Stewards Report

PENRITH 8/01/2026

 

 

Stewards	C Paul (Chairman), B Day, N Moy, P Bandy
Starter	T Clarke
Veterinarian	Dr M Wainscott, Dr W Howden
Swab Official	J Quon
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – 2026 OFF AND RUNNING PACE – 1720 metres

MADAZALWAYS – Underwent a pre and post-race veterinary examination as per HRNSW animal welfare guidelines due to the gelding having its 212^th race start. No abnormalities were detected.

MINI MINE YET – Pre-race blood sample. Broke gait during the middle stages of the score up and was out of position at the start. The mare then trailed the field throughout the event. In view of its recent good record a warning was issued.

RIO DE JANEIRO BLUE NZ – Leaving the 300 metres had to be steadied when placed in restricted room by SHARK DANCER which shifted in.

PALATINO NZ – Broke gait in the latter stage of the score up and was out of position at the start. A warning was issued. Near the 100 metres was hampered when SHARK DANCER shifted out and subsequently PALATINO NZ engaged wheels with WHEREISHE which was racing to its outside causing PALATINO NZ to be checked.

WHEREISHE – Driver V Duncan exercised his right to view the official films prior to the declaration of all clear. After viewing the films in the company of mentor R Morris, V Duncan elected not to proceed to a protest and the all clear was given on the judges numbers of 9 – 1 – 7 – 8. Near the 100 metres WHEREISHE was taken wider by PALATINO NZ which in turn had been taken slightly wider by SHARK DANCER and subsequently WHEREISHE and PALATINO NZ locked wheels causing WHEREISHE to be checked.

SHARK DANCER – Leaving the 300 metres when racing four wide SHARK DANCER shifted in when not quite clear of RIO DE JANEIRO BLUE NZ resulting in that runner being placed in restricted room. Driver S Piltz was reprimanded under Rule 163(1)(a) for causing interference. Shifted out marginally under pressure over the concluding stages. Driver S Piltz was issued a reprimand under Rule 168(1)(a) for making insufficient to prevent his runner from shifting ground. Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 2 – SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE – 2125 metres

Driver C Geary (MIZZZ ADELE) lodged a protest on behalf of connections against 3^rd placed RUEBE STARBUCK NZ alleging interference over the final 200 metres. After considering all available evidence it was established that over the final 100 metres, RUEBE STARBUCK NZ did shift out slightly under pressure however at no time impeded the run of MIZZ ADELE and MIZZ ADELE had its opportunity to improve past RUEBE STARBUCK NZ in the home straight and was unable to do so, therefore the protest was dismissed and the all clear given on the numbers of 9 – 5 – 4 – 2.

RUEBE STARBUCK NZ – Shifted out marginally in the home straight. Withstood a protest for 3rd.

ILOVEACALENDERGIRL – Pre-race blood sample. Improved three wide in the middle stages before crossing to obtain the lead approaching the 1400 metres. Commenced to give ground near the 500 metres and weakened over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities. When questioned, Driver B McDonough explained that he had no predetermined tactics going into tonight’s event. He added that once OKAY GRINGO got to the lead the tempo was reduced and he elected to improve immediately anticipating that he may catch OKAY GRINGO out and be able to cross that runner with momentum. However, when improving to the outside of MIZZ ADELE, that runner was driven with vigour which forced ILOVEACALANDERGIRL to have to work harder than expected and entering the turn near the 1600 metres the leader OKAY GRINGO was able to use the advantage of the inside to resist the challenge from ILOVEACALANDERGIRL. B McDonough said he had to then make more use of ILOVEACALANDERGIRL to cross OKAY GRINGO leaving the 1500 metres. B McDonough stated that his mare did not travel well after crossing to the lead and when OKAY GRINGO shifted away from the marker pegs and improved to his outside it raced in close proximity. He added that ILOVEACALANDERGIRL had to be driven with vigour from this point. B McDonough explained that he believed that if he did not try and improve his position in the early stages that OKAY GRINGO would have been able to lead comfortably and his chances would have been diminished from a back row draw. B McDonough acknowledged that his drive, given the circumstances, appeared on face value to be lacking in judgement. Stewards advised B McDonough that they concurred however given the circumstances presented particularly between the 1700 metres and the 1500 metres his tactics were not blameworthy and determined to note the explanation.

CHARLIES ACE NZ – Underwent a pre and post-race veterinary examination under HRNSW animal welfare guidelines due to the mare having its 207^th race start. No abnormalities were detected. Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 3 – BACK TO THE TRACK PACE – 1720 metres

TIME TO DANCE NZ – Pre-race blood sample.

HEIDSIECK NZ – Post-race swab sample.

WHATABOYJACK – Had difficulty securing clear running until passing the 100 metres.

 

RACE 4 – CRYSTAL MYSTIC FAIR @ CLUB PACEWAY JAN 17-18 PACE – 1720 metres

LOOKIN GOOD MARGIE – Pre-race blood sample.

ADMIRABLE NZ – Unable to secure clear running until passing the 100 metres.

FLO RYDA NZ – Unable to secure clear running at any stage in the home straight and was not fully tested.

PLAYA BLANCA – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 5 – SUMMER OF ‘26 PACE – 1720 metres

FORESIGHT – Post-race swab sample.

EBBONY STORM – Pre-race blood sample. Unable to secure clear running until passing the 100 metres.

IMA SHINKANSEN – Shifted its near hind plate during the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.

 

 

RACE 6 – TAB VENUE MODE 3YO PACE – 1720 metres

MIDNIGHT HAZE – Post-race swab sample.

TARAS TEMPTATION – pre-race blood sample.

TARAESS – Inclined to hang in during the early stages and near the 1300 metres made slight contact with the sulky of FORTUNA STRIDE. Consequently, TARAESS raced roughly.

THAT’S WICKED – Raced in limited room between the 200 metres and the 100 metres.

FORTUNA STRIDE – Near the 1300 metres received contact to the rear of the sulky from TARAESS when the tempo reduced slightly and TARAESS was displaying signs of intractability.

LOCHINVAR TIGER - Hung in throughout the event and leaving the 400 metres when placed under pressure laid in significantly and contacted multiple marker pegs. Connections were advised LOCHINVAR TIGER would be placed on its last chance to race truly.

BELLAMYS BLAST – Leaving the 1300 metres when trailing TARAESS had to be steadied away from that runner and subsequently raced roughly.

 

RACE 7 – CHISEL SHOW @ CLUB PACEWAY JAN 26 PACE – 1720 metres

GO TESS GO – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

STAY STRONG – Shortly after the start became unbalanced and broke gait. A warning was issued. Passing the 1400 metres became unbalanced and broke gait. A further warning was issued.

TARA JIM – Hung out after the start. A warning was issued.

MY FRIEND MOLLY – Shortly after the start had to be steadied away from TARA JIM which hung out.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 1 – Sebastian Piltz – Rule 168(1)(a) – SHARK DANCER Race 1 – Sebastian Piltz – Rule 163(1)(a) – SHARK DANCER
Fines
Suspensions
Barrier Information
Trials/Stand Down
Late Scratchings
Adjourned Inquiries
Medical Clearance
Follow up’s