Stewards Report

LEETON 26/12/2024

 

 

Stewards	T Sharwood (Chairman), S Snudden, M Ross
Starter	P Bandy
Veterinarian	Dr K Martel & Dr M Noga
Swab Official	T Ginns
Track	Good
Weather	Fine

 

GENERAL – As the forecast temperature for Leeton by the Bureau of Meteorology was 41 degrees HRNSW Stewards activated the HRNSW Heat Policy for this race meeting.  In view of the forecast temperatures all races will move back approximately 1 hour with the first race to commence at 7.09pm.

 

RACE 1 – GOLDEN APPLE SUPER STORE HEAT 1 – 2147 metres

MOP NZ – Driver M Towers was issued a reprimand under rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference in that at approximately the 250 metres she has allowed MOP NZ to shift up the track whilst not clear of DOOO DONT THINK and as a result that runner was taken wider towards the running of THE CLOCK WINDER and was checked and paced roughly when contacting the sulky of MOP NZ.  In not taking more severe action Stewards were mindful of DOOO DONT THINK’S racing manners at this stage of the event which contributed to the incident.

CLARE FAVOURITE NZ – Worked forward to obtain the lead passing the 1800 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

GOLDEN REASON – Hampered passing the 250 metres when avoiding THE CLOCK WINDER which was pacing roughly when being checked. 

KAMIKAZE SCOOB – Pre-race blood sample.  Failed to run on over the concluding stages to be beaten 119.6 metres and finished in last position.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the right fore and showing signs of respiratory distress following the event.  In view of the veterinary findings KAMIKAZE SCOOB was stood down until a veterinary certificate of fitness is submitted and also for one requalifying trial.

DOOO DONT THINK – Stewards delayed the all clear of this event to ascertain whether DOOO DONT THINK had been afforded a fair start when having to chase the gate being out of position at the start.  Upon review of the vision it was established that DOOO DONT THINK had not faced the mobile barrier prior to the mobile barrier moving and therefore under the provisions of rule 128(2) DOOO DONT THINK was declared a non-runner after being denied a fair start.  Improved three wide from the 1300 metres until obtaining the position outside of the leader passing the 1100 metres.  Contacted the sulky wheel of MOP NZ passing the 250 metres when that runner was shifted up the track however at the same time DOOO DONT THINK was hanging down the track for which a warning was issued. 

GEOFFREY BEE – Out of position at the start for which a warning was issued. 

THE CLOCK WINDER – Improved three wide from the 1750 metres until obtaining the position outside of the leader passing the 1500 metres.  Hampered passing the 250 metres when being taken up the track away from DOOO DONT THINK when that runner contacted the sulky wheel of MOP NZ.

 

RACE 2 – GOLDEN APPLE SUPER STORE HEA 2 – 2147 metres

TYABB WONDER – Pre-race blood sample. 

ALWAYSATTHEBEACH – Post-race swab sample.

SECURITY CHECK – Became unbalanced and galloped as runners passed the 200 metres.  In view of the gelding’s record a warning was issued.

NO MORE PROMISES – Caught racing three wide in the early stages until being restrained to the tail of the field passing the 1100 metres. 

BIDGEE BABE – Became unbalanced and galloped shortly after the start for which a warning was issued.  Checked and paced roughly when avoiding the galloping the SECURITY CHECK leaving the 200 metres.

RAGING ON NZ – Stewards questioned driver R Coelli in relation to the tactics adopted in particular his decision to improved three wide from the 1500 metres before being restrained to the tail of the field passing the 1100 metres.  Driver R Coelli explained that approaching the 1500 metres the tempo of the event was quite slow and he had noted that driver B Jones, who was racing outside of the leader, appeared to be looking around and felt that Mr Jones may have been looking for cover and elected to improve three wide.  Mr Coelli explained that passing the 1300 metres it became apparent that the position outside of the leader was not going to be available and restrained back to the tail of the field.  Driver R Coelli was issued a reprimand under rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving in that approaching the 400 metres he has shifted his runner down the track towards the inside of CRIMSON ROCK NZ as runners approached the turn and raced in restricted room and improved into doubtful running. As a result CRIMSON ROCK NZ had shifted down the track which resulted RAGING ON NZ contacting a number of marker pegs and was checked and had to be restrained to the tail of the field. 

IM HARVEY SPECTER NZ – Declared a late scratching on veterinary advice at 9.42am.

 

RACE 3 – MILBRAE QUARRIES HEAT 1 – 2147 metres

KNOCK OUT NZ – Failed to run on over the concluding stages to be beaten 31.2 metres and finished in last position.  Driver B Jones explained that he was disappointed in the performance of the gelding and explained that the gelding had performed similar three starts ago at the Wagga Harness Racing Club meeting on 26 July 2024.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have respiratory distress following the event however required no further action.  Stewards noted the comments of Mr Jones.

JOYCIES LAD – Raced roughly entering the first turn.  Worked forward to obtain the lead passing the 1900 metres.

RENROW LAD – Caught racing three wide in the early stages until working forward to obtain the position outside of the leader passing the 1100 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

PERFECT TREND – A delay to the start of this event was required as PERFECT TREND broke a tongue tie on the way onto the track and was fractious when trainer D Pitt attempted to a new tongue tie on the mare.  in view of the circumstances no direct action was taken other than to advise Mr Pitt to ensure that he gets the gear on his runners in a timely fashion.

SCOTTIE MACH – Checked behind the weakening KNOCK OUT NZ rounding the final turn.

CHANGEOVER GIRL – Pre-race blood sample. 

 

RACE 4 – MILBRAE QUARRIES HEAT 2 – 2147 metres

BEE GOOD MIKI – Pre-race blood sample.  Worked forward to obtain the lead passing the 1400 metres.

IM DUSTEE – Caught racing three wide in the early stages until obtaining the position outside of the leader passing the 1400 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

OUR REBEL YELL – Over raced when positioned behind the leader.  Stewards questioned driver H Ross in relation to the disappointing performance of the gelding when failing to run on over the concluding stages to be beaten 153.6 metres.  Mr Ross explained that he was disappointed in the performance of the gelding and noted that OUR REBEL YELL had over raced significantly during the middle stages of the event which he felt proved detrimental to the horse’s performance.  In view of the gelding’s performance OUR REBEL YELL was stood down until it completes one requalifying trial.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be displaying signs of respiratory distress. 

SUGAR COAT ME NZ – Failed to run on over the concluding stages to be beaten 92.5 metres and finished in eighth position.  Driver K Bloomfield explained that he was disappointed in the performance of the gelding however could offer no further explanation to the performance.  In view of the disappointing performance of SUGAR COAT ME NZ the gelding was stood down until it completes one requalifying trial.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be displaying signs of respiratory distress. 

 

RACE 5 – SOUTHERN CENTRAL ENGINEERING BREEDERS PLATE (LISTED CLASSIC) – 1758 metres

BUSINESS IN HEAVEN – Post-race swab sample.

CATCHAFIRE NZ – Sustained a flat tyre just as the start was affected and carried a flat tyre for the entire event.  Driver J Painting was issued a reprimand under rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving in that shortly after the finish he has allowed CATCHAFIRE NZ to shift in and lock wheels with BUSINESS IN HEAVEN resulting in driver R Coelli being momentarily unbalanced in the sulky.  In not taking more severe action Stewards were mindful that Mr Painting had shifted his weight in the sulky to the inside of the horse to take weight off the flat tyre of the sulky.

GIBBS – Raced roughly after the start.

GARRYS LARRY – Driver A Forrest was fined $100 under rule 162(1)(j) for failing to maintain his position until the start was affected. 

ACHY BREAKY ARK – Raced roughly shortly after entering the first turn for a short distance.

LOUIS THE LEGEND – Stewards questioned trainer/driver S Maguire in relation to the tractability and performance of the gelding when racing ungenerously throughout the event and failing to run on over the concluding stages to be beaten 51.8 metres and finished last position.  Mr Maguire explained that the gelding has done this in the past and when contacting its own sulky shortly after the start the gelding then commenced to race quite ungenerously and in view of the tractability of LOUIS THE LEGEND it was issued its last chance to race truly.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be displaying signs of respiratory distress. 

JETTER SON – Pre-race blood sample.  Raced roughly during the early stages of the score up.  Improved three wide from the 1400 metres until obtaining the position outside of the leader passing the 1200 metres. 

BONDI LASS – Driver C Rauchenberger was fined $100 under rule 162(1)(h) in that she failed to come up into position by the start.  Over raced throughout the event.  Improved three wide from the 900 metres and raced without cover for the remainder of the event.

 

RACE 6 – WOODS FAMILY LOCAL PACE – 1758 metres

TASSIE SAFARI – Severely checked and galloped passing the 250 metres when contacting the sulky wheel of PENN STATION which galloped and veered up the track to its inside.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to have superficial grazes and acting on veterinary advice TASSIE SAFARI was stood down from racing for a period of 7 days.

PENN STATION – Pre-race blood sample.  Became unbalanced and galloped approaching the 250 metres and veered up the track making significant contact with TASSIE SAFARI.  In view of the tractability of the gelding PENN STATION was stood down until it completes one requalifying trial.

BROBENAH GIRL – Declared a late scratching at 1.15pm acting on veterinary advice.

MAXYS GEM – Hampered passing the 250 metres when avoiding the galloping TASSIE SAFARI and PENN STATION.  Post-race swab sample.

SURFING GIDGET – Raced roughly whilst under pressure passing the 100 metres.

REASON TO LAUGH – Checked and galloped passing the 250 metres when avoiding the galloping TASSIE SAFARI and PENN STATION.

IAMAHUNTER – A pre and post-race veterinary examination was conducted due to the horse not having competed in the previous 12 months.  No obvious abnormalities were detected on either examination.  Severely checked and galloped when avoiding the galloping TASSIE SAFARI and PENN STATION passing the 250 metres.  Re-included back into the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 7 – GOLDEN APPLE SUPER STORE HEAT 3 – 2147 metres

SPECIAL MEANING – Failed to run on over the concluding stages to be beaten 45.9 metres and finished in last position for which a warning was issued.

FIFTYSHADESOFHAY NZ – Worked forward to obtain the lead passing the 1900 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

VILLAGE AREA – Caught racing three wide during the early stages until working forward to obtain a position outside of the leader passing the 1800 metres.

REDBANK HARRY – Pre-race blood sample.  A pre and post-race veterinary examination was conducted due to the gelding being 12 years of age and having competed in excess of 200 race starts.  No obvious abnormalities were detected on either examination.  Caught racing three wide in the early stages until being restrained to the tail of the field passing the 1800 metres. 

ABRAHAM – Raced three wide in the early and middle stages until obtaining the position outside of the leader passing the 1400 metres. 

FEELGOOD RAY – A pre and post-race veterinary examination was conducted due to the gelding not having competed in the previous 12 months.  No obvious abnormalities were detected on either examination. 

 

RACE 8 – GOLDEN APPLE SUPER STORE HEAT 4 – 2147 metres

ROLL THE ACES – Pre-race blood sample. 

MISTER REBEL – A pre and post-race veterinary examination was conducted due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts.  No obvious abnormalities were detected on either examination.  Caught racing three wide in the early stages until being restrained to the tail of the field passing the 1700 metres.  Broke the number three carrying strap on entry to the home straight on the final occasion whilst weakening out of the event to be beaten 30.1 metres and finishing in seventh position.

BURTON – Improved three wide from the 850 metres and raced without cover for the remainder of the event.  Stewards questioned driver D Druitt in relation to the performance of the gelding.  Mr Druitt explained that he had not received a favourable run in transit when being taken back after the start which did not suit the gelding’s racing pattern.

KING KALAFU – Became unbalanced and galloped during the score up and was out of position at the start and took no competitive part in the event for which the gelding was given its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

LACHIES DELIGHT – Improved three wide from the 1800 metres until obtaining the lead passing the 1550 metres. 

IM BELIEBER – Post-race swab sample.

MOREARTSTHANCLASS – Failed to run on over the concluding stages to be beaten 40.1 metres. 

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 1 – M Towers – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – MOP NZ Race 2 – R Coelli – Rule 168(1)(a) – RAGING ON NZ Race 5 – J Painting – Rule 168(1)(a) – CATCHAFIRE NZ
Fines	Race 5 – A Forrest – Rule 162(1)(j) - $100 – GARRYS LARRY Race 5 – C Rauchenberger – Rule 162(1)(h) - $100 – BONDI LASS
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Race 6 – IMAHUNTER – BMD
Trials/Stand Down	Race 1 – KAMIKAZE SCOOB – 1 trial & vet certificate Race 4 – OUR REBEL YELL – 1 trial Race 4 – SUGAR COAT ME NZ – 1 trial Race 6 – PENN STATION – 1 trial Race 6 – TASSIE SAFARI – 7 days
Late Scratchings	Race 2 – IM HARVEY SPECTER NZ @ 9.42am – vets advice Race 6 – BROBENAH GIRL @ 1.15pm – vets advice
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil