Stewards Report

RIVERINA PACEWAY 23/10/2026

 

Stewards	M Ross (Chairman) M Jasprizza & T Quick
Starter	P Bandy
Veterinarian	Dr S Willis
Swab Official	J Howe
Track	Good
Weather	Fine

 

RACE 1 – NIJINSKY STANDING AT YIRRIBEE STUD PACE – 1740 metres

ELLESCHANCE – Tired from the 600m to finish in 9^th position beaten 68.2m.

CRANKINOVER – Tired from the 600m to finish in 7^th position beaten 63.7m.

ESCAPE PLAN – Pre-race swab.

MUDSLINGER MONTY NZ – Driver Blake Micallef was issued a reprimand for tightening the racing room of TINNYSMEDAD passing the 1400m when directed to a running line position. Tired from the 400m to finish in 6^th position beaten 56.9m.

TINNYSMEDAD – Inconvenienced passing the 1400m when MUDSLINGER MONTY NZ shifted down to a running line position. Tired to finish in 10^th and last position beaten 69.2m

LEAP OF LOGIC – Post-race swab.

ALWAYSBKIDDING – Broke gait during the early stages of the score up and was significantly out of position when the start was effected. ALWAYSBKIDDING will continue to be drawn wide in future mobile start events.

A CLASS APART – Driver James Locke was fined the sum of $50 under AHR Rule 162(1)(h) for failing to come up into position when the start was effected.

RACE 2 – RANVET PACE – 2270 metres

KRISTYSGIRL – Post-race swab.

PIRANI PRINCESS – Pre-race swab. Held up during the early stages of the home straight prior obtaining clear running.

THE DEMOCRAT– Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having attained the age of 12 years or older & starting in excess of 200 starts. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities. Held up during the early stages of the home straight prior obtaining clear running along the sprint lane.

RACE 3– WALSH & BLAIR LAWYERS LADYSHIP PACE – 1740 metres

General: The start of this event was delayed to (2) minutes due to Race 1 at Canberra thoroughbreds being behind there scheduled starting time.

VIENNA OPERA – ($51.00) Yielded ground rapidly from the 600m to finish in 8^th position beaten 50.4m. A warning was issued against the mares racing competiveness. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

IM BUTTER BLUE – Post-race swab.

FAY IRENE – Hung outwards after the start was effected. Hung out significantly passing the 800m veering up the track despite the drivers’ efforts prior to being corrected. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to have a delayed recovery. FAY IRENE will now be stood down from racing for a period of fourteen (14) days and until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on two (2) occasions. In taking this action Stewards were mindful the mare was stood down at its most recent start for displaying similar racing characteristic manners.

ALABAMA LIONESS – Pre-race swab.

RACE 4 – CARNIVAL OF CUPS 6 NOVEMBER 2YO PACE – 1740 metres

General: The start of this event was delayed to (2) minutes due to Race 2 at Canberra thoroughbreds behind there scheduled starting time.

WICKED MOTION – Broke gait clear of interference passing the 1500m. WICKED MOTION will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion. Raced roughly passing the 400m.

PLUTOPHOBIA – Raced roughly shortly after the start was effected. PLUTOPHOBIA will now be placed on its last chance in the draw. Post-race swab

PHILLEIGH – Hung outwards as the start was effected contacting the sulky of HEAR NO EVIL & broke gait. PHILLEIGH will now be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile start events.

HEAR NO EVIL – Sulky contacted after the start when PHILLEIGH hung outwards and inconveniencing the gelding.

MAGIC BULLSEYE – Pre-race swab.

RACE 5 – RIVERINA HOTEL PACE – 1740 metres

POSTER PERFECT – Pre-race swab.

ANGELIC ATTITUDE – Post-race swab.

BONJORGE – Yielded ground from the 600m to finish in 9^th position beaten 53.1m. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

JUNGLE SHARK – Pulled hard during the middle stages of the event.

STIPULATING – Held up during the early stages of the home straight prior obtaining clear running.

RACE 6 – DANIEL WOODS FUNERAL CARE PACE – 1740 metres

ONTHADARKSIDE – Pre-race swab.

BROOKLYNS BEST – Pre-race swab.

ANDERSITE – ($5.00) Trainer/driver Bruce Harpley was queried into the overall performance of the gelding which finished in 10^th and last position beaten 23.5m after racing outside the leader from approaching 1200m. Mr Harpley attributed the performance to a combination of the gelding rising in grade the gelding enduring more work than expected during the early stages of the event & failing to settle combined with the overall quick mile rate of 1.52.8 when racing without cover. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding displaying a delayed recovery.

SOHO PLAYGIRL – Raced roughly passing the 400m. Post-race swab.

KEAYANG SANTIAGO – Pulled hard during the middle stages of the event.

RACE 7 – RIVERINA HOTEL PACE – 1740 metre

CAPTAIN DEEJAY – Pre-race swab.

PETES BIG JIM – Post-race swab.

RACE 8 – NORTH SHORE CAFE 3YO PACE – 2270 metres

General: Stewards questioned drivers Dennis Picker (DIVA BON VIVA) & Blake Micallef (SET PLAY) into the reasons SET PLAY breaking gait approaching the 1400m. After taking evidence from both drivers and viewing all available replays it was established when DIVA BON VIVA improved quickly three (3) wide and obtain the position outside the leader passing the 1700m as the mare was being restrained passing the 1600m by Mr Picker however not to the intent of the speed slackening in any dramatic manner and SET PLAY failed to fully respond to Mr Micallef efforts to steady and subsequently improved onto the sulky of DIVA BON VIVA & broke gait. As Stewards could not place blame on any one horse or driver for the incident as both runners had contributed to the incident Stewards took the matter no further.

ELKA ANGEL – Post-race swab.

DIVA BON VIVA – Sulky contacted approaching the 1400m when SET PLAY failed to steady.

SET PLAY – Contacted the sulky of DIVA BON VIVA approaching the 1400m and broke gait. Held up and failed to gain clear running for the entire length of the home straight.

RANGER RON – Driver Harry O’Neill was spoken to the manner he applied the whip to the gelding inside the final 250m.

MAGIC AS ALWAYS – Held up and failed to gain clear running for the entire length of the home straight.

ROM BARO – Pre-race swab. Driver Charlene Gusman was spoken to the manner she applied the whip to the gelding inside the final 200m.

ROCK SPIRIT – Pulled hard during middle stages of the event.

RACE 9 – ULE HOOF OIL PACE – 1740 metres

MESSERATI – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having started in excess of 200 starts. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities. Driver James Locke pleaded guilty to a charge under AHR Rule 168(1)(a) in that he was carelessly contacted the deflated the sulky wheel of MCMAYHEM when directing the gelding into the sprint lane. Mr Locke was fined the sum of $200.

CARLO GAMINO NZ – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having attained the age of 12 years or older. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

OCTAGONISE – Declared a late scratching at 10:26am on veterinary advice.

MCMAYHEM – Pre-race swab. Sulky tyre contacted and deflated when MESSERATI was being directed into the sprint lane placing the gelding at a disadvantage.

BUSINESS IN HEAVEN – Post-race swab.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 1 – B Micallef – 163(1)(a)(iii)
Fines	Race 1 – J Locke – 162(1)(h) – $50 Race 9 – J Locke – 168(1)(a) – $200
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Race 1 – ALWAYSBKIDDING – CODM Race 4 – PHILLEIGH – ODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 3 – FAY IRENE – SD2T & SD14D Race 4 – WICKED MOTION – SD1T
Late Scratching	Race 9 – OCTAGONISE @ 10:26am Vets Advice
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow Ups	Nil