Stewards Report

DUBBO 7/08/2026

 

 

Stewards	M Haddad (Chairman), B Day, M Jasprizza
Starter	P Bandy
Veterinarian	Dr A Blackwood
Swab Official	A Hall
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

RACE 1 – VALE BRUCE MCKINNON – 2120 metres

TERRYRAMA –Underwent pre- and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding’s age, with no significant abnormalities detected. Inconvenienced approaching the 800 metres when JESSEJAMES SHANNON commenced to give ground. Held up rounding the turn and in the early stages of the home straight.

JESSEJAMES SHANNON – Commenced to give ground approaching the 800 metres, resulting in TERRYRAMA and KADAR, which were trailing, being inconvenienced. The gelding continued to give ground over the concluding stages to be beaten by a margin of 26 metres.

TULHURST ELVIS – Post-race sample obtained.

HELLO I TEA – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Stewards questioned Driver Paula Sapio regarding the overall performance of the gelding, which finished in ninth position beaten by a margin of 31 metres. Ms Sapio explained the gelding did not travel throughout and proved disappointing over the concluding stages.

KADAR – Inconvenienced approaching the 800 metres when JESSEJAMES SHANNON commenced to give ground. Held up rounding the turn and in the early stages of the home straight.

 

RACE 2 – ZOO FM LADYSHIP PACE – 2120 metres

KRISTA BELLITA – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

REDUCE SPEED – Over-raced throughout the middle stages of the event before tiring over the concluding stages to be beaten by a margin of 64 metres. Driver Jason Turnbull was advised that the mare would be required to complete one satisfactory trial prior to racing again.

SURFIN AT MIDNIGHT – Held up rounding the turn and in the early stages of the home straight.

LOLLIPOP – Raced three wide during the early stages before working forward to obtain the lead. Post-race sample obtained.

LADY DELORIS – Held up rounding the turn and in the early stages of the home straight. Stewards opened an inquiry into the driving tactics adopted by Mr Owen Shea during the early stages of the event and inside the final 400 metres. The inquiry was adjourned so as to enable Stewards the opportunity to review the available evidence and make further enquiries if necessary. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

 

RACE 3 – VALE JOHN WHITE – 1720 metres

FANCY LIKE BARBIE – Raced roughly after the start and a warning was issued. Approaching the 1300 metres, was checked and broke stride as a result of SCARLET BLING breaking stride.

MOHAWK PARK – Post-race sample obtained.

ROCK QUEEN – Caught wide during the early stages before being restrained to the rear of the field. Held up rounding the turn and throughout the majority of the home straight and, as a result, was not fully tested.

SCARLET BLING – Approaching the 1300 metres, the mare broke stride, which resulted in FANCY LIKE BARBIE being checked and breaking stride and CELEBRITY CRUISE being checked. A warning was issued.

CELEBRITY CRUISE – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Checked approaching the 1300 metres as a result of SCARLET BLING breaking stride.

BROOKLYN BANDIT – Inconvenienced after the start as a result of FANCY LIKE BARBIE racing roughly. Held up rounding the turn and in the early stages of the home straight.

 

RACE 4 – SOHO LANIKAI @ MEDOWIE LODGE PACE – 1720 metres

ONEDARKNIGHT NZ – Checked and locked wheels with PAPA JOE approaching the 400 metres as a consequence of WINDFIELD BLUE being tightened and shifting out.

SING WITH ONE VOICE – Checked approaching the 400 metres as a consequence of the interference involving WINDFIELD BLUE, ONEDARKNIGHT NZ and PAPA JOE.

WINDFIELD BLUE – Tightened and shifted out approaching the 400 metres when SMOOTH EURO shifted out when not clear, resulting in ONEDARKNIGHT NZ and PAPA JOE locking wheels and being checked.

SMOOTH EURO – Pre-race blood sample. Driver Tom Pay pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) in that approaching the 400 metres he permitted SMOOTH EURO to shift out when not clear of WINDFIELD BLUE, resulting in that runner being tightened and shifting out, which resulted in ONEDARKNIGHT NZ and PAPA JOE locking wheels and being checked. SING WITH ONE VOICE and WOKKA ROCK, which were following, were also checked. Stewards accordingly imposed a seven-day suspension of Mr Pay’s licence to drive in races, which was commenced at midnight on 7 August 2026.

WOKKA ROCK – Checked approaching the 400 metres as a consequence of the interference involving WINDFIELD BLUE, ONEDARKNIGHT NZ and PAPA JOE.

IM HERE TO PARTY – Post-race sample obtained.

PAPA JOE – Checked and locked wheels with ONEDARKNIGHT NZ approaching the 400 metres as a consequence of WINDFIELD BLUE being tightened and shifting out.

 

RACE 5 – TURELLO STUD PACE – 2120 metres

KARINYA HAZ – Raced wide throughout the event before tiring over the concluding stages to be beaten by a margin of 51 metres. Stewards questioned Driver Ella Turnbull regarding the tactics adopted on the gelding, in particular the reasons for KARINYA HAZ being three wide without cover throughput the event. Ms Turnbull explained that during the early stages she anticipated obtaining a position in the running line however, that position was obtained by THE POSTMASTER, resulting in KARINYA HAZ being caught wide. Ms Turnbull further explained that when it became apparent the position outside the leader was unavailable, she desisted from pressuring the leading the runners and considered restraining towards the rear of the field but elected not to do so due to the relative short distance left in the event. Stewards noted her comments. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

A LIL BIT OF LOVE – Raced in a four-wide position during the early stages before working forward to obtain the position outside the leader. Stewards questioned Driver Chloe Formosa regarding the tactics adopted on the mare, in particular the reasons for A LIL BIT OF LOVE racing on equal terms with the leader during the middle stages after improving four wide to obtain the position outside the leader. Ms Formosa explained that she was instructed to obtain a forward position if possible as A LIL BIT OF LOVE performed well at Parkes at its most recent start in a fast mile rate when driven similarly. Ms Formosa added she progressed forward when KARINYA HAZ improved three wide approaching the 1400 metres as she felt the leader may surrender, however this did not occur. Ms Formosa further explained that she pressured the leader as she A LIL BIT OF LOVE is one-paced and requires an even speed throughout. Stewards noted Ms Formosa’s explanation, however advised her that whilst it was accepted A LIL BIT OF LOVE performed well when driving similarly previously she must also factor in the circumstances of this race which included the greater use she made of the A LIL BIT OF LOVE to obtain the position outside the leader and the rise in distance and class. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

WATCH ME RAIDER – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Post-race sample obtained.

 

RACE 6 – DHRC MEMBERSHIP DUE NOW PACE – 1720 metres

KIA ORA LOU NZ -The mare was held up rounding the home turn and throughout the home straight and, as a result, was not fully tested.

TULHURST PEBBLES – Post-race sample obtained.

ZOLTON – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

ALTIANO – Held up rounding the home turn and throughout the home straight and, as a result, was not fully tested. Stewards questioned Driver Jett Turnbull in relation to the tactics adopted on the gelding, in particular his decision to not improve three wide ahead of HUDSON RIVER approaching the 700 metres. Mr Turnbull explained that, having driven ALTIANO more positively at its previous start, where the gelding failed to finish the race off as expected, he elected to drive ALTIANO more conservatively on this occasion, consistent with the tactics adopted when successful at Parkes on 24 July 2026. Mr Turnbull further explained that when HUDSON RIVER, driven by Mr Blake Medlyn, commenced to improve three wide near the 700 metres, he did not believe ALTIANO was capable of sustaining a three-wide run such a distance from the finish. Mr Turnbull added that thereafter he was unable to obtain the back of HUDSON RIVER as that runner was unable to improve sufficiently clear of ALTIANO to provide him with an opportunity to shift wider and follow. Mr Turnbull explained upon straightening he attempted to improve to the inside of MICKILLATIGER however was disappointed for that run when MICKILLATIGER shifted in. Stewards noted Mr Turnbull’s comments.

GABBYS SPORTSTAR – Underwent pre- and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding’s age, with no significant abnormalities detected. The gelding was held up rounding the home turn and throughout the home straight and, as a result, was not fully tested.

 

RACE 7 – ARTISTIC LODGE PACE – 1720 metres

SECRET REASON – Held up rounding the turn and in the early stages of the home straight.

RIP ROCK – Post-race sample obtained.

MY ULTIMATE LUCIUS – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Stewards questioned Driver Ella Turnbull regarding the performance of the gelding. Ms Turnbull expressed disappointment with the performance and explained that MY ULTIMATE LUCIUS had hung out significantly when entering the home straight on the first occasion. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant abnormalities.

CALM REASON- The gelding was held up rounding the home turn and throughout the home straight and, as a result, was not fully tested. The gelding was placed back in the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 8 – THE TAB APP 3YO PACE – 1720 metres

WARRAWEE SKYLINE – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

MAJOR DISASTER – Upon returning to the enclosure following the event, it was noted that the gelding’s head check bit had become displaced.

YOUDELL – Raced in a three-wide position during the early stages before being restrained to the rear of the field.

YA RACIN DASH – Post-race sample obtained.

CALM LEGEND – Over-raced during the early stages of the event. The filly was held up rounding the home turn and throughout the home straight and, as a result, was not fully tested. Stewards questioned Driver Paula Sapio in relation to her decision inside the final 300 metres not to shift wider when the opportunity appeared to present. Ms Sapio explained that she instructed to drive the filly conservatively from the poor draw (barrier 11) and added that after the start CALM LEGEND overraced when being restrained. Ms Sapio added that at various stages the filly failed to travel and consequently struggled to maintain its position most notably passing the 1000 metres and 600 metres. Ms Sapio added that for this reason she was reluctant to improve three wide rounding the final turn, however CALM LEGEND finished the race off better than expected inside the final 200 metres and was held up for clear running.   Stewards noted her comments.

 

RACE 9 – COBBITTY EQUINE PACE – 1720 metres

LACEY CAKES – Gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten by a margin of 34 metres.

SMALL INCOME – Gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten by a margin of 36 metres.

CLASSYNFABULOUS – Post-race sample obtained.

LUCKY IN AMERICA – Caught wide during the early stages before being restrained to the rear of the field.

CHARLOTTES DIAMOND – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

LAMNA NASUS – Raced roughly when entering the back straight on the first occasion. A warning was issued.

BOHEMIAN FLY BY – Held up for clear running inside the final 100 metres.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Nil
Suspensions	Race 4 Tom Pay SMOOTH EURO 163(1)(a)(iii) Suspended 7days
Barrier Information	Race 7 Calm Reason BMD
Trials/Stand Down	Race 2 Reduced SPEED- Stood down 1 Trial
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Race 2 O Shea- LADY DELORIS
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil