Stewards Report

NEWCASTLE 10/07/2026

 

 

Stewards	D Westwood (Chairman), S Cullen, D Edgerton (Cadet)
Starter	D Beevers
Veterinarian	Dr E Lawson, Dr J Gallagher
Swab Official	H Waterlander
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – AVE TECHNOLOGIES PACE – 2030 metres

QUICKSHIFT GIRL – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the run to the finish.

PURE GRUNT – Pre-race blood sample. When questioned regarding the performance, Drover D Murphy explained to Stewards that although sectionals in the early part of the race were quite solid, he was disappointed in its efforts over the concluding stages. He further added that when he asked for an effort leaving the back straight and rounding the final turn failed to respond.

COTE DAZUR NZ – Post-race swab sample.

VAN BASTEN – Had a tendency to over race in the early and middle stages of the event and had a tendency to race roughly. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the run to the finish.

 

RACE 2 – TOOHEYS PACE – 1609 metres

MAJOR AUSTIN – Driver J Gallagher was fined $50 under Rule 162(1)(i) for failing to be in position prior to the designated marker prior to the start being effected.

JILLIBY AMIGO – Had a tendency to race roughly at various stages of the event.

BOULEVARDOFDREAMS – Pre-race blood sample. Had a tendency to hang out whilst under pressure over the concluding stages. A warning was issued. Post-race swab sample.

LOCHINVAR TIGER – Examined post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported.

POPS JOY - Examined post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported.

 

RACE 3 – SKYFALL STANDARDBREDS PACE – 2030 metres

IRE OF THE DRAGON – Checked as the field left the back straight on the final occasion.

TISBURY ROCKS NZ – Tightened leaving the back straight and broke stride. At a subsequent inquiry, Stewards determined that racing out the back straight on the final occasion, TISBURY ROCKS NZ which was under pressure lost ground on the leader LEWIE KELLY which provided an opportunity for CLASSIC ANGELINA (S Grima) to close down towards the marker pegs prior to leaving the back straight the tempo in the event eased and at that point TISBURY ROCKS NZ raced through underneath CLASSIC ANGELINA and as a result broke stride. As Stewards could not lay blame on any driver of horse for the incident, drivers were advised to take greater care in similar circumstances. Sustained contact to the offside wheel resulting in a puncture rounding the final turn.

LEWIE KELLY – Post-race swab sample.

SWEET ROCKY – Pre-race blood sample. Had a tendency to over race in the early and middle stages of the event. Checked as the field negotiated the final turn. 

 

RACE 4 – SLICK CHICKS PACE – 1609 metres

WAR WESTERN – At the first attempt at the score up galloped for some distance before Driver B Elder raised his hand indicating an issue. Was later confirmed the rein had become entangled with the spoon of the bit on the near side hindering its chances of being controlled at that stage. Checked and broke stride as the field negotiated the final turn.

NOTHINGBUTWAVES – Broke stride shortly after the start was effected. A warning was issued.

CHEVRON FLIES NZ – Pre-race blood sample.

YESNOMAYBESO - Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported. Driver D Murphy pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) in that when negotiating the final turn, permitted his runner to shift wider without the required clearance over WAR WESTERN resulting in that runner being checked when racing to the inside of CHEVRON FLIES NZ and as a result broke stride. Driver D Murphy’s licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of 10 days. When considering penalty, Stewards took into account hid plea of guilt and driving record in relation to interference.

MISTER CHEESE – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 5 – JOHN HUNTER CHILDRENS HOSPITAL KIDS CLUB PACE – 1609 metres

HUXTON NZ – Had a tendency to over race in the early and middle stages of the event. A post-race veterinary examination could not reveal any abnormalities.

ITZMINEONTHELINE – Pre-race blood sample.

SOUTH SEAS ROCK NZ – Post-race swab sample.

METALLICA MAN – Gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten some distance.

RADIANT AMBER – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported.

 

RACE 6 – GARRARDS HORSE AND HOUND 3YO PACE – 1609 metres

HUNGRY JOE – Hampered as the field negotiated the final field when trailing weakening runners.

MICKEYS RUN – Had a tendency to over race in the early and middle stages of the event.

SUNLIGHT STRIDE – Gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten some distance.

MODERN MISCHIEF – Held up for clear running over the concluding stages and not fully tested.

HEZA CASANOVA – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian with no abnormalities reported.

ROCK WITH THE BEST – Pre-race blood sample. Had a tendency to hang out throughout the event and most severe whilst under pressure over the concluding stages. A warning was issued. Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 7 – HUNTER SIGNS PACE – 2030 metres

UPSTREAM – Pre-race blood sample.

PENURIOUS – Had a tendency to hang in racing down the back straight on the final occasion. Was checked and broke stride for a short distance prior to entering the home straight on the final occasion.

TIGERLICIOUS – Broke stride in the early stages of the score up. A warning was issued.

MEDIA MOGUL – Hung out slightly as the start was effected and hampered the running of ULTIMATE TROUBLE. Prior to entering the home straight for the run to the finish hung out and checked the running of PENURIOUS which shifted wider and hampered the running of TIGERLICIOUS. As a result, PENURIOUS broke stride for a short distance. A warning was issued.

ULTIMATE TROUBLE – Hampered shortly after the start was effected.

FOUR FEATHERS – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 8 – SHARP OFFICE PACE – 1609 metres

ROCKNROLL ROCKET – Had a tendency to shift ground up the track whilst under pressure over the concluding stages and restricted the racing room of ROCKSIE ROCK as the field crossed the finish line and in turn DOUBLE SAID had a tendency to shift in at that stage. Post-race swab sample.

WUNDERLAND – Driver T Ferrier pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 168(1)(b) for reckless driving in that after being caught 3 wide in the early stages of the event, was restraining in an attempt to find a position in the running line and closed down the track and placed significant pressure on PAYTONS ROCK NZ (D Murphy) when in the opinion of the Stewards, that runner had established a position in the running line. With this significant pressure, Driver T Ferrier also raised his left elbow and made contact with PAYTONS ROCK NZ whilst continuing to apply significant pressure which ultimately obliged PAYTONS ROCK NZ to be checked and break stride. Driver T Ferrier’s licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of eight weeks to commence immediately. When considering penalty, Stewards took into account the HRNSW penalty guidelines, Driver T Ferrier’s plea of guilt and relative inexperience with race driving coupled with the frequency in which he competes.

PAYTONS ROCK – Checked and broke stride prior to the field entering the home straight on the first occasion.

ROCKSIE ROCK – Tightened for racing room prior to reaching the finish line.

STEALTH BOMBA NZ – Pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 9 – THE TAB APP PACE – 1609 metres

CEEJAY HAITCH – Pre-race blood sample.

A LITTLE DILEMMA – Post-race swab sample.

GOODTIME MIKI – Had a tendency to over race in the early and middle stages of the event.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 2 – Joshua Gallagher – Rule 162(1)(i) - $50 – MAJOR AUSTIN Race 2 – Grant Ellul – Rule 210 - $50 – LOCHINVAR TIGER
Suspensions	Race 4 – Declan Murphy – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – YESNOMAYBESO – 10 days Race 8 – Tim Ferrier – Rule 168(1)(b) – WUNDERLAND – eight weeks to commence midnight 10 July 2026
Barrier Information	Nil
Trials/Stand Down	Nil
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil