Torian Problems

Maybe this is just my inexperience talking, but I am having a real problem with the Torians. Prior to v1.03 I was playing on Normal and finding it rather easy. However, after downloading v1.03, I find that I have a hard time on Beginner. My main problem is always the Torians, especially in a Gigantic galaxy. For some reason, they have the largest population of all the races within 20 turns. In addition, they have about a dozen colony ships and half a dozen constructors in the same amount of time. However, they maintain only a sliver of the total galactic spending and i always set my gov. speding to 100%. Finally, they have incredible influence. When I first locate them, they control 3-4 sectors, but within 5 turns, they have over 17 sectors (including about 6 of my own)! Someone please help! Is this a bug, or simply normal for the update?