QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB

SATURDAY 9 AUGUST 2025
 

WEATHER –Fine
TRACK RATING –Good 4 (Upgraded at 10:55am)
RAIL – True Entire Course
PENETROMETER – 5.6

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – R. Neal
Stewards – D. Griffiths, P. Gillard, S. Nosworthy, J. McIntosh

GENERAL
 
1.    Prior to the running of Race 1, the track was upgraded to a Good 4 at 10:55am.
2.    Stewards approved the following overweights:
Race 2. Tasha Chambers (THE PALACE) - +1.0kg
Race 8. Sean Cormack (MISSILE THUNDER) - +0.5kg
Race 8. Adin Thompson (CHERRY ROSE) - +0.5kg
Race 8. Graham Kliese (CASINO LORD) - +0.5kg
Race 9. Ashley Butler (FORTRESS AUSTRALIA) - +0.5kg
 
 
Race 1: GREAT NORTHERN BREWING BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 2000M

REDWOOD SHADOW (NZ) – Improved onto the heels of ROTHESAY’S RUBY passing the 500 metres and had to be steadied.
 
MEDAL (NZ) – Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
ROTHESAY'S RUBY – Bumped with READY TIGER on jumping. Raced in restricted room for a short distance passing the 500 metres between JOE’S GIGGLE which laid out at that point and MEDAL (NZ).
 
BOLD FEELING – Inclined to lay in under pressure over the concluding stages and brushed with ROTHESAY’S RUBY passing the 150 metres.
 
READY TIGER – Bumped with ROTHESAY’S RUBY on jumping. Shifted in under pressure passing the 200 metres brushing the running rail.
 
JOE'S GIGGLE – Raced ungenerously for a short distance passing the winning post on the first occasion. Had a tendency to race keenly in the middle stages. Laid out for a short distance passing the 500 metres placing ROTHESAY’S RUBY in restricted room.
 
STORE BEACH – Inclined to lay in passing the 200 metres.
 
Race 2: CHRYSALIS MEDISPA QTIS MAIDEN HANDICAP 1000M

LECONFIELD – Held up rounding the home turn and again near the 200 metres. Stewards questioned rider Lacey Morrison regarding the performance of race favourite LECONFIELD, which finished unplaced. Ms. Morrison explained that, although she had difficulty obtaining clear running in the early part of the straight, the gelding failed to quicken as expected when a run became available and proved disappointing. Ms. Morrison added that LECONFIELD was dropping back in distance for today’s event and, in her opinion, may be better suited over longer distances.
 
URIS – Raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.
 
CAPRICORNUS – Raced wide throughout.
 
OVERWATCH – Slow into stride. Stewards questioned rider Ryan Wiggins regarding the performance of the gelding which failed to maintain contact with the field in the early and middle stages. In explanation rider Wiggins stated that OVERWATCH had failed to come onto the bridle at any stage and despite his efforts struggled to regain any lost ground and was disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.
 
TOO MANY KISSES – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start.
 
BOLD SANTOS – Slow into stride. On returning to scale, rider Jason Taylor stated that BOLD SANTOS had a tendency to hang in throughout.
 
THE PALACE – Raced wide throughout.
 
IL FAGIOLO – Slow into stride.
 
Race 3: SELECT EVENTS RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1300M
 
KIDSTON – Improved near heels passing the 100 metres and had to steady.
 
SIR MAXIMUS – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
FALLGUY – Over-raced in the early stages. Laid out under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
CULLIVEL – Slow into stride. Stewards noted rider Chris Meehan exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+1) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use, no further action was taken.
 
STATESWOMAN – Over-raced in the early and middle stages. When questioned regarding the performance of STATESWOMAN which performed below market expectations, rider Ashley Butler stated that the mare’s tendency over-race had proved detrimental, with rider Butler adding that in his opinion STATESWOMAN would be better suited to races over a shorter distance with a more genuine tempo.
 
MAJESTIC BLAZE – Slow to begin. 
 
FAITH OVER FEAR – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
SIMPLY DIVINE – Raced wide throughout. Disappointed for a run passing the 150 metres and had to be steadied.
 
 
Race 4: CHANNEL 7 RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1300M

RISKY INVESTMENT – Slow to begin.
 
INNOVATES – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
GRAND POPE – Slow into stride.
 
LOST MY NIGHTIE – Slow to begin. Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
BUBBLES'N'FROTH – Began awkwardly. Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Raced wide throughout. Bumped with LADY OF FORTUNE approaching the winning post. Inclined to lay in through the early part of the straight. Lost the off-hind plate during the event. Stewards noted rider Ryan Wiggins exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+1) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use, no further action was taken.
 
HE GOES BOOM – Raced ungenerously in the early stages. Approaching the 300 metres, rider Lacey Morrison dropped the right rein for a short distance.
 
HOLD MY HALO – Had to be steadied approaching the winning post.
 
LADY OF FORTUNE – Bumped with BUBBLES’N’FROTH approaching the winning post.
 
BRAVE INTENT – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination after being kicked by another runner behind the barriers and was passed fit to race.
 
 
Race 5: MAGIC MILLIONS TOWNSVILLE GUINEAS QTIS 4YO HANDICAP 1609M
 
SCRUB CHAIN – Raced three-wide without cover in the early and middle stages.
 
OBLIGATED – Raced keenly in the early stages. Lost the near-side hind plate during the event.
 
ASK ME MATE – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn before shifting across heels passing the 200 metres to continue to improve.  
 
DANCE FOR ME RANDY – On returning to scale, rider Georgina Cartwright reported that DANCE FOR ME RANDY had a tendency to hang out throughout.
 
BELMONT PARK – Slow to begin.
 
LIVEWIRE LASS – Raced wide throughout.
 
THE HONEY BADGER – Had to be re-saddled on arrival at the barriers.
 
SMART MISSION – Attempted to buck shortly after the start and lost ground. Commenced to race fiercely passing the 1300 metres and had to be restrained off heels for a distance. Trainer Graham Kliese was advised that SMART MISSION must trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to next racing.

 
Race 6: BELLE PROPERTY TOWNSVILLE CLASS 3 PLATE 1400M

BURRANEER BUOY – Stood flat-footed when the barriers were released, losing considerable ground and effectively all chance. Trainer Graham Hughes was advised that BURRANEER BUOY must trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to next racing.
 
HYDE PARK – Shifted out passing the 400 metres bumping with KING SAMUEL which in turn shifted out inconveniencing PRIMO.
 
SET THE SAILS – Bumped on jumping. On returning to scale, rider Jackson Murphy expressed concerns with the gelding’s actions over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
ANOTHER FORTUNE – Raced wide throughout
 
CONVERTOR – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
KING SAMUEL – Raced wide throughout. Bumped by HYDE PARK passing the 500 metres, then shifted out inconveniencing PRIMO.
 
LISTENTOZOU (NZ) – Compounded over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be showing signs of back soreness. Trainer Trevor Rowe was advised that a veterinary clearance would be required prior to racing again.
 
PRIMO – Raced wide throughout. Inconvenienced passing the 400 metres when HYDE PARK shifted out.
 
KIRIKAN (NZ) – Inclined to over-race in the early and middle stages. Held up for clear running and was unable to improve from passing the 600 metres up to a point approaching the 200 metres.

ODEGAARD – Laid out over the final 200 metres. Ran out badly after the finish inconveniencing several runners during the wind-down.
 
DIAMOND LUCY – Began awkwardly and shifted out bumping with SET THE SAILS.
 
 
Race 7: LADBROKES TOWNSVILLE CUP 2000M
 
THIRD REALM (GB) – Raced wide for the majority.
 
MR MAESTRO (NZ) – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn.
 
ALCYONE – Slow to begin and shifted in bumping SIR GRACE.
 
ROGUE BEAR – Rider Jackson Murphy was harmlessly dislodged behind the barriers.
 
BEAU RAIN – Made the 1700 metre crossing awkwardly. When questioned regarding the run on BEAU RAIN rider Lacey Morrison stated that after drawing a wide barrier and working forward the gelding had travelled well in the running however when placed under pressure BEAU RAIN had failed to finish off the race as anticipated.
 
QUOTHQUAN – Shifted in on jumping hampering SOLAR APEX. Made the 1700 metre crossing awkwardly.
 
SIR GRACE (NZ) – Bumped on jumping. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
SOLAR APEX – Hampered on jumping.
 
ACCLIMATISE – Began awkwardly.
 
FORTIFIED (NZ) – Made the 1700 metre crossing awkwardly.
 
TAMBO’S JUSTICE – When questioned on the performance, rider Tahlia Fenlon stated that after over-racing in the early stages, the gelding had failed to respond when placed under pressure and was disappointing. Rider Fenlon added that in her opinion TAMBO’S JUSTICE would be better suited to races over a shorter distance.
 
DILLINGER – Raced wide rounding the first turn.
 
 
Race 8: LADBROKES CLEVELAND BAY 1200M
 
SPEED LEGEND – Slow into stride.
 
HELLISH – Bumped on jumping. Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
MISSILE THUNDER – Buffeted for several strides when racing to the inside of SMART IMAGE passing the 1000 metres. Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
REAL KEY – Trainer Mark Cochrane was fined $100.00 pursuant to LR 67(1) for failing to declare a rider by the required time. Began awkwardly. Raced wide throughout.
 
