QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB

TUESDAY 6 MAY 2025
 
 

WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING –Soft (5); upgraded to Good (4) at 11:20am.
RAIL – Out 5 metres from 1,000 to winning post – Out 2 metres for the remainder.
PENETROMETER – 5.58

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – S Nosworthy
Stewards – R Neal; D Griffiths and P Warren.
 
GENERAL
 
1.          Stewards permitted the following overweights.
Race 1: Justin Stanley (OUR FOLLY) +1kg
Race 5: Ryan Wiggins (TURBEAU) + 0.5kg (replaced by Graham Kliese)
 
2.          Rider Michael McDonald advised the Stewards that he was unable to make the weight for THE KAMIKAZE(NZ) in Race 2. Rider McDonald pleaded guilty to a resultant breach of AR190(3) and after consideration was fined $200.00.
 
3.          Workplace drug testing was conducted at today’s meeting.
 
Race 1: LADBROKES FORM GENIUS QTIS THREE-YEARS-OLD AND FOUR-YEARS-OLD HANDICAP 1300M

UPSTART LEGEND – Had to be steadied passing the 800 metres when the tempo steadied. Held up for a short distance rounding the final turn. Stewards noted rider Ryan Wiggins exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+2) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use no further action was taken.
 
RECRUITER – Inclined to over-race in the lead in the middle stages.
 
TIME TO PROPHET – Slow to begin. Raced wide without cover from the 800 metres.
 
Race 2: LADBROKES MATES MODE POTS MAIDEN PLATE      1200M
 
KEEPTHEWOLVESAWAY – Hampered on jumping.
 
LONGCROSS – Rider Ryan Wiggins sustained a foot injury when dismounting in the enclosure and was stood-down from his remaining engagements. Rider Wiggins was transported to Townsville Hospital for further assessment. Rider Wiggins was advised that a medical clearance would be required prior to riding again. Rider Wiggins was excused from weighing in pursuant to AR208(3)(b).
 
Stewards questioned trainer Darby Amos regarding LONGCROSS racing prominently today in contrast to its previous runs, where the gelding raced back in the field. In explanation Mr Amos stated the gelding had been hampered at the start in both its past two starts, however had not been so disadvantaged today, along with the decision of Rider Wiggins electing to roll forward rather than be caught 3-wide without cover.  Mr Amos’s explanation was noted.
 
THE KAMIKAZE (NZ) – Justin Stanley replaced Michael McDonald. Began awkwardly. Over-raced in the early stages. Rider Stanley reported that THE KAMIKAZE (NZ) had hung out throughout.
 
ELIZABETHAN – Jumped in at the start hampering KEEPTHEWOLVESAWAY.
 
Race 3: LADBROKES ODDS SURGE BM60 HANDICAP 1609M
 
Due to QAS Officers attending to Ryan Wiggins after Race 2 the start of Race 3 was deferred until 2:53pm.
 
ACCLIMATISE – Laid out leaving the barriers crowding IRISH MIST, which resulted in CONVERTOR being hampered.
 
HANGIN' AROUND – Sean Cormack replaced Ryan Wiggins. Contacted shortly after the start when ACCLIMATISE laid out taking CONVERTOR wider. A post-race veterinary examination revealed HANGIN’ AROUND to have bled from both nostrils for the first occasion. Trainer Mr Stephen Massingham was advised that HANGIN’ AROUND, must not, without the permission of the Stewards, be trained, exercised or galloped on a racecourse, recognised training track, private training establishment, or other place; (b) must not start in any race for a period of 3 months, and then only after: (i) a gallop of at least 1000 metres; or (ii) an official trial or jump-out; in the presence, and to the satisfaction of a Steward. Trainer Mr Stephen Massingham advised the Stewards that it would be his intention to retire the gelding.
 
KING’S CASTLE (FR) – Slow into stride.
 
KIDSTON – Raced wide in the early stages before being taken forward to lead passing the 1,000 metres. Stewards questioned rider Graham Kliese regarding the tactics adopted by racing forward today. In explanation, Mr Kliese stated that after being caught wide in the early stages, he had elected to roll forward rather than be caught 3-wide and over-racing. Rider Kliese’s explanation was noted.
 
CONVERTOR – Became awkwardly placed shortly after the start when ACCLIMATISE laid out, resulting in CONVERTOR being hampered and having to be steadied. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
IRISH MIST – Crowded leaving the barriers and had to steady.

Race 4: LADBROKES SAME RACE MULTI BM70 HANDICAP 1400M
 
The starting time for Race 4 was a deferred to 3:25pm.

RELEASE LE MISSILE – Slow to begin. Raced wide in the early stages.
 
JOHN JOSEPH – Rider Ashley Butler dismounted on pulling up and was attended by the QAS Officers after becoming unwell. Rider Butler was stood down from his remaining engagements and was transported to Townsville Hospital for further assessment. Rider Butler was advised that a medical clearance would be required prior to him next riding. Rider Butler was excused from weighing in pursuant to AR208(3)(b).
 
TURN BIRD – Sean Cormack replaced Ryan Wiggins.
 
READ 'EM AND WEEP – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early stages.

Race 5: HYGAIN OPEN HANDICAP 1000M
 
Due to QAS Officers attending to rider Butler following Race 4 the start of Race 5 was deferred until 4:20pm.
 
ROWEINER’S DANCE – Began awkwardly.
 
TURBEAU – Graham Kliese replaced Ryan Wiggins. Tightened on jumping and was taken inward near heels, having to steady in consequence.
 
ARMOUR FORCE – Began awkwardly. Had to be momentarily steadied shortly after the start. Had some difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the final straight.
 
