Stewards Report

NEWCASTLE 3/01/2026

 

 

Stewards	D Westwood (Chairman), S Cullen, M Haddad (Cadet)
Starter	D Beevers
Veterinarian	Dr J Gallagher
Swab Official	H Waterlander
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE – 1609 metres

BLISSES BEST – Pre-race blood sample.

ALWAYS THUNDER – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 2 – HRNSW GUARANTEED LADYSHIP PACE – 1609 metres

TWO CRACKED CORN – Had a tendency to hang in as the field entered the first turn then commenced to over race throughout the event when racing outside the leader. A post-race veterinary examination could not reveal any abnormalities. Driver J Coney explained that shortly after the start was effected when established in a position outside the leader had a tendency to hang in entering the first turn and also contacted its own sulky causing it to over race when JOANS RISING STAR NZ presented 3 wide and continued to over race down the home straight on the first occasion before obtaining cover. Stewards noted his comments.

MAID OF MONEY NZ – Post-race swab sample.

CHARLIES ACE NZ – When questioned regarding the tactics adopted Driver R Morris explained to Stewards that shortly after the start was effected he had an opportunity to move away from the marker peg position into the running line however felt at that stage with runners in advance was too far back in the field. He further added that again rounding the first turn there was another opportunity to move away from the marker peg position however felt with runners in advance that his best chance in the event at that stage was to continue along the marker pegs. He further added given the circumstances presented from that point it would have been more advantageous to be in a running line position whereas a result was held up for clear running in the early stages of the run to the finish. Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported.

JOANS RISING STAR NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Broke stride in the early stages of the score up. A warning was issued. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, Driver S Grima explained to Stewards that after finding the position in the running line he elected to move 3 wide when the pace eased in the event. He further added when making a 3 wide move had to do more work than anticipated to find the position outside the leader and in turn the lead as a result of TWO CRACKED CORN which was outside the leader having a tendency to over race severely through the middle stages. He further added that given that albeit was slow, was always gaining momentum on the runner outside the leader and did not feel restraining at that stage of the race would have been advantageous. Stewards noted his comments.

RACE 3 – BONVILLA ESTATE WINES PACE – 1609 metres

FAY IRENE – When questioned regarding the tactics adopted Driver S Grima explained to Stewards that after finding the lead position he elected to hold that position through the middle stages with HUXTON NZ having to make a move 3 wide and was out there for a considerable distance in his opinion at that stage in the event was his best chance in the event. He further added that given the pressure through the run and the sectionals recorded, if circumstances presented similar would hand over the lead. A post-race veterinary examination could not reveal any abnormalities. Stewards noted his comments and concurred with his explanation that he hard erred through the middle stages by continuing with the quick tempo through the middle stages of the race.

HUXTON NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

PERFECT STRANGER NZ – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the run to the finish and not fully tested.

 

RACE 4 – BARASTOC PACE – 2030 metres

MR TEDDY NZ – Pre-race blood sample.

LIGHT ME UP NZ – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 5 – COCA COLA PACE – 2030 metres

ILLAWONG DANNY – Gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten some distance. When questioned regarding the tactics and overall performance, Driver B Elder explained that after being crossed in the early stages of the event was able to move to a running line position when the tempo eased somewhat entering the first quarter elected to move 3 wide to the position outside the leader where he also stated he had a small challenge for the lead leaving the back straight on the first occasion. He further added that was driven similar at its most recent runs and driven tough and it was a fortnight between runs and it is a horse that appreciates consistent racing. Stewards noted his comments however advised that in the latter stages of the first quarter possibly more restraint could have been applied to his runner giving it ore respite in the run. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a poor post-race recovery. Stewards also endeavour to follow up with the stable into the condition of the gelding.

APPLIED NZ – Post-race swab sample.

ITZMINEONTHELINE – Hung in briefly prior to leaving the back straight on the final occasion and locked wheels with ILLAWONG DANNY and as a result was checked.

LOCHINVAR JAG – Pre-race swab sample.

 

RACE 6 – TOOHEYS PACE – 1609 metres

ONEDINS CRUSADE – Pre-race blood sample.

CHLOBRO – Examined post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported.

SCATTERSHOT – Had a tendency to over race severely in the early stages of the event and as a result choked down trailing the field for the remainder and finishing well back. A post-race veterinary examination could not reveal any abnormalities. Connections were advised it would be stood down to one requalifying trial.

HEAVENLY TURBO – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 7 – GARRARDS HORSE AND HOUND PACE – 2030 metres

MAJOR MICKEY – Post-race swab sample.

ROCKET BOY – Driver J Coney was reprimanded under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) in that when entering the first turn closed down the track and momentarily tightened the racing room of CHEDDAR VALLEY NZ whereas a result that runner broke stride. Stewards also considered in not taking more severe action, CHEDDAR VALLEY NZ had a tendency to race with its head in the air and hung out as the incident occurred.

ARTFUL PRINCE – Weakened over the concluding stages to be beaten some distance. When questioned regarding the performance, Driver T Ison explained he was disappointed in its efforts over the concluding stages as was not pleased in its most recent run as well. He further added that the preparation will continue however will be closely monitored.

OPEN THE GATES – Driver B Elder was fined $50 under Rule 162(1)(h) for failing to maintain his position on the mobile prior to the start being effected.

IDEAL MONDO – Pre-race blood sample. Hampered as the field negotiated the first turn. Weakened over the concluding stages to be beaten some distance. Connections were advised a warning would be issued.

CHEDDAR VALLEY NZ – Momentarily tightened for racing room entering the first turn and broke stride after having a tendency to race with its head in the air and hang out slightly.

 

RACE 8 – SHARP OFFICE PACE – 1609 metres

ULTIMATE TROUBLE – Pre-race blood sample. Held up for clear running over the concluding stages and not fully tested.

SPIRIT KING – Post-race swab sample.

BE GOOD BENNY – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported.

RIPPIN GOOD FEELIN – Had a tendency to race roughly at various stages of the event.

 

RACE 9 – THE TAB APP PACE – 1609 metres

PIXIEBELLE – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

SIYA NZ – Checked and broke stride as the field entered the home straight for the run to the finish.

SZWANEN – Had a tendency to hang in during the score up and was out of position as the start was effected. Connections were advised it will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Had a tendency to hang in and contact marker pegs as the field negotiated the final turn.

KEAYANG HARLOW – Driver S Lindsay was fined $50 under Rule 162(1)(i) for failing to come up into position prior to the start being effected.

SLICK AND SUAVE – Driver G Panella was found guilty of a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) in that when negotiating the final turn failed to make sufficient effort to prevent her runner from shifting up the track and as a result checked the running of SIYA NZ which became unbalanced and broke stride. Driver G Panella was suspended for a period of 14 days. When considering penalty, Stewards took into account her driving record and the racing characteristics of SLICK AND SUAVE.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 7 – Jemma Coney – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – ROCKET BOY
Fines	Race 7 – Brad Elder – Rule 162(1)(h) - $50 – OPEN THE GATES Race 9 – Shannon Lindsay – Rule 162(1)(i) - $50 – KEAYANG HARLOW
Suspensions	Race 9 – Grace Panella – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – SLICK AND SUAVE – 14 days to commence
Barrier Information	Race 9 – SZWANEN - ODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 6 – SCATTERSHOT – 1 trial
Late Scratchings
Adjourned Inquiries
Medical Clearance
Follow up’s