QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB
 
FRIDAY 18TH SEPTEMBER 2026
 
WEATHER – Overcast
TRACK RATING – Soft 5
RAIL – +5.5m 1000m/W.P, +3m Remainder
PENETROMETER – 5.95
 
OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – D Griffiths
Stewards – R Neal, S Nosworthy, P Warren, J McIntosh (Scales)
 
GENERAL
 
1.    Following the declaration of the final field for Race 1, Stewards noted that three horses from three stables were subsequently withdrawn within a brief period after acceptances had closed. Having regard to the circumstances surrounding the nominations, acceptances and subsequent withdrawals of those runners, Stewards opened an investigation into the matter and after taking evidence from several parties the matter has been adjourned to enable further inquiries to be made.
 
 
Race 1: MITAVITE QTIS THREE-YEARS-OLD Handicap 1200M
 
BRIGINSHAW – Laid in under pressure in the early part of the home straight.
 
WORTHY GEM – Shifted in on jumping bumping with RED SCENTSATION. Held up leaving the 250 metres and thereafter had difficulty obtaining clear racing room.
 
FAR AND WIDE – Over-reacted when being taken wider to improve passing the 900 metres.
 
RED SCENTSATION – Bumped on jumping. Raced keenly in the early stages. Laid in when racing greenly nearing the 250 metres.
 
 
Race 2: CAROMA QTIS Maiden Plate 1609M
 
GOTCHA MOMENT – Had to be heavily restrained off the heels of POWER CRUISE leaving the 1100 metres when the tempo steadied and in consequence, shifted in despite the rider’s efforts, badly hampering ELLES MY NAME, which heavily contacted the running rail.
 
POWER CRUISE – Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Leaving the 1100 metres, had to be steadied away from the heels of OVERLAND (NZ) when the tempo steadied.
 
ROTH AUTHORITY – Rider Ashley Butler reported at scale that ROTH AUTHORITY tended to hang out throughout the event.
 
SHEFFLIN – Stood flat-footed at the start, losing ground (5L).
 
SNEAKY PEAKY – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
ELLES MY NAME – Badly hampered leaving the 1100 metres as a result of the tempo being steadied, heavily contacted the running rail in consequence. Stewards inquired in this incident and determined that the interference suffered resulted from the race leaders SEEYOULATERJOHNNY (Tasha Chambers) and OVERLAND (Ryan Wiggins) both steadying the tempo of the race approaching the first turn. Riders Chambers and Wiggins were firmly reminded of their obligations with respect to ensure the race tempo is not steadied excessively in similar circumstances.
 

Race 3: JO HASSETT – 2026 TTC ERROL SEWELL AWARD RATINGS BAND 0-55 Handicap 1000M
 
AIRBORNE HOTDOG – Shifted out on jumping hampering SUPER STEVEN. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Shifted across the heels of DESARAE DOLL leaving the 200 metres to continue to improve.
 
TIPPED OFF – Slow to begin.
 
HAPHAZARD – Began awkwardly and shifted out, taking BELLA ACE wider.
 
HELL OF A BENTLEY – Raced greenly in the home straight and shifted out under hard riding leaving the 200 metres, tightening FAKE, which was checked nearing the 100 metres.
 
LOOMING ONE – Brushed with SPIRITOF THE OCEAN nearing the 100 metres.
 
SUPER STEVEN – Hampered on jumping.
 
ZEMOREYA – Slow into stride. Held up for clear running shortly on entering the home straight.
 
TO LOVE SOMEBODY – Held up rounding the home turn before shifting wider leaving the 200 metres to obtain clear running.
 
BELLA ACE – Taken wider on jumping. Commenced to hang out leaving the 700 metres and raced very wide rounding the final turn, with rider Peta Edwards reporting that the mare had proved difficult to ride throughout. Trainer Cheynee Morrison was advised a warning would be placed on the mare’s racing manners.  Underwent a post-race veterinary examination at request of the trainer which revealed no obvious abnormalities.
 
DESARAE DOLL – Shifted in on jumping hampering SUPER STEVEN. Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
FAKE – Began very awkwardly. Checked nearing the 100 metres when racing outside of HELL OF A BENTLEY (Brandon Lerena) which shifted ground outwards when not clear. Rider Brandon Lerena was found guilty to a charge under the provisions of AR 131(a) with the particulars being that he permitted his mount to shift out under hard riding when not clear of FAKE, which was checked. Rider Lerena’s license to ride in races was suspended for a period of 12 days, commencing from the close of racing on midnight 21 September 2026 up to midnight 2nd October 2026.
Rider Lerena was advised of his right of appeal.

SPIRITOF THE OCEAN – Brushed with LOOMING ONE nearing the 100 metres.
 

Race 4: MIND OVER MATTER – 2026 TTC HORSE OF THE YEAR – OPEN Handicap 1400M
 
NORTHERN PRIDE – Began awkwardly and shifted out, bumping with CANBERRA LEGEND (IRE), which became unbalanced. Held up rounding the home turn before obtaining clear running leaving the 200 metres.
 
TAMBO’S JUSTICE – Bumped on jumping.
 
FREE CARRY – Went off-stride briefly shortly upon entering the home straight.
 
TURN BIRD – Began very awkwardly. Laid out under pressure over the concluding stages.
 
CANBERRA LEGEND (IRE) – Became unbalanced at the start after being by bumped by NORTHERN PRIDE. Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
COLLEANO – Jumped out at the start, bumping with TAMBO’S JUSTICE. Held up nearing the 300 metres before shifting to the outside of FREE CARRY to obtain clear running leaving the 150 metres.
 
ARCTIC BEAR – Slow into stride.
 

Race 5: LYSAGHT CLASS 1 Plate 1400M
 
Correct weight was delayed allowing rider Nathan Thomas (WATCHYA LANGUAGE) to view the available replays to ascertain whether he had grounds to protest. After viewing the replays, rider Thomas elected not to proceed and correct weight was declared.
 
GENERAL GORDON – Stood flat footed at the start, losing considerable ground (6L). Trainer Gavin Kinlyside was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s barrier manners.
 
KHALS – Slow to begin then shifted out hampering RED FEATHERS.
 
NOT WORTH IT – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination on arrival at the barriers and was passed fit to race. Unable to obtain clear racing room over the final 150 metres.
 
OKAY ZOOMER – Rider Ivo Fry was reminded of his obligations to maintain his correct line of running after permitting OKAY ZOOMER to shift in approaching the winning post crowding WATCHYA LANGUAGE.
 
TIME POWER – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
DARK FAE – Began awkwardly and lost ground. Held up rounding the home turn before shifting out nearing the 250 metres to obtain clear running.
 
HEROIC DELANEYS – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
RED FEATHERS – Slow to begin then hampered shortly after when KHALS shifted out at the start. Over-raced in the middle stages. Unable to obtain clear running throughout the final straight, going to the line without being fully tested.
 
SHE’S A SWEET STAR – Slow to begin. Raced wide throughout. Returned to the enclosure with blood present in both nostrils. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have bled from both nostrils on the first occasion. Trainer Terry McGovern was notified of the provisions of AR79(4).
Trainer McGovern advised Stewards that it would be his intention to retire SHE’S A SWEET STAR from racing.
 
GOLDEN GLAZE – Rider Sean Cormack reported at scale that GOLDEN GLAZE laid out rounding the final turn.
 
AL’S A MACHINE – Tightened at the start. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.
 
WATCHYA LANGUAGE – Jumped out at the start, carrying AL’S A MACHINE out onto the hindquarters of TIME POWER. Over-raced in the middle stages. Had to be steadied off heels nearing the 600 metres, losing ground. Held up rounding the home turn up to a point nearing the 150 metres. Crowded approaching the winning post.
 

Race 6: LADBROKES BM60 Handicap 1200M
 
Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards reviewed the official photo finish, and after consultation with the race day judges, the placings for second and third were amended to:
1st – 12 FANCY GARTER
2nd – 8 INSTA WORTHY
3rd – 7 KICKOFF
4th – 6 AVENUE MONTAIGNE
 
RASHFORD – Slow to begin then hampered shortly after.
 
KICKOFF – Shifted out on jumping, bumping with FANCY GARTER, which in turn shifted out hampering RASHFORD. Shifted out under riding over the concluding stages and nearing the 50 metres, bumped with FANCY GARTER. Rider Ben Kennedy was reprimanded under the provisions of AR 131(a) and firmly reminded of his obligations to stop riding and immediately straighten his mount in similar circumstances.
 
INSTA WORTHY – Raced keenly in the early stages. Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
SPIRIT OF GIVING – Bumped approaching the 500 metres.
 
ZEAMAIZE – Shifted out rounding the home turn, bumping with SAVEE.
 
PORRISTA – Jumped in at the start, hampering ONE SHOT MORE. Raced wide without cover throughout. Laid in approaching the 500 metres, bumping with SPIRIT OF GIVING. Faltered at the 400 metres and was retired from the race. PORRISTA was found to have suffered a fracture to the near-side metacarpal and was humanely euthanized by the on-course veterinarian. Post-race blood samples were taken.
 
FANCY GARTER – Bumped and taken wider on jumping. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn before shifting to the outside of SPIRIT OF GIVING leaving the 300 metres to continue to improve. Bumped approaching the winning post.
 
SAVEE – Stood flat footed at the start losing considerable ground. Trainer Rhonda Inglis was advised that SAVEE would be restricted to racing at non-TAB meetings only for the near future. Bumped rounding the home turn.
 
ONE SHOT MORE – Hampered on jumping.
 

Race 7: RINNAI BM55 Handicap 1609M
 
EAGLE WARRIOR – Laid out in the early part of the home straight. Shifted out leaving the 200 metres into the line of VOUCHERS, which had to be restrained.
 
WHIRLWIND – Raced wide in the early and middle stages. Steadied away from the heels of BRITISH GEM leaving the 75 metres and shifted out, resulting in MR SUGAR DADDY having to be restrained.
 
BETTA AL – Raced wide in the middle stages.
 
REDLIGHTS ON – Raced keenly in the middle stages. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn.
 
MR SUGAR DADDY – Had to be restrained nearing the 50 metres when BRITISH GEM shifted out.
 
BETA BETTER – When questioned regarding the mare leading today’s event in comparison to its previous 2 starts where BETA BETTER had got back in running, Trainer Belynda Kliese stated that her instructions had been to ride the mare forward and that these instructions were consistent with the instructions given at the mares previous two starts. Trainer Kliese added that rider Whiteley was able to ride to instructions today and obtain the lead comfortably and further advised that she had lightened the mare’s trackwork regime in preparation for today’s event. Stewards noted the explanation.
 
BRITISH GEM – Raced wide from the 800 metres. Laid out nearing the 300 metres and brushed with CONVO, which became briefly unbalanced and when being corrected shifted in bumping with BRITISH GEM. In consequence, BRITISH GEM shifted inwards into the line of VOUCHERS, which had to be restrained. Also contributing to this incident was EAGLE WARRIOR which laid out in the early part of the home straight and leaving the 200 metres, shifted out simultaneously to BRITISH GEM shifting in. Given all circumstances, Stewards determined no rider involved in the incident to be culpable and no further action was required.
 
CONVO – Became briefly unbalanced nearing the 300 metres after brushing with BRITISH GEM and as a result shifted in bumping with that runner.
 
VOUCHERS – Raced wide rounding the first turn. Had to be restrained leaving the 200 metres when racing between BRITISH GEM and EAGLE WARRIOR which both shifted ground simultaneously.
 
READ ‘EM AND WEEP – Very slow into stride. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn.
 
 
Race 8: SAMOIS CLASS 5 Handicap 1000M
 
Correct weight was delayed allowing apprentice rider Julie Busittin (SUPER FREEZE) to view the available replays to ascertain whether she had grounds to protest. After viewing the replays, rider Busuttin elected not to proceed and correct weight was declared.
 
KHUMBILA – Began awkwardly, losing ground. Raced wide without cover throughout. Laid out under pressure in the final straight.  
 
CHARTWELL – Raced wide without cover in the early stages. Laid out under pressure in the final straight.
 
METALCRAFT – Proved difficult to load delaying the start. Trainer Alisha Taylor was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s barrier manners. Bumped on jumping on two occasions. Came together and brushed with SUPER FREEZE nearing the 200 metres. Shifted out under riding over the concluding stages and near the 70 metres brushed again with SUPER FREEZE. Rider Brandon Lerena was reminded of his obligations to stop riding and straighten his mount in similar circumstances.
 
LA PETITE MAISON – Shifted in on jumping, bumping with RUSSIAN SUMMER. Raced keenly in the middle stages and had to be steadied off heels at that point.
 
LADY POTATO HEAD – Was declared a late scratching at 8:45am after refusing to load onto the float to be transported to the meeting.
 
MATERIALIST – Laid out under pressure in the final straight. Shifted out nearing the 200 metres, bumping with SINGULAR.
 
SUPER FREEZE – Shifted in on jumping, bumping with METALCRAFT then bumped that runner again shortly after. Came together and brushed with METALCRAFT nearing the 200 metres.
 
RUSSIAN SUMMER – Bumped on jumping.
 
SINGULAR – Raced keenly in the early stages. Bumped nearing the 200 metres.
 

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 6. Rider Ben Kennedy – careless riding – AR 131(a).
Fines
Nil
Suspensions
Race 3. Rider Brandon Lerena – careless riding – AR 131(a) – 12-day suspension commencing from the close of racing on midnight 21 September 2026 up to midnight 2nd October 2026.
Race day injuries/illness
Nil
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
ROTH AUTHORITY; HELL OF A BENTLEY; COLLEANO; RED FEATHERS; KICKOFF; SUPER FREEZE.
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
Warnings/bars
Race 2. BELLA ACE – Commenced to hang out from the 700m – Warning.
Race 5. GENERAL GORDON – Stood flat-footed at start – Warning.
Race 6. SAVEE – Stood flat-footed at start – Restricted to racing at non-TAB meetings in the near future.
Race 8. METALCRAFT – Proved difficult to load delaying the start – Warning
Bleeders
Race 5. SHE’S A SWEET STAR – Bled both nostrils first occasion – Subject to AR 79(4).
 
Late scratchings
Race 8. No 6. LADY POTATO HEAD – Refused to load onto float – 8:45am

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.