QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

 TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB
 
SUNDAY 31ST MAY 2026
 
 
 
WEATHER: FINE                       PENETROMETER: 5.89                                                                                   
TRACK RATING: Soft 5 - Upgraded to Good (4) at 10:45am    
RAIL: +5m 1000m – Winning Post; +4m Remainder
 
OFFICIALS
 
Chairman of Stewards – R. Neal
Stewards – P. Gillard, C. Bew, S. Copelin & A. Holzhauser

GENERAL
 
The track was upgraded to a GOOD (4) at 10:45am.
 
Stewards permitted the following overweight’s:
Race 1 – Lacey Morrison (CHANCE) +1.0kg
Race 3 – Masayuki Abe (REDLIGHTS ON) +1.0kg
Race 4 – Ryan Wiggins (SHE’S A BEAUTY) +1.0kg, Lacey Morrison (GONCALO) +1.0kg
 
RACE 1:GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP 1300 M
 
MADAM NAZAR – Slow to begin.
 
VALADORE – Slow into stride.
 
PROPERLEIGH – Slow to begin. Raced fiercely in the early stages and as a result raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
TORANAGA – Jockey Tahlia Fenlon was harmlessly dislodged when pulling up after the winning post.
 
NOTTINGTON PRINCE – Raced keenly in the early stages and improved onto heels near the 1000 metres and was steadied.
 
EXODAS – When questioned regarding the below market expectation performance of EXODAS rider Aidan Holt stated the gelding had never felt comfortable throughout the race and when pressured failed to respond to his riding and was disappointing. Trainer Lachie Manzelmann was at a loss to explain the disappointing performance however undertook to advise the Stewards should any relevant matter become apparent in coming days. A post-race veterinary examination of EXODAS revealed no significant findings.
 
RACE 2:LADBROKES SAME RACE MULTI MAIDEN HANDICAP (QTIS BONUSES APPLICABLE 2&3YO ONLY) 1400 M
 
STREAMELOT (IRE) – Slow to begin. Momentarily held up for clear running rounding the final turn.
 
ROYAL EDITION – Slow to begin and commenced to over race in the early stages. Disappointed for a run near the 300 metres and was taken wider to improve.
 
INSTIGATE – Raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages.         
 
SAY IT LOUD – Over raced in the early and middle stages. Stewards noted rider Ryan Wiggins exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+ one) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use no further action was taken.
 
SMALL TOWN HUSSLER – Momentarily held up for clear running rounding the final turn. Shifted its near side fore plate during running.
 
ONOMA – Gave ground over the final stages and finished well back. Rider Sean Cormack reported the gelding had pulled hard during the running which proved detrimental to its chances.
 

RACE 3:QUALITY FABRICATIONS & WELDING CLASS 3 HANDICAP 1609 M
 
ECLIPSION – Trainer Stephen Massingham advised Stewards the gelding would be ridden in a more forward manner if circumstances permit. Was ridden accordingly.
 
KINGS CASTLE – Slow to begin.
 
KHAMIS – Slow to begin.
 
MISTERKIPCHOGE (NZ) – Slow into stride.
 
BUBBLES'N'FROTH – Raced wide for the majority of the race.
 
READY TIGER – Over raced in the middle stages.
 
DIVINE DIAMONDS – Shifted wider leaving the 600metres to improve and raced very wide rounding the final turn.
 
 
RACE 4:LADBROKES PUNTER ASSIST CLASS 3 HANDICAP 1609 M
 
SMART MISSION - Following the running of Race 3, Stewards became aware that the handicap weight allocated to SMART MISSION in Race 4 may have been incorrect. SMART MISSION had been declared to carry 54.5 kilograms; however, concerns were raised that this weight was inconsistent with the horse's current rating and recent handicap assessments.
 
The Stewards immediately contacted Racing Queensland's Handicapping Department, which subsequently confirmed that an error had occurred during the handicapping process and that SMART MISSION had been incorrectly allocated 54.5 kilograms. The Handicapping Department advised that the horse's correct allocated weight for the event should have been 59.5 kilograms.
 
Upon receiving this advice, the Stewards considered the available options, including permitting SMART MISSION to carry the additional 5 kilograms, however in assessing the matter, the Stewards determined that the integrity of the race;  the interests of all participants;  and the interests of the wagering public were the overriding considerations, with particular regard given to the significant advantage that had arisen through the publication of an incorrect handicap weight, and the impact this may have had on betting activity and market perceptions.
 
After reviewing all relevant circumstances, the Stewards determined that the most appropriate course of action in the interests of racing integrity was to order the scratching of SMART MISSION from Race 4 at 1:48pm
 
All monies wagered on SMART MISSION were ordered to be refunded and the following deductions to be applicable on all successful bets prior to 1.48pm.
 
