Stewards Report

RIVERINA PACEWAY 20/03/2026

 

Stewards	T Quick (Chief Steward), S Snudden
Starter	M Ross
Veterinarian	Dr S Willis
Swab Official	J Howe
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

RACE 1 – THE TAB APP PACE – 2270 metres

 

HEZ HARRYWHO – Pre-race swab sampled.

SHEZ A WARRIOR – Gave ground over the concluding stages of the event.

ROLL TO THE TOP – Post-race swab sampled.

CRIMSON ROCK NZ – Pre-race swab sampled.

WARIEDA BOY – Inconvenienced behind the tiring SHEZ A WARRIOR near the 200 metres.

 

RACE 2 – YIRRIBEE STUD PACE – 1740 metres

 

FRANCO NICKELBACK NZ – Pre-race swab sampled. Hung-out entering the first turn. Post-race swab sampled.

RUDIMENTARY – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn.

 

RACE 3 – NUTRIEN STANDARDBRED BATHURST YEARLING SALE THIS SUNDAY PACE – 2270 metres

 

DONNIE MAC – Pre-race swab sampled.

LE BETTY – Broke gait during the score-up, for which a warning was issued. Driver J Painting was advised to ensure he keeps his runners out of the way of other runners if they break gait during the score up in future, to prevent action being taken against him for delaying the start. Post-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 4 – DACHSHUND DASH EASTER SATURDAY PACE – 1740 metres

 

OZZIE CORKA – Post-race swab sampled.

KIA ORA BEAUTY – Examined by the Club Veterinarian prior to the race, after it became fractious, reared and slipped upon entering the track to begin its preliminary, and was cleared to start.

ONTHADARKSIDE – Raced three wide without cover from the start until leaving the 1000 metres where it obtained a three trailing position. Driver A Diebert was questioned regarding the tactics adopted with the gelding, she stated that the instructions prior to the race were to go forward from the start in and attempt to get a forward position. She added that she allowed the gelding to stride forward from the start in an endeavour to comply with those instructions however was reluctant to drive it forward too hard in the early stages as she was mindful that it can get pulling in its races. She further added that they were beaten for early speed and she commenced to work forward in an endeavour to obtain the position outside the leader, however approaching the 1200 metres she felt the Driver of the runner in that position (R Strong) OUR ROCKY, indicated that he was not going to surrender that position, so elected to restrain to attempt to obtain a position with cover. A Diebert further added that leaving the 1000 metres THE KID BILLY commenced to improve three wide, so given she is of the view that her runner is a bit one-paced she remained three wide following it hoping it would take her to the finish of the race. Stewards felt that A Diebert had erred in her tactics however did not believe it was culpable to the standard required for her drive to be considered unacceptable.

KEAYANG JIGSAW – Pre-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 5 – RIVERINA HOTEL PACE – 2270 metres

 

VIEW THE ART – Over-raced during the middle stages of the event.

HES CHIMING – Pre-race swab sampled. Hung-in rounding the turns. Hung out under pressure in the home straight.

EARL OF PEMBROKE NZ – Post-race swab sampled.

CARLO GAMBINO NZ – Examined by the Club Veterinarian pre and post-race, as it is 12 years old, and cleared of any significant abnormalities.

 

RACE 6 – RIVERINA SIGNMAKERS PACE – 2270 metres

 

BIZZIE LIZZIE – Pre-race swab sampled. Driver J Painting was questioned regarding his tactics adopted with the mare, particularly the sectionals set in the early stages of the event when leading. J Painting stated that the mare was hitting its own sulky wheel with its hind leg and over-raced as a result. He added that the more he attempted to restrain her the more she hit the wheel and got more fired up. He further added that he was concerned that if he restrained too hard, she could choke down so did relinquish his hold somewhat approaching the 1200 metres, but the early pace did take a toll on the mare over the concluding stages.

MY ULTIMATE FRANCO NZ – Pre-race swab sampled. Post-race swab sampled.

CHANCETOWIN – Tired over the concluding stages of the event.

LEWENDON – Tired over the concluding stages and was beaten by a considerable margin. A post-race Veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be suffering from a poor post-race recovery and thumps. Connections were advised that the gelding would be required to perform a re-qualifying trial prior to its next race start.

ALWAYS ADORNED – Out of position at the start, given the gelding’s record, connections were advised it would be placed on its last chance in the draw. Tired over the concluding stages of the event.

 

RACE 7 – STROUD HOMES PACE – 2270 metres

 

SHEER ME – Examined by the Club Veterinarian prior to the race, after it reared and became unbalanced behind the barriers and was cleared to start. Driver H Ross was queried regarding the below market expectations performance of the mare, which appeared to have a favourable run behind the leader for the majority of the race, he stated that he was a little disappointed with its performance today given the run it had, however added that he was surprised at how short it was given he felt its recent form was not overly strong, and today was its first start over the longer distance. A post-race Veterinary examination revealed no significant abnormalities, although it was reported the mare had a small graze to its off hind hock.

ALWAYSTHEWILDEST – Pre-race swab sampled. Post-race swab sampled.

THE KID BILLY – Placed back in the draw for future mobile start races.

 

RACE 8 – HERTZ CAR RENTAL PACE – 2270 metres

 

BARWEN STORM – Driver M Towers was queried regarding the below market expectations performance of the gelding, which appeared to have a favourable run behind the leader for the majority of the race, she stated that she was disappointed with its effort over the concluding stages given the run it had. She added that the Trainer stated following the race that he was also disappointed and would look to make some alterations to the way he worked it prior to its next run. A post-race Veterinary examination revealed no significant abnormalities

SOKYS FALCON – Pre-race swab sampled.

KEAYANG ALEX – Held up for clear running over the concluding stages of the race.

BETTERTHANTHEBOYZ – Examined by the Club Veterinarian pre and post-race, as it has had over 200 race starts, and cleared of any significant abnormalities. Post-race swab sampled.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Nil
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Race 7 – THE KID BILLY – back in draw mobile starts
Trials/Stand Down	Race 6 – LEWENDON – 1 re-qualifying trial
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil