QUEENSLAND RACING INTEGRITY COMMISSION
 
STEWARDS REPORT
 
TOWNSVILLE TURF CLUB
 
SUNDAY 4TH OCTOBER 2026
 
 
WEATHER – Fine
TRACK RATING – Soft 5; Upgraded to Good 4 after Race 2
RAIL – +7.5m 1000M-W/P, +3.5m Remainder
PENETROMETER – 5.9
 
OFFICIALS

Chairman of Stewards – R Neal
Stewards – P Gillard, S Nosworthy, P Warren, K Dean, D Griffiths (Inspections)
 
GENERAL
 
1.    Stewards this morning undertook pre-race meeting stable inspections of Trainers with runners engaged at today’s meeting and no irregularities were detected.
2.    Stewards permitted the following overweights:
Race 2. Sean Cormack (BELINDA’S RUBI) +0.5kg
Race 3. Masayuki Abe (BUSH ETIQUETTE) +1.0kg
Race 4. Sean Cormack (THE KAMIKAZE (NZ)) +1.0kg
Race 4. Ivo Fry (LUCKY ROLLA) +1.0kg
Race 8. Isabella Teh replacing Lacey Morrison (READ ‘EM AND WEEP) +0.5kg
 
 
Race 1: MOTTI MIDLIFE CLASSIC QTIS THREE-YEAR-OLD Maiden Handicap 1000M
 
BETTER OPTION – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
HARRY HOT LAPS – Fractious in the barriers prior to the start. Momentarily crowded for room near the 80 metres by BOUDICA QUEEN when that runner shifted in.
 
DIVINE SOUL – Slow to begin. Apprentice Mitch Goring accidently dropped his whip near the 50 metres.
 
SQUADRONS – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
GOOD ONE CECIL – Began awkwardly. Raced greenly in the early stages. Laid in rounding the home turn near the 450 brushing with BOOMING BELIEF. When questioned regarding the improved performance of GOOD ONE CECIL, which was having its first start for trainer Ms. Kirsten Allender, Ms. Allender stated that the horse had pleased her in training since arriving at her stables and had trialed well in the lead-up to today’s event. Ms. Allender added that a forward showing was expected. Stewards noted Trainer Allender’s comments.
 
SOMEMOREPLEASE – Became fractious after being loaded into the barriers and became cast. Declared a late scratching at 12:36pm. Declared a late scratching at 12:36pm after when fractious.  Prior to the declaration of correct weight, Stewards ordered that all bets placed on SOMEMOREPLEASE be refunded with the following deductions to apply:
 
1st GOOD ONE CECIL 10c win, 13c place
2nd NICCO NOTA FIGHTER 16c place
3rd BOOMING BELIEF 7c place
 
Trainer Georgie Holt was advised that SOMEMOREPLEASE must obtain a further barrier certificate prior to racing again.
 
BOOMING BELIEF – Brushed near the 450 metres by GOOD ONE CECIL which laid in.
 
BOUDICA QUEEN – Shifted in near the 80 metres momentarily crowding HARRY HOT LAPS.
 
NICCO NOTA FIGHTER – Raced keenly in the early stages.
 
 
Race 2: TOWNSVILLE EARTHMOVING QTIS Maiden Handicap 1200M
 
BLAZING FUTURE – Shifted out abruptly on jumping forcing FARANHEIT out onto the hindquarters of POWERED RIGHT UP.
 
FARANHEIT – Taken out on jumping then shortly after the start was tightened for room between BLAZING FUTURE and POWERED RIGHT UP, losing ground.
 
IT’S SHOWTIME – Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Laid out rounding the home turn.
 
TRICKEMEZI – Slow to begin. Unable to obtain clear running over the final 200 metres, going to the line without being fully tested.
 
TOI TOI – Began very awkwardly, losing ground. Briefly held up for clear running shortly upon entering the home straight.
 
BELINDA’S RUBI – Inclined to race keenly in the early stages when leading.
 
POWERED RIGHT UP – Bumped on jumping. Shortly after the start was turned inwards after being bumped by VOLARE tightening the running of FARANHEIT, which lost ground.
 
VOLARE – Apprentice Rider Samantha Pointon was unable to claim her full allowance, claiming 2.5kg of her 3kg claim. Stewards accepted her explanation but reminded Rider Pointon of her obligations under the provisions of AR143(14)(a). Shifted in on jumping bumping with POWERED RIGHT UP.
 
Following Race 2, the track was upgraded to a Good 4.
 

Race 3: DANS AUTOMOTIVE QTIS Maiden Handicap 1609M
 
WAYLON – Over-raced in the early stages.
 
OVERLAND (NZ) – Held up from the 550 metres before shifting to the inside of WAYLON leaving the 350 metres to obtain clear running.
 
AUZANGATE – Slow into stride. Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
AL’S A MACHINE – Raced wide rounding the first turn before being taken forward to lead nearing the 1300 metres. Gave ground from the 400 metres and was not persevered with thereafter, finishing well back. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.
 
IN THE HOLE TIGER – Contacted the running rail leaving the 1300 metres.
 
ROTH AUTHORITY – Raced keenly in the early stages. Shifted out to improve nearing the 500 metres.
 
FOXTROTTING – Stewards inquired into an incident nearing the 300 metres where FOXTROTTING (Apprentice Mitch Goring) attempted to improve into a run to the inside of the weakening AL’S A MACHINE (Aidan Holt), which resulted in FOXTROTTING making contact with the hindquarters of AL’S A MACHINE, badly unbalancing both runners. Given all circumstances, including the ground being yielded by AL’S A MACHINE at that point, Apprentice Mitch Goring was reprimanded under the provisions of AR 131(a) and advised that on this occasion, in the opinion of Stewards, he had erred in judgement by attempting to improve into a run which had not sufficiently developed. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.
 
SHEFFLIN – Stood flat footed at the start, losing considerable ground and all effective chance. Trainer Joshua Manzelmann was advised that SHEFFLIN must obtain a further barrier certificate prior to racing again.
BUSH ETIQUETTE
 
MO SPIRIT – Over-raced in the early and stages. Restrained off heels nearing the 700 metres.
 

Race 4: COWBOYS LEAGUES CLUB OPEN Handicap 1000M
 
OUTBACK ACTION – Slow to begin. Outpaced in the early and middle stages.
 
TURN BIRD – Began awkwardly. Buffeted between LUCKY ROLLA and TIME TO PROPHET for a distance nearing the 600 metres. Stewards noted rider Ivo Fry’s use of the whip in the final straight, particularly from the 150 metres where he applied the whip on consecutive occasions. Rider Fry was reminded of his obligations under AR 132(7)(a)(i).
 
TIME TO PROPHET – Raced wide without cover in the middle stages.
 

Race 5: SIGNARAMA Class 2 Handicap 1000M
 
SPIRIT OF MAC – Slow into stride. Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
PRO FORMA – Raced keenly in the middle stages.
 
ELECTROMAGNETIC – Slow into stride. Lost its near fore plate during the event.
 
BOOM BUNNY – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn up to a point nearing the 250 metres.
 
EXTRA FREE – Began awkwardly. Held up from the 500 metres and was unable to obtain clear running for the majority of the home straight, going to the line without being fully tested.
 
VERY GOOD – Blundered on jumping.
 
LET’S RIDE – Began awkwardly.
 

Race 6: LADBROKES BM65 Handicap 1200M
 
 
CHARTWELL – Raced wide without cover throughout. Brought down approaching the winning post, resulting in Apprentice Fiona Sandkuhl being dislodged. Apprentice Sandkuhl was examined by QAS medical personnel and cleared of injury; however, she was stood down from her remaining engagements. Apprentice Sandkuhl was excused from weighing in pursuant to AR208(3)(b). A post-race veterinary examination of CHARTWELL revealed no apparent injury as a result of the fall.
 
ASK ME MATE – Bumped on three occasions leaving the 250 metres. Brought down approaching the winning post, resulting in rider Paul Hammersley being dislodged. Rider Hammersley was examined by QAS medical personnel and treated for an injury to his right thumb. Rider Hammersley was advised that a medical clearance would be required prior to next riding. Rider Hammersley was excused from weighing in pursuant to AR208(3)(b). A post-race veterinary examination of ASK ME MATE revealed no apparent injury as a result of the fall.
 
MATERIALIST – Bumped on jumping. Hampered after passing the winning post.
 
KICKOFF – Shifted out leaving the 250 metres, bumping with ASK ME MATE on three occasions. Laid out throughout the home straight. Fell approaching the winning post, resulting in rider Lacey Morrison being dislodged. Ms Morrison was attended to by QAS medical personnel and subsequently transported to hospital for further assessment. Ms Morrison was stood down from her remaining engagements and was advised that a medical clearance would be required prior to her next riding engagement. Ms Morrison was excused from weighing in pursuant to AR208(3)(b).
Stewards delayed the declaration of correct weight to determine whether KICKOFF, which had been placed third by the Judge, had satisfied the requirements of AR209(3). After reviewing the available race footage, Stewards were satisfied that at the finish of the race Ms Morrison remained in contact with the gear of KICKOFF and, accordingly, correct weight was declared on the Judge’s placings.
A post-race veterinary examination of KICKOFF revealed no apparent injury as a result of the fall.
Stewards adjourned an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident to a date and time to be fixed.
 
SINGULAR – Began awkwardly. Shifted out under pressure in the home straight.
 
FABULEAN – Shifted in on jumping, bumping MATERIALIST. Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Laid in over the concluding stages.
 
SPIRIT OF GIVING – Slow to begin. Raced wide with cover throughout.
 
LOOMING ONE – Steadied leaving the 800 metres after being placed in restricted room.
 
CRAICARO – Slow to begin. Shifted out leaving the 800 metres, placing LOOMING ONE in restricted room to the inside of SPIRIT OF GIVING, resulting in LOOMING ONE having to be steadied. Apprentice Amy Graham was advised to exercise greater care when shifting ground.
 

Race 7: BUNDABERG RUM RATINGS BAND 0-55 Handicap 1200M
 
Due to the fall in Race 6, the advertised starting time of Race 7 was amended to 4:15pm.
 
DECIMUS – Julie Busuttin replaced Fiona Sandkuhl. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
 
RUM RUMBLE – Jumped out at the start, bumping with HELL OF A BENTLEY. Contacted shortly after the start. Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
HELL OF A BENTLEY – Aidan Holt replaced Paul Hammersley. Bumped on jumping. Shortly after the start, shifted in contacting RUM RUMBLE, which in turn shifted in bumping BRAVE INTENT.
 
TSUNAMI – Adam Sewell replaced Lacey Morrison.
 
CAROHVIC – Slow to begin. Held up for clear running rounding the home turn.
 
SUPER STEVEN – Began very awkwardly and lost ground. Over-raced in the early and middle stages.
 
SHE’S A BEAUTY – Raced wide in the early stages. Taken wider at the 200 metres when CERETTI shifted out.
 
BRAVE INTENT – Bumped shortly after the start. Held up rounding the home turn before shifting wider leaving the 200 metres to obtain clear running.
 
CERETTI – Bounded in the air on jumping, resulting in rider Ben Kennedy becoming unbalanced. Shifted out at the 200 metres, taking SHE’S A BEAUTY wider.
 
DARK FAE – Began awkwardly.
 
 
Race 8: QUALITY FABRICATIONS AND WELDING PTY LTD CLASS 6 Handicap 1400M
 
Due to the fall in Race 6, the advertised starting time of Race 8 was amended to 4:50pm.
 
HOT DIGGITY BOOM – Ben Kennedy replaced Lacey Morrison. Became unbalanced nearing the 200 metres after being bumped by BANCORY BAY.
 
CENTRAL PARK – Nathan Thomas replaced Paul Hammersley. Raced wide with cover throughout. Had to be steadied leaving the 75 metres away from the heels of BANCORY BAY and was shifted wider.
 
HYDE PARK – Very slow to begin.
 
COLLEANO – Laid in under pressure in the home straight. Shifted in abruptly nearing the winning post.
 
READY TIGER – Raced wide without cover throughout. Compounded over the concluding stages. When questioned, rider Chris Whiteley could offer no tangible explanation for the performance. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormality.
 
BANG STICK – Was declared a late scratching at 7:50am after being found to be displaying a nasal discharge when being prepared for the meeting. Trainer Tom Button was advised that BANG STICK would now require a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.
 
BANCORY BAY – Amy Graham replaced Fiona Sandkuhl. Shifted out nearing the 200 metres after being bumped by TORONAGA, which shifted out, and in turn bumped with HOT DIGGITY BOOM, which shifted in. Rider Ben Kennedy (HOT DIGGITY BOOM) was issued a reprimand and rider Ivo Fry (TORONAGA) was issued a severe reprimand under the provisions of AR131(a). Both riders were reminded of their obligations to keep their mounts straight when in similar circumstances.

TORONAGA – Shifted out under pressure nearing the 200 metres bumping BANCORY BAY, which in turn shifted out bumping HOT DIGGITY BOOM, which became unbalanced.
 
 
Race 9: LADBROKES TOTE WIN +10% IN OCTOBER BENCHMARK 60 Handicap 1609M
 
Due to the fall in Race 6, the advertised starting time of Race 9 was amended to 5:25pm.
 
FISTSOFFURY – Raced keenly in the early stages. Apprentice Rider Julie Busuttin dropped her whip leaving the 150 metres.
 
MISTERKIPCHOGE (NZ) – Slow into stride.
 
LONE FORCE – Raced keenly in the early stages. Shifted out leaving the 500 metres, bumping with BETA BETTER.
 
EAGLE WARRIOR – Wanderson D’Avila replaced Paul Hammersley.
 
ZEAMIZE – Over-raced in the early and middle stages. Held up rounding the home turn and had difficulty obtaining clear running nearing the 100 metres.
 
BETA BETTER – Bumped leaving the 500 metres.
 
IT’S BEEN A TREK – Gave ground from the 400 metres finishing distanced from the field. A post-race veterinary examination revealed lameness in the near fore leg. Trainer Janel Ryan was advised a veterinary clearance would be required prior to IT’S BEEN A TREK racing again; Ms Ryan subsequently advised that, in her opinion, the gelding may have got is tongue over the bit during the running and in consequence a gear change will be affected.
 
KHALS – Raced wide with cover in the middle stages. Laid in under pressure leaving the 150 metres and had to be straightened by its rider.
 
OKAY ZOOMER – Raced wide without cover throughout.
 
READ EM’ AND WEEP – Isabella Teh replaced Lacey Morrison. Slow into stride.
 

STEWARDS RACE DAY SUMMARY
 
Summary of action concerning licensees
 
Reprimands
Race 8. Rider Ben Kennedy – AR 131(a) – careless riding – reprimand.
Race 8. Rider Ivo Fry – AR 131(a) – careless riding – severe reprimand.
Fines
Nil
Suspensions
Nil
 
Race day injuries/illness
Rider Lacey Morrison – transported to hospital for assessment – Medical clearance required.
Rider Paul Hammersley – Right Wrist Discomfort – Medical clearance required.
Rider Fiona Sandkuhl – stood-down from remaining engagements following Race 6
 
Adjourned inquiries:
Race 6. Reasons into fall of KICKOFF
 
 
Summary of action concerning thoroughbred horses
 
Horses swabbed pre-race
BEERSHEBA, QUEEN OF RUSSIA, HARTSHORN, SPIRIT OF GIVING, CRAICARO, CERETTI.
 
Horses swabbed post-race
All winners
 
Warnings/bars
Race 1. SOMEMOREPLEASE – Became cast in barriers resulting in late scratching – Must obtain further barrier certificate.
Race 3. SHEFFLIN – Stood flat-footed losing all effective chance – Must obtain further barrier certificate.
Race 8. BANG STICK – Nasal Discharge resulting in late scratching – Veterinary clearance required.
Race 9. IT’S BEEN A TREK – Lameness in the near foreleg – Veterinary clearance required.
 
Bleeders
Nil
 
Falls
Race 6. KICKOFF
 
Summary of rider changes/late notifications
Race 7. No 1. DECIMUS – Julie Busuttin replacing Fiona Sandkuhl.
Race 7. No 4. HELL OF A BENTLEY – Aidan Holt replacing Paul Hammersley.
Race 7. No 5. TSUNAMI – Adam Sewell replacing Lacey Morrison.
Race 8. No 2. HOT DIGGITY BOOM – Ben Kennedy replacing Lacey Morrison.
Race 8. No 3. CENTRAL PARK – Nathan Thomas replacing Paul Hammerlsey.
Race 8. No 9. BANCORY BAY – Amy Graham replacing Fiona Sandkuhl.
Race 9. No 4. EAGLE WARRIOR – Wanderson D’Avila replacing Paul Hammersley.
Race 9. No 12. READ ‘EM AND WEEP – Isabella Teh replacing Lacey Morrison.
 
Late scratchings
Race 1. No 8 SOMEMOREPLEASE – 12:36pm – Cast in barriers when fractious.
Race 8. No 7. BANG STICK – 7:50am – Nasal Discharge.

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.