Stewards Report

TABCORP PK MENANGLE 6/05/2025

 

 

Stewards	C Paul (Chairman), T Sharwood, P Bandy
Starter	T Clarke
Veterinarian	Dr M Wainscott, Dr D Justus
Swab Official	H O’Rielly
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – ACCESS GROUP SOLUTIONS HVAC 2YO TROTTERS FOUNDATION HEAT 2 – 1609 metres

SUPERIOR STRIDE – Slow to begin.

CEE CEE IN PARIS – Slow to begin.

CARTACALHA – Pre-race blood sample.

I CHOOSE YOU – Broke gait at the start. In view of its recent record will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Approaching the 400 metres became unbalanced and broke gait. A warning was issued.

GLADIATRIX – Post-race swab sample.

ACACIA STRIDE – Out of position at the start and shortly after became unbalanced and broke gait. Connections were advised ACACIA STRIDE will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 2 – BUBBA GUMP PEST CONTROL TROTTERS STANDING START HANDICAP – 2300 metres

ONAWINGANDAPRAYER – Approaching the 300 metres had to be steadied and shifted out away from VALLEY STAR NZ when that runner shifted ground. Subsequently ONAWINGANDAPRAYER raced roughly.

VALLEY STAR NZ – Approaching the 300 metres shifted out and unbalanced ONAWINGANDAPRAYER. Driver J Callaghan was issued a reprimand under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference.

RAKERO WARRIOR NZ – Slowly into stride.

MACHO MAN – W Rixon explained that approaching the 1700 metres he was trotting with significant momentum and as he approached the back of CHIEF RUNNINGCLOUD, that runner was being steadied and subsequently he shifted MACHO MAN out wider to avoid an incident. In doing so he was not aware of the whereabouts of HOT TO TROT NZ which had commenced to improve to his outside. W Rixon added MACHO MAN can be difficult to control and can resent being restrained. W Rixon was issued a reprimand under rule 163(1)(b)(i) for forcing another runner to shift wider.

HOT TO TROT NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Near the 1700 metres had to be steadied and shifted wider to avoid MACHO MAN which shifted out before improving to obtain the lead. Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 3 – HARNESS THE EXCITEMENT WITH APG PACE – 1609 metres

WAT EVER YOU NEED – Near the 450 metres was hampered by WATCH YOUR BACK NZ when that runner gave ground.

WATCH YOUR BACK NZ – Led the event and commenced to weaken leaving the 500 metres and tired over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities. Driver C Hart explained that he had to make more use of the gelding in the early stages than anticipated and in his opinion, this was detrimental. Considering the distance of the event, the point of the race when WATCH YOUR BACK NZ commenced to give ground, the beaten margin of 46.9 metres and the sectionals to the first half of the mile, connections were advised WATCH YOUR BACK NZ must complete one satisfactory official trial for what was deemed to be an unsatisfactory performance.

LETS TURN IT ON – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

BIRDY GAL – Had difficulty securing clear running until approaching the 200 metres when the mare was shifted wider on the track.

MUFASA BART – Broke gait at the start. A warning was issued.

ALWAYS A SAM – Broke gait during the score up and was out of position at the start. Driver C Fitzpatrick explained that a shortener pin released prematurely which caused the gelding to become unbalanced and subsequently he was obliged to have to release the remaining shortener pin. ALWAYS A SAM will be continued to be drawn right outside of the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 4 – D M PLUMBING PACE – 1609 metres

DUTY OF CARE – Post-race swab sample.

JAZZY MELEA – Pre-race blood sample.

PEACE OF HEAVEN NZ – Hung out after the start.

DOUBLE IT HARRY – Had difficulty securing clear running until shifting wider near the 150 metres. Driver L Painting pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 156(2)(a) for applying his whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion over the final 250 metres. L Painting was fined $200.

MONTEFIORE NZ – Shifted in under pressure over the final 100 metres.

 

RACE 5 – TAB REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – METROPOLITAN HEAT 1 – 2300 metres

MAJOR JAROD – Passing the 350 metres was inclined to lay in and contacted marker pegs.

HORN PLAYER – Post-race swab sample.

WHYIMAN – Leaving the 1700 metres the tempo of the event slowed resulting in WHYIMAN being hampered and shifting out. Subsequently WHYIMAN improved three wide during the middle stages before progressing to the position outside the leader near the 1400 metres.

TOORAM MAGIC – Leaving the 1700 metres had to be steadied when racing in the running line due to the tempo of the event slowing. Subsequently TOORAM MAGIC was taken wider and obtained a three wide trail forward in the event before crossing to the position outside the leader near the 1300 metres. Racing between the 600 metres and the 400 metres was inclined to lay in. Trainer/Driver J Rattray explained that the gelding is relatively inexperienced and after racing without cover TOORAM MAGIC had some difficulty navigating the final turn. However, once the gelding was able to balance up in the home straight he was satisfied with the manner in which TOORAM MAGIC finished the race off. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.

DUGGEE SLOY – Pre-race blood sample.

BALTUSROL – Leaving the 1700 metres had to be steadied when the pace of the event slowed, consequently BALTUSROL improved three wide with a trail behind WHYIMAN during the middle stages before crossing to the position outside the leader.

 

RACE 6 – TAB REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – METROPLOITAN HEAT 2 – 2300 metres

KILLARA SAMURAI – Near the 150 metres had to be steadied away from the wheel of CAPTAIN BLOOD which shifted out. Subsequently KILLARA SAMURAI raced roughly.

TARDELLI – Underwent a pre and post-race veterinary examination as per HRNSW animal welfare guidelines due to TARDELLI not racing since the 7 October 2023.

POWER TO IMPRESS – Passing the 100 metres received contact to its near side legs when EL CAMINO shifting out resulting in POWER TO IMPRESS blundering. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the horse to be lame in the off fore leg. Adopting the veterinary recommendations, POWER TO IMPRESS was stood down until a veterinary certificate of fitness is submitted.

NOISY CRUSADER - Out of position at the start. Driver D Binskin was fined $50 under Rule 162(1)(h).

CAPTAIN BLOOD – Near the 150 metres shifted out when not quite clear of KILLARA SAMURAI. Driver B Portelli was issued a reprimand under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference.

EL CAMINO – Held up for clear running until passing the 100 metres at which point EL CAMINO shifted out and made contact with POWER TO IMPRESS which was racing to its outside. At a subsequent inquiry, Driver B McDonough pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference. In assessing penalty, consideration was given to B McDonough’s overall driving record, his guilty plea, the degree of interference and the proximity of the incident to the finish. B McDonough had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 10 days.

SURF ACE – Commenced to weaken near the 600 metres and gave significant ground over the concluding stages to be beaten 206 metres. A post-race veterinary examination revealed an elevated heart rate. Driver J Gallagher explained that SURF ACE over raced and with today’s longer distance of 2300 metres this proved to be detrimental. He added the trainer removed the side winkers and replaced them with pull down blinkers in the hope the gelding would settle however this did not occur. J Gallagher added that it was the intention of the trainer to attempt to restrict SURF ACE to the shorter distance races in the immediate future. Connections were advised SURF ACE must complete one satisfactory trial for what was deemed to be an unsatisfactory performance.

VITE MONET – Pre-race blood sample. Improved three wide during the early stages before crossing to obtain the lead near the 1600 metres. Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 7 – TAB REGIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS – METROPLOITAN HEAT 3 – 2300 metres

PRINCE OF PEACE – Disappointed for a run near the 150 metres and was held up for clear running until passing the 50 metres.

MISTER BLUECHIP - Pre-race blood sample. Underwent a pre and post-race veterinary examination as per HRNSW animal welfare guidelines due to the gelding having not raced since the 27 July 2024. No abnormalities were detected. Post-race swab sample.

THE METAL FLYER – Caught wide in the early stages before working forward to the position outside the leader approaching the 1400 metres.

ALTA SIERRA – Improved three wide during the middle stages before working forward and occupying the position outside the leader near the 1300 metres.

 

RACE 8 – MULTIQUIP AGGREGATES PACE – 1609 metres

JOE NIEN - Underwent a pre and post-race veterinary examination as per HRNSW animal welfare guidelines. No abnormalities were detected.

FIRE FOX NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Failed to run on over the concluding stages. when questioned, Trainer J Grimson explained that he had been absent from the stable recently and he was concerned the gelding may have not received sufficient work. He added that FIRE FOX would continue with its preparation however he would increase its work with the expectation that the gelding would be more competitive. In addition, he intended to have his veterinarian review the gelding in the subsequent days to ensure there were no underlying issues. J Grimson undertook to advise stewards of the results of the examination.

KANENA PROVLIMA – Post-race swab sample.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 2 – Will Rixon – Rule 163(1)(b)(i) – MACHO MAN Race 2 – Jack Callaghan – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – VALLEY STAR NZ Race 6 – Brian Portelli – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – CAPTAIN BLOOD
Fines	Race 4 – Lochie Painting – Rule 156(2)(a) - $200 – DOUBLE IT HARRY Race 5 – KerryAnn Morris – Rule 210 - $50 – PARALLEL Race 6 – Darren Binskin – Rule 162(1)(h) - $50 – NOISY CRUSADER
Suspensions	Race 6 – Bailey McDonough – Rue 163(1)(a)(iii) – 10 days – EL CAMINO – to commence midnight 10/05/2025
Barrier Information	Race 1 – I CHOOSE YOU - ODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 3 – WATCH YOUR BACK NZ – 1 trial Race 6 – SURF ACE – 1 trial Race 6 – POWER TO IMPRESS – veterinary certificate
Late Scratchings
Adjourned Inquiries
Medical Clearance
Follow up’s	Race 8 – J Grimson – FIRE FOX