QUEENSLANDRACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB

TUESDAY 3 FEBRUARY 2026

WEATHER –Overcast
TRACK RATING –Soft 5 – (Upgraded to Good 4 following Race 2)
RAIL – +7m 1000M-W/Post, True Remainder
PENETROMETER – 5.87

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – S Nosworthy
Stewards – R Neal, D Griffiths; P Gillard; P Warren.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT
 
TOWNSVILLE Turf Club - Friday 16th January 2026.
Race 2: Hygain Benchmark 70 Handicap
 
Stewards have concluded a review of the wagering on this race, which revealed that betting activity across the totalisator, corporate wagering operators and the betting exchange (Betfair) was unremarkable and disclosed no irregularities.
 
While the race was run in an unusual manner, with two runners establishing a significant advantage over the remainder of the field, Stewards were satisfied that there was nothing to suggest any wrongdoing on the part of any rider.
 
Stewards noted that both of the leading runners were relatively unfancied in the betting market, having regard to their exposed recent form, and it was not unreasonable for riders of the trailing runners to anticipate that the leaders would return to the field as the race progressed. In fact, one of those runners did weaken markedly to finish at the rear of the field, while the other went on to win the race.
 
Notwithstanding this, some riders acknowledged that, in hindsight, alternative tactics may have been available given the way the race unfolded. Riders were reminded of their obligations to ensure that they ride their mounts in a manner that does not give rise to query or question.
 
GENERAL
 
Stewards permitted the following overweights.
 
Race 3: Shane McGovern (PROPERLEIGH) +1.0kg.
Race 7: Sean Cormack (GOLD SLUICE) +0.5kg
 
Race 1: WRC TICKETS ON SALE 5TH FEBRUARY QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP 1000M

AUCHTERARDER –Slow to begin.
 
ON LOCATION – Shifted in on jumping bumping with GONE COUNTRY. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
SCARLENA – Bumped at the start.
 
GONE COUNTRY – Began awkwardly then bumped shortly after. Raced keenly in the middle stages when leading.
 
TAMBO'S SISTER – Rider Ryan Wiggins was harmlessly dislodged behind the barriers prior to the start. Reared on jumping and shifted out bumping with SCARLENA, losing ground. Raced greenly for most of the event, and when placed under pressure in the final straight ran inwards on several occasions and had to be continually corrected.
 
RACE 2: LADBROKES FORM GENIUS OPEN HANDICAP 1000M

ROWEINER'S DANCE – Laid in for a short distance after leaving the barriers.
 
MOLONGLE SURPRISE – Inclined to over-race in the early stages.
 
STATS – Slow into stride.
 
FAMILY STAR – Slow to begin then bumped shortly after.
 
TIME TO PROPHET – Lay on the inside barrier immediately prior to the start and was slow to begin. Gave ground over the concluding stages and finished back. When questioned, apprentice rider Fiona Sandkuhl stated after settling behind the leaders the mare had failed to run on when placed under pressure and was disappointing.
 
HAND GRENADE – Jumped out at the start and bumped with FAMILY STAR. Rider Wanderson D’Avila reported that the mare had got its tongue over the bit during the running.
 
Following this race, the track was upgraded to Good 4.
 
RACE 3: GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP 1000M
 
OLD GOLD – Bumped at the start. Raced keenly in the middle stages. Shifted out marginally approaching the 200 metres bumping with BURLINGTON ARCADE.
 
NOSEY NEO – Saddle shifted back shortly after leaving the barriers resulting in the gelding going off-stride and attempting to buck. Given all circumstances, no further action was taken.
 
BURLINGTON ARCADE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was passed fit to race after rearing in the enclosure and contacting the ground. Briefly held up rounding the home turn. Lay in through the early part of the home straight. Shifted in under pressure leaving the 200 metres and had to be corrected by its rider.
 
FABULEAN – Lay on the outside barrier immediately prior to the start and was slow to begin. Lay in over the final 250 metres.
 
GOLD CLASSIC – Over-raced when leading in the middle stages.
 
CAROHVIC – Shifted out at the start bumping with OLD GOLD.
 
STANDARD GLADIATOR – Contacted the barriers on jumping and began very awkwardly, then shifted in bumping with PROPERLEIGH. In this incident, rider Lacey Morrison made contact with the inside barrier gate with her right knee.
 
PROPERLEIGH – Bumped on the hindquarters when leaving the barriers. Laid in leaving the 700 metres. Lost its near fore plate during the running.
 
RACE 4: MAGIC MILLIONS YEARLING SALES ON MARCH 12-13 MAIDEN PLATE 1400M
 
MARCH MADNESS – Bumped and unbalanced at the start, losing ground. Laid in under pressure in the early part of the home straight.
 
SMOKIN REELS – Began awkwardly. Laid out under pressure in the final straight.
 
THE GENERAL TALKS – Slow to begin. Briefly held up upon entering the home straight.
 
AIRWAVES – Bumped at the start. Brushed and carried wider leaving the 550 metres when MR SUGAR DADDY shifted out to improve.
 
MR OREO – Shifted away from the heels of AIRWAVES leaving the 500 metres to improve.
 
MR SUGAR DADDY – Shifted wider to improve leaving the 600 metres carrying AIRWAVES wider. Laid in under pressure over the final 250 metres.
 
NOTFORTHEMONEY – Over-raced in the early stages. Gave ground over the concluding stages and finished well back. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormality.
 
RED CITY SUN – Slow to begin.
 
VOUCHERS – Shifted in and away from NEXT STOP JUPITER leaving the 1200 metres and had to be steadied.
 
JUST FOR LOVE – Shifted out at the start bumping with MISS COMANECI. Over-raced in the early and middle stages.
 
MISS COMANECI – Bumped at the start.
 
NEXT STOP JUPITER – Jumped out abruptly at the start bumping AIRWAVES, which in turn shifted out and bumped with MARCH MADNESS, which was unbalanced and lost ground. Over-raced in the lead through the middle stages.
 
RACE 5: HYGAIN BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP 1609M
 
MOOLOOLABA (NZ) – Began awkwardly. Over-raced in the lead throughout.
 
BITTER SPIRIT – Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid out under pressure over the final 250 metres.
 
LOOMING ONE – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
CHAPARRAL CHASE – Bumped by BELMONT PARK rounding the home turn. Gave ground over the latter stages. Upon returning to scale rider Adam Sewell advised that the gelding may have got its tongue over the bit which had proved detrimental. Rider Sewell added that he advised connections that the application of a tongue tie may assist. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormality.
 
BELMONT PARK – Slow to begin. Shifted out marginally and bumped CHAPARRAL CHASE rounding the home turn.
 
ZOUHOPE – Shifted in on jumping bumping with LOOK AT ROSA. Raced three-wide with cover throughout.
 
CHANCE – Raced three-wide with cover throughout. Raced in restricted room nearing the 400 metres after improving quickly between LOOMING ONE and LOOK AT ROSA, which both shifted ground.  
 
STORE BEACH – Slow to begin.
 
LOOK AT ROSA – Rider Amanda Thomson was unable to make the required weight for the mare and was replaced by Nathan Thomas. Ms. Thomson pleaded guilty to a resultant breach of AR190(3) and a fine of $100.00 was imposed. Shifted out on jumping bumping with ZOUHOPE. Raced keenly in the early stages. Held up for a short distance rounding the home turn.
 
RACE 6: LADBROKES ODDS SURGE BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP 1200M
 
HENRY’S BLADE – Over-raced in the lead throughout.
 
YAMABUSHI – Began awkwardly.
 
SINGULAR – Trainer Stephen Massingham advised that it was his intention to have the gelding be ridden more conservatively from a wide barrier: Ridden accordingly. Jumped out at the start and bumped with RUSSIAN SUMMER. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
PENNYPACKER – Slow to begin. Over-raced in the middle stages.
 
PRIDE OF VENUS – On returning to scale, rider Sean Cormack reported that he was unwell after suffering from effects of the high humidity present today. Rider Cormack was advised that appropriate medical clearance would be required prior to riding again.
 
RUSSIAN SUMMER – Bumped at the start. Raced ungenerously in the early stages when being restrained. Momentarily held up rounding the home turn.
 
RACE 7: VALE GEORGE COLEMAN RATINGS BAND 0 - 60 HANDICAP      1300M
 
BETTA AL – Bumped shortly after the start. Held up passing the 200 metres before being shifted wider to obtain clear running inside the 100 metres.
 
NO LOVE LOST – Bumped on jumping. Commenced to over-race leaving the 1200 metres and near the 1000 metres had to be restrained off heels for some distance.
 
ROOM FOR SQUARES – Slow to begin. Over-raced in the early stages. Returned to scale with blood present in both nostrils. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have bled bilaterally on the first occasion, with ROOM FOR SQUARES now being subject to the provisions of AR79(4). Trainer Jason Babarovich advised that ROOM FOR SQUARES would now be retired.
 
UNIFIES – Began awkwardly and shifted out bumping with NO LOVE LOST and became unbalanced, then shifted in bumping KOBAYASTAR. Over-raced when leading in the middle stages.
 
SILVER CITY – Jumped out at the start. Shortly after was bumped heavily by HEART 'N' POWER which was bumped by THE HONEY BADGER and forced inwards. Shifted wider to improve passing the 200 metres.
 
THE HONEY BADGER – Jumped in at the start.
 
TO LOVE SOMEBODY – Raced keenly in the early stages. Held up rounding the home turn.
 
WINNING SAGA – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
HEART 'N' POWER – Tightened for room at the start when runners shifted ground either side. Raced three-wide without cover for most of the race. Gave ground over the latter stages and finished back. When questioned on the performance, rider Ron Stewart stated that after losing ground at the start, he allowed his mount to stride forward and felt that there was an opportunity to trail KOBAYASTAR, however when NO LOVE LOST held its position, he was then left racing wide without cover. Rider Stewart also stated that the filly had been inclined to lay out throughout, which had proved detrimental. Rider Stewart concluded by stating that, in his opinion, HEART 'N' POWER would benefit from the addition of blinkers.
 
LET'S RIDE – Returned to scale with blood present in both nostrils. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have bled bilaterally on the first occasion, with LET'S RIDE now being subject to the provisions of AR79(4).
 
GOLD SLUICE – Alvin Goindasamy replaced Sean Cormack. Shifted in and bumped with NO LOVE LOST on jumping.
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Fines
Race 5 – Amanda Thomson – [AR190(3)] – Unable to make required weight – $100.00.
Race day injuries/illness:
Rider Sean Cormack – Stood down following Race 6 – Medical Clearance required.
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
TIME TO PROPHET, BURLINGTON ARCADE, CAROHVIC, CAROHVIC, CHAPARRAL CHASE, BELMONT PARK, HENRY’S BLADE (NZ)
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Bleeders
Race 7: ROOM FOR SQUARES – Bilateral first occasion – AR 79(4).
Race 7: LETS RIDE– Bilateral first occasion – AR 79(4).
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 5. No 12. LOOK AT ROSA – Nathan Thomas replaced Amanda Thomson – Overweight.
Race 7. No 13. GOLD SLUICE – Alvin Goindasamy replaced Sean Cormack – Unwell.
 
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.