Stewards Report

TAMWORTH 13/01/2026

 

 

Stewards	S Cullen (Chairman), D Westwood, P Bandy (Cadet)
Starter	A Yates
Veterinarian	Dr T Hill
Swab Official	A Freeman
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – THE LONGYARD HOTEL PACE – 1980 metres

JOE BY THE SEASIDE NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Broke stride free of any external factors rounding the turn after the start and galloped, before being restrained out of the race. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding was 3/5 lame in the near foreleg. Connections were advised that prior to racing again JOE BY THE SEASIDE NZ must perform satisfactorily in an official qualifying trial after completing a 14 day stand down period and undergoing a veterinary examination to determine its fitness. Treated on course by the club’s veterinary officer.

LENNY LINCOLN NZ – Had to be checked when attempting to avoid JOE BY THE SEASIDE NZ when rounding the turn after the start.

MISS BAY KING COLE – Post-race swab sample.

GROSESTAR – Passed required pre- and post-race veterinary examination. Hampered and forced wider on the track when attempting to avoid JOE BY THE SEASIDE NZ rounding the turn after the start.

 

RACE 2 – THE PUB – GUNNEDAH ROAD PACE – 1980 metres

HEAVENLY SONG – Post-race swab sample.

KATASTROPHE – Pre-race blood sample.

SEVEN RIPPIN ACES – Hampered rounding the home turn and forced slightly wider when racing outside of HEAVENLY SONG which shifted out momentarily when not quite clear.

SAINT KARAMARA – Raced roughly for some distance rounding the turn after the start.

SUPERBON – When questioned in relation to the performance and the tactics adopted, Driver M Ison explained that when assessing the field she and trainer Mr A Varga formed the view that AGENT CALLAN which was drawn forward of her would be crossed, resulting in SUPERBON being shuffled back along the peg line and because of this she was instructed to restrain after the start and shift wide as soon as practicable and take a position in the running line to enable the gelding to be driven forward without impediment when it was necessary. She said that SUPERBON hung out during the score up and was difficult to drive, then after being restrained at the start and shifted into the running line, it failed to travel at any stage, was constantly under pressure and at stages had to be driven with vigour to maintain contact with the field during the middle stages. She said that when she shifted to the outside of the field inside the 500m, she received some response, however it was moderate and SUPERBON ran to the finish evenly. Ms Ison conceded that her pre-race plan may not have been suitable as AGENT CALLEN maintained the lead and the opportunity would have been available to her to attempt to trail it, however given the lethargic manner that the gelding displayed, it may not have improved her finishing position. Mr Varga expressed disappointment with the performance, however stated that if recovery was satisfactory SUPERBON would fulfill its engagement at Tamworth 16/1/26 and he would be the driver. Mr Vargs was advised that a warning for racing intractably during the score up and hanging out would be placed on the gelding’s racing record. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

 

RACE 3 – SOUTHGATE INN PACE – 1609 metres

ANNIE CROCKER – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample. Trainer/Driver Mr T Ison was cautioned in relation to the manner in which he applied the whip in the home straight.

ROSIE POLLEN – Hung out for some distance inside the 600 metres and was difficult to drive.

BRAVE BONDI – Driver A Varga was cautioned in relation to the manner in which he applied the whip over the concluding stages.

 

 

RACE 4 – THE BEVAN DOUGLAS PACE – 1980 metres

BELLRIVERGIRL – Driver C Sutherland was reprimanded under Rule 170(1)(a), for allowing her left foot to drop below the sulky rest inside the 400 metres when activating gear.

TASMANS DELIGHT – Post-race swab sample.

BARRYS BROTHER – Pre-race blood sample. C Sutherland, Driver of BELLRIVERGIRL pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii), stating that approaching the home turn, she directed her drive outwards whilst driving it along, when insufficiently clear of BARRYS BROTHER, resulting in BARRYS BROTHER being carried onto OTIS RISING, having to be checked severely, blundering and losing considerable ground. C Sutherlands license to drive in races was suspended for 21 days to commence midnight 16 January 2026 and expire Saturday 7 February 2026 on which day she may drive.

OUTBACK QUEENIE – Hampered and forced slightly wider approaching the home turn when attempting to avoid BARRYS BROTHER.

 

RACE 5 – THE PUB GROUP GOLD NUGGET – 1980 metres

COTE DAZUR NZ – Raced in restricted room for some distance approaching the home turn, then was held up and unable to obtain clear running in the early part of the home straight.

HELL OF A HAND – Unable to obtain completely clear running at any stage in the home straight and went to the finish without being fully tested.

BETTORS MOON – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample. Driver B McElhinney was cautioned in relation to the manner in which he applied the whip over the concluding stages.

ULTIMATE CRUZA – Pulled hard for some distance during the early and middle stages.

FAST TRACKER – Driver A Varga pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 156(2)(a), stating that when applying the whip inside the 200 metres, he did so in a manner that exceed a wrist only flicking motion. Mr Varga was fined $200.

 

RACE 6 – MOONSHINERS – HONKY TONK BAR PACE – 1980 metres

VERY NEEDY – Post-race swab sample.

SPECIALIZE LOU – Pre-race blood sample.

CORAL CAYS – Broke stride free of any external factors and galloped for a short distance after the start. Trainer Mr S Glasby was advised that the mare would now be placed outside the barrier draw.

 

RACE 7 – IBIS HOTEL TAMWORTH PACE – 1609 metres

HEZA NEEDY – Withdrawn at 7.36pm when a veterinary inspection determined the gelding was lame in the near foreleg. Trainer Mr D Mackney was advised a stand down of 14 days would be applied and prior to racing again the gelding must undergo a veterinary examination to determine its fitness.

TRY CATCHING ME – Pre-race blood sample. Raced roughly for some distance after the start. Connections were advised a warning would be placed on the mares racing record.

SPELL CHECK – Jostled for a short distance with BULL SHARK after entering the home straight.

TRUTHBETOLD – post-race swab sample.

WHAT AGAIN SHANNON – Raced roughly throughout.

RIPPIN AN TWISTIN – Hampered and had to be shifted abruptly shortly after the start when attempting to avoid TRY CATCHING ME.

BULL SHARK – Jostled with SPELL CHECK for a short distance in the early part of the home straight.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 4 – Courtney Sutherland – Rule 170(1)(a) - BELLRIVERGIRL
Fines	Race 5 – Anthony Varga – Rule 156(2)(a) - $200 – FAST TRACKER
Suspensions	Race 4 – Courtney Sutherland – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – BELLRIVERGIRL – 21 days to commence
Barrier Information	Race 6 – CORAL CAYS – ODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 1 – JOE BY THE SEASIDE NZ – stood down 14 days, 1 trial and veterinary certificate. Race 7 – HEZA NEEDY – stood down 14 days, stood down veterinary certificate
Late Scratchings	Race 7 – HEZA NEEDY – 7.36pm – veterinary advice
Adjourned Inquiries
Medical Clearance
Follow up’s