QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOWNSVILLE
 
TUESDAY 8th SEPTEMBER 2026
 
 
 
WEATHER – Fine  
TRACK RATING – Soft 5: Upgraded to Good (4) at 10:00am
RAIL +5.5 metres 1000m-W/P, +3m Remainder
PENETROMETER – 5.86

OFFICIALS

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

GENERAL
 
1.    The track was upgraded to a Good 4 at 10:00am.
2.    Stewards approved the following overweights:
Race 2. Raul Silvera Olivera (POWER CRUISE) +1.0kg
Race 3. Sean Cormack (LOWLANDS) +1.0kg
Race 4. Lacey Morrison (VERY GOOD) +1.0kg
Race 4. Sean Cormack (BRIGINSHAW) +1.0kg
Race 6. Jason Babarovich (INALA ATICUS) +1.0kg
 
 
RACE 1: GREAT NORTHERN BREWING CO QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD MAIDEN HANDICAP 1200M
 
FAR AND WIDE – Slow into stride. Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Held up for clear running for a short distance rounding the home turn. Laid in under pressure in the home straight.       
 
DAVOS – DAVOS was declared a late scratching at 1:01pm after refusing to load into the barriers.  Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered that all bets placed on DAVOS be refunded with the following deductions to apply:
 
1st FAR AND WIDE 1c win, 1c place
2nd BOOMING BELIEF 2c place
3rd FOXY CHEVAL 2c place
 
Trainer Matthew McGuire was advised that DAVOS must obtain a further barrier certificate prior to racing again.
 
AUCHTERARDER – Slow into stride. Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
SOMEMOREPLEASE – Proved difficult to load. Very fractious in the barrier stalls prior to the start. Trainer Georgie Holt was advised a warning would be placed on the filly’s barrier manners.     
 
FLASH DREAM – Slow into stride. Raced wide with cover throughout. Raced greenly in the final straight.

WATEGO'S BAY – Commenced to lay in shortly after entering the home straight becoming awkwardly placed on the heels of FLASH DREAM, then continued to lay in under pressure thereafter.
 
BOOMING BELIEF – Over-raced in the middle stages when leading.
 
CANYA ZIPIT – Raced three-wide without cover throughout.  Rider Samantha Pointon was reminded of her obligations in regards to the use of her whip on her mount when out of contention.   
 
FOXY CHEVAL – Began very awkwardly.
 
OSTUNI – Began awkwardly.      

Following the event, DAVOS and AUCHTERARDER both harmlessly dislodged their respective riders on returning to the mounting enclosure.
 

RACE 2: WIN NEWS MAIDEN HANDICAP 1400M
 
ROSSA VISTA – Blundered on jumping. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn. Steadied away from the heels of ALL BANGED UP nearing the 250 metres.

OVERLAND (NZ) – Began awkwardly. Shifted in abruptly near the 250 metres, contacting OKAY ZOOMER. Rider Ryan Wiggins was reminded of his obligation to exercise greater care when shifting ground in similar circumstances.
Stewards further advised Jockey Wiggins that his riding in recent times had, on several occasions, been close to contravening or had contravened the Australian Rules of Racing in relation to careless riding. He was advised to generally exercise greater care when allowing his mount to shift ground under hard riding .
Rider Wiggins dropped his whip near the winning post.

BOLD SANTOS – Shifted in on jumping, bumping with ELLES MY NAME. Commenced to race erratically throughout the race and shifted in contacting the running rail on numerous occasions, before being eased down in the home straight, finishing well distanced from the field. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant abnormalities. Trainer Graham Hughes was advised that BOLD SANTOS must trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.
 
OKAY ZOOMER – Raced keenly in the early stages. Bumped by OVERLAND (NZ) nearing the 250 metres.
 
LADY BARBAROSSA – Difficult to load. Trainer Trevor Rowe was advised that a warning would be placed on the mare’s barrier manners. Momentarily held up for clear running on entering the home straight.
 
ELLES MY NAME – Bumped on jumping.

VOLARE – Slow into stride. Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
Following this event, Stewards inquired into an incident which they observed occurred in the enclosure involving rider Tasha Chambers. After questioning Rider Chambers, it was established that  BOLD SANTOS stood on her right foot as she dismounted, with Rider Chambers reacting by striking the gelding in the head region. Rider Chambers was found guilty of a charge under the provisions of AR 228(a) with the particulars of the charge being that she misconducted herself by striking BOLD SANTOS in the mounting enclosure. After consideration of all relevant factors, including her good record regarding conduct rules, the Stewards imposed a fine of $200.00.
Rider Chambers received medical attention from on-course QAS personnel and was subsequently cleared to fulfil her remaining engagements.
 

RACE 3: LADBROKES OPEN HANDICAP 1000M
 
MASTER MONTARO – Hampered shortly after the start, losing ground.        
 
IMPARDOO – Bounded in the air at the start and lost ground, resulting in rider Lacey Morrison becoming unbalanced.
 
NAPOLEON STRIKE – Shifted out at the start, bumping with LOWLANDS, then when being corrected, shifted in hampering MASTER MONTARO.

BOOMING LAD – Slow to begin. Finished distanced from the field. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities. Trainer Tracy Simmons advised the Stewards that BOOMING LAD would be sent for an extended spell.
 
LAST DITCH EFFORT – Shifted at the 200 metres to continue to improve.

LOWLANDS – Bumped on jumping. Over-raced in the early stages.


RACE 4: HYGAIN QTIS THREE-YEARS-OLD AND FOUR-YEARS-OLD HANDICAP 1000M

NOTTINGTON PRINCE – Shifted out on jumping, bumping with RED LIGHT POWER.
 
STABLE INVESTMENT – Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Raced wide without cover throughout.

RED LIGHT POWER – Shifted in on jumping, bumping with NOTTINGTON PRINCE. Struggled to maintain contact with the field in the middle stages.
 
TARONG – Began awkwardly and was slow into stride. Steadied away from the heels of MONDAY CLOSE leaving the 600 metres.

 
RACE 5: COWBOYS LEAGUES CLUB BENCHMARK 55 HANDICAP 1000M
 
GROOVE JET – Raced four-wide without cover throughout. Laid in under pressure in the early stages of the home straight.
 
BABUSHKA MISS – Bumped on jumping. Raced wide in the early stages. 
 
KICKOFF – Shifted out on jumping bumping with BABUSHKA MISS.
 
BREECHES – Began awkwardly and was slow to begin.
 
BRAVE INTENT – Slow into stride. Laid in under pressure in the early stages of the home straight.
 
TAMBO'S SISTER – Shifted out on jumping bumping with WILLINGALE. Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
LOOK AT ROSA – Slow to begin.         
 
WILLINGALE – Bumped on jumping. Raced wide with cover throughout. Raced in restricted room nearing the 500 metres and had to be steadied.
 
EMSIES GIRL – Commenced to hang out leaving the 600 metres and continued to do so rounding the home turn, shifting very wide as a result losing all effective chance. Trainer Graham Hughes was advised that EMSIES GIRL must trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.       


RACE 6: RACING ON MELBOURNE CUP DAY CLASS 3 HANDICAP 1000M
 
The start of this race was delayed approximately 5 minutes as a result of the late scratchings of SUPERVISE and INALA ATICUS.
 
SUPERVISE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination having not raced for an extended period and was passed fit to race. SUPERVISE was declared a late scratching at 4:05pm after refusing to load into the barriers. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered that all bets placed on SUPERVISE be refunded with the following deductions to apply:
 
1st LATIN BOSS 5c win, 7c place
2nd GUAC ON 4c place
3rd CANNY PROSPECT 7c place
 
Trainer Shryn Royes was advised that SUPERVISE must trial to the satisfaction of Stewards on two consecutive occasions prior to racing again.
 
UNIFIES – Laid in under pressure throughout the final straight.

SHE'S SPEEDY – Began awkwardly.    

EXTRA FREE – Slow to begin.

INALA ATICUS – INALA ATICUS was declared a late scratching on veterinary advice at 4:05pm after becoming fractious in the barriers dislodging rider Jason Babarovich. Rider Babarovich was assessed by on-course QAS personnel who reported minor bruising to both legs. Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered that all bets placed on INALA ATICUS be refunded with the following deductions to apply:
 
1st LATIN BOSS 1c place
2nd GUAC ON 1c place
3rd CANNY PROSPECT 1c place
 
Trainer Melissa Bieri was advised that INALA ATICUS must obtain a further barrier certificate prior to racing again.

MR FERRARI – Slow into stride.
 

RACE 7: TRADIES RACE DAY - FRIDAY 18 SEPT - BENCHMARK 70 HANDICAP 1200M
 
HOT DIGITY BOOM – Bumped at the start and shifted out bumping with SURFERS ROYALE. Raced wide in the early stages before improving forward to obtain a position outside the lead leaving the 1,000 metres.    
 
NOLAN – Tightened for room at the start and as a result shifted out bumping HOT DIGITY BOOM. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Blundered momentarily nearing the 500 metres when racing at the heels of CHARTWELL.
 
DEMITASSE – Had difficulty obtaining clear racing room in the early part of the home straight and again had to be steadied nearing the winning post.  
 
SURFERS ROYALE – Bumped on jumping.              
 
BANCORY BAY – Slow to begin. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn before shifting to the outside of CHARTWELL leaving the 200 metres.

CHARTWELL – Began awkwardly.

RASHFORD – Slow to begin.
 
FIVE STAR KING – Shifted out on jumping tightening NOLAN. Over-raced in the early stages. Raced wide without cover for the majority of the race.
 
 
Race 8: BUNDY RUM RACE DAY - SUNDAY 4 OCT BENCHMARK 60 HANDICAP 1400M

GARINION RIGH – Began very awkwardly, losing ground. When questioned regarding the performance, apprentice rider Fiona Sandkuhl stated that after beginning awkwardly and settling back in the field, she could offer no tangible explanation for the performance, other than that the mare had finished the race off only fairly and was disappointing.
 
MISTERKIPCHOGE (NZ) – Slow to begin.
 
MORNING SUN (IRE) – Shifted out when struck with the whip leaving the 200 metres.
 
TORANAGA – Shifted out abruptly leaving the 75 metres bumping heavily with ROCK THE SUNRISE.
 
MUSKITO – Inclined to over-race throughout when leading.
 
ROCK THE SUNRISE – Bumped heavily leaving the 75 metres when TORONAGA shifted out abruptly.
 
MISS SHU (NZ) – Raced keenly in the early stages. Had to be steadied leaving the 1000 metres.

VOUCHERS – Slow to begin. Raced wide in the early stages.

 
STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Nil
Fines
Race 3. Rider Tasha Chambers – AR 228(a) – misconduct – $200.00
Suspensions
Nil
Race day injuries/illness
Race 6. Jason Babarovich – Minor bruising to both legs.
Absent jockeys
Nil
Adjourned inquiries
Nil
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
BOOMING BELIEF, MASTER MONTARO, VERY GOOD, BRIGINSHAW, UNIFIES, BANCORY BAY.
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 1. DAVOS – Refused to load – Must obtain further barrier certificate.
Race 1. SOMEMOREPLEASE – Very fractious after being loaded – Warning.
Race 2. BOLD SANTOS – Raced erratically throughout – Must trial to satisfaction of Stewards.
Race 2. LADY BARBAROSSA – Difficult to load – Warning.
Race 5. EMSIES GIRL – Hung out badly rounding home turn – Must trial to satisfaction of Stewards.
Race 6. SUPERVISE – Refused to load – Must trial to satisfaction of Stewards on 2 consecutive occasions.
Race 6. INALA ATICUS – Fractious in the barriers resulting in late scratchings – Must obtain further barrier certificate.
Bleeders
Nil
Falls
Nil
Adjourned inquiries
Nil
 
Protests
Nil
 
Summary of rider changes/Late notifications
Nil
 
Late scratchings
Race 1. No 2. DAVOS – Refused to load – 1:01pm.
Race 6. No 2. SUPERVISE – Refused to load – 4:05pm.
Race 6. No 11. INALA ATICUS – Fractious in barriers dislodging rider – 4:07pm.
 

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.