Stewards Report

NEWCASTLE 23/09/2025

 

 

Stewards	S Cullen (Chairman), D Westwood, P Bandy
Starter	D Beevers
Veterinarian	Dr A Knox, Dr J Gallagher
Swab Official	L De Biasc
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – MEDOWIE LODGE PACE – 1609 metres

WHAT FOR – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

MYSTICAL SUNSHINE – Broke stride free of any external factors passing the 600 metres and galloped for a short distance. Trainer/Driver Mr R Atkins was advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

 

RACE 2 – NUTRIEN EQUINE STANDARDBRED SALES PACE – 2030 metres

ARCHIE AQUILA – Passed required pre- and post-race veterinary examinations.

IM THE SNIPER – Slow to begin. Broke stride free of any external factors passing the 300 metres and galloped. Connections were advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

DEVIOUS MINDS – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

FEISTY TIGER – When questioned in relation to the performance, Driver B Elder explained that after beginning relatively well from his wide barrier, he was at the rear of the field entering the back straight on the first occasion. He said because of the slow tempo he elected to shift wider and go forward in an attempt to take a position outside the lead. He said after racing to the outside of A LITTLE DILEMMA near the 1600 metres that runner improved on his inside and he was obliged to place his drive under pressure for an extended period when establishing his uncovered position. He said that after this, FEISTY TIGER travelled relatively well however when placed under pressure inside the 500 metres became unresponsive and weakened. He attributed this to the extra work FEISTY TIGER was forced to endure during the middle stages when improving. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

 

RACE 3 – SKYFALL ESTATE PACE – 1609 metres

BREXITT – When questioned in relation to the performance, Driver A Ruggari explained that in accordance with the gelding’s established pattern, he drove with urgency after the start to obtain a forward position. He said after racing in the lead in the early stages BREXITT began to hang out during the middle section and was difficult to drive. He said that when placed under pressure inside the 500 metres, BREXITT continued to hang out and despite his efforts ran wider on the track which allowed several runners to improve on his inside and thereafter the gelding weakened. Connections were advised a poor performance warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record. Further Driver A Ruggari was cautioned in relation to the manner he applied the whip inside the 400 metres.

LUCKY RICTOR – Pre-race blood sample.

SPEARHEAD – Raced ungenerously during the score up and was difficult to drive into position. Connections were advised the provision of last chance in the mobile draw would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

ROSES ARE BEST – Out of position when the start was effected. Considering all the circumstances, no action was taken.

DOUBLE LINES – Hampered during the early stages of the score up and was out of position at the start.

BRING YOUR BEST – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 4 – HARNESS BREEDERS NSW / REPRESENTING THE INDUSTRY PACE – 1609 metres.

SEAMARK NZ – Pulled hard during the early stages.

SLINGSHOT – Passed required pre- and post-race veterinary examination.

GALVARINO – Pre-race blood sample.

SMOOTH ROLLING – post-race swab sample.

NEVER KNOW BLAZE – Hung out rounding the home turn, then had trouble obtaining clear running between SLINGSHOT on its outside and OUR ART CHRISTIAN NZ and was unable to be driven forward for a short distance.

KIARAS EPONA – Passed required pre- and post-race veterinary examination.

 

RACE 5 – MITAVITE PACE – 1609 metres

WILL I AM – Suffered a gear malfunction during the race when the head check became displaced. Post-race swab sample.

OAKLEY SHARD NZ – Held up for some distance in the early part of the home straight and had to be shifted wider passing the 150 metres to go forward.

ANTENTOKOUNMPO – Pre-race blood sample. Held up in the home straight and unable to obtain clear running and when to the finish without being tested.

 

RACE 6 – WOODLANDS STUD SHUTTLING THE WORLDS BEST SIRES PACE – 1609 metres.

BETTOR IDEA - Passed required pre- and post-race veterinary examination.

NIFTY STUDLEIGH - Passed required pre- and post-race veterinary examination. Pre-race blood sample.

WILLS WAY – Post-race blood sample.

TOUGH NUT TEEJAY - Passed required pre- and post-race veterinary examination. Raced in restricted room rounding the home turn and when attempting to improve had to be checked away from BLAZIN CHIMES at the entrance to the home straight, raced roughly for a short distance, then had to be shifted in to be driven forward.

 

RACE 7 – ARTISTIC LODGE PACE – 1609 metres

LOUIE DADA – Post-race swab sample.

SINBINNED – Pre-race blood sample. Held up for some distance in the early part of the home straight.

STEALTH BOMBA NZ – When questioned in relation to the performance, Driver R Morris explained he had intended to obtain cover in a forward position after the start however the gelding began well and assumed a position outside the lead without any pressure. He said after this STEALTH BOMBA NZ travelled well and with no challenge to his position he was obliged to race uncovered. He said when the tempo quickened inside the 700 metres, he placed STEALTH BOMBA NZ under pressure however the gelding was unresponsive and despite his constant efforts would not improve. He said passing the 400 metres STEALTH BOMBA NZ gave ground quickly, sustained contact to its sulky and was reluctant to provide effort. He said in hindsight STEALTH BOMBA NZ may be best advantaged driven with cover however the circumstances of today’s race precluded this. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. Subsequently J Gallagher, the driver of KATLAS DREAM was reprimanded (AR168(1)(a)) for failing to make sufficient effort to avoid contacting the sulky of STEALTH BOMBA when attempting to improve around it when it weakened at the 400m.

SWEET ROCKY – Following required satisfactory performance, connections were advised the gelding is now eligible to take its place in the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 8 – ALABAR AUSTRALIA PACE – 1609 metres

MAJOR MICKEY – When questioned in relation to his driving in the home straight, B Hughes explained that he placed his drive under full pressure in clear running rounding the home turn and drove it forward with voice commands and urgings without applying the whip as the gelding resented being struck with the whip. He said that driving in this manner resulted in him taking the lead inside the 100m and stated that MAJOR MICKEY was fully extended, however when unable to establish a break on KISSMELVIS he activated gear and despite this he could not maintain the lead. Following review of MAJOR MICKEY’S previous successful performances, it was determined that the gelding had been driven in a manner consistent with its best performance.

KISSMELVIS – Post-race swab sample.

QUARTIZITE – Pre-race blood sample.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 7 – Joshua Gallagher – Rule 168(1)(a) – KATLAS DREAM
Fines
Suspensions
Barrier Information	Race 7 – SWEET ROCKY - BMD
Trials/Stand Down
Late Scratchings
Adjourned Inquiries
Medical Clearance
Follow up’s