Stewards Report

TABCORP PK MENANGLE 14/05/2026

 

 

Stewards	B Day (Chairman), N Moy & M Haddad
Starter	T Clarke
Veterinarian	Dr M Wainscott & D W Howden
Swab Official	L Flynn
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – MAJOR OAK THEATRE RESTAURANT PACE – 2300 metres

GREY CADILLAC – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having started in more than 200 races and being 12 years of age.  These examinations did not reveal any significant findings.

ULTIMATE EMPIRE – Post-race swab sample.

PAPA JOE – Pre-race blood sample.  Driver Jai Meikle explained PAPA JOE sustained a flat tyre approaching the 2000 metres which told on PAPA JOE over the concluding stages.  A post-race veterinary examination of PAPA JOE failed to reveal any significant findings.  Driver Jai Meikle was reprimanded under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) in that approaching the first turn he permitted PAPA JOE to shift in resulting in GIMME A REASON, which was over racing, being tightened momentarily and contacting the inside sulky wheel of PAPA JOE as a consequence.  In not taking more severe action against Mr Meikle, Stewards were mindful the racing manners of GIMME A REASON had contributed slightly.

GIMME A REASON – Tightened approaching the first turn.  Over raced during the middle stages. Trod on and subsequently cast its right fore shoe approaching the 800 metres resulting in GIMME A REASON breaking gait and blundering.  A post-race veterinary examination of GIMME A REASON failed to reveal any significant findings.

PETES BIG JIM – Driver Cameron Hart was questioned regarding the performance of the gelding which finished in 8^th placing beaten 31 metres ($6.00).  Mr Hart explained that PETES BIG JIM previously has performed best when positioned further forward in the field and over the shorter distances.  A post-race veterinary examination of PETES BIG JIM failed to reveal any significant findings.

 

RACE 2 – BINGO @ CLUB PACEWAY EVERY WEDNESDAY 3YO NSW BRED PACE – 1609 metres

SO CAN EYE – Held up during the early part of the straight.

THREETWONINE – Broke shortly after the start.  A warning was issued.

CLASSIC CHIP – Driver Chris Geary was fined $50 under Rule 162(1)(h) for failing to be in position at the start.

WHERES MY REASON – Pre-race blood sample.  Post-race swab sample.

CAPTAINS DELIGHT – Checked shortly after the start when THREETWONINE broke gait.

CHEVAL TIGER – Checked shortly after the start when THREETWONINE broke gait.

 

RACE 3 – MARKETS @ PENRITH SHOWGROUND EVERY THURSDAY PACE – 1609 metres

The start of this event was delayed due to a gear adjustment being required on BOULEVARDOFDREAMS.

BOULEVARDOFDREAMS – Driver Vaughan Duncan was questioned regarding the tactics adopted on the mare in particular his decision to maintain the lead when challenged by WINGMAN LOU on a second occasion passing the 1400 metres.  Mr Duncan explained that he was instructed to lead if possible as connections were confident of a forward showing as BOULEVARDOFDREAMS was dropping significantly in class in tonight’s event.  Mr Duncan added that approaching the 1400 metres he felt he had resisted the initial challenge of WINGMAN LOU and secured the lead. Mr Duncan added when pressured on the second occasion he elected to maintain the lead mindful of the instructions issued and that BOULEVARDOFDREAMS up until that point had secured the lead without him having to drive BOULEVARDOFDREAMS with any significant vigour.  Mr Duncan added thereafter he attempted to provide BOULEVARDOFDREAMS with some respite during the middle stages mindful of the use he had made of BOULEVARDOFDREAMS, however approaching the 600 metres he was further pressured by WINGMAN LOU when that runner commenced to over race to his outside.  Mr Duncan finally added that he was content with the performance of BOULEVARDOFDREAMS as the mare only commenced to give ground inside the final 150 metres which he felt was commendable considering BOULEVARDOFDREAMS had not raced for approximately one month and would derive benefit from the start.  A post-race veterinary examination of BOULEVARDOFDREAMS failed to reveal any significant findings.  Upon consideration of the tactics adopted and mindful of the significant drop in class of BOULEVARDOFDREAMS Stewards were satisfied the tactics adopted in the circumstances were not unreasonable and recorded Mr Duncan’s comments.

CHARLIES ACE NZ – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the mare having started in more than 200 races.  These examinations did not reveal any significant findings.

ULTIMATE WEAPON NZ – Pre-race blood sample. 

WINGMAN LOU – Driver Will Rixon was questioned regarding the tactics adopted on the gelding in particular his decision to challenge BOULEVARDOFDREAMS for the lead on a second occasion shortly after passing the 1400 metres.  Mr Rixon explained he allowed WINGMAN LOU to progress forward at the start as due to multiple scratching’s to his inside which resulted in WINGMAN LOU starting from a favourable barrier.  Mr Rixon added that although unsuccessful in his initial attempt to obtain the lead he had gained an advantage on BOULEVARDOFDREAMS and when he noticed its driver commence to steady at the 1400 metres he allowed WINGMAN LOU to progress forward and issue a second challenge for a as he already had an advantage on that runner.  Mr Rixon added that this challenge was only brief and when unsuccessful he then steadied WINGMAN LOU to afford the gelding some respite, however WINGMAN LOU commenced to over race shortly after passing the 800 metres and as a consequence the tempo of the event quickened which was not his intention.  A post-race veterinary examination of WINGMAN LOU failed to reveal any significant findings.  Upon consideration of all the circumstances Stewards were satisfied the tactics adopted by Mr Rixon were not entirely unreasonable in the circumstances and recorded his explanation.

DOWN WARD DOG – Held up inside the final 200 metres and as a result was not fully tested.

STARTIN TO GOGH – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 4 – STARDUST CIRCUS @ PENRITH SHOWGROUND PACE – 2300 metres

HAPPY TOO YA – Driver Seaton Grima was fined $50 under Rule 162(1)(i) for failing to have the gelding in position at the candy pole.  Post-race swab sample.

FLO RYDA NZ – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having started in more than 200 races.  These examinations did not reveal any significant findings.  

CAPTAIN RITCHIE – Pre-race blood sample.

REFUSAL – Driver Will Rixon was questioned regarding the performance of the mare which finished in 8^th placing beaten 15 metres ($5.00).  Mr Rixon explained in his opinion REFUSAL was disappointing with its failure to run on over the concluding stages given the relatively good run REFUSAL was afforded during the event.  Mr Rixon added that REFUSAL was first up since 7 March 2026 and in his view would derive benefit from the event.  A post-race veterinary examination of REFUSAL failed to reveal any significant findings.

ONE FOR THE RODI – Held up during the early part of the straight.

 

RACE 5 – FISHO’S RAFFLES @ CLUB PACEWAY EVERY FRIDAY PACE – 1609 metres

I BET YOU – Hung in under pressure inside the final 200 metres

MICK DANGER – Pre-race blood sample.

CASSIUS DECK – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 6 – GO GIRLFRIEND HEAT – 1609 metres

ELLY LOU – Hung in at various stages in particular under pressure inside the final 300 metres and the mare contacted marker pegs as a consequence.  A post-race veterinary examination of ELLY LOU failed to reveal any significant findings.  Given the mare’s racing manners and overall performance, a warning was issued.

HEAVENLY REASON – Pre-race blood sample. 

BETTINE – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 7 – SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE – 1609 metres

BEV THE GOAT NZ – Pre-race blood sample.  Driver Robert Morris was questioned regarding the performance of the mare which finished in 10^th and last placing beaten 28 metres ($3.90).  Mr Morris explained that in his view BEV THE GOAT NZ was disappointing with its failure to run on over the concluding stages and added whilst he had made some use of BEV THE GOAT NZ to secure the lead he did expect the mare to be more competitive over the concluding stages.  Mr Morris further explained that connections advised post-race that they may now seek to drive BEV THE GOAT NZ with cover in future race starts.  A post-race veterinary examination of BEV THE GOAT NZ failed to reveal any significant findings.

DAVOLAS LEGACY NZ – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 8 – DOWNLOAD THE TAB APP TODAY PACE – 1609 metres

LOUS PROMISE – Driver Lucas Bucca was fined $200 under Rule 156(2)(a) for using the whip with more than a wrist only flicking motion.

KELLYS COLOURS – Pre-race blood sample.

JOHNNY TANG – Post-race swab sample.

CALL ME GRINGO – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations as the horse had not started in the preceding 12 months.  These examinations did not reveal any significant findings.  Tired over the concluding stages to be beaten in excess of 80 metres.  Trainer Anthony Bucca was advised that CALL ME GRINGO will be required to trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 1 – J Meikle – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – PAPA JOE
Fines	Race 2 – C Geary – Rule 162(1)(h) - $50 – CLASSIC CHIP Race 4 – S Grima – Rule 162(1)(i) - $50 – HAPPY TOO YA Race 8 – L Bucca – Rule 156(2)(a) - $200 – LOUS PROMISE
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Nil
Trials/Stand Down	Race 8 – CALL ME GRINGO – 1 trial
Late Scratchings	Race 1 – WHEREISHE @ 9.30am – Order of Stewards Race 3 – CAPTAIN BLOOD @ 9.30am – Order of Stewards
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil