Stewards Report

NEWCASTLE 23/02/2026

 

 

Stewards	D Westwood (Chairman), S Cullen
Starter	N Moy
Veterinarian	Dr J Gallagher
Swab Official	C Wilson
Track	Fast
Weather	Overcast

 

 

RACE 1 – SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE – 1609 metres

NEVER KNOW SPARKY – Hampered shortly after entering the home straight for the run to the finish.

HARMS MIKI – Driver J Harmey pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) in that when negotiating the final turn allowed his runner to shift wider on the track which placed WOOPAA (J Kennedy) in restricted room when racing to the inside of WICKED LEGEND (G McElhinney). The shift continued wider on the track coming into the home straight where ultimately WOOPAA was checked and broke stride in addition to WICKED LEGEND sustaining contact to the near side wheel and being hampered. Driver J Harmey’s licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of 21 days. When considering penalty Stewards took into account his plea of guilty, his record and the frequency in which he competes.

DAZZLING GEMS – Pre-race blood sample. Had a tendency to hung in rounding the final turn and contacting marker pegs.

SUPERIOR LUKE – Had a tendency to race roughly after the start was effected and hung in. had a tendency to over race in the early stages of the event and raced up onto the back of WICKED LEGEND and raced roughly as a result.

WOOPAA – Checked and broke stride as the field straightened for the run to the finish.

RONNYS WATCHING – Post-race swab sample.

WICKED LEGEND – Sustained contact to the sulky racing down the home straight on the first occasion. Again, was hampered as the filed raced into the home straight for the run to the finish.

OAKDALE MARY – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported.

 

RACE 2 – BONVILLA WINES FASHION ON TRACK 27 FEB PACE – 1609 metres

JIMMY STEEL NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Had a tendency to over race whilst outside the leader throughout the event and weakened over the concluding stages to be beaten some distance. A Post-race veterinary examination could not reveal any abnormalities. Connections were advised a warning would be issued against the performance.

MISS BLUE STORK – Broke stride shortly after the start was effected. Connections were advised given its recent record it would now be excluded form the mobile barrier draw. Post-race swab sample.

WALLAROY BOY - Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the run to the finish.

HASLER – Held up for clear running over the concluding stages and was not fully tested.

 

RACE 3 – AVE TECHNOLOGIES NEWCASTLE MILE 27 FEB PACE – 1609 metres

PEPPI GRATZ – Broke as the field negotiated the first turn and continued to gallop for a considerable distance and was retired from the event. Connections were advised given its recent record it would now be required to complete one requalifying trial. A post-race veterinary examination could not reveal any abnormality.

MYSTIC EAGLE – Pre-race blood sample. Hampered as the field negotiated the first turn and raced roughly for a short distance. weakened over the concluding stages to be beaten some distance. Connections were advised it would be placed on its last chance to race truly.

LOUTHPARKSCHOONER – Hampered as the field negotiated the first turn.

MERSADIES – Hampered as the field negotiated the first turn.

TRIED AND TRUSTED – Hampered as the field negotiated the first turn. Post-race swab sample. A post-race veterinary examination could not reveal any abnormality.

CARPENTER – Hampered as the field negotiated the first turn.

COULDNT CATCH HIM – Broke stride as the field negotiated the first turn. A warning was issued.

PROLETAIRE – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported. Checked as the field negotiated the first turn and broke stride as a result.

LORD JAYDO – Hampered as the field negotiated the first turn. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the run to the finish.

OUR ULTIMATE MAY NZ – Hampered as the field negotiated the final turn when trailing weakening runners.

 

RACE 4 – TROTTERS BACK ON TRACK 27 FEB PACE – 1609 metres

BREXITT - Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported.

RAINBOW TITAN – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

ROCKNROLL TONY - Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported. Held up for clear running over the concluding stages.

A VAPAR STORM – When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, in particular over the final 600 metres, Driver B Portelli explained to Stewards that when racing down the back straight on the final occasion given the tempo of the event he was looking to maintain a marker peg position in a hope for a run to eventuate over the concluding stages. He further added that he was unaware SPORTING ROBYN NZ had commenced to yield ground and maintained a marker peg position for longer than he should have on review. B Portelli advised his runner finished off the event when clear running was obtained. Stewards noted his comments.

 

RACE 5 – CLASH OF THE CODES SULKY RACE 27 FEB PACE – 1609 metres

IRE OF THE DRAGON – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

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

HES GOT THE LOOK NZ – Had a tendency to over race in the early and middle stages of the event.

HESHARLEY – Driver B Portelli was fined $100 under Rule 163(1)(c)(i) in that when racing over the concluding stages he has attempted a run to the inside of DANIEL BOOM without the required room and as a result has contacted one marker peg.

 

 

RACE 6 – SHARP OFFICE PACE – 1609 metres

HES MY REASON – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

ROBUST EASTON NZ - Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported. Fractious in the early stages of the score up and out of position as the start was effected.

WATSLUVGOTTADO – Held up for clear running over the concluding stages and not fully tested.

 

RACE 7 – THE TAB APP PACE – 1609 metres

KATLAS DREAM – Post-race swab sample.

CHAPPY STREETNORTH – Pre-race blood sample. Upon request from connections, approval was given for it to be reincluded into the mobile barrier draw.

WAR WESTERN – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the run to the finish.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands
Fines	Race 3 – Grace Panella – Rule 210 - $50 – PEPPI GRATZ Race 5 – Cameron Davies – Rule 210 - $50 – HES GOT THE LOOK NZ Race 5 – Brian Portelli – Rule 163(1)(c)(i) - $100 – HESHARLEY Race 6 – Kylie Garaty – Rule 210 - $50 - CHLOBRO
Suspensions	Race 1 – Jason Harmey – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – HARMS MIKI – 21 days.
Barrier Information	Race 2 – MISS BLUE STORK – ODM Race 7 – CHAPPY STREETNORTH – BMD
Trials/Stand Down	Race 3 – PEPPI GRATZ – 1 trial
Late Scratchings
Adjourned Inquiries
Medical Clearance
Follow up’s