Stewards Report

PENRITH 16/01/2020

 

 

Stewards	G Adams (Chairman), T Sharwood
Starter	C Paul
Veterinarian	Dr A Argyle
Swabbing Official	S McMaster
Track	Good (rain affected)
Weather	Overcast / Showery

 

GENERAL –

Stewards in conjunction with the Penrith HRC, inspected the track at 1 and 2 pm which included the testing of the mobile barrier. Following the 2^nd test, the track surface was considered suitable and safe to race.

 

Stewards approved the following late driving changes:

Race 4 – No 9 – SO MUCH BETTER – J Gallagher replacing L Cain (9.15am).

Race 3 – No 2 – JACKS UP – M Towers replacing H Green (11.40am).

Race 9 – No 8 – NO RISK NO RETURN – M Towers replacing H Green (11.40am).

Driver H Green will now be stood down until a medical certificate is submitted.

 

Prior to the running of Race 3, Stewards called an immediate delay and ordered all horses on the track to return to the race day stalls due to significant lightning activity. As a result of this delay, Stewards ordered that all races be put back one timeslot with Race 9 being rescheduled at 10.25pm. Prior to the commencement of Race 3 Stewards tested the mobile barrier and determined it suitable for racing.

 

Following the running of Race 4, Stewards interviewed all drivers in Race 4 regarding the track surface when it was witnessed that at various positions there had been a pooling of water. At 8:25pm, Stewards determined that the track was unsuitable to continue racing and abandoned Races 5 through to 9.

 

RACE 1 – TAB ODDS & EVENS PACE – 1720 metres  

MOTU HOT TOPIC – Failed to run on over the final 500 metres to finish in eighth position beaten 56.3 metres.  A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.  When questioned regarding the tactics adopted and the overall performance, Trainer / Driver  N Zbiljic explained that from barrier 2 he had expected being forward in the event and was of the view that he would be able to cross to the lead forward of BESOCIAL with greater ease. Mr Zbiljic indicated that after working forward in the early stages to cross to the lead, he did record the first quarter in a quick 28.2 seconds and during the early stages when leading, he would have liked his mare to come back to him more than what she did to gain greater respite. Mr Zbiljic added that of recent time his runner has not been racing to its best and he elected to adopt these tactics in attempt to find the best out of his mare.  Mr Zbiljic added that in the coming days he would look to have his local veterinarian examine the horse. Stewards will follow up with Mr Zbiljic with regard to any subsequent findings and in view of the overall run Stewards noted his comments however, Mr Zbilijic was advised that considering the horse’s performance and previous performances when asked to work in races, it would be of benefit that the mare is provided some respite earlier to assist with finishing of the race.

Follow Up Report 30.01.2020

MOTU HOT TOPIC – Trainer/Driver N Zbiljic has to today advised HRNSW Stewards that following the above mentioned race, MOTU HOT TOPIC was subject to an endoscopic examination under training with clear results. Mr Zbiljic added that the mare has shown minor lameness it is nearside fore leg following recent track work and it would be his intention to have the mare return to racing at Penrith 13.02.2020.

OVERCHARGED NZ – Hung in for a short distance rounding the first turn.

TOP LLAMADA – Entering the first turn became unbalanced and galloped and as a result took no further competitive part in the event.  In view of the gelding’s recent record TOP LLAMADA will now be stood down until in completes one requalifying trial.

MAJOR CRISIS – Pre-race blood sample.  Improved three wide until obtaining the position outside the leader near the 1400 metres and a short distance later obtained cover by BESOCIAL.  Post-race swab sample.

ALL ABOUT ART – Driver S Grima was cautioned regarding his whip use displayed in the early stages of the home straight.  Mr Grima was questioned as to his driving over the final 75 metres when appearing to be held up at which point a run was afforded to the inside of BESOCIAL. Mr Grima stated that on reflection and review of the film he accepts that there was a run available to the inside of BESOCIAL however he was not of that opinion at the time of the event.  Mr Grima was advised that he must ensure he pays greater attention to his surroundings and takes all reasonable opportunities when available.   In taking no further action Stewards did not consider that Mr Grima’s actions had not materially affected the placing of ALL ABOUT ART to finish in the top 4 placings. 

 

RACE 2 – DRAG BINGO JAN 18 @ THE PACEWAY PACE – 2125 metres

LA SAETA NZ – Failed to run on over the concluding stages after leading the event.  Driver T McCarthy was questioned as to the seemingly disappointing performance of the filly which finished in fourth position beaten 13.3 metres. Mr McCarthy explained that his filly was disappointing tonight and would appear not to race at its best at Penrith.  Mr McCarthy stated that during the run his horse felt good but when asked for an effort over the concluding stages LA SAETA NZ failed to respond to his driving and run on as expected.  Mr McCarthy added that connections may look to modify the filly’s gear in an attempt to allow the filly to focus more when leading.

DON KEE – Improved three wide with a trail approaching the 800 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

CLASSIC GRANGE – Pre-race blood sample.   On approach to the home straight was momentarily tightened when positioned to the inside MAKE MINE GRANGE which shifted in.

MODERN METROPOLIS – Held up for clear running until shifting wider on approach to the 50 metres.

MILWAUKEE VOLO – Trainer R Camilleri was fined $50 under Rule 273(6)(b) for incorrect gear notification.

MAKE MINE GRANGE – Driver G McElhinney was issued a reprimand under Rule 163(1)(b) for forcing another runner wider in that nearing the 600 metres on approach to the back straight, he had taken his gelding wider on the track when positioned to the inside of BLACK EIGHT resulting in that horse covering additional ground.  In taking no further action Stewards were mindful of the short distance to the nominated candy pole at which point this move would have been permitted.  Passing the 200 metres laid in and momentarily tightened the room of classic grange at which point Driver G McElhinney’s left foot did lower from the sulky rest.  At a subsequent inquiry Stewards accepted that the lowering of the left foot was to assist Mr McElhinney to balance when laying in and his foot was not extended forward towards his runner’s hind legs. Stewards took no further action other than to remind Mr McElhinney of his obligations.

BLACK EIGHT – Improved three wide from the 800 to race without cover.  Near the 600 metres was taken out into a four wide position as a result of MAKE MINE GRANGE shifting wider to its inside.

 

RACE 3 – JIMMY STANFORD MEMORIAL – 1720 metres

SPORT CADET – Pre-race blood sample.   (Barrier 1) Broke gait during the score up for a short distance.  A warning was issued. Driver A Dawson was cautioned in relation to his whip use displayed in the early stages of the home straight. 

JACKS UP – Driver M Towers replaced H Green as the late driving replacement.

IMA SHINANSEN – Pre-race blood sample. Caught wide in the early stages before being restrained to the rear of the field near the 1450 metres.

CHEWALLA – Improved three wide passing the 1400 metres until working forward to the lead approaching the 1200 metres. Post-race swab sample.

ROBOB – Pre-race blood sample.   Approaching the 600 metres paced roughly and lost ground. Driver R Morris stated that his gelding did not appear to handle the track conditions.

BETTORPICKABEACH – (Barrier 9) Broke gait during the score up.  The gelding will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.  Weakened over the final 500 metres to finish in ninth position beaten 97 metres.  When questioned regarding the performance Driver G McElhinney was unable to offer any explanation as to the performance.  Trainer N Schenscher explained that the conditions in addition to the delay in the start did not assist her gelding.  Having regards to overall performance, Stewards ordered that BETTORPICKABEACH will now be stood down until it completes one requalifying trial.

 

RACE 4 – BUSHFIRE RELIEF FUNDRAISER JAN 24 @ THE PACEWAY PACE – 2125 metres

TIMELY SOVEREIGN – Caught wide in the early stages before being restrained to the rear of the field approaching the 1700 metres.

LANI KAI BEACH – Pre-race blood sample.

SKY DIAMOND NZ – Post-race swab sample.

THE GOLDEN CROSS NZ – (Barrier 7) Pulled hard during the score up. 

SO MUCH BETTOR – Trainer C Cross was fined $50 under Rule 210 for the late driving replacement of J Gallagher replacing L Cain.

 

RACE 5 – SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE – 1720 metres

 

SCALLYWAG SCOUT – Pre-race blood sample.  

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 2 – G McElhinney – Rule 163(1)(b) – MAKE MINE GRANGE
Fines	Race 2 – R Camilleri – Rule 273(6)(b) – MILWAUKEE VOLO - $50 Race 4 – C Cross – Rule 210 – SO MUCH BETTOR - $50
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Race 3 – BETTORPICKABEACH - CODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 1 – TOP LLAMADA – Rule 63(2) – 1 trial Race 3 – BETTORPICKABEACH – Rule 63(2) – 1 trial
Late Scratching	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Driver - H Green (Illness)
Follow up’s	Race 1 – N Zbiljic – MOTU HOT TOPIC NZ