Stewards Report

NEWCASTLE 31/08/2026

 

 

Stewards	N Moy (Chairman), D Westwood, S Cullen & G Rudolph
Starter	D Beevers
Veterinarian	Dr J Gallagher
Swab Official	C Wilson
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – NEWCASTLE HERALD PACE – 1609 metres

ROCKNROLL TONY NZ – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding starting in excess of 200 race starts. Neither examination revealed any abnormalities.

COOINDALAI – Pre-race sample.

MAJOR NOAH WILLIAM – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examination due to not having started in a race since March 2024. Neither examination revealed any abnormalities.

CLASSICMAJOR – Hung in momentarily leaving the 1000m when racing three wide. Driver J Gallagher explained that the pre-race intentions were to allow the field to settle during the early stages of the event and then progress into the race. Mr Gallagher added that CLASSICMAJOR was placed at a disadvantage when having to endure more work that anticipated to improve past BO DUKE NZ which was racing in the position outside of the leader.

HASLER – Post-race sample.

 

RACE 2 – TOOHEYS MAIDEN PACE – 2030 metres

KYCORDEN – Pre-race sample.

MAVERICK – Shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages after leading into the home straight.

WICKED LEGEND – Post-race sample.

ULTIMATE SHOWGIRL – Hung in under pressure over the concluding stages.

 

RACE 3 – TRUCK AND FLEET MAINTENANCE 2YO MAIDEN PACE – 1609 metres

SO IMPRESSIVE – Galloped clear of interference at the 1400m and was stood down until the completion of one satisfactory trial. Trailed the field for the remainder of the event.

START CHEERING NZ – Inconvenienced at the 1200m due to NIGHT WITCH galloping and that runner’s driver being dislodged from the sulky.

NIGHT WITCH – Jumped a shadow at the 1200m when leading the event and soon after galloped. BIRUBI BOOGIE which was trailing was severely checked and as a result made heavy contact with Driver B McDonough, resulting in him being dislodged from the sulky. NIGHT WITCH was then retired from the event. In assessing the racing manners of NIGHT WITCH the filly was stood down until the completion of one satisfactory trial. Driver B McDonough was examined following the event by the on-course paramedics and cleared of any injury and passed suitable to fulfil his future engagements.

BIRUBI BOOGIE – Severely checked and made heavy contact with the sulky of NIGHT WITCH at the 1200m when that runner galloped. Retired from the event thereafter. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

IDEALLY MIDNIGHT – Post-race sample. Hung in at the 1400m and soon after galloped clear of interference. Connections were advised that the filly will be stood down from racing until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

BOUQUET STRIDE – Inconvenienced at the 1200m due to NIGHT WITCH galloping and that runner’s driver being dislodged from the sulky.

DOUBLE IT HELEN – Galloped clear of interference at the 1400m and was stood down until the completion of one satisfactory trial. Inconvenienced at the 1200m due to NIGHT WITCH galloping and that runner’s driver being dislodged from the sulky.

BUCKAROO SHANNON - Inconvenienced at the 1200m due to NIGHT WITCH galloping and that runner’s driver being dislodged from the sulky.

 

RACE 4 – SOMERSET MEATS 2YO MAIDEN PACE – 1609 metres

The start was delayed due to Ballarat Thoroughbreds Race 4 running behind schedule.

WILDFIRE STRIDE – Post-race sample.

POPS HOLLAQUIN – Hung out in the vicinity of the 400m and then galloped clear of interference soon after. Connections were advised that the gelding will be stood down until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

PRETTY RECKLESS – Paced roughly at the 300m.

LOMBOSATTITUDE – Inconvenienced at the 300m when PRETTY RECKLESS paced roughly. Hung in under pressure over the final 200m.

 

RACE 5 – BONVILLA ESTATE WINES 3YO MAIDEN PACE – 1609 metres

The All Clear was delayed allowing Stewards the opportunity to view the final stages in relation to PERFECTED racing inside the line of marker pegs approaching the finish line. Upon review it was established that whilst PERFECTED did race inside the line of marker pegs for a short distance, this action did not influence the result of the event. Therefore, All Clear was sounded on the Judges numbers.

ULTIMATE DILEMMA – Pre-race sample. Shifted out in the home straight on the final occasion placing TIGERSWAND in restricted room between itself and RUBATEEKI, which shifted in.

PERFECTED – Hung in and raced inside the line of marker pegs approaching the finish line. A warning was issued against the racing manners of the gelding.  

CAPTAIN MIKI – Slow to leave the mobile barrier.

TIGERSWAND – Tightened for racing room in the home straight on the final occasion between ULTIMATE DILEMMA, which shifted out and RUBATEEKI, which shifted in. Held up for clear racing room thereafter and never fully tested in the run to the finish.

BERMUDA – Held up for clear racing room in the early stages of the home straight.

RUBATEEKI – Post-race sample. Shifted in under pressure in the home straight on the final occasion placing TIGERSWAND in restricted room between itself and ULTIMATE DILEMMA, which shifted out at the same time.

MERRYWOOD LOU – Over-raced during the early and middle stages.

MIDNIGHT WITH MIA – Slow to score up resulting the filly being out of position at the start. Placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw. Paced roughly rounding the final turn.

 

RACE 6 – GARRARDS HORSE AND HOUND PACE – 1609 metres

SAPPHIRENDIAMONDS – Post-race sample.

ROGERVALERIO LOMBO – Pre-race sample.

ADDED VALUE – Gave ground to be beaten 48m. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

BREXITT – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding starting being 12 years of age. Neither examination revealed any abnormalities.

 

RACE 7 – HUNTER SIGNS PACE – 1609 metres

Consideration was given to a protest lodged by Trainer/ Driver G Andrews, placed second aboard THRIPENNY alleging interference upon entering the home straight against the winner ULTIMATE CRUSADER, driven by M Formosa. Upon consideration of the protest the panel was mindful that rounding the home turn THRIPEENY was directed wider of ULTIMATE CRUSDADER, when not sufficiently clear of that runner, resulting in ULTIMATE CRUSADER making heavy contact with the outside wheel of THRIPENNY and that sulky tyre being flattened. As the panel was satisfied that ULTIMATE CRUSADER did not at any stage interfere with the running of THRIPENNY the protest was dismissed and ALL Clear sounded on the Judges number.  

THRIPENNY – Driver G Andrews was found guilty of a charge under Rule 168(1)(a) with the particulars being that rounding the home turn on the final occasion Mr Andrews directed his drive wider on the track when not sufficiently clear of ULTIAMTE CRUSADER, resulting in that runner making contact with the outside sulky wheel of THRIPENNY. As a result, THRIPENNY carried a flat outside tyre for the final 200m. In accordance with the HRNSW Penalty Guidelines a $200 penalty was imposed for careless driving.

CHARLENES DELIGHT – Galloped in the score up however regained its barrier position at the start. A warning was issued against the barrier manners of the gelding.

ULTIMATE CRUSADER – Post-race sample. Driver M Formosa was fined $50 under Rule 162(1)(h) for failing to have his drive in position at the start point. Contacted the outside sulky wheel of THRIPPENY at the 200m, when that runner was shifted wider in advance.

TORQUE LIKE A LADY – Out of position at the start despite the efforts of the driver K Langelaar and a warning was issued against the barrier manners. Tired to be beaten 75m and was stood down until the completion of one satisfactory trial. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

KERVONBEL – Driver S Piltz advised that the filly over-raced and hung in at various stages before tiring to be beaten 75m. In assessing the previous racing history of KERVONBEL and its overall performance in this event, connections were advised that KERVONBEL will be stood down for a period of 14 days and until the completion of two satisfactory trials. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

 

RACE 8 – PELMAN POWER PACE – 1609 metres

WALLAROY BOY – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding starting in excess of 200 race starts. Neither examination revealed any abnormalities.

KEAYANG HARLOW – Post-race sample.

SYLVIA KAY NZ – Pre-race sample.

REIGN MAKER – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding starting in excess of 200 race starts. Neither examination revealed any abnormalities. Driver G Panella was fined $50 under Rule 162(1)(j) for failing to maintain her barrier position prior to the start. Held up for clear racing room in the early stages of the home straight.

CAPTAIN DORIAN – Held up for clear racing room and never fully tested in the run to the finish.

CENTREFIRE – Out of position despite the efforts of driver M Atkinson and was placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

CHLOBRO –  Raced wide throughout the event and Driver A Garaty advised that this is the usual driving pattern of the gelding and advised that CHOLBRO races better when driven in this manner.

LETSGETROWDY – Declared a late scratching at 10:40am acting upon veterinary advise.

 

RACE 9 – THE TAB APP PACE – 1609 metres

CHANGES – Galloped in the early stages of the score up and was placed in its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

GLENN FORD NZ - Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding starting in excess of 200 race starts. Neither examination revealed any abnormalities.

LOOKIN GOOD MARGIE – Post-race sample.

SPECTA – Post-race sample.

TEN GALLON – Held up for clear racing room in the early stages of the home straight.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 7 – G Andrews – Rule 168(1)(a) - $200 Race 7 – M Formosa – Rule 162(1)(h) - $50 Race 8 – G Panella – Rule 162(1)(j) - $50
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Race 8 – Centrefire – ODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 3 – So Impressive – One Trial Race 3 – Night Witch – One Trial Race 3 – Ideally Midnight – One Trial Race 3 – Double It Helen – One Trial Race 4 – Pops Hollaquin – One Trial Race 7 – Torque Like A Lady – One Trial Race 7 – Kervonbel – 14 days & two trials
Late Scratching	Race 8 – Letsgetrowdy – 10:40am – Vets Advice
Adjourned Inquiries
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil