QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB

SUNDAY 15TH MARCH 2026
 

WEATHER – OVERCAST/SHOWERS                TRACK RATING – SOFT (5)RAIL – 3.5 METRES 1000 METRES – WINNING POST – 1 METRE REAMINDER      PENETROMETER – 5.82

OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – D. Griffiths
Stewards – R. Neal P. Gillard, S. Copelin, K. Dean

GENERAL
 
Due to flooding in the central west region QLD trainer Ms. K. McGovern was unable to transport her horses to Townsville requiring the scratching of Race 1, SO FORMDABLE and Race 8, ELIE JOE. Jockey S. McGovern, who competed at the Mount Isa meeting on 14.03.2026, was also unable to travel to Townsville due to flooding and was replaced as per the steward’s summary.
 
Permitted overweights:
Race 2, L. Morrison (BELINDA’S RUBI) + 0.50kg, I. Fry (VALADORE) + 1kg  
Race 5, A. Sewell (VALUBIOUS) + 0.50kg, L. Morrison (AIN’T NOBODY) + 1KG
Race 6, A. Thomson (PROPERLEIGH) + 1kg
Race 7, I. Fry (ACCLIMATISE) + 1kg, A. Sewell (COLE’S BEST) + 0.50kg 

RACE 1: WRC TICKETS ON SALE NOW! MAIDEN HANDICAP (QTIS BONUSES APPLICABLE 2&3YO'S ONLY) 1000 Metres
 
EMBEZZLES – Trainer Kevin Miller was reprimanded for the late declaration of rider – LR 67 (1). Crowded for room on jumping.
 
ANY NEWS – Slow to begin. A post-race veterinary examination at the request of Trainer/ Jockey R Shred, revealed no abnormalities.
 
FLORAL LEGEND – Began awkwardly and shifted inwards. Raced wide without cover for much of the race. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a minor infection behind the 3rd incisor lower tooth.

ONLY CRUNCHIE – Crowded for room on jumping. Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
TYRANNICAL (NZ) – Began awkwardly and shifted out crowding horses to its outside. A post-race veterinary examination of TYRANNICAL identified the presence of blood in the near side nostril. TYRANNICAL shall before racing again be required to undergo a satisfactory gallop of at least 1,000 metres in the presence of a Steward. AR79(8)
 
OVERWATCH – Suffered a cardiac arrest on returning to the saddling enclosure and was deceased.
 
BOOM BUNNY – Late scratching at 11.03 a.m. on veterinary advice.
 

RACE 2: HYGAIN MAIDEN HANDICAP (QTIS BONUSES APPLICABLE 2 & 3YO'S ONLY) 1000 Metres
 
SHE'S A BEAUTY – Slow to begin.
 
ELEGANT VENUS – Slow to begin. Raced wide for much of the race.
 
NOVAYA – Began awkwardly contacting its inside barrier gate. Momentarily held up for clear running near the 500 metres. Raced wide for most of the race.
 
NOTTINGTON PRINCE – Shifted out under pressure over the concluding crowding SHE’S A BEAUTY. Apprentice F. Sandkuhl was advised to exercise greater care in similar circumstances.

AMBER AFFAIR – Held up for clear running entering the home straight and shifted out near the 200 metres bumping heavily with VALADORE resulting in both runners becoming unbalanced. Apprentice O. Kendal was severely reprimanded and advised to exercise greater care when shifting ground.   
 
MISSIN' DE QUO – Steadied near the 200 metres. Raced wide for much of the race.  
 
VALADORE – Bumped heavily near the 200 metres and was unbalanced. Raced wide for much of the race.  
 
OSCAR BOOIE – Raced wide for most of the race.
 
Following the running of this race and further showers the track was downgraded to a soft (6). 
 
Following the running of Race 2, the Judge advised that the photo finish equipment had malfunctioned and resultantly he was unable to produce an image of the finish. Consequently, Stewards and the Judge were required to determine the placings for first based on the available race vision.
After reviewing all available footage, Stewards and the Judge were unable to separate NOTTINGHAM PRINCE and NOVAYA at the finish and, acting on the best available evidence declared a dead heat for first placing between those runners.
 
 
RACE 3: LADBROKES FORM GENIUS CLASS 1 HANDICAP 1300 Metres
 
ELLIS BEACH – Slow into stride.
 
AIRWAVES – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Held up for clear running approaching the 200 metres and tended to lay out under pressure.   
 
GINGER MICK – Raced wide without cover. Lost its near hind plate during running. 

MISS KIYOSHI – Raced wide for the majority.
 
SAVVY THINKER – Jockey N. Thomas was examined by the QAS officers following the race after his left foot was stood on by his mount when he dismounted. Jockey Thomas was cleared to fulfil his further engagements. 
 
Following the running of this race and further heavy showers the track was downgraded to a heavy (8) retrospective.   
 
 
RACE 4: LADBROKES PUNTER ASSIST BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1200 Metres
 
TALONS – Began awkwardly contacting its outside barrier gate.
 
TYMON – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Momentarily held up near the 300 metres. 
 
JOE'S GIGGLE – Improved onto heels near the 900 metres and shifted wider.
 
MAXIMUM POWER – Hung out rounding the 1000 metres turn proving difficult to ride.
 
PRIMO – Raced in restricted room near 900 and was steadied. 
 
IMPRESSIONISM - A post-race veterinary examination revealed a minor near side eye injury. The gelding was treated accordingly by the Club veterinary surgeon.
 
SILVER CITY - A post-race veterinary examination revealed eye discomfort due to mud/dirt. The gelding was treated accordingly by the Club veterinary surgeon.
 
 
 
RACE 5: LADBROKES SAME RACE MULTI BENCHMARK 65 HANDICAP 1609 Metres
 
STORE BEACH – Connections advised it would be the intention to ride the gelding in a forward position if circumstances permit. It was slow to begin.
 
MISTERKIPCHOGE (NZ) – Shifted in marginally near the 850 metres crowding runners to its inside. Apprentice G. Semmens was advised to show greater care. Raced wide for most of the race. 
 
WHIRLWIND – Shifted in marginally near the 850 metres crowding runners to its inside. Apprentice O. Kendle was advised to show greater care.   
 
OH SO THRILLING – Slow to begin. Raced wide for much of the race.
 
KHAMIS – Raced in restricted room leaving the 1000 metres to the inside of WHIRLWIND and near the 800 metres was checked.  
 
MORE TROUBLE (NZ) – Raced wide for much of the race.
 
AIN'T NOBODY – A post-race veterinary examination of AIN’T NOBODY identified the presence of blood in both nostrils. AIN’T NOBODY shall not without the permission of the Stewards: (a) for a period of 2 months after the attack of bleeding, must not, be trained, exercised or galloped on a racecourse, recognized 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 a gallop of at least 1,000 metres; or ii. an official trial or jump-out, in the presence, and to the satisfaction of a Steward. AR79(4)

 
RACE 6: MITAVITE QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP 1000 Metres
 
CAROHVIC – Stewards considered a request from trainer P. Cullen to race the gelding without blinkers which it was racing in for the first time today due to the weather conditions. Stewards denied the request. Bumped on jumping and shifted inwards hampering VEGAMEISTER.   
 
VEGAMEISTER – Blundered on jumping and was then hampered by CAROHVIC which shifted in after being bumped.
 
TARONG – Began awkwardly.
 
BURLINGTON ARCADE – Shifted in bumping with CAROHVIC. Laid in under pressure in the home straight having to be corrected near the 100 metres where jockey R. Wiggins changed whip hands.  
 
MISTER DOOBEE – A post-race veterinary examination revealed mud/dirt in the near side eye. The gelding was treated accordingly by the Club veterinary surgeon.
 
RACE 7: QUALITY FABRICATIONS AND WELDING OPEN HANDICAP 1000 Metres
 
ACCLIMATISE – Threw its head in the air as the start was affected, beginning very awkwardly and lost ground.
 
COLE'S BEST – Slow to begin.
 
DEMON AWARD – Laid in under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
MOLONGLE SURPRISE – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
GOING NUCLEAR – Laid in near the 400 metres and was restrained from heels.
 
RACE 8: GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO CLASS 3 PLATE 1000 Metres
 
COPPABELLA ROAD – After competing at the Cairns race meeting Thursday 12 March 2026, the gelding underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was cleared to start. Laid out under pressure in the home straight.

INALA ATICUS – Slow to begin. Raced wide for most of the race.
 
ALBANIAN BAY – Slow to begin. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.

GOLDEN OCTAVIAN ­– Blundered on jumping.
 
STATESWOMAN – Began awkwardly and shifted inwards.
 
MOHAWK WARRIOR – Raced wide for much of the race.

RAMIUS – Raced wide for most of the race.
 
SPIRIT OF MAC – Rider dropped her whip leaving the 200 metres.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 1, Kevin Miller (Trainer) Late rider declaration – LR 67 (1)  

Race day injuries/illness
Race 3, Jockey N. Thomas was examined by the QAS officers following the race after his left foot was stood on. Jockey Thomas was cleared to fulfil his further engagements. 
 
Absent jockeys
Shane McGovern – Flooding central west QLD.  

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
NOTTINGTON PRINCE, AIRWAVES, PRIMO, MORE TROUBLE, BAGGAGE HANDLER.  
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners

Warnings/bars
Race 1, TYRANNICAL – Satisfactory gallop of at least 1,000 metres in the presence of a Steward. AR79(8)
 
Bleeders
Race 5, AIN’T NOBODY – AR79(4) – Both nostrils first occasion – 3-month ban + 1000m gallop/trial/jumpout.
 
Protests - nil

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 1, EMBEZZLES – App Olivia Kendle,  
Race 4. JOE’S GIGGLE – App Fiona Sandkuhl
Race 5, AIN’T NOBODY – Lacey Morrison
Race 6, PROPERLEIGH – Amanda Thomson
 

Late scratchings
Race 1, BOOM BUNNY – Vets advice – 11.03am

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.