Stewards Report

RIVERINA PACEWAY 13/03/2026

 

 

Stewards	S Snudden (Chairman), M Ross, M Jasprizza, K Lockwood
Starter	P Bandy
Veterinarian	Dr S Willis
Swab Official	E Howe
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – TAB VENUE MODE PACE – 1740 metres

CRIMSON ROCK NZ – Pre-race blood sample.

HES A TERROR - A pre and post-race veterinary examination was conducted due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts. Both examinations failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. Pre-race blood sample.

WARIEDA BOY – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 2 – YIRRIBEE STUD 3YO PACE – 1740 metres

MIDNIGHT DENIAL – Passing the 450 metres was checked and contacted marker pegs as a result of LOOKMEOVER NZ breaking gait.

LOOKMEOVER NZ –Approaching the 450 metres raced roughly before breaking gait for which a warning was issued.

CEEBEE - Pre-race blood sample.

YIRRADIVA – Post-race swab sample.

 

 

RACE 3 – PREMIUM PUNTER PACE – 1740 metres

BETTERTHANTHEBOYZ NZ - A pre and post-race veterinary examination was conducted due to the mare having competed in excess of 200 race starts. Both examinations failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

EBONY KARALTA - Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

HEZAFLASHONE – Inconvenienced approaching the 200 metres as a result of UNCLE CRAIGO shifting wider on the track.

LIT THE WICK – Stewards opened an inquiry into the tactics of Driver George Lee, of concern to the Stewards was Mr Lee’s decision to remain in a marker line position when it appeared a run was available in the sprint lane. Mr Lee explained approaching the home turn he felt the two runners (GOT MY EYE ON YOU and BETTERTHANTHEBOYZ) in advance of his runner would attempt runs to the inside of the leader (EBONY KARALTA) and felt a run was developing wider on the track which he had progressed towards, however the run to the outside didn’t eventuate and as BETTERTHANTHEBOYZ hadn’t progressed to the sprint lane a run to the inside was available. When the gelding was restrained and commenced to move down the track it was reluctant to respond resulting in taking longer to get to clear running in the sprint lane. When considering evidence, Stewards believed Mr Lee had erred in judgement for his drive on LIT THE WICK but not culpable to the degree to warrant any further action to be taken.

UNCLE CRAIGO – Driver Dean Cernovskis was issued a reprimand under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference, in that approaching the 200 metres he has shifted wider when not fully clear of HEZAFLASHONE which was inconvenienced as a result.

 

RACE 4 – RANVET HARNESS BREEDERS NSW SAPPHIRE SERIES – 1740 metres

IM BUTTER BLUE – After reviewing available films and prior to all clear Driver Blake Micallef lodged a protest against third placed runner LE BETTY alleging interference passing the 1500 metres at which point LE BETTY was attempting to restrain to the position behind IM BUTTER BLUE and LE BETTY contacted and flattened the offside sulky wheel of his runner. After considering all available evidence and the beaten margin of 1.1 metres Stewards couldn’t be comfortably satisfied that had IM BUTTER BLUE not sustained a flat tyre at the 1500 metres the result could have been reversed, as a result the protest was dismissed and all clear was given on the judges’ number 3-5-2-1.

LE BETTY - Pre-race blood sample. With Stood Protest. Approaching the 1500 metres when attempting to restrain to the position behind IM BUTTER BLUE the mare contacted and flattened the offside sulky wheel of IM BUTTER BLUE. In taking no action against driver George Lee Stewards felt the racing manners of the mare had contributed to the incident.

KYLEIGH – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 5 – HARVEYS MOWERS & CHAINSAW WARATCH HEAT – 1740 metres

TUFFASNAILS - Pre-race blood sample. Broke in the score up and caused a false start for which a warning was issued.

PIRANI PRINCESS – Held up approaching the 100 metres until the finish line.

FOXFIRE EASTON NZ – Post-race swab sample.

BETTORS MAGIC – At the request of connections, will now be reincluded into the mobile barrier draw.

JAKOB – Pre-race warm up. Approaching the 300 metres broke gait free of interference for which a warning was issued. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.

 

RACE 6 – DACHSHUND DASH EASTER SATURDAY PACE – 2270 metres

WAVES OF CHANCE – Post-race swab sample.

OUR SPECIAL MEMORY – Driver Nathan Jack was questioned regarding the overall performance of the mare, after racing in a position three back on the marker pegs failed to run on over the concluding stages to finish in 6^th position beaten 15.4 metres. Mr Jack explained that he was disappointed in the overall performance of the mare and connections would consider the immediate racing future of OUR SPECIAL MEMORY.

HES CHARLIES ANGEL - Pre-race blood sample.

NEEDBEE – Stewards questioned Trainer/Driver Bruce Harpley in relation to the performance of the mare, after racing outside the leader before failing to run on to be beaten 17.8 metres and finished in 8^th position. Mr Harpley stated the mare races best when able to lead and wasn’t suited to racing outside the leader, and also felt NEEDBEE was up in grade. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

 

RACE 7 – RIVERINA CRANE SERVICE PACE – 1740 metres

BENJAMIN – Post-race swab sample.

KEAYANG JIGSAW – Hung in rounding the final turn when under pressure.

JILLIBY RYDER - Pre-race blood sample.

TREACHEROUS BELLE - Pre-race blood sample.

IM ALRITE – Held up for clear room inside the final 50 metres.

 

RACE 8 – RIVERINA HOTEL PACE – 2270 metres

CARLO GAMBINO - A pre and post-race veterinary examination was conducted due to the horse being 12 years of age. Both examinations failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. Post-race swab sample.

NEW YORKER - Pre-race blood sample.

FAR OUT BRO - Pre-race blood sample. Gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten 24.4 metres into 7^th position.

REPELLING – Driver Jackson Painting was questioned regarding his driving tactics where after beginning well he restrained to a position four back on the marker pegs, before being covered by the running line from the 1200 metres and held up in the early part of the home straight before gaining clear running to finish fairly and be beaten 6.8 metres into 6^th position. Mr Painting explained the horse races best when able to lead or be on the fence with cover and felt although the horse was held up marginally in the early part of the home straight REPELLING had its chance. At the request of connections, will now be reincluded into the mobile barrier draw.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 3 – Dean Cernovskis – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – UNCLE CRAIGO
Fines
Suspensions
Barrier Information	Race 5 – BETTORS MAGIC – BMD Race 8 – REPELLING - BMD
Trials/Stand Down
Late Scratchings
Adjourned Inquiries
Medical Clearance
Follow up’s