QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB
 
SUNDAY 5TH JULY 2026

 
WEATHER - Fine
TRACK RATING – Soft (5); upgraded to Good (4) at 10:50am
RAIL – Out 4 metres 1,000m to Winning Post; + 2 metres remainder.
PENETROMETER 6.0

 
OFFICIALS

Chair of Stewards: R Neal
Stewards Panel: D Griffiths; P Warren; K Dean and A Cox.
 

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT

 
TOWNSVILLE - CANTERBURY RACING –Sunday 28th June 2026
Race 7: Loco Degenerates QTIS 0 - 55 Handicap 1200m
 
Stewards today concluded an investigation into FANCY GARTER having to steady when racing to the inside of TSUMANI (Apprentice Fiona Sandkuhl) near the 900 metres. After consideration of all relevant factors, Apprentice Sandkuhl was reprimanded under AR131(a) and advised to take greater care when in similar circumstances.
 
 

GENERAL
 
1.    Rider Amanda Thomson did not attend todays meeting after being stood-down by order of the Stewards at the Oak Park meeting on Saturday 4th July 2026.
The replacement riders being:
R4: WIRED FOR FUN – Ivo Fry
R6: NEW HAMPSHIRE – Chris Whiteley
R7: RAIDING – Tahlia Fenlon
R8: SAVEE – Chelsea Jokic.
 
2.    Stewards today spoke with Apprentice Olivia Kendall, accompanied by Senior Jockey Ryan Wiggins regarding her acceptance of riding engagements for two runners in Race Two at today's meeting.
Apprentice Kendall was reminded of her responsibility to ensure that she accepts only one riding engagement in any race and to manage her engagements accordingly. She was told advised that any further instance of accepting multiple engagements in the same race may result in the matter being referred to the Stewards for consideration of appropriate action.
 
 
RACE 1:       WOODFORD RESERVE QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD HANDICAP 1200 M
 
MIND OVER MATTER – slow to begin.  
BETTERLUCKNEXTTIME - over-raced in the early and middle stages on a moderate tempo; over-raced in the middle stages.
TORANAGA – tightened and had to be checked near the 200 metres. Stewards inquired into an incident near the 200 metres where TORANAGA had to be checked out of a run adjacent to the rail near the 200 metres. After questioning riders and reviewing vision of the incident the Stewards found that shortly after rounding the final turn the race leader EXCEEDINGLY BRAZEN (Tahlia Fenlon) had rolled off the fence presenting a narrow run for TORANAGA, however shortly after EXCEEDINGLY BRAZEN has then shifted in and away from BETTERLUCKNEXTTIME (Ryan Wiggins) which had improved to its outside, this closing the run for TORANAGA which has had to check. The Stewards also found that BETTERLUCKNEXTTIME which had improved to the outside of EXCEEDINGLY BRAZEN had not dictated the line of EXCEEDINGLY BRAZEN, but instead followed that runner across. Having regard to all the circumstances, and notwithstanding that TORANAGA was obliged to be checked, Stewards were not satisfied to the requisite standard that any individual rider was culpable and, accordingly, took no further action other than to remind riders Fenlon and Wiggins of their obligation to maintain their correct running where possible.
CHATSWORTH - jumped in at the start badly hampering FARAWAY DOWNS which lost ground; commenced to over-race passing the 1,000 metres.   

RACE 2:       NAIDOC CELEBRATION RACE MAIDEN HANDICAP (QTIS BONUSES APPLICABLE 2&3YO'S ONLY)          1400 M

ROTH AUTHORITY - crowded on jumping away. Held up early in the home straight and, near the 100 metres, had to steady when awkwardly placed at the heels of SMALL TOWN HUSSLER, only obtaining clear running approaching the winning post.
ONOMA – steadied off the heels of OK ZOOMER when over-racing near the 800 metres.        
BALLANDELLA STREET – jumped out at the start hampering TRUSTING STAR; held up and unable to obtain clear running over the final straight.
TRUSTING STAR – hampered on jumping away.       
VOLARE – jumped awkwardly crowding ROTH AUTHORITY; disappointed for a run at the 250 metres and had to steady and come out across heels and obtained clear running approaching the 100 metres.