BRINGYATICKET – Blundered on jumping and then shifted in dictating TURBEAU inward near the heels of ARMOUR FORCE. Trainer Mr Darby Amos reported that the gelding had returned to scale showing signs of general soreness. A post-race veterinary examination of BRINGYATICKET revealed no obvious abnormality.
 
Race 6: MITAVITE CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1000M
 
The start of Race 6 was amended to 4:50pm.
 
ABSCONDED WITNESS – Bumped heavily at the start. Crowded momentarily rounding the first turn when REEMYYA (NZ) laid out making the corner.  Buffeted for a short distance near the 150 metres when between COSMIC ATOM and REEMYYA (NZ).
 
SUPER FREEZE – Graham Kliese replaced Ashley Butler. Jumped outwards at the start hampering GABBY’S READY. Over-raced in the middle stages. Hung out for the majority of the race.
 
CELEBRATION – Jumped abruptly inwards at the start making heavy contact with BUBBLES’N’FROTH then was hampered when REEMYYA (NZ) was taken out. Raced greenly thereafter in the early stages. Trainer Matthew McGuire was advised a warning would be placed on the mare’s racing manners.
 
THAT'S IT – Jason Taylor replaced Ryan Wiggins. Jumped outwards at the start.
 
BUBBLES'N'FROTH – Severely hampered on jumping away when CELEBRATION jumped abruptly inwards and settled well back as a result.
 
COSMIC ATOM – Hung out when transitioning onto the course proper. Held up rounding the final turn. Was denied clear running passing the 250 metres when attempting to improve between ABSCONDED WITNESS and SUPER FREEZE which laid out, then became awkwardly placed on the heels of SUPER FREEZE passing the 150 metres. Hung out throughout the final straight.
 
GREY POWER – Was determined a late scratching at 10:00am after sustaining an injury prior to being transported to the meeting. Co-trainer Mr Trevor Rowe was advised that a veterinary clearance was required prior to GREY POWER next racing.
 
REEMYYA (NZ) – Bumped heavily at the start after SUPER FREEZE jumped out then was taken out onto CELEBRATION. Laid in making the first turn, crowding ABSCONDED WITNESS for a short distance. Raced wide thereafter.
 
GABBY'S READY – Badly hampered at the start.
 

Race 7: GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO BM60 HANDICAP 1200M
 
The start of Race 7 was amended to 5:20pm.

TAMBO'S JUSTICE – Aidan Holt replaced Ashley Butler. Stewards noted rider Aidan Holt exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+2) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use no further action was taken.
 
LADY DAMUS – Sean Cormack replaced Ryan Wiggins. Bounded on jumping and settled back.
 
VANCOUVER BAY – Jumped out at the start hampering GOING NUCLEAR. Laid out under pressure over the final 250 metres.
 
GOING NUCLEAR – Hampered on jumping. Raced 3-wide without cover throughout.
 
CALDANTE – Was determined a late scratching at 10:20am after becoming fractious when been transported to the meeting and requiring attention. Co-trainer Mr Trevor Rowe was advised that a veterinary clearance was required prior to CALDANTE next racing.
 
ULTIMATE – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
ELLEVES – Raced 3-wide with cover throughout.
 
SPONTANEOUS CHOICE – Began only fairly. A post-race veterinary examination revealed SPONTANEOUS CHOICE to have bled from both nostrils for the first occasion. Trainer Mr Alex Maliff was advised that SPONTANEOUS CHOICE, must not, without the permission of the Stewards, be trained, exercised or galloped on a racecourse, recognised training track, private training establishment, or other place; (b) must not start in any race for a period of 3 months, and then only after: (i) a gallop of at least 1000 metres; or (ii) an official trial or jump-out; in the presence, and to the satisfaction of a Steward. Trainer Mr Alex Maliff advised the Stewards that it would be his intention to retire the gelding.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 

Summary of action concerning licensees

Fines
Race 2. Michael McDonald – [AR190(3)] – unable to make required weight – fined $200.00
Suspensions
Nil
Race day injuries/illness
Ryan Wiggins – injured and stood-down following Race 2 – medical clearance required.
Ashley Butler – unwell – stood-down from remaining engagements following Race 4 - medical clearance required.
Absent jockeys
Nil
Adjourned inquiries
Nil
 


Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
RECRUITER; LONGCROSS; CHOIR BOY; COOL ENCOUNTER and TAMBO’S JUSTICE.
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 6. CELEBRATION – warned – Racing manners.
Race 6. GREY POWER – Injury in transport – Veterinary clearance required.
Race 7. CALDANTE – Injury in transport – Veterinary clearance required.
Bleeders
Race 3. HANGIN AROUND – Bled both nostrils
Race 7. SPONTANEOUS CHOICE – Bled both nostrils.
Falls
Nil
Adjourned inquiries
Nil
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 2. No 3. THE KAMIKAZE (NZ) – Justin Stanley replacing Micheal McDonald (unable to make required weight)
Race 3. No 2. HANGIN’ AROUND – Sean Cormack replaced Ryan Wiggins (injured)
Race 4. No 6. TURN BIRD - Sean Cormack replaced Ryan Wiggins (injured)
Race 5. No 4. TURBEAU – Graeme Kliese replaced Ryan Wiggins (injured)
Race 6. No 5. THAT’S IT - Jason Taylor replaced Ryan Wiggins (injured)
Race 6. No 2. SUPER FREEZE - Graeme Kliese replaced Ashley Butler (unwell)
Race 7. No 2. TAMBO’S JUSTICE – Aiden Holt replaced Ashley Butler (unwell)
Race 7. No 3. LADY DAMUS: Sean Cormack replaced Ryan Wiggins (injured)

Late scratchings
Race 6. No 9. GREY POWER – 10:00am – Injury during transport.
Race 7. No 8. CALDANTE – 10:20am – Fractious during transport.

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.