Stewards Report

TABCORP PK MENANGLE 7/07/2025

 

 

Stewards	B Day (Chairman), C Paul & N Moy
Starter	T Clarke
Veterinarian	Dr A Knox & Dr D Justus
Swab Official	H O’Reilly
Track	Fast
Weather	Overcast

 

 

RACE 1 – TINTIN IN AMERICA @ WINGATE FARM TROTTERS STANDING START HANDICAP – 2300 metres

MAJORETTE NZ – Broke shortly after the start and trailed the field thereafter.  A warning was placed on the record of MAJORETTE NZ.

MAJESTIC CONNIES NZ – Broke shortly after the start resulting in VALLEY STAR NZ being checked.  A warning was placed on the record of MAJESTIC CONNIES NZ.

LAST CLANSMAN – Pre-race blood sample.

VALLEY STAR NZ – Checked shortly after the start when MAJESTIC CONNIES NZ broke gait.  Post-race swab sample.  A post-race veterinary examination of VALLEY STAR NZ revealed the gelding to have blood present in the left nostril.  In accordance with Rule 101B(2) VALLEY STAR NZ will now be stood down from racing until trailing to the satisfaction of Stewards.

IVANKA NZ – Broke under pressure passing the 200 metres and a warning was issued.

PROHIBITED LOVE – Galloped out and a warning was issued.

 

RACE 2 – WOODLANDS STUD PACE – 1609 metres

ENOLA – Driver Will Rixon was questioned regarding the tactics adopted on the filly and the instructions issued by trainer Michael Stanley.  Mr Rixon explained that he was instructed to progress forward immediately after the start if possible as trainer Michael Stanley had expressed his confidence in the ability of ENOLA.  Mr Rixon further explained that he did not contest the lead immediately after the start was affected as he had noticed SOHO MAJESTIC was over racing during the score up and he felt that it was likely that colt would begin well as a consequence. Mr Rixon added accordingly he allowed ENOLA to improve forward steadily to obtain the lead.  Trainer Michael Stanley confirmed the instructions issued to Mr Rixon and added that ENOLA had won all three of its trials prior to its first race start today all of which in reasonably good time and consequently he was confident of a forward performance of ENOLA. Mr Stanley advised he did not support the filly, however given its trial performances he was not surprised to see the filly start as one of the favoured runners.  Post-race swab sample.

SOHO MAJESTIC – Driver Ashleigh Delosa was questioned regarding the tactics adopted on the colt in particular her decision to surrender the lead to ENOLA approaching the 1100 metres.  Ms Delosa explained that she was instructed to drive SOHO MAJESTIC conservatively during the early stages and if possible obtain a position with cover.  Ms Delosa explained that she endeavoured to restrain SOHO MAJESTIC during the score up and had no intentions of contesting the early lead, however SOHO MAJESTIC commenced to over race and consequently she was obliged to allow SOHO MAJESTIC to progress forward immediately after the start was affected.  Ms Delosa further explained that in surrendering the lead to ENOLA she was mindful of the instructions that had been issued by the trainer Michael Stanley to obtain a position with cover if possible.  Ms Delosa was further questioned regarding whether she considered pursuing an inside run to the inside of ENOLA shortly after straightening as opposed to improving wider.  Ms Delosa explained that immediately prior to straightening YOU ARE MY WISH, which was positioned to her outside, had broken gait which she was aware of and for this reason she directed SOHO MAJESTIC outwards in an endeavour to obtain clear running. Ms Delosa explained she elected to do so at this stage as she was guaranteed a clear run wider on the track as opposed to being reliant on luck and ENOLA shifting ground over the concluding stages to secure clear running via this avenue.  Ms Delosa further added that upon reflection she may have been better served in maintaining her position following ENOLA acknowledging with hindsight that ENOLA had shifted out under pressure.  Ms Delosa further explained that SOHO MAJESTIC hung in under pressure shortly after passing the 200 metres which made it increasingly difficult for her to direct SOHO MAJESTIC to the extreme outside of ROCK WITH THE BEST.  Trainer Michael Stanley was questioned regarding his instructions to Ms Delosa and explained that he was of the opinion that ENOLA, the other stable runner, was of superior ability to SOHO MAJESTIC at the current point in time and further added that SOHO MAJESTIC previously had proven somewhat disappointing and raced greenly on occasions when leading and for this reason he issued the instructions for Ms Delosa to obtain cover.  Mr Stanley added that this was particularly evident at Bathurst on 21 March 2025 where SOHO MAJESTIC was beaten as a short price favourite and also at its initial race start at Menangle on 25 February 2025 where the driver surrendered the lead on that occasion due to SOHO MAJESTIC failing to race keenly during the early stages.  All wagering transactions on this event will be analysed.

ROCK WITH THE BEST – Pre-race blood sample. 

YOU ARE MY WISH – Trainer KerryAnn Morris was fined $50 under Rule 268A(1) for failing to have the horse’s gear recorded.  Broke clear of interference passing the 300 metres, and as the colt was having its first race start, YOU ARE MY WISH will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of Stewards. 

SO CAN EYE – Trainer KerryAnn Morris was fined $50 under Rule 268A(1) for failing to have the horse’s gear recorded.

 

RACE 3 – WESTS TIGERS PACE – 1609 metres

IMA SHINKANSEN – Held up in the early part of the straight until passing the 200 metres.

TOMMYS LUCK – Held up inside the final 150 metres. 

SAPPHIRESNDIAMONDS – Post-race swab sample.

SPORTS LOOK – Gave ground over the concluding stages.

TIME TO DANCE NZ – Pre-race blood sample. 

 

RACE 4 – DAHUA COMMUNITY PACE – 1609 metres

HELLOVATIME – Post-race swab sample.

GLENBURNS WATERS – Pre-race blood sample. 

SLYX NZ – Hung out shortly after the start inconveniencing IMA SWEET TORQUE NZ and WILL I AM.

IMA SWEET TORQUE NZ – Inconvenienced shortly after the start when SLYX NZ hung out.

WILL I AM – Inconvenienced shortly after the start when SLYX NZ hung out.

WATCH ME REACT – Held up inside the final 150 metres.

 

RACE 5 – FARMER JOES A FAMILY BUSINESS LADYSHIP PACE – 1609 metres

GUARANTEED END – Driver J Callaghan was questioned regarding the performance of the filly which finished in 7^th placing beaten 25 metres ($2.20 fav).  Mr Callaghan explained that GUARANTEED END was having its first race start for the stable and recently trainer Jason Grimson had changed the filly’s shoeing which Mr Callaghan explained felt contributed to GUARANTEED END striking its shins during the running which as a consequence resulted in GUARANTEED END pacing roughly.  A post-race veterinary examination of GUARANTEED END failed to reveal any significant findings.  Trainer Jason Grimson was fined $50 under Rule 210 for the late declaration of Jack Callaghan as the driver of the filly.

CYCLONE BELLA NZ – Broke clear of interference passing the 500 metres resulting in DOLCE DRAMA being checked and also breaking gait.  Given the recent poor record of CYCLONE BELLA NZ the mare will now be stood down from racing for a period of 14 days and until the satisfactory completion of two trials.

THE ANSWER – Pre-race blood sample.  Post-race swab sample.

RADIANT AMBER – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the mare having started in more than 200 races.  These examinations did not reveal any significant findings.  Jack Callaghan was fined $100 under Rule 158(1) for failing to fulfill his engagement as the initial driver of RADIANT AMBER, consequently Jim Douglass was engaged to drive RADIANT AMBER.

DOLCE DRAMA – Checked and broke passing the 500 metres when CYCLONE BELLA NZ broke gait.

 

RACE 6 – HYLAND HARNESS GEAR PACE – 1609 metres

THERES WALLY – Pre-race blood sample. 

RAKADEAKS NZ – Post-race swab sample.

THANKS BE TO GOD – Broke during the score up, was out of position at the start and a warning was issued.  Driver Jon Ponsonby pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) in that approaching the 1400 metres he permitted THANKS BE TO GOD to shift out when not clear of SUPER DUPER DUDE NZ resulting in contact occurring to that runner and SUPER DUPER DUDE NZ being checked.  In assessing penalty Stewards took into account the HRNSW Penalty Guidelines placing particular weight on Mr Ponsonby’s guilty plea, the circumstances of the incident noting the minimal shift involved, however were mindful of his recent offence record which displayed two prior relevant offences.  Stewards accordingly imposed a 14 day suspension of his licence to drive in races which was ordered to commence immediately.

SUPER DUPER DUDE NZ – Checked approaching the 1400 metres when THANKS BE TO GOD shifted out when not clear.

 

RACE 7 – SKY RACING PACE – 1609 metres

INVITATION ONLY NZ – Pre-race blood sample.

LAMANDIER – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 8 – IRT YOUR HORSE OUR PASSION PACE – 1609 metres

SPIRIT OF ARION NZ – Post-race swab sample.

FIRE FOX NZ – Pre-race blood sample.  Successfully claimed out of this event by Chris Judd.  Post-race swab sample.

WHISKEY CAVALIER NZ – Re-included in the mobile barrier draw.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 2 – K Morris – Rule 268A(1) - $50 – YOU ARE MY WISH Race 2 – K Morris – Rule 268A(1) - $50 – SO CAN EYE Race 5 – J Grimson – Rule 210 - $50 – GUARANTEED END Race 5 – J Callaghan- Rule 158(1) - $100 – RADIANT AMBER
Suspensions	Race 6 – J Ponsonby – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – 14 days – THANKS BE TO GOD
Barrier Information	Race 8 – WHISKEY CAVALIER NZ – BMD
Trials/Stand Down	Race 1 – VALLEY STAR NZ – 1 trial Race 2 – YOU ARE MY WISH – 1 trial Race 5 – CYCLONE BELLA NZ – 2 trials & 14 days
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil