Stewards Report

CANBERRA 21/09/2026

CANBERRA HARNESS RACING CLUB

MONDAY, 21ST SEPTEMBER 2026

STEWARDS REPORT

 

 

Stewards

B Day (Chairman), T Sharwood & M Jasprizza

Starter

P Forbutt

Veterinarian

Dr E Lucas

Swab Official

G Jasprizza

Track

Fast

Weather

Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – WATTY’S RURAL & DOMESTIC FENCING PACE – 1770 metres

ROSES ARE BEST – Checked and paced roughly approaching the 400 metres when SAPPHIRESNDIAMONDS shifted out.

SAPPHIRESNDIAMONDS – Driver Declan Murphy pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) in that approaching the 400 metres he directed SAPPHIRESNDIAMONDS wider in an attempt to ease ROSES ARE BEST out which subsequently resulted in ROSES ARE BEST being checked and pacing roughly.  In assessing penalty Stewards took into account the HRNSW Penalty Guidelines, placing particular weight on Mr Murphy’s guilty plea, his offence record and the circumstances of the incident.  Stewards accordingly imposed a 10 day suspension of his licence to drive in races which was ordered to commence at midnight 24 September 2026. 

FINANCIALLY STABLE – Inconvenienced and broke gait passing the 1500 metres when the pace in the event eased.

NIFTY AMBITION – Driver Taylah Osmond was reprimanded under Rule 162(1)(u) for easing the pace in that approaching the 1500 metres, after being unsuccessful in contesting the lead, she restrained NIFTY AMBITION resulting in FINANCIALLY STABLE being inconvenienced and breaking gait.  In not taking more severe action against Ms Osmond Stewards were mindful of the circumstances of the incident most notably that FINANCIALLY STABLE had been driven forward immediately prior to the pace easing which contributed slightly.

MOVINTOHELLANDBACK – Pre-race blood sample.  Inconvenienced passing the 1500 metres when FINANCIALLY STABLE broke gait.

CHOCOLATE DELIGHT – Post-race swab sample.

SYNCOPATED SHUFFLE – Inconvenienced passing the 1500 metres when FINANCIALLY STABLE broke gate.  Held up inside the final 200 metres.

THE SHOWGIRL – Broke clear of interference passing the 1600 metres and a warning was issued.  A post-race veterinary examination of THE SHOWGIRL failed to reveal any significant findings.

ELLESCHANCE – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the mare not  having started in the preceding 12 months.  These examinations did not reveal any significant findings. 

 

RACE 2 – CANBERRA DIFFERENTIAL & MECHANICAL SERVICES PACE – 1770 metres

MICKEY BE NIMBLE – Pre-race blood sample.  Post-race swab sample.

PENCIL ME IN – Over raced during the middle stages.

 

RACE 3 – OSKAR MEMORIALS PACE – 1770 metres

TENNESSEE KID – A false start was declared on the first occasion when TENNESSEE KID broke resulting in ALWAYS BE BRENDAN, which was drawn behind being checked.  Galloped immediately prior to the start being affected resulting in ALWAYS BE BRENDAN being checked.  TENNESSEE KID played no further competitive part in the event.  TENNESSEE KID will now be stood down from racing until the satisfactory completion of one trial and will also be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events.

IDEAL ANDY – Inconvenienced passing the 500 metres when ACHY BREAKY ARK commenced to tire.

BONDI LASS – Pre-race blood sample.  Over raced during the middle stages.

ACHY BREAKY ARK – Driver Matthew Atkinson was questioned regarding the performance of the gelding which finished in 8th placing beaten 67 metres.  Mr Atkinson explained ACHY BREAKY ARK over raced during the early and middle stages and as a consequence contacted the sulky wheel with its hind legs which he felt was largely attributed to the false start and also the pull down block eyes malfunctioning.  A post-race veterinary examination of ACHY BREAKY ARK failed to reveal any significant findings.  Given the false start and the associated delay, combined with the gear malfunction, Stewards displayed some leniency and ACHY BREAKY ARK was placed on its last chance to race truly.

LETTYS REASON – Post-race swab sample.

ALWAYS BE BRENDAN – Checked shortly after the start when TENNESSEE KID broke gait.

ROCKET BOY – Inconvenienced passing the 500 metres when ACHY BREAKY ARK commenced to tire.  Held up rounding the home turn in the early part of the straight.

 

GENERAL – The all clear of this event was delayed to allow Stewards the opportunity to review the available replays of the start of the event in relation to TENNESSEE KID breaking immediately prior to the start being affected and ALWAYS BE BRENDAN being checked.  Upon review Stewards were satisfied the interference suffered to ALWAYS BE BRENDEN was after the start had been affected and accordingly the all clear was given.

 

RACE 4 – TAB.COM.AU PACE – 1770 metres

CARBINEER – Pre-race blood sample.  Post-race swab sample.

MAC THUNDER – Over raced during the middle stages.

SURF ACE – Over raced during the middle stages.  Gave ground inside the final 200 metres.

STINSON – Hung in and paced roughly passing the 1200 metres.  Held up inside the final 200 metres.

 

RACE 5 – MAGNUM STEEL 3YO PACE – 1770 metres

MISS TAPDANCE – inconvenienced passing the 1100 metres when A CLASS APART broke gait.

BROOKLYNS GEM – Slow to begin.

A CLASS APART – Broke clear of interference passing the 1100 metres and a warning was issued.

I AM RAVISHING – Hung in and contacted marker pegs passing the 200 metres.

ROCKNREASON – Paced roughly passing the 1500 metres.

WHERESWALLY – Pre-race blood sample.

SNIPERS FIRE – Pre-race blood sample.  Pre-race warm up.  Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 6 – GLEN MIA (ACT) PTY LTD PACE – 1770 metres

INTENSE HEAT – Pre-race blood sample.  Broke passing the 1500 metres and paced roughly at various stages most notably rounding the final turn.  Given INTENSE HEAT was having its first race start, the colt will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of Stewards on one occasion.  Held up during the early part of the straight and hung in under pressure inside the 150 metres. 

ROCK WHAT YOU ARE – Held up inside the final 200 metres and as a result was not fully tested. 

SWEET BELLA ROSA NZ – Paced roughly shortly after the start. 

SUMMER PUNCH – Shifted out under pressure.  Lost 1st placing on protest and a warning was issued.  Post-race swab sample.

JIVEANDWHISPER – Paced roughly under pressure inside the final 200 metres.

ORSINO BELLE – Checked inside the final 200 metres when SUMMER PUNCH shifted out under pressure.  Obtained 1st placing on protest.  Post-race swab sample.

GENERAL – Consideration was given to a protest lodged Codi Rauchenberger, the driver of 2nd placed ORSINO BELLE, alleging interference against 1st placed SUMMER PUNCH inside the final 200 metres.  After taking evidence from drivers Codi Rauchenberger (ORSINO BELLE), Scott Hewitt (SUMMER PUNCH) and review of the available replays, it was established that SUMMER PUNCH shifted out under pressure most notably approaching the 100 metres resulting in ORSINO BELLE being checked.  Given the extremely narrow margin of a nose Stewards were satisfied that but for this occurrence ORSINO BELLE would have finished ahead of SUMMER PUNCH and accordingly upheld the protest with the placings amended accordingly.

EYES OFF TIGER – Driver James Locke was fined $200 under Rule 156(2)(a) for using the whip with more than a wrist only flicking motion inside the final 200 metres.

 

RACE 7 – LONSDALE AUTO ELECTRICS PACE – 2170 metres

FREASON – Pre-race blood sample.  Shifted under pressure inside the final 200 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

TROUBLE IN HEAVEN – Fractious during the early stages of the score up, was out of position at the start and will now be placed on its last chance in the draw.  In not taking more severe action against TROUBLE IN HEAVEN, Stewards were satisfied the mare had suffered a gear malfunction during the early part of the score up where the deafeners had released prematurely.  Gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten 42 metres.

FEARFUL – Hung in passing the 200 metres.  Driver Jye Coney was fined $200 under Rule 156(2)(a) for using the whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion over the concluding stages.

 

 

SUMMARY

Reprimands

Race 1 – T Osmond – Rule 162(1)(u) – NIFTY AMBITION

Fines

Race 6 – J Locke – Rule 156(2)(a) - $200 – EYES OFF TIGER

Race 8 – J Coney – Rule 156(2)(a) - $200 – FEARFUL

Suspensions

Race 1 – D Murphy – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – 10 days – SAPPHIRENDIAMONDS

Barrier Information

Race 3 – TENNESSEE KID – ODM

Trials/Stand Down

Race 3 – TENNESSEE KID – 1 trial

Race 6 – INTENSE HEAT – 1 trial

Late Scratchings

Nil

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Medical Clearance

Nil

Follow up’s

Nil