          35 cents in the dollar for the win MORDECAI
          29 cents in the dollar for the place of winner MORDECAI
          22 cents in the dollar for 2nd place ELLIS BEACH
          27 cents in the dollar for 3rd place FIRST MAN
 
MORDECAI – Slow to begin. Apprentice jockey Olivia. Kendal accidently dropped her whip near the 200 metres.
 
SHOCKSTAR (NZ)  – Raced three wide for the majority of the race. Stewards noted rider Wanderson D’Avila exceeded the permitted strikes of the whip prior to the 100m (+ one) under AR132(7)(a)(ii); however, given the totality of the whip use no further action was taken.
 
ELLIS BEACH – Raced wide in the early and middle stages. Laid out under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
TALONS – Slow into stride. Raced fiercely in the early and middle stages being restrained off heels for some distance.
 
SHE'S A BEAUTY – Over raced in the early and middle stages.
 
FIRSTMAN – Shifted wider leaving the 1000 metres and raced wide from that point onwards.
 
RACE 5:VALE SHANE MCGOVERN OPEN HANDICAP 1400 M
 
CENTRAL PARK –  Slow to begin. Laid out under pressure in the home straight.
 
BEAU RAIN – Slow into stride.    
 
OUTBACK ACTION – Slow to begin.     
 
FREE CARRY – Began awkwardly. Leaving the 200 metres shifted out under pressure then continued to shift out momentarily inconveniencing GOING NUCLEAR near the 100 metres. Jockey Tasha Chambers was advised to show greater care when shifting ground. Trainer Bill Kenning was reprimanded for presenting the horse without its advertised gear  -tongue tie.
 
GOING NUCLEAR – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Momentarily inconvenienced near the 100 metres.   
 
 
RACE 6:THURINGOWA RSL BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1000 M
 
CANNY PROSPECT – Slow into stride. 
 
FANCY GARTER – Slow into stride.
 
DRAGON TALES – Began awkwardly. Had to steady near the 500 metres when awkwardly placed on the heels of MELO MELO KAVA. After questioning the riders Adam Sewell and Aidan Holt and viewing the footage Stewards determined that no one rider was at fault and no further action was required.
 
 
RACE 7:TOWNSVILLE RSL BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP          1200 M

COLOURS OF AUTUMN – Slow to begin. Unable to muster early speed and settled back. Had difficulty obtaining clear running through the final straight.
 
DEALING'S DONE – Slow to begin.
 
KHUMBILA – Slow into stride.
 
MAXIMUM POWER – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Over raced in the early and middle stages and restrained from heels near the 500 metres. Was unable to obtain a clear running through the final straight and went to the line without being fully tested.
 
 
RACE 8:BELLE PROPERTY BENCHMARK 50 HANDICAP 1200 M
 
WAR COUNCIL – Was declared a late scratching by order of stewards acting on veterinary advice after it was kicked when behind the barriers and sustaining a laceration to the near side leg.  All monies wagered on WAR COUNCIL were ordered to be refunded and the following deductions to be applicable on all successful bets prior to 4:32pm.
 
          19 cents in the dollar for the win COLONEL PARKER
          12 cents in the dollar for the place of winner COLONEL PARKER
          19 cents in the dollar for 2nd place HELL OF A TRIP
          15 cents in the dollar for 3rd place BREECHES
 
LECONFIELD – Slow to begin.
 
MAJESTIC BLAZE – Slow to begin.

DIAMOND LUCY –  Slow to begin.
 
SWEET CANDY –   Slow to begin.
 
PRINCESS SHANGHAI –  Slow to begin. Raced ungenerously in the early and middle stages.
 
GINGER MICK – Raced wide without cover for the majority of the race.
 
BREECHES – Raced wide for the majority of the race.

HELL OF A TRIP –  Unable to obtain a clear running in the home straight and shifted wider.
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 4: Bill Kenning (Trainer) – Presented FREE CARRY without a tongue tie.
 
Fines
NIL
 
Suspensions
NIL
 
Race day injuries/illness
NIL
 
Absent jockeys
NIL
 
Adjourned inquiries
NIL
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
PROPERLEIGH, BUBBLES’N’FROTH, SHOCKSTAR, SMART MISSION, CENTRAL PARK, LECONFIELD
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
NIL
 
Bleeders
NIL
 
Falls
NIL
 
Adjourned inquiries
NIL
 
Protests
NIL
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
NIL
 
Late scratching’s
Race 4: SMART MISSION at 1:52pm – By order of stewards.
Race 8: WAR COUNCIL at 4:32pm – By order of stewards acting on veterinary advice.
 
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.