Stewards Report

PENRITH 29/10/2026

 

 

Stewards	C Paul (Chairman), G Rudolph, K Bloomfield (Cadet)
Starter	T Clarke
Veterinarian	Dr M Wainscott & Dr T Drayton
Swab Official	J Quan
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – AUSSIE NIGHT MARKETS SPOOKFEAST @ PENRITH SHOWGROUND FROM OCT 30 PACE – 2125 metres

CAPTAIN PINS NZ – Pre-race blood samples were obtained.  Leaving the 200 metres had a tendency to hang out and shifted out under pressure approaching the 100 metres at the same time MY ULTIMATE BUDDHA improved to the inside and subsequently CAPTAIN PINS NZ locked wheels with MY ULTIMATE BUDDHA for a short distance.

CRUNCHIE DIVA – Commenced to give ground leaving the 600 metres and weakened significantly over the concluding stages.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.  When questioned driver Z Fitzpatrick explained that the stable were disappointed with the performance however, the tempo was relatively fast over the 2125 metres which may have contributed to the mare’s failure to run on.  Ms Fitzpatrick added that it was now the intention of trainer B Fitzpatrick to send CRUNCHIE DIVA for a spell.  Connections were advised that CRUNCHIE DIVA must complete one satisfactory trial prior to resuming racing.

CREDULOUS – Raced three wide in the early stages before working forward to the position outside of the leader near the 1600 metres.  Post-race swab samples were obtained.

ROCKIN BULL – Leaving the 400 metres made heavy contact with the rear of NOTHINGBUTWAVES which had broken gait.  Subsequently ROCKIN BULL was severely checked and broke gait.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.

NOTHINGBUTWAVES – Driver T Miles pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving, in that leaving the 400 metres he permitted NOTHINGBUTWAVES to shift in and tighten the racing room of KATES VIRTUE and when relieving the pressure to that runner he placed unnecessary pressure on the offside reign which caused NOTHINGBUTWAVES to become unbalanced and break gait, which in turn caused ROCKIN BULL to be severely checked.  In assessing penalty consideration was given to T Miles’ overall driving record and guilty plea.  Additionally, Stewards considered the consequential effect of the incident.  T Miles had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of seven days.

MY ULTIMATE BUDDHA – Approaching the 100 metres when attempting to improve into a developing run to the inside of CAPTAIN PINS NZ MY ULTIMATE BUDDHA hung out slightly, resulting in that runner engaging sulky wheels with CAPTAIN PINS NZ for a short distance.  Driver C Griffiths was advised to exercise care when improving into limited room.

 

RACE 2 – MAJOR OAK THEATRE RESTAURANT HALLOWEEN NIGHT @ CLUB PACEWAY OCT 31 PACE – 1720 metres

CAPTAIN GROOVE – Post-race swab samples were obtained.

TOOLIJOOA BEACH – Unable to secure clear running in the latter stages of the home straight and was not fully tested.

ITZMINEONTHELINE – Pre-race blood samples were obtained.

SPIRIT OF ARION NZ – Approaching the 1400 metres had to be steadied slightly when the pace in the running line eased and shortly after became unbalanced and broke gait.  After considering submissions from driver C Geary and reviewing the films a warning was issued.

MIKI MOO – Unable to secure clear running at any stage in the home straight and was not fully tested.

BEV THE GOAT NZ – Improved through the middle stages before crossing to the position outside the leader near the 1100 metres.

 

RACE 3 – BINGO @ CLUB PACEWAY EVERY WEDNESDAY PACE – 1720 metres

LOYAL LOU NZ – Post-race swab samples were obtained.

CANTPLZA MALTEEZA – Pre-race blood samples were obtained.

JETASI NZ – Raced three wide in the early stages before working forward.

FLO RYDA NZ – Underwent a pre and post-race veterinary examination as per HRNSW Animal Welfare guidelines.  No abnormalities were detected.  Unable to secure clear running at any stage in the home straight and was not fully tested.

 

RACE 4 – MELBOURNE CUP LUNCH @ CLUB PACEWAY NOV 3 BOOK NOW PACE – 1720 metres

BLACK ONYX – Leaving the 1000 metres had to be severely checked off the back of FIRE FOX NZ as a result of that runner being checked by MAC BON.

MAC BON – Caught wide in the early stages before working forward to the position outside of the leader near the 1100 metres.  Passing the 1000 metres received a contact to its near foreleg when MAURLEN BOY shifted in.  Subsequently MAC BON raced roughly.

FIRE FOX NZ – Improved three wide in the early stages before crossing to the position outside of the leader near the 1400 metres.  Passing the 1000 metres was severely checked off the back of MAC BON which had been tightened and checked by MAURLEN BOY.

RAGING WHITEBAIT NZ – Post-race swab samples were obtained.

PROMISING – Broke gait during the score up however was in position at the start.  A warning was issued.

ONE FOR THE RODI – Pre-race blood samples were obtained.

MAURLEN BOY – Inclined to over-race throughout the event.  Improved through wide during the middle stages.  Driver Z Fitzpatrick pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference in that passing the 1000 metres when shifting in from a three wide position to the position outside of the leader she failed to make sufficient effort to prevent her runner from shifting in when not clear of MAC BON resulting in a contact to that runner, resulting in MAC BON being checked and racing roughly, which in turn caused FIRE FOX NZ to be severely checked and broke gait, BLACK ONYX who was trailing was also severely checked.  As a result of the incident MAURLEN BOY sustained a flat inside sulky tyre and it was required to be retired from the event.  In assessing penalty consideration was given to Z Fitzpatrick’s guilty plea and a good driving record.  In addition, Stewards considered the degree of interference and the consequential effect.  Z Fitzpatrick had her licence to drive in races suspended for a period of seven days.

 

RACE 5 – XTREME BULLS @ PENRITH SHOWGROUND NOV 7 PACE – 1720 metres

CHOOCHOO TRAIN – Leaving the 600 metres commenced to weaken and gave significant ground over the concluding stages.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed an elevated heart rate.  Driver J Bates was unable to provide an explanation for the performance.  Given the short distance of this evening’s event coupled with the fact that CHOOCHOO TRAIN raced with cover throughout and the beaten margin of in excess of 50 metres, connections were advised that CHOOCHOO TRAIN must complete one satisfactory trial prior to resuming racing for what was deemed to be another unsatisfactory performance.

ROCKSIE ROCK – Post-race swab samples were obtained.

VESPA STRIDE – Pre-race blood samples were obtained.

 

RACE 6 – MARKETS @ PENRITH SHOWGROUND EVERY THURSDAY PACE – 1720 metres

PLAY SOUTHERNLAND – Caught wide in the early stages before being restrained toward the rear of the field.  Passing the 400 metres had to be steadied when the pace eased slightly and shortly after became unbalanced and broke gait.  After taking submissions from driver J Bigeni, connections were advised that a warning would be placed on PLAY SOUTHERNLAND.

SPECTA – Pre-race blood samples were obtained.  Post-race swab samples were obtained.

HOMEBOUND – Unable to secure clear running at any stage in the home straight and was not fully tested.

 

RACE 7 – FISHO’S RAFFLES @ CLUB PACEWAY EVERY FRIDAY NIGHT 2YO PACE – 1720 metres

BE HAPPY LARRY – Approaching the 1500 metres became unbalanced and broke gait.  A warning was issued.

MAVERICK – Approaching the 1500 metres was hampered by BE HAPPY LARRY which broke gait.

MICKS CRUZA – Pre-race blood samples were obtained.  When questioned regarding the performance of MICKS CRUZA driver C Hart explained that he had been instructed by trainer M Xuereb to try and obtain the lead.  He added that the gelding was disappointing and did not travel as well as expected.  He added that post-race the horse appeared to have pulled up well and trainer M Xuereb was unable to provide an explanation for the seemingly disappointing performance and would reassess prior to planning the gelding’s next start.  C Hart’s explanation was noted.

SOMELIKEITHOT – Post-race swab samples were obtained.

DON JACKO – Approaching the 1500 metres had to be steadied and shifted in away from BE HAPPY LARRY which broke gait.

WATTS UP WOODY – Near the 1500 metres had to be steadied off the back of MAVERICK as a result of BE HAPPY LARRY hampering that runner.

START CHEERING NZ – Passing the 1500 metres had to be steadied wider to avoid the galloping BE HAPPY LARRY.

 

RACE 8 – SINCLAIR FORD PACE – 2125 metres

SO CAN EYE – Unable to secure clear running at any stage in the home straight and was not fully tested.

FINAL PROMISE – Post-race swab samples were obtained.

GREY CADILLAC – Underwent a pre and post-race veterinary examination as per HRNSW Animal Welfare guidelines.  No abnormalities were detected.  Raced three wide in the early stages before working forward to the position outside the leader.  Unable to secure clear running at any stage in the home straight and was not fully tested.

STEEL STRIDE – Pre-race blood samples were obtained.

CHARLIES ACE NZ – Pre-race blood samples were obtained.  Underwent a pre and post-race veterinary examination as per HRNSW Animal Welfare guidelines.  No abnormalities were detected.  Pre-race blood samples were obtained.

 

RACE 9 – TME TRAINING PACE – 1720 metres

MIGHT AND VICTORY – Pre-race blood samples were obtained.  Required the assistance of the clerk of the course to score up on the first occasion.  Prior to the second score up the gelding refused to score up and required the assistance of both clerks of the course and a track attendant to move forward.  After considering all available evidence and given that it was having its first start back in the mobile barrier draw, connections were advised that MIGHT AND VICTORY would now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw for the immediate future.  Post-race swab samples were obtained.

MERRYWOOD LOU – Commenced to break gait in the early stage of the score up and continued to break gait for a significant distance resulting in a false start being declared.  Connections were advised that MERRYWOOD LOU would now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw for the immediate future.

JANELLE MAY – Entering the first turn became unbalanced and broke gait.  In view of the mare’s recent record connections were advised that JANELLE MAY must complete one satisfactory trial prior to resuming racing.

ONEDINS CRUSADE – During the second score up became unbalanced and broke gait and was slightly out of position at the start.  ONEDINS CRUSADE was placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw.  Passing the 400 metres hung in under pressure.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	nil
Fines	Race 4 – D & K McDowell – Rule 210 - $50 – BLACK ONYX Race 7 – G Hargraves – Rule 210 - $50 – SOMELIKEITHOT
Suspensions	Race 1 – T Miles – Rule 168(1)(a) – 7 days – NOTHINGBUTWAVES Race 4 – Z Fitzpatrick – Rule 163(10(a)(iii) – 7 days – MAURLEN BOY
Barrier Information	Race 9 – MIGHT AND VICTORY – ODM Race 9 – MERRYWOOD LOU – ODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 1 – CRUNCHIE DIVA – 1 trial Race 5 – CHOOCHOO TRAIN – 1 trial Race 9 – JANELLE MAY – 1 trial
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil