Stewards Report

LEETON 14/04/2026

 

Stewards	M Ross (Chairman) T Quick
Starter	S Snudden
Veterinarian	Dr K Martel
Swab Official	T Ginns
Track	Good
Weather	Fine

 

RACE 1 – YENDA PRODS PACE – 1758 metres

VALENTINI – Began badly as the start was effected. A warning was issued against the barrier manners of VALENTINI.

GEORGES WORLD – Hung inwards on various turns losing its momentum.

TIGER IN HEAVEN – Held up during the early stages of the event prior to obtaining clear running.

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.  Post-race swab.

ORSINO BELLE – Pre-race swab.

LEWENDON – Checked after the start was effected when VALENTINI began badly which it was trailing. Pulled hard during the middle stages of the event.

RACE 2– MIA ELECTRICAL PACE – 1758 metres

General: Stewards intend to review all wagering on this event.

JUST GO JOE – ($3.20) Driver Roger Strong was queried into the overall performance of the gelding which finished in 7^th position beaten 10.8m after racing in a favourable one-one position for majority of the event. Mr Strong advised JUST GO JOE to be disappointing over the concluding stages and contributed the performance to the consistent speed over the final 1000m. 

NOELS GIFT – Pre-race swab.

YANKEE BABE – ($26.00) Trainer/driver Michael Towers was queried into the seemingly improved performance of the mare compared to its most recent starts and the mare being supported on fixed price betting. Mr Towers advised YANKEE BABE had been performing better than its form suggested as at its most recent start YANKEE BABE was improving to be in a competitive position prior to breaking gait. Mr Towers added YANKEE BABE prior six (6) starts which included a win had been  racing stronger opposition & appreciated the quicker middle sectionals of tonight’s event and the YANKEE BABE had previously been driven by a junior driver where tonight the mare was driven by a senior driver. Mr Towers could not explain the betting fluctuations as he was unaware of anyone associated to the stable supporting YANKEE BABE. Mr Towers was advised YANKEE BABE would be detained on course for a post-race blood sample to be obtained three (3) hours subsequently from the event.

ALWAYSTHEWILDEST – ($10.00) Broke gait on two (2) occasions in the score up and was out of position when the start was effected. A warning was issued against the ALWAYSTHEWILDEST barrier manners. Driver Amy Diebert was queried into the overall performance of the filly which finished in 8^th and last position beaten 76.2m which failed to maintain its position with the field throughout the event & took no competitive part in the event.  Ms Diebert advised the filly was disappointing & failed to pace fluently at any stage of the event for this reason did not place any pressure to the filly in case it broke gait. A post-race veterinary examination revealed ALWAYSTHEWILDEST to be 4/5 lame in the near hind leg. ALWAYSTHEWILDEST will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion pending a veterinary clearance & for a period of seven (7) days.

IM ON NO SLEEP – Pre-race swab.

RACE 3 – COROWA CHAFF PACE – 1758 metres

EMIKO – Pre-race swab.

GOODTIME JAZZI – Post-race swab.

IM HARVEY SPECTER NZ – ($14.00) Driver Michael Towers was queried into the tactics adopted upon the gelding in particular his decision to improve forward three (3) wide passing the 1200m and challenge for a forward position when it was noted SPRING DELIGHT (Leader) & GOODTIME JAZZI (Outside the leader) are both noted on pace runners whom maintain forward positions & subsequently IM HARVEY SPECTER NZ being caught racing three (3) wide for the remained of the event prior to finishing in 5^th position beaten 14.3m. Mr Towers explained he was aware of both horses racing pattern however elected to improve due to the slow tempo being set (1^st quarter in 32.1 seconds) by the leader as IM HARVEY SPECTER NZ also lacks any high speed  as it would have been detrimental to his overall chances to remain at the rearward position with the slow speed being set as the gelding would not be able to progress into the event when the speed of the event increased  inside the final 800m  therefore attempted to improve at speed in attempt to find the leaders napping or obtain the position outside the leader as GOODTIME JAZZI has previously taken a trail  in its races however when both drivers reacted to his improvement and IM HARVEY SPECTER NZ was unable to gain any advantage over both runners to his inside and it was apparent either position were not available. Mr Towers took immediate hold of IM HARVEY SPECTER NZ and did not place any undue pressure to the gelding or the leaders & was confident IM HARVEY SPECTER NZ would be able to sustain such a run on the smaller racing circuit as the second & third quarters were only recorded in 30 & 30.3 seconds. After viewing the available replays & the comments of Mr Towers Stewards felt the tactics adopted were not unreasonable in the circumstances and took the matter no further.

RACE 4– GOLDEN APPLE PACE – 2147 metres

BONDI LASS – Pre-race swab. Pulled hard during the score up. Pulled hard during the early & middle stages of the event.

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

ALWAYSATTHEBEACH – ($31.00) Driver Blake Micallef was queried into the overall performance of the mare which finished in 9^th and last position beaten 31.1m after racing four (4) back the marker line. Mr Micallef advised ALWAYSATTHEBEACH raced keenly during the early & middle stages of the event & stuck its knee more than usual compared to recent starts and the quicker middle half (60 seconds) over the longer distance were the main contributing factors to its overall performance.

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

ONTHADARKSIDE – Pre-race swab & Post-race swab.

RACE 5 – COPRICE PACE – 1758 metres

THE LURKER – Checked passing the 600m when WONGALEA MEG commenced to yield ground.

WONGALEA MEG – ($3.90) Pre-race swab. Driver Blake Jones was queried into the seemingly poor performance of the mare which finished in 7^th position beaten 87.1m. Mr Jones could offer no tangible explanation for the performance. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. WONGALEA MEG will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion.

ROLL PLAY – Pre-race swab.

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

THE BANKER NZ – Driver Michael Towers was fined the sum of $200 under AHR Rule 156(2)(a) for applying the whip to the gelding with more than a wrist flicking action and overt force inside the final 200m.

DEAD EYE TIKI – ($19.00) Driver Roger Strong was queried into the seemingly poor performance of the gelding which finished in 6^th position beaten 84.2m. Mr Strong could offer no tangible explanation for the performance. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. DEAD EYE TIKI will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion.

SECURITY CHECK – Driver Jack Stockton was issued a reprimand of his lack of control in allowing the gelding to shift outwards in the home straight. Back in mobile draw. Post-race swab.

RACE 6 – LEETON SOLDIERS CLUB PACE – 2147 metres

ARTFUL DOLLAR – Slow out.

TIZZA FU – Yielded ground from the 500m to finish in 7^th position beaten 50.1m.  TIZZA FU will now be placed on its last chance to race competitively.

THE KID BILLY – Pre-race swab. Inconvenienced passing the 700m when WONGALEA YANK broke gait.

STIPULATING – Broke gait clear of interference passing the 300m. STIPULATING will now be stood down from race until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion. In taking this action stewards were mindful STIPULATING was issued a warning three (3) starts prior for displaying similar racing manners.  

DRAXON – Post-race swab.

WONGALEA YANK – Broke gait clear of interference passing the 700m. WONGALEA YANK will now be stood down from race until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion. In taking this action stewards were mindful WONGALEA YANK was placed on its last chance to race truly at its most recent start for displaying similar racing manners.

SECRETS KEPT – Inconvenienced passing the 700m when WONGALEA YANK broke gait.

CHANCETOWIN – Inconvenienced passing the 700m when WONGALEA YANK broke gait.

HAITCH VEE TEE – Yielded ground passing the 600m to finish in 9^th position beaten 72.3m. HAITCH VEE TEE will now be stood down from race until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion.

RACE 7 – GREGG STAINES SADDLERY & CO. PACE – 1758 metres

ALISKI – Slow Out.

SPREAD THE FEAR – Post-race swab.

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

ELLAVA PACER – Pre-race swab.

RACE 8 – TAB VENUE MODE PACE – 1758 metres

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

ARKLOW – Pre-race swab. Tightened for racing room shortly after the start was effected when KARDESLER NZ hung inwards after the start. Post-race swab.

KARDESLER NZ – 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. Hung inwards after the start was effected tightening the racing room of ARKLOW despite the drivers’ efforts. A warning was issued against the barrier manners of KARDESLER NZ. Pulled hard during the early & middle stages of the event.

LIFE GETS BETTER – The nearside hopple shorteners cord became entangled in the hopples when being activated.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 5 – M Towers – 156(2)(a) – $200
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Race 5 – SECURITY CHECK – BMD
Trials/Stand Down	Race 2 – ALWAYSTHEWILDEST – SD1T, SDVC, SD7D Race 5 – WONGALEA MEG – SD1T Race 5 – DEAD EYE TIKI – SD1T Race 6 – STIPULATING – SD1T Race 6 – WONGALEA YANK – SD1T Race 6 – HAITCH VEE TEE – SD1T
Late Scratching	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil