QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION

STEWARDS REPORT

 TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB

TUESDAY 16TH JUNE 2026
 

WEATHER: FINE    TRACK RATING: SOFT (5) – Upgraded to GOOD (4) at 11.00 a.m.    RAIL: +2m 1000-W/P; True Remainder          PENETROMETER: 5.92

OFFICIALS
Chairman of Stewards – D. Griffiths
Stewards – P. Warren, P. Gillard, S. Nosworthy & A. Holzhauser

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT

GENERAL
Stewards approved the following overweights:
Race 3: R S Olivera (PENROD) +0.5kg & A Sewell (HOT COCOA) +0.5kg
Race 4: R S Olivera (WIRED FOR FUN) +1.0kg
Race 5: S Cormack (STADIUM OF LIGHT) +1.0kg, R S Olivera (CANBERRA LEGEND) +1.0kg & C L Jokic (THE PENSKE FILE) +1.0kg
 
RACE 1:LADBROKES PUNTER ASSIST QTIS TWO-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1000 M

WORTHY BELLE – Slow to begin.
 
TIGER ROCKET – Bumped on jumping.
 
NOBLE LEGACY – Began awkwardly and was slow into stride then hampered shortly after.
 
FOXY CHEVAL – Raced ungenerously in the early stages.
 
CRYPTIC MISTRESS – Hampered at the start and shifted out. Raced three wide without cover.
 
ANDERS KISS – Shifted out at the start bumping TIGER ROCKET which in turn shifted out hampering CRYPTIC MISTRESS which was then taken out onto NOBLE LEGACY who had been slow into stride. Hung out in the middle stages and raced very wide rounding the home turn. Jockey C McIver reported on returning to scale that the filly got its tongue over the bit resulting in the bit pulling through the horse’s mouth proving difficult to ride and that he had advised the trainer that the filly would benefit from a gear change and possible blinkers.
 
RACE 2:GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO MAIDEN PLATE (QTIS BONUSES APPLICABLE 2&3YO'S ONLY) 1000 M
 
NUCLEAR ROSE – Trainer M Brand reported that the filly had bumped its knee in the float on route to the course and underwent two pre-race veterinary examinations which deemed the horse fit to start. Raced keenly in the early stages. Momentarily steadied near the 800m when crowded for room by WRITTEN JEWEL which shifted in.
 
WRITTEN JEWEL – Began awkwardly. Raced in restricted room for a short distance leaving the 200m and was steadied. Apprentice Jockey L Guernier reported on returning to scale that the saddle had shifted shortly after the start placing her at a disadvantage.
 
EMSIES GIRL – Began awkwardly.       
 
TOO MUCH CHILLI – Slow into stride. Lost its near hind plate in running.
 
IT'S SHOWTIME – Raced wide without cover for the majority. Jockey W D’Avila advised connections on returning to scale that in his opinion the gelding would benefit from a tongue tie being added to its gear.
 
OVERLAND (NZ) – Raced wide for the majority.
 
NIVEN – A post-race veterinary examination revealed bruising to the near side eye region.
 
RACE 3:LADBROKES SAME RACE MULTI QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP 1000 M
 
HOT COCOA – Began awkwardly and shifted in tightening the running of ASPEN COWBOY.
 
PENROD – Bounded in the air on jumping and lost ground. Over raced in the early stages. Raced wide for the majority.
 
DRAGON TALES – Shifted out at the start bumping LATIN BOSS which in turn shifted out bumping GOLD CLASSIC on the hind quarters which then became unbalanced.
 
LATIN BOSS – Tighten for room soon after the start. Raced three wide without cover.
 
GOLD CLASSIC – Bumped on the hind quarters soon after the start and was unbalanced. Over raced in the early and middle stages.

NOTTINGTON PRINCE – Shifted out shortly after the start tightening the running of ASPEN COWBOY.
 
ASPEN COWBOY – Tightened for room on jumping.
 
MIND OVER MATTER – Over raced in the early stages.
 
RACE 4:HYGAIN RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP 1400 M
 
HEZA ROMEO – After becoming fractious in the barriers dislodging Jockey N Thomas the gelding underwent a vet check and was cleared to start. A warning was placed on the gelding’s barrier manners. In this incident, jockey N Thomas suffered bruising to his left foot in this incident. Trainer J Caught was later questioned as to why he left the course with HEZA ROMEO prior to the permitted time without permission. After hearing the explanation from J Caught, he was reminded of his obligations under Australian Rules of Racing AR165 (3).
 
CHANCE – Slow to begin. 
 
KAJETAN – Slow to begin.
 
THAT'S IT – Had difficulties obtaining clear running leaving the 400m and in the early part of the home straight.
 
Trainer B Bailey and Jockey L Morrison were questioned as to the reason that they were viewing Mr Bailey’s mobile phone in the jockey’s lounge following this race.
After taking evidence from both parties the inquiry was adjourned. Mr Bailey will be further questioned regarding his conduct during the inquiry and the reason he failed to comply with a Stewards direction and left the course without permission. The inquiry has been adjourned until Monday 22 June 2026 at 11.00 a.m.
 
RACE 5:MITAVITE BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP 1200 M
 
LAZENBY – Slow to begin. Jockey R Wiggins reported that the gelding raced disappointingly and could offer no further explanation for its disappointing performance. A veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
TSUNAMI – Slow into stride and shifted out bumping FLY FIFER.
 
WINNING SAGA – Shifted out bumping HELL OF A TRIP shortly after the start. Shifted out near the 500m contacting OUR FOLLY.
 
BETTER BREAKOUT – Slow into stride. Raced four wide without cover for the majority.
 
OUR FOLLY – Raced three wide without cover for the majority. Bumped near 500m.
 
FANCY GARTER – Over raced in the early stages. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn and shifted out at the 300m forcing LAZENBY wider and bumping TWIN TURBO.
 
HELL OF A TRIP – Compounded in the home straight finishing tailed off. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
 
TWIN TURBO – Bumped near the 300m.
 
RACE 6:THE VILLE BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1609 M
 
MORDECAI – Slow to begin.
 
READ 'EM AND WEEP – Slow into stride. Shifted out to obtain clear running near the 300m contacting ECLIPSION which then shifted out brushing BANXI.
 
RAIDING – Slow into stride.
 
READY TIGER – Raced wide in the early stages before assuming the lead near the 1200m.
 
ECLIPSION – Raced 3 wide without cover for most of the race. Bumped near the 300m.
 
BANXI – Brushed by ECLIPSION leaving the 300m.
 
ROCK THE SUNRISE – Was unable to take advantage of a run that presented itself soon after straightening to the inside of READY TIGER and was disappointed with that run near the 200m when READY TIGER shifted in and again near the 150m when attempting a run between LONE FORCE and READY TIGER which at that stage then shifted out. Apprentice jockey M Goring in the company of senior rider R Wiggins was reprimanded for shifting ground when not clear and advised to make a greater effort to keep his mount straight in similar circumstances. (AR131 a).

RACE 7:KEY MOTORS OPEN HANDICAP 1609 M

CANBERRA LEGEND (IRE) – Trainer S. Massingham was reminded of his obligations regarding the late declaration of rider when there were riders available. Raced wide without cover for the majority.
 
HYDE PARK - Slow to begin and was then awkwardly placed at heels and was checked. Was held up for clear running rounding the home turn and in the early part of the home straight before shifting wider leaving the 200m and finishing the race off well.
 
ACCLIMATISE – Over raced in the early and middle stages.
 
STADIUM OF LIGHT (NZ) – Raced wide with cover for the majority.       
 
CHOIR BOY – Raced wide with cover for the majority.
 
CENTRAL PARK – Raced keenly in the middle stages and shifted wider leaving the 900m and raced wide from that point onwards.
 
OLYMPIC KORCHNOI (BRZ) – Had difficulties obtaining a clear run leaving the 500m until near the 200m.
 
RACE 8:WOODFORD RESERVE BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP 1000 M
 
GAMADALE NIP – Slow to begin.
 
DEALINGS DONE – Returned to scale with a small laceration to the near side hoof which required veterinary treatment.
 
CORBUSIER – Shifted in on jumping tightening SOWILO SIREN. Tightened for room at the 800 metres and 650 metres when I AM A MARVEL shifted in when not clear.A post-race veterinary examination revealed CORBUSIER to have bled from both nostrils. As this is the second occasion on which CORBUSIER has bled, it will now incur a lifetime ban from racing as per AR79(6)
SOWILO SIREN – Tightened on jumping. Severely checked at the 800 metres.
 
MAXIMUM POWER – Began awkwardly.
 
RUSSIAN MINT – Began awkwardly. A post-race veterinary examination revealed blood in the left nostril because of a small laceration.    
 
RUBY CHICKS - Severely checked at the 800 metres.
 
I AM A MARVEL - Jockey W D’Avilla was found guilty of a charge to careless riding under the provisions of AR131(a) in that he allowed his mount to shift in at the 800 metres when not clear of CORBUSIER which was then dictated inwards onto RUBY CHICKS which was severely checked and lost ground. SOWILO SIREN which was trailing was also severely checked.
Jockey W D’Avilla licence to ride in races was suspended for a period of 11 days to commence midnight 22 June 2026 and expire midnight 3 July 2026.
Further tightened for room when I AM A MARVEL crossed to the lead at the 650 metres when not fully clear, Jockey W D’Avilla was reprimanded and advised to allow further clearance when crossing in future. AR131 (a).
 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY

Summary of action concerning licensees

Reprimands
Race 6: Apprentice Mitch Goring (Jockey) – Careless riding – AR 131(a) Shifted in when not clear – Reprimand
Race 8: Wanderson D’Avila (Jockey) – Careless riding – AR 131(a) Shifted in when not clear – Reprimand
 
Fines
NIL
 
Suspensions
Race 8: Wanderson D’Avila (Jockey) – Carless riding – AR 131(a) Shifted in when not clear – Suspension M/N 22.06.26 up to and including 03.07.2026 (inclusive) – 11 days
 
Race day injuries/illness
Race 4: Nathan Thomas (Jockey) – Injured left foot in barriers (no medical required).
 
Absent jockeys
NIL
 
Adjourned inquiries
B Bailey and L Morrison
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
OSTUNI, BOOM BUNNY, TSUNAMI, LONE FORCE, READ EM’ AND WEEP & CORBUSIER
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 4: HEZA ROMEO – Barrier manners – Warning.
 
Bleeders
Race 8: CORBUSIER – Bled both nostrils 2nd occasion.
 
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Race 7: R S Olivera (CANBERRA LEGEND) – Late declaration of rider.
 
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.