Stewards Report

TAMWORTH 7/05/2026

 

 

Stewards	S Cullen (Chairman), D Westwood
Starter	A Yates
Veterinarian	Dr T Hill
Swab Official	A Freeman
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

General:

Trainer / Driver Mr R Williams was found guilty of a charge under AR231 (1)(c), in relation to a Facebook Messenger transmission he sent to licenced driver Ms C Sutherland, following the running of Race 1 at Tamworth 26/3/26, which contained profanity and intimidatory content. Mr Williams was fined $500, however was informed that half that penalty would be suspended for a 12-month period, should he not reoffend under any section of AR231 during that time.

 

RACE 1 – THE TAB APP PACE – 1609 metres

THREE PARTS GREY – Pre-race blood sample. Raced roughly for a short distance after the start. Had to be checked for some distance and lost ground inside the 600 metres when racing behind ROCK AROUND, when that runner weakened.

HEY DUDE – Unable to obtain clear running inside the 100 metres and ran to the finish under restraint.

BARRYS BROTHER – Hampered momentarily inside the 200 metres when racing to the inside of HEY DUDE which shifted in marginally.

JEREMY LOU – post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 2 – HAZELLS TAMWORTH – DANNY MACKNEY PACING FOR PINK PACE – 1980 metres

MERRYWOOD LOU – pre-race blood sample. Pulled hard during the early and middle stages.

VALORIX – Became unbalanced near the 750 metres and raced roughly for a short distance.

SUPERIOR ART – Hung out throughout and was difficult to drive. Connections were advised the provision of last chance to race truly would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

TRY CATCHING ME – Raced roughly for a short distance passing the 750 metres, then again near the 300 metres.

 

RACE 3 – GRANDMAS GIRLS – CLARE MACKNEY PACING FOR PINK PACE – 1609 metres

ROCKNROLL RAMBO – Crowded and had to be checked and raced roughly near the 600 metres after sustaining contact from UNIT FORTY ONE.

YELLA – pre-race blood sample.

UNIT FORTY ONE – Driver Mr R Williams was found guilty of a charge under Rule 149(2), stating that his drive was unacceptable when, after entering the back straight on the first occasion, he drove with excessive force and applied unsustainable pressure to his drive, failing to give proper consideration to his circumstances, until near the 500m, whereby as a result of his actions UNIT FORTY ONE commenced to weaken, hung in and made contact with ROCKNROLL RAMBO, resulting in UNIT FORTY ONE sustaining a flat tyre, which in the opinion of the stewards was inconsequential relative to his obligation to provide UNIT FORTY ONE the best possible run in transit and allowing it to obtain its best possible finishing position. Mr Williams license to drive in races was suspended for 6 weeks to commence at midnight 7/5/26 and expire on 19/6/26, on which day he may drive. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding displayed a slow recovery.

REIGN MAKER – Passed required pre- and post-race veterinary examinations. Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 4 – KOOTINGAL HOTEL – SARAH RUSHBROOK PACING FOR PINK PACE – 1609 metres

THE IRISH EAGLE – Post-race swab sample.

BRAVE BONDI – Broke stride and galloped shortly after the start. Connections were advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record. Had to be checked shortly after entering the back straight on the first occasion when crowded by THE IRISH EAGLE which shifted in abruptly when not quite clear. Subsequently, C McElhinney, driver of THE IRSIH EAGLE was reprimanded under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii).

IM BELIEBER – pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 5 – LOUNGES PLUS HRNSW GUARANTEED LADYSHIP PACE – 1609 metres

SAINT KARAMARA – Pulled hard during the early and middle stages. Post-race swab sample.

ADRENALINE RUSH – Passed required pre- and post-race veterinary examinations.

TONYS DREAM – Pre-race blood sample. Broke stride free of any external factors passing the 1100 metres. Broke stride and galloped shortly after the start. Connections were advised that the filly will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Broke stride free of any external factors passing the 1200m, galloped for some distance and blundered. Connections were advised the filly is now subject to a stand down period of 14 days and prior to racing again must compete tractably in two official qualifying trials.

 

RACE 6 – DAISY WATER CARRIER – SARAH RUSHBROOK PACING FOR PINK PACE – 1609 metres

IM LORD TOMMY – Post-race swab sample.

DOUGS RULES – Sustained a flat tyre near the 500 metres after being contacted by RACING PAULA. Subsequently, C McElhinney the driver of RACING PAULA pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 168(1)(a), in that when shifting to the outside of DOUGS RULES to improve her position she failed to allow sufficient clearance to prevent contacting the offside wheel of the sulky of DOUGS RULES. Miss McElhinney was fined $200. Had to be checked near the 300 metres when crowded by GROSESTAR which shifted out when not quite clear. Subsequently T Ison the driver of GROSESTAR was reprimanded under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii).

ANTETOKOUNMPO – When questioned in relation to the tactics and overall performance, Driver B Elder explained, that he had intended to obtain cover in a forward position after the start, however due to the unexpected fast tempo in the early stages from runners to his inside he was unable to achieve this and was trapped wide rounding the turn after the start. He said that when he noticed DOUGS RULES being restrained at the head of the running line he elected to drive forward entering the back straight and obtained the position outside the lead without cover. He said that the gelding travelled well in this position and approaching the winning post on the bell lap he observed IM LORD TOMMY being unresponsive whilst being urged along by its driver and he felt that his drive was travelling strongly enough to cross and lead, however although it responded to his urgings it failed to muster sufficient speed to cross and was left exposed. When questioned further in relation to his driving inside the 150m, he stated that because of his knowledge of his drive he applied similar vigour as in its recent winning performances, as in his opinion the gelding resents being struck with the whip. Further, he added that he was unable to apply any pressure over the concluding stages, due to being position behind two runners that had locked wheels.

GROSESTAR – Passed required pre- and post-race veterinary examination. Pre-race blood sample.

THE TAX CULLECTOR – Locked wheels for a short distance with RACING PAULA over the concluding stages.

 

RACE 7 – TOM ISON – TAMWORTH RADIO CABS PACING FOR PINK PACE – 1980 metres

AWHOLELOTOFPRETTY – Pulled hard during the middle stages. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

HES MY REASON – Pre-race blood sample.

HE SAID SHE SAID - Passed required pre- and post-race veterinary examination.

TAFL MOVE – Pulled hard during the early and middle stages.

FAR OUT RINGO – Driver G Panella was fined $50 under Rule 162(1)(h) for failing to drive the gelding into position at the start. Post-race swab sample.

LAURIE DEE – Unable to obtain clear running at any stage inside the 200 metres and went to the finish without being tested.

CUT GLASS NZ – Fractious in the early stages of the score up and raced roughly.

 

RACE 8 – CAITLIN MCELHINNEY – SCHUMMAN TRANSPORT PACING FOR PINK PACE – 1609 metres

MAYWYNS MIGHTY MAC – When questioned in relation to the tactics adopted in particular in the early stages, Driver B Elder explained he had intended to obtain a forward position if possible, however the runners drawn to his inside displayed too much early speed and he was unable to cross. He said that in the early stages he was unable to obtain cover in the running line and elected to shift to steady to the rear of the field. He said during the middle stages the gelding travelled well and approaching the 400 metres he shifted it wider on the track, placed it under pressure, and gained a strong response and thereafter MAYWYNS MIGHTY MAC ran to the finish strongly.

CORAL CAYS – Raced in restricted room for some distance approaching and rounding the home turn and could not be driven forward.

JACKS FYRE – When questioned in relation to the tactics adopted after the start, Trainer/Driver D Chapple explained it had been his intention from the wide starting position to restrain and attempt to find cover. He said when the barrier was released JACKS FYRE took charge and was unable to be restrained resulting in it establishing the lead despite his continued efforts to restrain. He said after this the gelding travelled fiercely and because of this weakened inside the 500 metres. He said it was now his intention to experiment with gear to rectify the gelding’s tractability.

MY ROCK MOVES – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 9 – MARK LOWE – 2025 MARGIE FORD VOLUNTEER AWARD PACE – 1980 metres

FAZE OF GLORY NZ – Post-race swab sample.

ILLAWONG DANNY – Pulled hard during the middle stages.

LAST TIME JOE – Became unbalanced rounding the home turn when being shifted wider to go forward and raced roughly for a short distance.

ASHLEYS BLUE CHIP – Hampered momentarily, became unbalanced, and raced roughly rounding the turn after the start when racing to the inside of CAPTAIN GROOVE which shifted in marginally.

DIDSHEDOIT – pre-race blood sample.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 4 – Caitlin McElhinney – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – THE IRISH EAGLE Race 6 – Tom Ison – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – GROSESTAR
Fines	GENERAL – Richard Williams – Rule 231 (1) (c) $500 ($250 suspended for 12 months) Race 6 – Caitlin McElhinney – Rule 168(1)(a) - $200 – RACING PAULA Race 7 – Grace Panella – Rule 162(1)(h) - $50 – FAR OUT RINGO
Suspensions	Race 3 – Richard Williams – Rule 149(2) – UNIT FORTY ONE – 42 days to commence
Barrier Information	Race 5 – TONYS DREAM – CODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 5 – TONYS DREAM – 2 trials and 14 days
Late Scratchings
Adjourned Inquiries
Medical Clearance
Follow up’s