Stewards Report

TAMWORTH 30/11/2023

 

 

Stewards	S Cullen (Chairman), E Turner, D Westwood
Starter	A Yates
Veterinarian	Dr A Knox, Dr C Richardson
Swab Official	G Stimson
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – THE TAB APP PACE – 1980 metres

BRAVE BONDI – Raced ungenerously approaching the home turn, shifted out despite the efforts of its driver and contacted GOODTIME SHADY resulting in M Formosa, the driver of GOODTIME SHADY becoming unbalanced in the sulky and his left foot dropping momentarily below the sulky rest. Trainer/Driver Mr B James was cautioned in relation to the manner in which he applied the whip in the home straight.

ONEMOREBEER – Pre-race blood sample.

TASMANS DELIGHT – Hung out during the score up and was out of position at the start. Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the mare’s record. Checked and contacted marker pegs near the 400 metres when racing behind SPORTS LINER.

WINTER ROSE – Raced roughly for a short distance after the start. Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the mare’s racing record.

SPORTS LINER – Checked and broke stride near the 400 metres when crowded by MICK SHANNON, which shifted in slightly after being carried in marginally by BETTERTHANKYLIE, which hung in despite the efforts of its driver.

ARCTIC BEAST – Post-race swab sample. Following required satisfactory performance connections were advised the gelding would now be eligible to take its place in the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 2 – COUNTRY AUCTIONS NEMINGHA PACE – 1980 metres

MISS HATTIE – Checked, broke stride and galloped near the 1200 metres, when racing behind STRONGHOLD.

DASHNDOT – Pre-race blood sample. Broke stride and galloped shortly after the start. Trainer/Driver Mr D Chapple was advised that a warning would be placed on the mare’s racing record. Hampered and forced wider passing the 1200 metres. Sustained a flat tyre during the race.

STRONGHOLD – Became unbalanced, blundered and broke stride approaching the 1200 metres. Taken inside marker pegs and restrained out of the race. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. Trainer/Driver Mr A Varga was advised that prior to racing again STRONGHOLD must perform satisfactorily in an official qualifying trial.

FREDDIES DELIGHT – Hampered and had to be shifted wider passing the 1200 metres when racing behind LEXY CAN BERN.

JEFFCOATE – Raced roughly for a short distance approaching the home turn on the first occasion. Post-race swab sample.

LEXY CAN BERN – Checked near the 1200 metres and shifted out abruptly when racing behind STRONGHOLD.

IM PLAIN JANE – Checked and shifted out after the start to avoid DASHNDOT which had galloped.

MELTON XMAS GIRL – Checked and broke stride shortly after the start when attempting to avoid IM PLAIN JANE. Checked and broke stride passing the 1200 metres when following FREDDIES DELIGHT.

ATTAHUA ACE – Forced wider passing the 1200 metres when racing outside runners which were affected when STRONGHOLD broke stride.

 

RACE 3 – WOLF TAX ACCOUNTING PACE – 1980 metres

PARATROUPER – Post-race swab sample.

FRONTLINER – Hung out after the start, broke stride, galloped, shifted out abruptly and locked wheels with WARRAWEE FLYER. Trainer/Driver Mr J Donovan was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

WARRAWEE FLYER – Sustained a flat tyre following contact with FRONTLINER and was restrained out of the race.

RIP JACKSON – Pre-race blood sample.

FAR OUT RINGO – Hung out at various stages during the race. Connections were advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

BE GOOD BENNY – Hampered shortly after the start when racing behind FRONTLINER and WARRAWEE FLYER. Held up for some distance in the early part of the home straight and unable to go forward and was then steadied and shifted outwards near the 100 metres to obtain clear running.

 

RACE 4 – DRATTA MECHANICAL TAMWORTH PACE – 1980 metres

BETTOR KEEP ROCKING NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

CHAL BE NZ – Steadied and shifted wider near the 400 metres when crowded by DON HESTON, which shifted out at that point when not quite clear. Subsequently J Donovan, the driver of DON HESTON was reprimanded under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii). When questioned in relation to the performance, Driver M Formosa explained that the gelding travelled relatively well in a forward position in the running line in the early and middle stages, however was under pressure passing the 800 metres and when urged forward inside the 600 metres was unresponsive and began to weaken. He stated that after this CHAL BE NZ was disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. Connections were advised the provision of last chance to race competitively would be placed on the geldings racing record.

COUNTRY MAJOR – When questioned in relation to the tactics adopted particularly in the early stages Driver D Brown explained that he was instructed to obtain cover in the early stages from its outside draw and attempt to improve when possible inside the 600m. He said that after restraining to the rear of the field, the gelding was unresponsive and failed to travel at any stage. He added that he had envisaged driving forward in the early stages prior to receiving his instructions and despite the gelding disinterest it was his opinion with hindsight, that COUNTRY MAJOR may have been better advantaged by being driven urgently after the start. Trainer Mr T Ison confirmed the instructions and stated that they were issued due to the wide barrier draw and the increased distance of today’s race. Further, he said that after assessing the field, despite COUNTRY MAJOR having an established pattern of being forward in its races, he formed the view that the gelding would not muster sufficient speed to cross WHATA TERROR or CHAL BE (NZ), which were drawn to his inside. He further stated that following today’s disappointing performance, he would instruct whoever drove the gelding in future to drive forward in the early stages if the barrier draw was favourable in similar grade. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormality.

KARALTA COURAGE – Could not be driven into position at the start and was slow away. Connections were advised the gelding would continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Checked passing the 400 metres when racing behind CHAL BE NZ which weakened quickly.

 

RACE 5 – LABOUR-CO TAMWORTH PACE -    1980 metres

JOES REDEMPTION – Driver B Hughes pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 170(4)(b), stating that approaching the winning post with a lap remaining, he allowed his right foot to drop below the sulky rest into the vicinity of the gelding’s hind legs. B Hughes was fined $200. Hung out when placed under pressure in the home straight.

STILTON – When questioned in relation to the performance, Driver D Chapple explained that he was instructed to drive forward in the early stages and after doing so and obtaining a position outside the lead the gelding pulled hard, raced fiercely and would not settle. He said that because of this when placed under pressure inside the 500 metres STILTON was unresponsive and weakened from that point. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

LORD BAZALUP – Pre-race blood sample.

BOTTLE ROCK NZ – Pulled hard during the early and middle stages. Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 6 – C7EVEN COMMUNICATIONS PACE – 1980 metres

ENEMY LINES – Post-race swab sample.

YELLOW TAXI NZ – Passed required pre-race veterinary examination. An inquiry into the tactics adopted particularly after entering the back straight on the final occasion was adjourned to a date to be fixed, so that all aspects of the race including wagering can be examined. Preliminary evidence was taken from the driver M Ison and the trainer Mr T Ison.

MONTANA NIGHTS – When questioned in relation to the performance, Driver J Coney explained that due to the increased distance of today’s race in relation to MONTANA NIGHTS recent racing, she was instructed to drive with cover in the early stages and not to pressure the gelding until the latter stages of the race. She said that after restraining to the rear of the field after the start MONTANA NIGHTS failed to travel at any stage and was unresponsive throughout. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. Connections were advised that prior to racing again MONTANA NIGHTS must perform satisfactorily in an official qualifying trial.

NIGHTWATCH STAR – Hampered and had to be shifted wider passing the 500 metres.

SHADOW ECLIPSE – Pre-race blood sample.  When questioned in relation to the performance, Driver A Varga explained that he intended to drive forward in the early stages and obtain a prominent position if possible from the back line. He said that after the start he was able to race forward, however the tempo at this stage was moderate and for this reason he shifted wider and drove with vigour in an attempt to obtain the lead. He said that after achieving this SHADOW ECLIPSE raced fiercely and entering the back straight on the first occasion took charge and could not be restrained to a suitable tempo. He said that after this SHADOW ECLIPSE continued to race fiercely and weakened over the concluding stages. Connections were advised a warning for racing intractably would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

 

RACE 7 – PORTABLE HORSE STABLES HRNSW GUARANTEED LADYSHIP PACE – 1609 metres

COLETTE – When questioned in relation to the performance, Trainer/Driver Mr T Ison explained that he intended to drive forward in the early stages and after beginning well the mare was prominent rounding the turn after the start, then he attempted to go forward and obtain the lead, however was unable to muster sufficient speed to cross FOREVER SKYFALL. He said that he restrained entering the back straight on the first occasion racing outside the lead. He said that after this he sustained pressure from MYSTIFY ME NZ and he was obliged to allow COLETTE to stride freely so that it would not be crossed by that runner at that time. He said that MYSTIFY ME NZ eventually crossed passing the winning post with a lap remaining and from that point COLETTE was under pressure and despite his urgings could not improve and weakened. He said the performance in his opinion was disappointing and whilst a post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormality, the mare coughed whilst being unsaddled. He said that he intended to monitor its recovery prior to a decision being made on a future racing program. Mr Ison was advised that prior to racing again COLETTE must perform satisfactorily in an official qualifying trial and undergo a veterinary examination to determine its fitness.

LOLLIPOP – Pre-race blood sample. Raced roughly for a short distance rounding the turn after the start.

MYSTIFY ME NZ – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 8 – CARPET ONE FLOOR AND HOME TAMWORTH LADYSHIP PACE – 1609 metres

ASHLEYS BLUE CHIP – Post-race swab sample.

CASH EM IN SHANNON – Broke stride free of any external factors and galloped shortly after the start. Connections were advised a warning would be placed on the mare’s racing record.

FOREVER MOMENTS – Pre-race blood sample. When questioned in relation to the performance, Driver G Panella explained that despite her efforts in the early stages to drive forward the mare was trapped wide after the start and rounding the turn thereafter. She said that after being unable to find cover during this time she was obliged to drive forward entering the back straight to a point where she obtained the position outside the lead. She said that after this FOREVER MOMENTS over raced and did not travel comfortably, then passing the 500 metres was under pressure, unresponsive and weakened. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.  Connections were advised a poor performance warning would be placed on the mare’s racing record. Notwithstanding this, due to required satisfactory performance, connections were further advised the mare will now be eligible to take its place in the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 9 – STAN ALLAN – 2 YEAR MEMORIAL – 1609 metres

CLASSIE AMERICAN NZ – Broke stride free of any external factors shortly after the start and galloped for a short distance. Connections were advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record. When questioned in relation to the performance, Driver B Hughes explained that after being restrained to a pacing gait in the early stages, CLASSIE AMERICAN NZ was continually unbalanced and had difficulty handling the turn after the start. He said that he allowed CLASSIE AMERICAN NZ to stride forward entering the back straight on the first occasion in an attempt to have it race more tractably, however it remained unbalanced during the turns and when placed under pressure inside the 400 metres weakened and ran to the finish in a disappointing manner. He said that in his opinion CLASSIE AMERICAN NZ was best suited to tracks with a larger circumference.

THE IRISH EAGLE – Broke stride free of any external factors shortly after the start and galloped. Connections were advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

NIGHT TO REMEMBER – Pre-race blood sample.

LOOKAT MEE – Broke stride and galloped for a short distance in the score up. Connections were advised a warning would be placed on the mare’s racing record.

RACING PAULA – Raced in restricted room rounding the home turn and in the early part of the home straight.

UPTOTRIX – Post-race swab sample.

REDFOX RAIDER – Hampered shortly after the start and was shifted outwards to avoid THE IRISH EAGLE.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 4 – Jamie Donovan – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – DON HESTON
Fines	Race 5 – Blake Hughes – Rule 170(4)(b) - $200 – JOES REDEMPTION
Suspensions
Barrier Information	Race 1 – ARCTIC BEAST – BMD Race 8 – FOREVER MOMENTS - BMD
Trials/Stand Down	Race 2 – STRONGHOLD – Rule 63(2) – 1 trial Race 6 – MONTANA NIGHTS – Rule 63(2) – 1 trial Race 7 – COLETTE – Rule 63(2) – 1 trial and vet cert
Late Scratchings
Adjourned Inquiries	Race 6 – Molly Ison – driving tactics – 14/12/2023
Medical Clearance
Follow up’s