RACE 3:       TRIPLE M TOWNSVILLE CLASS 3 HANDICAP          1609 M

READY TIGER – travelled 3-wide to the 1,100 metres.         
CONVO – improved onto the heels of BANXI near the 200 metres and when shifted wider on the track to obtain clear running raced greenly when struck with the whip.       
BLUEBIRD BAY – rider of the third placed BLUEBIRD BAY (Ryan Wiggins) lodged a protest against race winner READY TIGER alleging interference of the concluding stages. After considering all that was adduced at the protest hearing the Stewards determined that while BLUEBIRD BAY may have been briefly inconvenienced when READY TIGER rolled in momentarily near the 70 metres, its chances were not materially prejudiced and the protest was dismissed.
ROCK THE SUNRISE – held up rounding the final turn; taken inward near the 200 metres to improve however unable to obtain clear running for the remainder and went to line without being fully tested.
KHAMIS – slow into stride; checked and lost momentum near the 200 metres when inside ROCK THE SUNRISE (Aidan Holt) which shifted in when not clear. Rider Holt admitted a resultant breach of AR131(a) – careless riding. After consideration of penalty rider Holt’s licence to ride in races was suspended from the close of racing on Tuesday 14th July 2026 up to and including racing on Friday 24th July 2026. (10 days)

RACE 4:       CHANNEL SEVEN RATINGS BAND 0 - 55 HANDICAP   1000 M

STORM CAPITAL – slow to begin.        
BREECHES – fractious in the barriers prior to the start; slow into stride; travelled wide throughout.
ISLE ORNSAY - travelled wide throughout       
MR SUGAR DADDY - travelled wide throughout         
EXTRA FREE – slow into stride. 
FAKE - travelled wide throughout
OUR FOLLY - jumped awkwardly.
WIRED FOR FUN – slow into stride.      
PONTIUS – tightened and had to check near the 500 metres when between BREECHES and STORM CAPITAL (Aidan Holt) which shifted ground out to improve when not clear. Rider Holt admitted a resultant breach of AR131(a) – careless riding. In determining penalty, Stewards then considered whether the period of suspension for this breach should be served concurrently with the penalty imposed in Race 3. In exercising this discretion, Stewards had regard to rider Holt’s excellent record and the totality principle, recognising that whilst the incidents arose in separate races and warranted separate findings of guilt, the imposition of consecutive suspensions would have been disproportionate to the offending. Accordingly rider Holt’s licence to ride in races was suspended from the close of racing on Tuesday 14th July 2026 up to and including racing on Friday 24th July 2026. (10 days)

RACE 5:       THE VILLE CHAIRMAN'S SPRINT OPEN HANDICAP   1200 M
 
VALENKI – travelled 3-wide without cover throughout.
LEAN EAGLE – slow to begin.    
OUTSMARTED – slow to begin; over-raced for some distance in the middle stages.  
MOEGREEN (NZ) - slow into stride.      


RACE 6:       BELLE PROPERTY CLASS 5 HANDICAP          1200 M

NEW HAMPSHIRE  - held up rounding the final turn and failed to obtain clear running throughout the final straight.
KHUMBILA – travelled 3-wide throughout.       
NOLAN – crowded wider near the 100 metres and then the gelding was accidently struck on the head by the whip of rider Tahlia Fenlon (KHUMBILA). Rider Ben Kennedy (NOLAN) which finished 5th lodged an objection against the 3rd placed KHUMBILA alleging interference near the 70 metres. The basis of the objection being that NOLAN had lost momentum when his mount was accidentally struck by Ms. Fenlon’s whip.  After considering all relevant submissions, together with the vision available, Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied that the incident had materially prejudiced the chances of NOLAN finishing in a higher placing and the protest was dismissed.  
BANCORY BAY – jumped awkwardly; lay out under riding passing the 150 metres and had to be straightened.   
CIFONELLI – slow to begin; blundered near the 500 metres after improving onto the heels of ARCTIC BEAR when over-racing.         
ARCTIC BEAR – crowded wider near the 100 metres when BANCORY BAY laid out and in turn shifted out taking NOLAN wider on the track for a short distance.
LOWLANDS – held up rounding the final turn until inside the final 100 metres.

RACE 7:       LADBROKES WINTER CUP OPEN HANDICAP          2000 M
 
KUREDER (NZ) – bumped at the start.  
HOPEFUL (FR) – bumped shortly after the start.        
CENTRAL PARK – hampered on jumping and lost ground.   
STADIUM OF LIGHT (NZ) - jumped in abruptly at the start hampering CENTRAL PARK which lost ground and settled back.
THE PENSKE FILE - buffeted shortly after the start.
RAIDING – slow into stride.         
SAVVY THINKER – shifted in on jumping bumping with KUREDER (NZ); raced wide without cover before being taken forward to the lead near the 1,300 metres.       

RACE 8:       COWBOYS LEAGUES CLUB BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP   1300 M

ELLIS BEACH – shifted in on jumping bumping IRRESISTIBLE FORCE        
IRRESISTIBLE FORCE – shifted out on jumping bumping with ELLIS BEACH; commenced to over-race when being restrained near the 1,100 metres, and got its head in the air for some distance; travelled wide throughout.
WHIRLWIND - hung out rounding the final turn.
THE HAIRDRESSER – jumped out at the start bumping with EAGLE WARRIOR.
INTRUDER – apprentice Mitch Goring was reminded of his obligations to ride fully to the line when circumstances permit after relaxing his ride near the post narrowly retaining 3rd placing.         
TALONS – slow into stride.         
LAZENBY – slow to begin and settled back.     
SKOGAFOSS – travelled with cover throughout.        
SUPERSTITIONS – raced wide without cover in the early stages.         
FLY FIFER – began awkwardly.  
 
Following this race licensed stablehand Mr Henry Manzelmann was reprimanded under AR 228(b) for his comments while horses remained under Stewards' control pending the declaration of correct weight.

 
 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 

Summary of action concerning licensees

Suspensions
R3 – Aidan Holt [AR131(a)] – careless riding 200 metres – suspended 15th to 24th July 2026 (inclusive)
R4 – Aidan Holt [AR131(a)] – careless riding 500 metres – suspended 15th to 24th July 2026 (inclusive)
 
Reprimands
R8: - Stablehand Henry Manzelmann – AR228(b) – unacceptable comments.

Townsville 28th June 2026
R7: Apprentice Fiona Sandkuhl [AR131(a)] – shifting ground 900 metres.

Absent jockeys
Amanda Thomson – replaced by
R4: WIRED FOR FUN – Ivo Fry
R6: NEW HAMPSHIRE – Chris Whiteley
R7: RAIDING – Tahlia Fenlon
R8: SAVEE – Chelsea Jokic.

Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses

Horses swabbed pre-race
CHATSWORTH; ROTH AUTHORITY; PONTIUS; KUREDER (NZ); IRRESISTIBLE FORCE: INTRUDER.
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Protests

R3: 3rd vs. 2nd – Dismissed
R6: 5th vs. 3rd - Dismissed

Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
 
R4: WIRED FOR FUN –Ivo Fry for Amanda Thomson
R6: NEW HAMPSHIRE – Chris Whiteley for Amanda Thomson
R7: RAIDING – Tahlia Fenlon for Amanda Thomson
R8: SAVEE – Chelsea Jokic for Amanda Thomson
 

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.