Stewards Report

RIVERINA PACEWAY 4/04/2026

 

 

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

 

RACE 1 – THE TAB APP HARNESS BREEDERS NSW SAPPHIRE SERIES – 1740 metres

GEM N EM NZ – Post-race swab sampled.

EMERGING DEAL – Trainer/Driver B Hewitt was queried regarding the below market expectation performance of the filly which gave ground over the concluding stages. B Hewitt stated he was looking to obtain cover early but was unable to and had to work forward to the position outside the leader, however he felt the filly was disappointing over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination of the filly did not reveal any abnormalities.

JILLIBY ILLUSION – Pre-race swab sampled. Trainer’s representative C O’Donoghue was queried regarding the below market expectation performance of the mare. He stated he was satisfied with the performance given the quick overall time and having not started since 13^th February 2026 and he felt the mare would take benefit from the run.

SARA TA SLOY – Held up for clear running for the majority of the home straight.

 

RACE 2 – STROUD HOMES PACE – 1740 metres

BENJAMIN – Post-race swab sampled.

SPIRIT OF SAHARA – Checked near the 600 metres when IDEAL BANDIT galloped.

IM ALRITE - Checked near the 600 metres when IDEAL BANDIT galloped.

CAPTAIN TOM - Checked near the 600 metres when IDEAL BANDIT galloped.

BUBBY TO BASE - Checked near the 600 metres when IDEAL BANDIT galloped.

IDEAL BANDIT - Pre-race swab sampled. Broke gait free of interference near the 600 metres for which a warning was issued. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no significant abnormalities. Driver R Sanderson pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 156(2)(a) for using his whip with an action that was more than a wrist only flicking motion, near the 400 metres. In assessing penalty, Stewards took into account this was his second whip rule breach within the past 60 days and imposed a fine of $400.

NORMS LADY - Checked near the 600 metres when IDEAL BANDIT galloped.

 

RACE 3 – SOUTHWEST STOCKFEEDS PACE – 1740 metres

FASTING - Pre-race swab sampled. Post-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 4 – YIRRIBEE STUD WAGGA PACERS CUP – 2270 metres

MIKE ROSS NZ – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn prior to obtaining a run in the sprint lane.

BIG BAD OSSIE – Inconvenienced approaching the 400 metres when disappointed for a run between EARL OF PEMBROKE NZ and FRANCO NOVELIST NZ. Held up for clear running over the concluding stages of the event.

CARLO GAMBINO NZ – Examined pre-race by the veterinarian and was declared a late scratching at 7.24pm. Acting on veterinary advice connections were advised the gelding would be stood down from racing for 14 days and until receipt of a veterinary certificate of fitness.

WAMBOYNEINAMERICA - Pre-race swab sampled.

HOLLYWOOD STRIP – Pre-race swab sampled. Post-race swab sampled.

EARL OF PEMBROKE NZ - Pre-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 5 – MAWSONS RIVERINA CHAMPIONSHIPS MARES FINAL (LISTED CLASSIC) – 2270 metres

ALWAYS ADORNED – Checked leaving the 1400 metres when KIMCANDO broke gait.

IM BUTTER BLUE – Locked wheels with the galloping KIMCANDO leaving the 1400 metres and was severely checked. Tired over the concluding stages of the event. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities. Connections were advised the mare will be required to perform one requalifying trial.

LE BETTY – Inconvenienced leaving the 1400 metres when KIMCANDO broke gait.

SIREN SEA – Checked leaving the 1400 metres when KIMCANDO broke gait.

ISLA ROCHELLE – Post-race swab sampled.

KIMCANDO - Pre-race swab sampled. Leaving the 1400 metres, contacted the sulky wheel of CERISE RAINBOW, which shifted in, and was checked and broke gait. While galloping, locked wheels with IM BUTTER BLUE.

CERISE RAINBOW - Pre-race swab sampled. Sulky wheel contacted by KIMCANDO leaving the 1400 metres. At a subsequent inquiry, Driver S Grima pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference in that leaving the 1400 metres he made insufficient effort to prevent his mare from shifting in when not clear of KIMCANDO which was tightened for room, contacted his sulky wheel and was checked and broke gait. In assessing penalty, Stewards took into account S Grima’s guilty plea, his good driving record with regards to this rule, the particular circumstances of the incident and the status of the race. Driver S Grima had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 14 days to commence midnight the 4^th April 2026. A post-race veterinary examination of the mare, which gave ground over the concluding stages did not reveal any abnormalities.

MY LITTLE BO – Post-race swab sampled.   

SMIRKIN SERENE – Checked and broke gait leaving the 1400 metres when KIMCANDO broke gait.

PEACE OUT - Pre-race swab sampled. Inconvenienced leaving the 1400 metres when KIMCANDO broke gait.

PLATINUM JEWEL - Inconvenienced leaving the 1400 metres when KIMCANDO broke gait.

GUNNA RELOAD - Pre-race swab sampled. Inconvenienced leaving the 1400 metres when KIMCANDO broke gait. Post-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 6 – BOOTS CIVIL RIVERINA CHAMPIONSHIPS ENTIRES AND GELDINGS FINAL (LISTED CLASSIC) – 2270 metres

General - Prior to the all-clear being given, C Hart the Driver of the 3^rd placed WAR DAN BUDDY lodged a protest against the 2^nd placed DOUBLE LOU alleging interference in the home straight. His stated grounds being that DOUBLE LOU had shifted out after entering the home straight resulting in his runner locking wheels with it approaching the 100 metres and then his runner was checked and broke gait as a result. Evidence was heard from the Driver of DOUBLE LOU, B McDonough and further evidence from C Hart and the patrol footage was reviewed. Stewards upheld the protest as they were of the view that DOULBE LOU had in fact shifted out resulting in those runners locking wheels and WAR DAN BUDDY being checked and breaking gait and given the margin between those two runners at the finish and the way those runners were finishing the race off, felt that if the interference had not occurred, WAR DAN BUDDY would have beaten DOUBLE LOU to the finish line. All clear was given on the new numbers  5 – 14 – 12 – 10.

SANCHEZ - Pre-race swab sampled.

SEASIDER – Carried a flat tyre from the early stages of the race. Driver A Turnbull was fined $400 under Rule 156(3) for using her whip in an unapproved manner in that she applied the whip excessively in the home straight. In assessing penalty, stewards took into account her record and the status of the race.  Post-race swab sampled.

SWEET ON LEXY – The explanation tendered by Trainer B Hewitt for the late nomination of himself as the driver of the gelding was accepted by Stewards. Sulky wheel contacted by DOUBLE LOU entering the first turn. At a subsequent inquiry, Driver B Hewitt pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference in that entering the first turn he shifted his runner in when not sufficiently clear of DOUBLE LOU which was tightened for room, contacted his sulky wheel and was checked and raced roughly. In assessing penalty, Stewards took into account B Hewitt’s good driving record with regards to this rule and the particular circumstances of the incident. Driver B Hewitt had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 7 days to commence midnight the 11^th of April 2026.

SINALOA - Pre-race swab sampled.

MY ULTIMATE BARNEY - Pre-race swab sampled. Inconvenienced near the 1200 metres when the pace eased.

HESITATE – Inconvenienced near the 1200 metres when the pace eased. Trainer/Driver L McCarthy was queried regarding the performance of the horse, he stated it was not suited to being exposed over such a distance without cover and failed to race in a genuine manner over the concluding stages. He further added he would consult with connections regarding having the horse gelded.

DOUBLE LOU – Tightened for room entering the first turn when racing to the inside of SWEET ON LEXY and contacted that runner’s sulky wheel and was checked and raced roughly. Shifted out under pressure after entering the home straight and as a result locked wheels with WAR DAN BUDDY approaching the 100 metres. Lost second place on protest to WAR DAN BUDDY. Driver B McDonough pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 162(1)(www)(ii) for allowing his gelding to shift out in the home straight and as a result it has locked wheels with WAR DAN BUDDY. B McDonough was fined $400. In assessing penalty, Stewards took into account B McDonough’s guilty plea, good record under this rule and the status of the race. Post-race swab sampled.

WAR DAN BUDDY - Pre-race swab sampled. Locked wheels with DOUBLE LOU approaching the 100 metres and was checked and broke gait. Successfully protested against that runner.  Post-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 7 – NUTRIEN EQUINE STANDARDBRED PACE – 1740 metres

SMOKIN POCKET - Pre-race swab sampled.

FRANCO NICKELBACK NZ – Post-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 8 – RIVERINA CRANES PACE – 1740 metres

THE BANKER NZ – Raced roughly after the start for which a warning was issued. Raced three wide without cover from the start until near the 400 metres. Contacted a marker peg near the 200 metres. Driver M Towers was questioned regarding her tactics adopted with the gelding. She stated the intended tactics were to go forward from the good draw at the start in an endeavour to obtain the lead or the position outside the leader as it usually is from similar barrier positions. M Towers added that after her runner raced roughly after the start she steadied it to get it back into a pace and then allowed it to stride forward, as she was of the view she still may have been able to get to the position outside the leader and feels the gelding races best when able to obtain a forward position. M Towers further added that leaving the 1200 metres she continued to drive forward to get outside FIFTYSHADESOFHAY NZ, which had obtained the position outside the leader, in an attempt to get that position from that runner, however nearing the 1000 metres it became apparent she was not going to get that position and commenced to ease her runner. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any significant abnormalities. Stewards advised M Towers that while they felt she had erred in her tactics they did not think she was culpable under the rules given the circumstances and did not take any action against her. A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding did not reveal any abnormalities.

GLENBURNS WATERS – Broke gait during the score up and was out of position at the start for which a warning was issued. Hung in under pressure rounding the home turn, connections were advised the mare would be placed on its last chance to race truly.

FEELGOOD RAY - Pre-race swab sampled. Post-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 9 – JACINTA BODEL HOMES PACE – 1740 metres

ELLE ARE EM - Pre-race swab sampled. Post-race swab sampled.

MORTLOCK – Broke gait free of interference upon entering the home straight. Given the geldings record, connections were advised it would be stood down from racing for 14 days and would be required to perform 2 re-qualifying trials.

JUDAH - Pre-race swab sampled.

LORD PERCY - Pre-race swab sampled. Over raced during the middle stages of the event and tired over the concluding stages for which a warning was issued. A post-race veterinary examination did not reveal any abnormalities.

ALICES SWEETHEART NZ – At the request of connections was reincluded in the draw for future mobile start races.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 2 – Ryan Sanderson – Rule 156(2)(a) - $400 – IDEAL BANDIT Race 6 – Bailey McDonough – Rule 162(1)(www) - $400 – DOUBLE LOU Race 6 – Amanda Turnbull – Rule 156(3) - $400 - SEASIDER
Suspensions	Race 5 – Seaton Grima – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – CERISE RAINBOW – 14 days – to commence midnight 4 April 2026 Race 6 – Bernie Hewitt – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – SWEET ON LEXY – 7 days to commence midnight 11 April 2026
Barrier Information	Race 9 – ALICES SWEETHEART NZ - BMD
Trials/Stand Down	Race 5 – IM BUTTER BLUE – 1 trial Race 9 – MORTLOCK – 2 trials and 14 days
Late Scratchings	Race 4 – CARLO GAMBINO – 7.24pm – veterinary advice – SD 14 days and veterinary certificate
Adjourned Inquiries
Medical Clearance
Follow up’s