fall involving KICKOFF, ASK ME MATE and CHARTWELL during the running of Race 6 at the Townsville Turf Club meeting conducted on Sunday 4 October 2026. During the inquiry evidence was taken from Jockeys Lacey Morrison (KICKOFF), Sean Cormack (FABULEAN) and Ryan Wiggins (SINGULAR), with the relevant race vision reviewed in the presence of all riders.
 
After considering the evidence and reviewing the available race vision, Stewards established that after obtaining clear running passing the 250 metres, KICKOFF commenced to race somewhat intractably and lay out, making contact with ASK ME MATE on several occasions before improving to race outside of SINGULAR. At this point, KICKOFF was crowded wider when SINGULAR commenced to lay out under pressure. However, approaching the winning post, rider Wiggins corrected SINGULAR, which did not shift out any further.
At approximately the same stage, FABULEAN, which had been racing wider on the track, shifted in to a position approximately four to five horses off the running rail. However, after considering the evidence of the riders and reviewing the race vision, Stewards were satisfied that FABULEAN did not shift in any further after reaching that position. This finding was supported by the evidence of Ms Morrison. Shortly thereafter, KICKOFF contacted the heels of FABULEAN and fell, resulting in ASK ME MATE and CHARTWELL being brought down in consequence.
 
In assessing the circumstances of the incident and whether any rider bore responsibility, Stewards gave particular consideration to the respective movements of SINGULAR, FABULEAN and KICKOFF immediately prior to the fall. While acknowledging that SINGULAR had initially shifted out under pressure, Stewards were satisfied that rider Wiggins had corrected his mount and that there was separation between SINGULAR and KICKOFF immediately prior to KICKOFF contacting the heels of FABULEAN. Accordingly, Stewards did not consider that any outward movement from SINGULAR at that point contributed directly to the incident. Similarly, Stewards were satisfied that FABULEAN had established its position wider on the track and had not shifted in any further immediately prior to KICKOFF contacting its heels. Stewards further determined that immediately prior to contacting the heels of FABULEAN, KICKOFF had laid out marginally, which was considered to have been a contributing factor to the incident.
 
In reaching their determination, Stewards were particularly mindful of the serious nature of the incident and its consequences. However, the seriousness of an incident does not, of itself, establish rider culpability. Having carefully considered the totality of the evidence, including the respective movements of the runners involved, Stewards were not satisfied that the actions of any individual rider constituted careless riding or otherwise warranted disciplinary action. Accordingly, no action was taken against any rider and the inquiry was concluded.
 
2.    Cloncurry & District Race Club: Friday 9 October 2026
 
Stewards today inquired into a matter which occurred following the conclusion of racing at the Cloncurry & Districts race meeting on Friday 9th October 2026, where Jockey Chris Whiteley and Apprentice Jockey Mitch Goring, entered the Stewards Room without authorisation and accessed race vision in the absence of Stewards. During the inquiry, both riders acknowledged that the Stewards Room was a restricted area and conceded that their actions were inappropriate. After considering the circumstances, including the riders' admissions and acknowledgement of their error in judgement, both riders admitted a breach of AR115(1)(a) and imposed fines of $500.00 each, of which $250.00 was wholly suspended for a period of two years, conditional upon no further breaches of a similar nature during that period.
 
3.    Cloncurry & District Race Club: Friday 9 October 2026
 
On Friday 16th October 2026 the Stewards inquired into an incident following the running of Race 2 where licensed trainer Mr Jay Morris engaged in a verbal exchange with the Sample Collection Officer. After considering the circumstances, Stewards determined that Mr Morris had conducted himself in an inappropriate manner and was subsequently found guilty of misconduct under AR228(b). In determining penalty, Stewards took into account Mr Morris's previously very good disciplinary record, his cooperation throughout the inquiry and the circumstances surrounding the incident. Mr Morris was fined $500.00 of which $250.00 was wholly suspended for a period of 12 months, conditional upon no further breaches of a similar nature during that period.
 
 
GENERAL
 
1.    Rider Masayuki Abe did not attend today’s meeting due to illness. Rider Abe was advised a medical clearance would be required prior to racing again.
2.    Stewards approved the following overweights.
          R4: Chris Whiteley (KHAMIS) +1kg.
 
 
 
Race 1 - LADBROKES TOTE WIN +10% IN OCTOBER QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD Maiden Handicap 1000M
 
BOWDENE – Crowded for room shortly after the start. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Held up for clear running for the majority of the final straight.
 
FAR AND WIDE – Reared as the start was affected, losing ground. Trainer Jeffrey Caught was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s barrier manners. Over-raced in the early and middle stages.
 
STYLISH DIAMOND – Shifted in shortly after the start forcing RED LIGHT POWER in onto BOWDENE. Laid in and brushed the fence approaching the finish and as a result became unbalanced, losing momentum.
 
RED LIGHT POWER – Crowded shortly after the start. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
 
Race 2 - THE VILLE QTIS Maiden Plate 1400M
 
BLAZING FUTURE – Rider Chris Whiteley reported on returning to scale that BLAZING FUTURE over-raced in the early and middle stages when leading.
 
FOXTROTTING – Began awkwardly then hampered shortly after the start, losing ground.
 
MOONYA LAD – Jumped in at the start tightening BALLANDELLA STREET, which in turn shifted in tightening NOBEL PEACE, which was taken in onto FOXTROTTING, hampering that runner. Improved onto the heels of TOWER’S HILL leaving the 900 metres and had to be steadied.
 
POWER CRUISE – Commenced to over-race near the 1100 metres becoming awkwardly placed inside the heels of MOONYA LAD.
 
CHECK ONE TWO – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
QUEEN OF RUSSIA – When questioned regarding today’s performance, rider Ryan Wiggins stated that his instructions were to be positive from the wide barrier with the intention of settling near the lead, which was consistent with the mare’s recent racing pattern. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted in the middle stages, particularly whether he had an opportunity to obtain cover behind the leader BLAZING FUTURE, rider Wiggins stated that QUEEN OF RUSSIA commenced to over-race and proved difficult to restrain despite his efforts. Rider Wiggins added that, in his opinion, the addition of blinkers for the first time may have been detrimental to the mare’s overall performance. Given all circumstances, Stewards noted rider Wiggins’ explanation.
 
VOLARE – Began awkwardly then hampered shortly after, losing ground. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn.
 
NOBEL PEACE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination behind the barriers after becoming cast following being loaded into the barrier stalls and was declared fit to race. Began awkwardly then tightened for room shortly after. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn up to a point leaving the 250 metres.
 
BALLANDELLA STREET – Taken in on jumping after being tightened for room by MOONYA LAD, which shifted in. Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
IN THE HOLE TIGER – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after becoming fractious in the mounting enclosure and was declared fit to race. Began awkwardly then shifted in making contact with VOLARE which lost ground.
 
 
Race 3 - VALE MERVYN MILTON OPEN Handicap 1200M
 
NORTHERN PRIDE – Began awkwardly. Over-raced in the early stages.
 
TURN BIRD – Began awkwardly. Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
MEDIA EMPIRE – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
COLLEANO – Held up rounding the home turn before shifting to the outside of TURN BIRD leaving the 200 metres to obtain clear running. Shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
TIME TO PROPHET – Blundered on jumping, however recovered quickly.
 
Following the running of the race the track was upgraded to a Good 4.
 
 
Race 4 - GEORGINA HOLT - 2026 TRAINER OF THE YEAR RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 Handicap 1609M
 
VOUCHERS – Raced in restricted room for a distance nearing the 500 metres when awkwardly placed between TRICKEMEZI and KHAMIS and as a result bumped with KHAMIS, which briefly unbalanced both VOUCHERS and KHAMIS.
 
SNEAKY PEAKY – Raced in restricted room for a distance nearing the 1400 metres. Shifted wider to improve leaving the 600 metres.
 
MAYOR OF KINGSTON – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn.
 
OVERLAND (NZ) – Slow into stride. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
MORDECAI – Slow to begin.
 
NOT WORTH IT – Steadied momentarily leaving the 600 metres. Held up for clear running nearing the 500 metres.
 
TRICKEMEZI – Laid in rounding the first turn, placing SNEAKY PEAKY in restricted room for a distance. Inclined to over-race when wide in the early and middle stages.
 
KHAMIS – Improved onto the heels of SNEAKY PEAKY leaving the 600 metres, Bumped and briefly unbalanced near the 500 metres. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.
 
 
Race 5 - RYAN WIGGINS - 2026 JOCKEY OF THE YEAR BENCHMARK 55 Handicap 1000M
 
LOOMING ONE – Over-raced in the middle stages. Held up rounding the home before being taken inwards to improve near the 200 metres.
 
SPIRIT OF GIVING – Hampered when tightened for room on jumping and lost ground. Improved onto the heels of BOOM BUNNY near the 500 metres and was restrained. Steadied approaching the finish when racing in restricted room.
 
IBEGOOD – Became unbalanced on jumping after shifting out heavily contacting SPIRIT OF GIVING which in turn shifted out making heavy contact with HOT TORQUE INVEGAS. Blundered shortly after the start as a result of bumping with SPIRIT OF GIVING when that runner was buffeted when tightened. Lost its near-fore plate during the running.
 
EXCEEDINGLY BRAZEN – Shifted in on jumping bumping with PROPERLEIGH.
 
SPIRITOF THE OCEAN – Bumped shortly after the start and became unbalanced.
 
HOT TORQUE INVEGAS – Bumped heavily by SPIRIT OF GIVING shortly after the start. Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
PROPERLEIGH – Shifted out on jumping bumping with EXCEEDINGLY BRAZEN.
 
MR FERRARI – Slow into stride.
 
 
Race 6 - FIONA SANDKUHL - 2026 A/JOCKEY OF THE YEAR BENCHMARK 65 Handicap 1400 M
 
ELLIS BEACH – Hampered leaving the 1200 metres as a result of RASHFORD shifting in when over-racing. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn.
 
ASK ME MATE – Bumped with BRAVE AGENDA when attempting to improve near the 500 metres.
 
BRAVE AGENDA – Bumped with ASK ME MATE near the 500 metres.
 
RASHFORD – Commenced to over-race leaving the 1200 metres and as a result shifted in hampering SWEETPEA MOOCHI. Raced wide without cover in the middle stages.
 
KHALS – Very slow to begin. Had difficulty obtaining clear running for the majority of the home straight. Tightened for room between runners approaching the winning post.
 
SWEETPEA MOOCHI – Hampered leaving the 1200 metres and had to be steadied.
 
MASALI RAFFA – Shifted away from ASK ME MATE leaving the 1200 metres and had to be restrained. Raced fiercely in the early and middle stages.
 
 
Race 7 - RACING ON MELBOURNE CUP DAY CLASS 1 Handicap 1200M
 
HEATHCLIFF – Slow to begin. Held up rounding the home turn before being taken inward to improve passing the 200 metres.
 
GENERAL GORDON – Slow to begin.
 
ZEMOREYA – Began awkwardly then bumped by OCTOPOLIS shortly after. Steadied leaving the 800 metres as a result of MAGIC SUNNY DAY shifting in.
 
CERETTI – Began awkwardly and shifted in, bumping with MAGIC SUNNY DAY. Shifted in leaving the 1000 metres when crowded for room by STYLISH ROSIE, which shifted in. Raced wide without cover throughout.  
 
ZIGGY STARCRAFT – Bumped shortly after the start. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn before obtaining a narrow run passing the 100 metres between CERETTI and BELINDA'S RUBI.
 
BELINDA'S RUBI – Rider Wanderson D’Avila was fined $100 under the provisions of AR 184(b)(iii) for failing to include his stirrup irons when weighing out. In determining penalty, Stewards were satisfied that the omission was inadvertent and that there was no intention to gain an advantage. Blundered shortly after the start. Laid out rounding the home turn.
 
STYLISH ROSIE – Raced wide rounding the first turn. Shifted in near the 1000 metres crowding CERETTI which in turn shifted in resulting in crowding to MAGIC SUNNY DAY. Rider Anthony Alen was reminded of his obligations to exercise more care when crossing.
 
OCTOPOLIS – Shifted out on jumping bumping with ZEMOREYA and as a result shifted in bumping with ZIGGY STARCRAFT. Steadied leaving the 1000 metres as a result of STYLISH ROSIE shifting in.
 
MAGIC SUNNY DAY – Began awkwardly, then bumped shortly after. Crowded for room leaving the 1000 metres. Shifted in momentarily near the 800 metres inconveniencing ZEMOREYA which had to steady. Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
 
Race 8 - LADBROKES BENCHMARK 70 Handicap 1000M
 
HARTSHORN – Slow into stride. Over-raced in the middle stages. Held up rounding the home turn up to a point nearing the 100 metres.
 
MIDAS STAR – Began awkwardly.
 
LATIN BOSS – Shifted in at the start bumping MANUSCRIPT. Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
MANUSCRIPT – Shifted out on jumping bumping with LATIN BOSS. Faltered near the 900 metres and was subsequently retired from the race shortly after. A post-race veterinary examination revealed lameness to the near-fore suspensory. Trainer Steven Royes was advised that MANUSCRIPT would require a medical clearance prior to racing again.
 
PENNYPACKER – Threw its head in the air at the start and lost ground.
 
SUPER FREEZE – Slow to begin.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Fines
Cloncurry Friday 9.10.26 (Race 2) – Trainer Jay Morris – AR 228(b) – Misconduct – $500.00 Fine of which $250.00 was wholly suspended for a period of 12 months, conditional upon no further breaches of a similar nature during that period.
Cloncurry Friday 9.10.26 – Rider Chris Whiteley – AR 115(a) – Misconduct – $500.00 Fine of which $250.00 was wholly suspended for a period of 2 years, conditional upon no further breaches of a similar nature during that period.
Cloncurry Friday 9.10.26 – Rider Mitch Goring – AR 115(a) – Misconduct – – $500.00 Fine of which $250.00 was wholly suspended for a period of 2 years, conditional upon no further breaches of a similar nature during that period.
Race 7. Rider Wanderson D’Avila – AR184(b)(iii) – Negligence when saddling – $100.00.
Suspensions
Nil
Race day injuries/illness
Masayuki Abe – medical clearance required.
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race.
FAR AND WIDE; IN THE HOLE TIGER; VOUCHERS; MANUSCRIPT; KHALS; ZIGGY STARCRAFT.
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners; IBEGOOD.
Warnings/bars
Race 1. FAR AND WIDE – Reared on jumping losing ground – Warning.
Race 8. MANUSCRIPT – Lameness near-fore suspensory – Veterinary clearance required.  
Bleeders
Nil
 
Summary of rider changes/late notifications
Race 7. No 13. MAGIC SUNNY DAY – Nathan Thomas replacing Masayuki Abe

Late scratchings
Nil
 

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.