CHERRY ROSE (Adin Thompson) - Shifted in passing the 1,200 metres when not clear of NORTHERN PRIDE which was tightened and checked. Rider Adin Thompson pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR131(a) and was suspended from riding in races the conclusion of racing on Wednesday 27th August 2025, up to and including racing on Wednesday 10th September 2025 (14 days). Shifted in near the 1,200 metres when not clear of ACROPHOBIC which was taken off its line and that of SMART IMAGE which had to check. Also affected in this incident was MISSILE THUNDER which was buffeted for a short distance. Rider Thompson pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding under AR131(a) and was suspended from riding in races the conclusion of racing on Wednesday 27th August 2025 up to and including racing on Wednesday 10th September 2025 (14 days).
Stewards ordered that this suspension be served concurrent with the suspension from earlier in the race.
 
CASINO LORD – Slow into stride. Held up through the early part of the home straight.
 
CAPTAIN BOND – Shifted in on jumping.
 
SMART IMAGE – Tightened for room and had to check when inside ACROPHOBIC near the 1,000 metres.   
 
ACROPHOBIC – Shifted out on jumping. Tightened for room and dictated inwards onto SMART IMAGE passing the 1000 metres when racing inside CHERRY ROSE which shifted in when not clear.
Raced wide with cover throughout. Held up approaching the 200 metres and had to shift wider to continue to improve.
 
DEMON AWARD – Shifted in on jumping bumping with HELLISH, which in turn bumped with INCHING CLOSER on the hind-quarters which became unbalanced.
 
NORTHERN PRIDE – Tightened for room on jumping. Crowded and checked near the 1200 metres. Inconvenienced passing then 200 metres when MISSILE THUNDER shifted in when insufficiently clear. Inconvenienced passing the 200 metres when MISSILE THUNDER shifted in. Rider Sean Cormack was advised to exercise more care when racing in similar circumstances.
 
INCHING CLOSER – Became unbalanced on jumping after being bumped on the hind-quarters by HELLISH. Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
HE'S XCEPTIONAL – Over-raced in the early stages. Raced four-wide throughout. Laid in through the early part of the home straight.
 
LADY RAIN – Tightened for room on jumping. Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
Race 9: LADBROKES CAPE CLEVELAND BENCHMARK 78 HANDICAP 1300M
 
STATS – Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
TURBEAU – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn.
 
PIPISTRELLE – Became unbalanced on jumping after being heavily contacted by STRATHCONA and lost ground. Raced in restricted room for a short distance to the inside of SWEET KISSES passing the 250 metres before gaining full clearance.
 
OVERLORD – Began awkwardly. Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Lost the near hind shoe during the event.
 
CROWNING MOMENT – Began awkwardly and lost ground.
 
FORTRESS AUSTRALIA – Rider Ashley Butler was unable to make the required weight and was replaced by Adin Thompson. Rider Butler admitted a resultant breach of pursuant to AR 190(3) and was fined $200.00. Rider Adin Thompson was firmly reminded of his obligations to ensure that he maintains a genuine tempo after steadying shortly after taking the lead passing the 1,100 metres.
 
STRATHCONA – Began very awkwardly and shifted in making heavy contact with PIPISTRELLE and lost ground.
 
GOING NUCLEAR – Inclined to lay in over the concluding stages.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Suspensions
R8 – Adin Thompson [AR131a] – shifting ground inward near 1,200 metres and again 1,000 metres – Suspended 28th August 2025 to 10th September 2025 (Inclusive)
 
Fines
Race 8 – Trainer Mark Cochrane – LR 67(1) – failure to declare rider by the prescribed time – $100.00  
Race 9 – Rider Ashley Butler – AR 190(3) – accepting ride when overweight – $200.00
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
ROTHESAY’S RUBY, URIS, SPIRIT GHOST, TOO MANY KISSES, THE PALACE, KIDSTON, SIR MAXIMUS, INNOVATES, ASTRA STAR, DANCE FOR ME RANDY, SWATOW, LOGAN STREET LION (NZ), ROGUE BEAR (IRE), BEAU RAIN, SMART LEGEND, SPEED LEGEND, CHERRY ROSE, DEMON AWARD.
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 5. SMART MISSION – Must trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.
Race 6. BURRANEER BUOY – Must trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.
Race 6. LISTENTOZOU (NZ) – Signs of back soreness – Veterinary clearance required.
 
Bleeders
Nil
 
Falls
Nil
 
Adjourned inquiries
Nil

Protests
Nil

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 9. No 13. FORTRESS AUSTRALIA – Adin Thompson replacing Ashley Butler.
 
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.