Stewards Report

RIVERINA PACEWAY 23/05/2025

 

Stewards	T Quick (Chief Steward), M Ross, K Lockwood
Starter	P Bandy
Veterinarian	Dr S Willis
Swab Official	E Hogan
Track	Fast
Weather	Overcast

 

RACE 1 – YIRRIBEE STUD PACE – 2270 metres

 

SECRET LINE – Over-raced during the middle stages of the event.

IDEAL CRUISER – Tired over the concluding stages for which a warning was issued.

SHES BELIEVABLE – Tired over the concluding stages of the event. Trainer L Clement reported that the mare had not raced over the longer distance prior to today and felt she did not handle it. A warning was placed on the mare for its performance.

JUMBO JIM – Commenced to lose ground from near the 600 metres and was beaten by a considerable margin. A post-race Veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Driver B Jones, when queried regarding the performance stated that it was not suited racing outside the leader over the longer distance of today’s event. Connections were advised the gelding would be required to perform a re-qualifying trial.

MARDIBRINGSAPARTY – Over-raced during the middle stages of the event.

SHES A WARRAWEE – Post-race swab sampled.

EXCLUSIVE HUSTLER – Pre-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 2 – HRNSW GUARTANTEED LADYSHIP PACE – 1740 metres

 

ROMEGHAN – Pre-race swab sampled.

JUNGLE SHARK – Inconvenienced behind the tiring PERFECTLY SAID near the 400 metres, hung-out while being restrained from the back of that runner, for which a warning was issued, as a result KENO ROSIE contacted its sulky wheel.

PERFECTLY SAID – Tired over the concluding stages and was beaten by a considerable margin. A post-race Veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be suffering from a poor post-race recovery. Driver B Jones when questioned regarding the performance and tactics, in particular his decision after surrendering the lead to JUNGLE SHARK approaching the 1200 metres to work around that runner to regain the lead from it leaving the 1200 metres, stated that he had initially wanted to race with cover, but when JUNGLE SHARK got to the lead it eased quickly and it was going to surrender that position and if he let another runner get that position it would likely place him three back on the pegs. He added that as the pace was not quick at that stage, he allowed the mare to stride forward to regain the lead and if he had of received any pressure from ROMEGHAN he would have surrendered the lead to it. He further added that the mare travelled okay until near the 500 metres where it dropped the bit and commenced to touch its knee rounding the turn and was disappointing over the concluding stages. Connections were advised it would be required to perform a re-qualifying trial prior to its next race start.

KENO ROSIE – Trainer J Rattray was fined $50 under Rule 268A(1) for failing to have a gear form lodged for the filly. Hung-out near the 1200 metres. Hung-in leaving the 1000 metres and hung-in again near the 1800 metres for which a warning was issued, as a result HARRISON PAUL contacted its sulky wheel.

TOMMYS DREAM GIRL – Inconvenienced behind the tiring PERFECTLY SAID approaching the 200 metres.

KYLEIGH – Tired over the concluding stages of the event.

ITS A FOND MEMORY – Placed back in the draw for future mobile start races. Post-race swab sampled.

ROCKNROLL GRACE – Broke gait free of interference near the 200 metres, given the filly’s record and that it was just her third race start, connections were advised that it would be required to perform a re-qualifying trial.

 

RACE 3 – MILBRAE QUARRIES PACE – 1740 metres

 

JAKOB – Pre-race swab sampled. Post-race swab sampled.

STIPULATING – Raced roughly for a short distance after the start.

NICE WON GARY – Broke gait during the score-up and was out of position at the start, for which a warning was issued. Hung-out under pressure near the 200 metres.

TINNYSMEDAD – Out of position at the start, for which a warning was issued.

 

RACE 4 – ATWORTHY PARK PACE – 2270 metres

 

HOLME BOY – Pre-race swab sampled. Inconvenienced behind the tiring FIFTYSHADESOFHAY NZ near the 400 metres.

FIFTYSHADESOFHAY NZ – Tired over the concluding stages of the event. A post-race Veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Driver A Diebert was questioned regarding the performance and tactics, in particular her driving her runner forward in the early stages of the event to obtain the lead from HOLME BOY near the 1800 metres and holding the lead given the quick lead time until surrendering that position to SCOTTIE MACH leaving the 1400 metres. A Diebert stated that she had been instructed to try to lead or obtain the position outside the leader and maintain either of those position as the stable feels the mare races best from them. She added that after getting the lead she hoped to be able to ease the pace and run at a steadier pace and felt that was going to eventuate as SCOTTIE MACH was only racing back at her wheel, however when LUVTOO improved three wide to its outside it commenced to over-race putting the speed back on. She further added that while she attempted to comply with the Trainer’s tactics she felt the speed was too quick to continue to hold the lead so surrendered it to SCOTTIE MACH near the 1400 metres. She added the mare travelled okay from there until near the 600 metres where it was under pressure to maintain its position.

SCOTTIE MACH – Over-raced during the middle stages of the event. Trainer’s representative S Hillier was questioned regarding the seemingly improved performance of the gelding, he stated that he didn’t really feel like it was an improved performance, he felt with the Driver’s concession it was down in grade on its most recent runs. He added that they were pleased with its run at its most recent start here at Wagga when it had to make two runs during the race and wasn’t beaten very far. He further added that at its start prior to that at West Wyalong he felt it finished the race off well after racing back on the marker pegs. S Hillier added that today it was able to get to the lead and felt the overall time was not overly quick which suited it. Post-race swab sampled. Delayed post-race sample taken approximately 3 hours after the event.

LUVTOO – Tired over the concluding stages of the event. A post-race Veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Trainer/Driver B Harpley was questioned regarding the performance and tactics, in particular him continuing to work forward to get to the position outside the leader leaving the 1400 metres after being caught wide in the early stages given the quick lead time. He stated that he usually goes forward from the start with the mare and prior to the race he felt that the mare was down in grade and didn’t feel there was too much speed drawn to his inside and for that reason felt he may have been able to lead despite the wider draw. He added the mare began well under her own steam, but he was surprised when those other runners showed speed and he was caught racing four wide but felt there was a fair chance that some of those runners would look to take cover and he would be able to get to the position outside the leader without having to work too hard. He further added leaving the 1800 metres when FIFTYSHADESOFHAY NZ got to the lead and SCOTTIE MACH to the position outside it, he could see that SCOTTIE MACH was being restrained so thought it was looking for cover so elected to continue forward three wide, however SCOTTIE MACH commenced to over-race when he got outside it near the 1600 metres and he was unable to easily get that position off that runner. B Harpley added he was about to restrain his runner when he could see that SCOTTIE MACH was going to cross FIFTYSHADESOFHAY NZ to get to the lead resulting in him getting to the position outside the leader.  He further added that his mare had been able to race outside the leader over the longer distance of today’s race and win so he was a little disappointed with the way it finished the race off, but felt with the circumstances of having to do more work than he anticipated in the early stages of the event took a toll on his runner.

 

RACE 5 – BENSTUD STANDARDBREDS PACE – 1740 metres

 

SANDYS IDEAL NZ – Tired over the concluding stages and beaten by a considerable margin. A post-race Veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Connections were advised the mare would be required to perform a re-qualifying trial.

GUARANTEED END – Over-raced during the middle stages of the event. Hung-out and raced roughly near the 200 metres, for which a warning was issued. Post-race swab sampled.

ELATED NZ – Pre-race swab sampled. Driver T Osmond was given the opportunity to comment on the below market expectations performance of the gelding; she stated that she was reasonably confident prior to the race and wasn’t too disappointed with the run given it was first-up today. She added that it travelled well until near the 600 metres where it dropped the bit when the pace quickened. She further added that she felt it would take benefit from today’s run.

HUDSON RIVER – Trainer/Driver J Painting was given the opportunity to comment on the below market expectations performance of the gelding; he stated that it was contacting its own sulky wheel in the early stages so he had to go forward as he couldn’t get it to come back. He added then the race was not run to suit with the solid pace during the middle stages particularly with his runner having its first run in around four weeks.

JUST ROCK ME LOU NZ – Hung-in and contacted marker pegs near the 200 metres.

ANGUS FINN NZ – Driver L Green was fined $200 under Rule 162(1)(g) for starting from the incorrect barrier position.

 

RACE 6 – D & L EARTHMOVING PACE – 1740 metres

 

THE TEXAS RANGER – Raced roughly under pressure leaving the 100 metres, for which a warning was issued.

SMOKIN POCKET – Post-race swab sampled.

KOWHAI BLAZE NZ – Out of position at the candy pole prior to the start, connections were advised that it would continue to be placed outside the draw in mobile start races.

VICTORTHEINFLICTOR – Pre-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 7 – FERELLA & SONS PLUMBING PACE – 2270 metres

 

LIEUTENANT ARDEN NZ – Tired over the concluding stages and was beaten by a considerable margin. A post-race Veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be suffering from a poor post-race recovery. Driver B Micallef reported that the gelding travelled up on the bit and he felt reasonably confident of a forward showing, however when the pace quickened markedly approaching the 400 metres the gelding was unable to increase with it and only battled away from there. Connections were advised it would be required to perform a re-qualifying trial prior to its next race start.

CROCODILE SOCKS – Pre-race swab sampled. Post-race swab sampled.

MY ULTIMATE SKEETA – Pre-race swab sampled. Over-raced during the middle stages of the event.

SIGNIFICANT LAZ – Inconvenienced from the back of PLAY IT COOL NZ when it improved up on to the back of MERRYWOOD PAUL and was steadied. Tired over the concluding stages for which a warning was issued.

 

RACE 8 – H. FRANCIS & CO PACE – 1740 metres

 

STAGECOACH – Pre-race swab sampled. Post-race swab sampled.

TIZZY LIZZIE – Driver H O’Neill was issued with a reprimand under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference in that approaching the 1400 metres he shifted the mare in when not sufficiently clear of MURPHYS REWARD NZ which was tightened for room and inconvenienced.

MURPHYS REWARD NZ – Tightened for room when racing to the inside of TIZZY LIZZIE entering the first turn, when that runner shifted-in, and was inconvenienced.

IM ALRITE – Hung-out under pressure in the home straight.

 

RACE 9 – DOWNLOAD THE TAB APP TODAY PACE – 1740 metres

 

CAPTAINS CATCH – Broke gait after the start for which a warning was issued. While galloping HY POACTIVE contacted its sulky wheel.

HY POACTIVE – Pre-race swab sampled. Contacted the sulky wheel of CAPTAINS CATCH shortly after the start, when that runner broke gait and shifted-out, and was checked and broke gait.

CANTFINDABETTORMAN NZ – Post-race swab sampled.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 8 – H O’Neill – TIZZY LIZZIE – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii)
Fines	Race 2 – J Rattray – $50 – KENO ROSIE – Rule 268A(1) Race 5 – L Green – $200 – ANGUS FINN NZ – Rule 162(1)(g)
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Race 2 – ITS A FOND MEMORY – back in draw mobile starts
Trials/Stand Down	Race 1 – JUMBO JIM – 1 re-qualifying trial Race 2 – PERFECTLY SAID – 1 re-qualifying trial Race 2 – ROCKNROLL GRACE – 1 re-qualifying trial Race 5 – SANDYS IDEAL NZ – 1 re-qualifying trial Race 7 – LIEUTENANT ARDEN NZ – 1 re-qualifying trial
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil