Stewards Report

PENRITH 18/06/2026

 

 

Stewards	T Sharwood (Chairman), C Bentley, M Haddad (Cadet), D Edgerton (Cadet)
Starter	T Clarke
Veterinarian	Dr M Wainscott & Dr A Argyle
Swab Official	J Quon
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – MAJOR OAK THEATRE RESTAURANT PACE – 1720 metres

MERRYWOOD TONY – Stewards questioned driver V Duncan in relation to the tactics adopted, in particular his driving leaving the 1000 metres when leading the event and unable to hold the lead when CLASSIC ANGELINA improved three wide and worked forward to obtain the lead passing the 800 metres.  Mr Duncan explained that prior to the event trainer W Dimech had advised that if he was able to lead the event he was to try and obtain a  relatively easy first half.  Mr Duncan added that once able to lead he was able to reduce the tempo of the event and was satisfied with the tempo being a lead time of 7.9 seconds, first half of 61.8 seconds and noted that considering the tempo of the event, he was concerned that another runner may progress forward. Mr Duncan explained when CHEVRON FLIES NZ improved three wide and obtained the position outside of the leader passing the 1150 metres Mr Duncan stated from this point he did not believe any other runner would progress forward in the event and was surprised leaving the 950 metres when he noticed CLASSIC ANGELINA improving forward with speed and at this stage of the event he allowed the gelding some rein and applied the whip however MERRYWOOD TONY was unable to muster the required speed to prevent CLASSIC ANGELINA being able to progress forward of his drive.  Mr Duncan explained that from this point his gelding travelled well however he was disappointed for a run in the home straight when being held up.  Stewards advised Mr Duncan that he must be more aware when leading however in not taking action  against Mr Duncan’s licence, Stewards were mindful that MERRYWOOD TONY failed to quicken as quickly as he would have liked to prevent CLASSIC ANGELINA from progressing forward.  A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

CHEVRON FLIES NZ – Caught racing three wide in the early and middle stages until obtaining the position outside of the leader passing the 1150 metres.

CLASSIC ANGELINA – Pre-race blood sample.  Hung in during the score up on the first occasion and locked wheels with WHEREISHE resulting in a false start being declared for which a warning was issued.  Improved three wide from the 1000 metres until obtaining the lead passing the 800 metres.  Stewards questioned trainer/driver S Grima in relation to the seemingly improved performance of the mare.  Mr Grima explained that he was expecting a forward showing last start at Newcastle when the mare was disappointing first up in his stable however it had trained on well since this run on the 12 June 2026 and was not surprised by the performance.  Post-race swab sample.

LEXUS LOU – Checked leaving the 200 metres when avoiding the galloping KEAYANG SANTIAGO.  A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

OUR UNCLE JIM – A pre and post-race veterinary examination was conducted due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts.  No obvious abnormalities were detected on either examination.   Unable to secure clear running in the home straight on the final occasion and was not fully tested.

KEAYANG SANTIAGO – Raced three wide in the early stages with a trail and raced fiercely towards the back of CHEVRON FLIES NZ at the 1400 metres and became unbalanced and galloped.  The gelding then became unbalanced and galloped passing the 300 metres for which the gelding was stood down until it completes one requalifying trial. 

BOLERO – Trainers D and K McDowell were fined $50 under rule 210 for failing to declare L Green as the driver by the prescribed time.  Had its sulky contacted passing the 900 metres when LEXUS LOU improved off its back.  Considering the minimal contact at this point no direct action was taken.

 

RACE 2 – GUINNESS PACE – 1720 metres

SAN SEBASTIAN – Pre-race blood sample.  Caught racing three wide in the early stages until working forward to obtain the position outside of the leader passing the 1300 metres and improving forward to the lead passing the 900 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

PRINCE OF PEACE – Trainers D and K McDowell were fined $50 under rule 210 for failing to declare Z Fitzpatrick as the driver by the prescribed time.

FLO RYDA NZ – A pre and post-race veterinary examination was conducted due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts.  No obvious abnormalities were detected on either examination. 

 

RACE 3 – SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE – 2125 metres

LEWIE KELLY – Shifted out in the home straight whilst under pressure.

BLISSES BEST – Pre-race blood sample. 

GENERAL LINCOLN – A delay to the start of this event was required due to a late gear adjustment to the gelding.

EYEKNOW – Caught racing three wide in the early stages until being restrained to the tail of the field passing the 1850 metres.

OURTREACHEROUS REIGN NZ – Raced three wide in the early stages until working forward to obtain the position outside of the leader passing the1600 metres.

ADMIRABLE NZ – Obtained a run to the inside of LEWIE KELLY in the home straight on the final occasion.  Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 4 – BINGO @ CLUB PACEWAY EVERY WEDNESDAY PACE – 1720 metres

HEAVENLY REASON – Unable to secure clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

MISTER MANAGER – Pre-race blood sample. 

UNCLE TIGER – Caught racing three wide in the early stages until working forward to obtain the position outside of the leader passing the 1450 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

WINGMAN LOU – Raced three wide in the early stages until working forward to obtain the position outside of the leader passing the 1250 metres. 

ONE FOR THE RODI – Unable to secure clear running in the home straight on the final occasion.

IM BLINGIN IT – Improved three wide from the 900 metres to race without cover for the remainder of the event.

GENERAL – A delay to the all clear of this event was required when the driver of the third place getter NICK OF TIME NZ requested to review the photo finish of this event.  Following the event connections of NICK OF TIME NZ approached Stewards and stated they did not want to review the photo finish and as Stewards were satisfied there had been no error made in the determination of the placings, the all clear was given on the judge’s numbers of 5, 6, 2 and 7.

 

 

RACE 5 – DOWNLOAD THE TAB APP TODAY PACE – 2125 metres

PLAYA BLANCA – Failed to run on over the concluding stages to be beaten 37.4 metres and finished in eighth position.  A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

HES A MEISTER NZ – Pre-race blood sample.  Caught racing three wide in the early stages until working forward to obtain the position outside of the leader passing the 1800 metres 

PROMISING – Raced three wide in the early stages with a trail until working forward to obtain the position outside of the leader passing the 1600 metres.  Commenced to weaken from the 800 metres to be beaten 129.2 metres and finished in last position.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be suffering from atrial fibrillation and acting under rule 101(2)(a) the gelding was stood down for a period of 14 days, until a veterinary certificate of fitness including the results of an ECG are submitted and for one requalifying trial.

DRAW A DREAM – Raced three wide in the early and middle stages with a trail until obtaining the position outside of the leader passing the 1400 metres.

LAYDEN – Became unbalanced and galloped during the latter stages of the score up and was out of position at the start for which a warning was issued.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have blood in its near side nostril and acting under the provisions of rule 101B(2) the gelding was stood down until it completes one requalifying trial.

ROCKTAGONAL – A pre and post-race veterinary examination was conducted due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts.  No obvious abnormalities were detected on either examination.

ALTA SIERRA – Improved three wide from the 1550 metres until obtaining the position outside of the leader passing the 1350 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

MR TEDDY NZ – Improved three wide from the 1600 metres and raced for the remainder of the event without cover.  Stewards questioned driver J Conolly in relation to the tactics adopted in the event and the overall performance of the gelding.  Mr Conolly explained that due to the early tempo in the event he elected to improve leaving the 1600 metres and as a result obtained a trail from ALTA SIERRA throughout the middle stages of the event.  Mr Conolly stated that whilst racing in a three wide position and after ALTA SIERRA had obtained the position outside of the leader approaching the 1300 metres ALTA SIERRA was racing some distance off the leader and as a result of Mr Rixon having turned his stick back he felt the position outside of the leader was going to be available so continued to press forward.  It became apparent passing the 900 metres the position outside of the leader was not going to be available and attempted to obtain a position in the running line however was beaten to the position by LAYDEN.  Mr Conolly further stated that from the 900 metres he allowed the gelding to travel on its own terms and was satisfied with the performance considering the run afforded.  A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

 

RACE 6 – HRNSW GUARANTEED LADYSHIP PACE – 1720 metres

CHOGI NZ – Pre-race blood sample.  Stewards questioned trainer/driver G Panella in relation to the performance of the mare after leading the event and obtaining a relatively easy lead when recording the lead time in 7.4 seconds and the first quarter in 29.7 seconds and the second quarter in 28.8 seconds however failed to run on over the concluding stages to be beaten 25.1 metres.  Ms Panella stated that the mare was only having its second race start for her stable and considering the good draw of barrier one she elected to try and use the draw to her advantage and hold and maintain the lead.  Ms Panella stated that she was disappointed in the overall performance of the mare considering the early tempo and could add no further explanation into the mare’s disappointing performance. 

CHARLIES ACE NZ – A pre and post-race veterinary examination was conducted due to the mare having competed in excess of 200 race starts.  No obvious abnormalities were detected on either examination. 

BEV THE GOAT NZ – Obtained a run to the inside of CHOGI NZ in the home straight on the final occasion.  Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 7 – FISHO’S RAFFLES @ CLUB PACEWAY EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT PACE – 1720 metres

GOODTIME BRAVO – Caught racing three wide in the early stages until working forward to obtain the position outside of the leader passing the 1400 metres.  Hampered passing the 100 metres when PHAR LUME NZ was shifted up the track to its inside causing that runner to be steadied.

OKAY GRINGO – Post-race swab sample.

RUMOUR STRIDE – Caught racing three wide in the early stages until being restrained to the tail of the field passing the 1350 metres.

PHAR LUME NZ – Driver G Panella was issued a reprimand under rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference in that in the home straight on the final occasion she has permitted PHAR LUME NZ to shift up the track when not sufficiently clear of GOODTIME BRAVO resulting in that runner being hampered for a short distance.  In not taking more severe action Stewards were mindful that at that stage MICKEYS RUN which was racing forward of it was carried wider as a result of the shift from TIL HEAVENS ROCKN NZ which hampered the movement of Ms Panella.  Driver G Panella was fined $200 under rule 156(2)(a) in that in the home straight on the final occasion she has applied her whip on a number of occasions in more than a wrist only flicking motion.

MICKEYS RUN – Pre-race blood sample.  Improved three wide from the 1250 metres until obtaining the position outside of the leader passing the 1150 metres.

GREY CADILLAC – A pre and post-race veterinary examination was conducted due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts.  No obvious abnormalities were detected on either examination.  Improved three wide from the 1200 metres and raced without cover for the remainder of the event.

 

RACE 8 – MARKETS @ PENRITH SHOWGROUND EVERY THURSDAY PACE – 1720 metres

IMA SHINKANSEN – Worked forward to obtain the lead passing the 1400 metres. 

CARIBBEAN RUNA – Caught racing three wide in the early stages until working forward until obtaining the lead passing the 1350 metres.

RAINBOWSEND – Caught racing three wide in the early stages until working forward to obtain the lead passing the 1250 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

DILETTO – Pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 9 – SOUNDPROOFED THE 80’S @ CLUB PACEWAY JULY 11 PACE – 1720 metres

PET RANGER – Post-race swab sample.

GO TESS GO – Unable to secure clear running in the home straight on the final occasion and was not fully tested.

LETMEBECLEAR – Driver J Meikle was fined $200 under rule 156(2)(a) in that in the home straight on the final occasion he has applied his whip on a number of occasions in more than a wrist only flicking motion. 

HESHARLEY – Pre-race blood sample.  Unable to secure clear running in the home straight on the final occasion and was not fully tested.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 7 – G Panella – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – PHAR LUME NZ
Fines	Race 1 – D & K McDowell – Rule 210 – $50 – BOLERO Race 2 – D & K McDowell – Rule 210 - $50 – PRINCE OF PEACE Race 7 – G Panella – Rule 156(2)(a) - $200 – PHAR LUME NZ Race 9 – J Meikle – Rule 156(2)(a) - $200 – LETMEBECLEAR
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Nil
Trials/Stand Down	Race 1 – KEAYANG SANTIAGO – 1 trial Race 5 – PROMISING – 14 days, 1 trial & vet certificate incl ECG Race 5 – LAYDEN – 1 trial
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil