Stewards Report

JUNEE 24/01/2026

 

Stewards	M Ross (Chairman) S Snudden & M Jasprizza
Starter	P Bandy
Veterinarian	Dr S Willis & Dr C Smith
Swab Official	G Jasprizza
Track	Good
Weather	Fine

 

General: Due to the extreme temperatures, measures within the HRNSW hot weather policy were implemented including, but not limited to, an additional vet, ice buckets with sponges with additional hoses within the stabling area & horses reduced time to parade prior to their race with all horses closely monitored pre & post races. 

RACE 1 – MONSTER PLANT SALE WARATAH HEAT – 1760 metres

General: Stewards delayed the All Clear at the request of Blake Jones driver of KYLEIGH which finished in 3^rd position to view the available replays in the home straight. After the viewing the replays, Mr Jones was satisfied and All Clear was given on the judge’s numbers.

SIGNIFICANT LAZ – Held up during the early stages of home straight prior obtaining clear running.

BETTORS MAGIC – Pre-race swab. Began badly as the start was effected. A warning was issued against the barrier manners of BETTORS MAGIC. BETTORS MAGIC took no competitive part in the event.

OUR ROCKY – Shifted outwards under pressure inside the final 150m. A warning was issued against OUR ROCKY racing manners. Post-race swab.

ALWAYSATTHEBEACH – Trainer David Micallef was issued under a reprimand under AHR Rule 41(1) for presenting the gelding late on course however within the 15 minutes allowance.

MERRYWOOD ROSIE – Inconvenienced as the start was effected when BETTORS MAGIC began badly.

MEGS MONARO – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having attained the age of 12 years or older & started in excess of 200 starts. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

FREASON – Held up and failed to gain clear running the entire length of the home straight.

RACE 2– TAB VENUE MODE PACE – 1760 metres

CATCH THE SHARK – Pre-race swab. Inconvenienced entering the first turn when GLENLEA KIRA broke gait.

IM BUTTER BLUE – Hung inwards shortly after the start was effected. Hung outwards marginally entering the first turn which tightened the racing room of GLENLEA KIRA which broke gait. Post-race swab.

GLENLEA KIRA – Tightened for racing room entering the first turn & broke gait when IM BUTTER BLUE shifted outwards marginally. Took no competitive part in the event thereafter.

VALENTINI – ($8.00) Driver James Locke was queried into the overall performance of the mare which finished in 6^th position beaten 32.2m. Mr Locke advised VALENTINI sulky tyre deflated of its own accord passing the 900m which disadvantaged the mare which was the main contributing factor into the mare’s overall finishing position. A post-race failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

FRENCH STREET – Held up during the early stages of the home straight prior to obtaining clear running.

CAPTAIN DEEJAY – Inconvenienced entering the first turn when GLENLEA KIRA broke gait.

RACE 3 – ALAN HARPLEY MEMORIAL – 2170 metres

SCRUFFY NZ – Post-race swab.

LE BETTY – Fractious leaving the pre-race circle. A warning was issued against the barrier manners of LE BETTY. Broke gait clear of interference approaching the 1700m. A warning was issued against the racing manners of LE BETTY.

THANKS BE TO GOD – Driver Jon Ponsonby pleaded guilty to a charge under AHR Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) the particular of the charge being that passing the 300m Mr Ponsonby permitted THANKS BE TO GOD to shift outwards when insufficiency clear of IM ALRITE which racing to his outside and tighten its racing room passing the 300m Mr Ponsonby continued to shift up the track thereafter which subsequently checked IM ALRITE. In assessing penalty stewards took into account the HRNSW Penalty Guidelines Mr Ponsonby’s guilty plea his overall offence record which indicated this being Mr Ponsonby’s 4^th offence under the rule in the past 12 months (50 drives) & the degree of carelessness & interference which was assessed in the lower range. Mr Ponsonby’s licence was suspended for a period of fourteen (14) days commencing midnight 24^th January 2026.

MIRADOR LASS – Pre-race swab.

IM ALRITE – Tightened and checked approaching the 300m and again passing the 200m when THANKS BE TO GOD shifted outwards.

ACHY BREAKY ARK – ($16.00) Driver Harrison Ross was queried into the overall performance of the gelding which finished in 9^th position beaten 32.4m after improving three (3) wide from the 800m. Mr Ross advised the gelding to be disappointing and was not suited improving such a distance from the finish without cover and the gelding is better suited when able to race more forward. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 4– PHYLLIS HARPLEY MEMORIAL CUP CONSOLATION – 2170 metres

SWEDISH MEATBALLS – Pre-race swab. Checked passing the 400m when HEAVENS BADGIRL broke gait.

SARA TA SLOY – Pre-race swab. Inconvenienced passing the 400m when HEAVENS BADGIRL broke gait.

MIKI BE GOOD – Post-race swab.

HEAVENS BADGIRL – Broke gait clear of interference passing the 400m. A warning was issued against the racing manners of HEAVENS BADGIRL. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

CARLO GAMBINO – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having attained the age of 12 years or older. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

RACE 5 – PHOENIX ACCOUNTING & BUSINESS SERVICES JUNEE PACERS CUP – 2170 metres

KIMCANDO – Post-race swab.

WITHDISTINCTION – Broke gait clear of interference approaching the 1700m and raced roughly at various stages thereafter. Driver Peter McRae reported the gelding failed to handle the smaller racing circuit as the gelding also cast its near fore plate. WITHDISTINCTION will now be placed on its last chance to race truly. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

ALTA BILLY – Pre-race swab. Trainer Amanda Turnbull was fined the sum of $50 under AHR Rule 210 for the late declaration of the driver upon the gelding.

CATCHAFIRE NZ – ($2.60) Trainer/driver Jackson Painting was queried into the overall performance of the gelding which finished in 4^th position beaten 14.5m. Mr Painting advised he was satisfied in the performance as CATCHAFIRE NZ failed to handle the smaller racing circuit as the gelding hung inwards for majority of the event and was under pressure to maintain its ground when attempted to improve forward three (3) wide from the 700m. Mr Painting added it would now be his intentions to race CATCHAFIRE NZ on the larger tracks and most likely that CATCHAFIRE NZ will now be transferred to a metropolitan trainer to continue its campaign.  

RACE 6 – PAT FOLEY MEMORIAL 3YO PACE – 1760 metres

DICTATING – Pulled hard during the middle stages of the event.

AUSSIE TIGER – Post-race swab.

GEORGES WORLD – Tightened passing the 400m when improving to inside of STRANGER EFFECT contacted marker pegs and broke gait. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

STRANGER EFFECT – Driver Isobel Ross pleaded guilty to a charge under AHR Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) the particular of the charge being that passing the 500m Ms Ross whilst leading permitted STRANGER EFFECT to shift outwards which allowed sufficient room for GEORGES WORLD which was trailing to improve through as GEORGES WORLD established a run to the inside of STRANGER EFFECT. Ms Ross allowed STRANGER EFFECT to shift back down the track passing the 400m which tightened the racing of GEORGES WORLD forcing the gelding over marker pegs and be checked and break gait. In assessing penalty stewards took into account the HRNSW Penalty Guidelines Ms Ross’s guilty plea her overall offence record with her last offence under this rule in December 2024 (200 drives) the degree of carelessness & interference which was assessed in the mid-range. Ms Ross’s licence was suspended for a period of ten (10) days commencing midnight 30^th January 2026.

KALYPSO RAINBOW – Pre-race swab.

FRIZZA – Broke gait clear of interference passing the 700m. A warning was issued against the racing manners of FRIZZA. Stewards refrained taking further action against FRIZZA for failing to complete the course.

CAPTAIN PINNACLE – Raced roughly passing the 800m. Checked passing the 700m when FRIZZA broke gait. Broke gait under pressure inside the final 200m. CAPTAIN PINNACLE will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion. In taking this action stewards were mindful the gelding was issued a warning three (3) starts prior for displaying similar racing manners.

RACE 7 – KOHNKES OWN RIVERINA LOCAL PENALTY FREE PACE – 1760 metres

HES A TERROR – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having started in excess of 200 starts. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

CARMEN ON BLING – Pre-race swab & Post-race swab.

STIPULATING – Broke gait passing the 300m checking SOPHIES SCOOTER. A warning was issued against the racing manners of STIPULATING.

SOPHIES SCOOTER – Checked passing the 300m when STIPULATING broke gait.

RACE 8 – NUTRIEN EQUINE PACE – 1760 metres

TIGERS SPIRIT – Pre-race swab. Checked passing the 700m when CRIMSON ROCK NZ broke gait. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

CRIMSON ROCK NZ – Pre-race swab. Broke gait clear of interference passing the 700m checking TIGERS SPIRIT & BARKWAY THOMAS to varying degrees. CRIMSON ROCK NZ will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on two (2) occasions and for a period of fourteen (14) days.

FLEXI BET – Post-race swab.

BARKWAY THOMAS – Severely checked passing the 700m when CRIMSON ROCK NZ broke gait. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

SPREAD THE FEAR – Held up and failed to gain clear running for the entire length of the home straight.

RACE 9 – MAWSONS CONCRETE & QUARRIES PACE – 1760 metres

GLAMORS SYMBOL – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the mare having started in excess of 200 starts. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

ARKLOW – Pre-race swab.

PADDY MACH – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having attained the age of 12 years or older & started in excess of 200 starts. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

MELATI BOY – Driver Bryce Campbell dropped both feet in the home straight when activating removable gear.

SOKYS FALCON – Held up and failed to gain clear running for the entire length of the home straight.

THATS THE ATTITUDE – Post-race swab.

BETTERTHANTHEBOYZ – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having started in 200 starts. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 5 – A Turnbull – 210 – $50
Suspensions	Race 3 – J Ponsonby – 163(1)(a)(iii) – 14 Days Race 6 – I Ross – 163(1)(a)(iii) – 10 Days
Barrier Information	Nil
Trials/Stand Down	Race 6 – CAPTAIN PINNACLE – SD1T Race 8 – CRIMSON ROCK NZ – SD2T & SD14D
Late Scratching	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil