Stewards Report

Weather:  Fine      Track:  Good

Stewards:                                    B Lewis, W Wishart (MT), C Southwick (SR-H/E)

Veterinary Surgeon:                   Drs M McGregor, P Symons

Starters:                                        K Bailey (Starter/Gear), G Van De Molen (Driver/Brands)

Trainers with multiple runners in any one race were questioned in relation to their intended tactics. A number of drivers competing at this meeting were selected to provide urine samples for routine analysis. 

RACE 1 – RETRAVISION.COM.AU PACE (2130MS)

MIDDLEPAGE (L Harper) – Inconvenienced when carried back by a tiring runner from the 400m.

FRANCO MECCA NZ (S Suvaljko) – Gave ground from the 400m.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

MAJOR OVERS (M Brown) – The off-side tyre was contacted and punctured by NAVY STREET (R Warwick) leaving the front straight on the final occasion.

SHOWPONY (A De Campo) – Locked sulky stays briefly with MISTER MACEDON (G Hall Jnr) approaching the turn into the front straight on the first occasion.

CRY HAVOC NZ (D Egerton-Green) – Inconvenienced in the front straight on the first occasion.

GEE SMITH (D Roberts) – Inconvenienced when over-racing in the front straight on the first occasion.

ROBBIE EASON NZ (C Lewis) – Inconvenienced in the front straight on the first occasion.

General:  Driver R Warwick (NAVY STREET) was found guilty to a charge of careless driving under HR168(1)(a) for contacting and puncturing the off-side sulky tyre of MAJOR OVERS (M Brown).

Driver A De Campo was interviewed in relation to locking sulky stays with MISTER MACEDON (G Hall Jnr) approaching the front straight on the first occasion and his subsequent actions in releasing the sulkies and he explained for safety reasons to avoid further incident he held the sulky stay of MISTER MACEDON causing them to disengage. His explanation was accepted given the circumstances, however he was told to be mindful of the rules in relation to allowing any part of his body to protrude beyond the sulky.

RACE 2 – RETRAVISION, LOWEST PRICE GUARANTEE. PACE (2130MS)

MAJOR FREEWAY (C Voak) – Late Gear Change – Hood blinkers off, Block blinkers on. This information was disseminated.  

VANDERBILT NZ (R Warwick) – Returned having cast its off-hind shoe during running.

SPICY MAJOR (G Hall Jnr) – Over-raced for the majority and consequently gave ground from the 300m.

TANTABIDDI (M Miller) – A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.  Trainer Mr K Prentice advised that the horse would now be sent for a spell.

RACE 3 – RAC MEMBERS SAVE 5% EVERY DAY AT RETRAVISION. PACE (2130MS)

TOMMY WATERHOUSE NZ was a late withdrawal at 6.28pm after Driver G Hall Jnr expressed concerns with the gelding’s action during its preliminary and undergoing a veterinary examination which found it to be lame in the near foreleg.  Trainer Mr G Hall Snr was advised that the gelding would require a veterinary clearance prior to racing or trialling again.  Mr Hall Snr advised that he will have the gelding undergo further veterinary examinations over the ensuing days and report the findings to the Stewards.

RAGAZZO MACH NZ (S Suvaljko) – When interviewed in relation to the unplaced performance, Driver S Suvaljko put forward that the gelding had worked hard when making a forward move to race outside the leader and in his opinion would benefit from further racing.

RACE 4 – PAT CRANLEY MEMORIAL PACE (2536MS)

No racing incidents to report.

RACE 5 – RETRAVISION 4YO GOLDEN NUGGET (G1) PACE (2536MS)

Co-Trainer Mr G Bond was interviewed in relation to the withdrawal of AARDIEBYTHESEASIDE which was effected on the morning of Wednesday, 11 December 2024. Mr Bond advised that the mare had a hard run when winning at Gloucester Park on 22 November 2024 and had since worked well, however at its most recent gallop on Tuesday, 10 December 2024 the mare showed signs of having trained off and consequently he decided to withdraw the mare as he was not confident it would perform to the best of its ability. Mr Bond added that the mare would now be sent for a spell.     

OK BOOMER NZ was a late withdrawal at 11.31am when Trainer L Harper advised the gelding was found to have a hoof abscess to the near fore. Mr Harper was interviewed in relation to the reason for the withdrawal being effected after the prescribed deadline for final scratchings of 8.30am. The matter was adjourned to a time and date to be arranged.  

NEVER ENDING (J Prentice) – Driver J Prentice advised that the gelding had over-raced throughout which adversely affected its performance.

RACE 6 – RETRAVISION, FOR ALL THE ELECTRICAL STUFF YOU LOVE. PACE (2130MS)

STAR CASINO (R Warwick)-Broke gait at the start. Will now be placed out of the draw for future mobile events. 

RACE 7 – RETRAVISION, BUY NOW, PAY LATER. PACE (2503SS)

CHEDDAR IS BETTER (S McDonald) – Galloped out.  A warning was issued against the gelding’s starting manner.

IM THE BEST NZ (T Wheeler) – Galloped out.  A warning was issued against the gelding’s starting manner. Pulled hard throughout.

MY COPY NZ (G Hall Jnr) – Slightly inconvenienced shortly after the start.  Driver G Hall Jnr was interviewed in relation to the unplaced performance, and he stated that after the gelding was eased wider by another runner from the 600m it failed to travel strongly thereafter and was unable to finish off the race.

STRAUNY (A De Campo) – Swung sideways at the start and shortly after was inconvenienced.

RACE 8 – RETRAVISION, CLICK'N'COLLECT. 3YO FILLIES PACE (1730MS)

COPY CAT QUEEN (A De Campo) – Gave ground from the 500m.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly to have atrial fibrillation. As the filly had a prior episode of atrial fibrillation it will require an ECG and is not permitted to start in a race for a period of 28 days and must trial on 2 occasions to the satisfaction of the Stewards prior to racing again.

RACE 9 – RETRAVISION ONLINE. PACE (2130MS)

No racing incidents to report.

RACE 10 – RETRAVISION, EVERY DAY'S A SALE. PACE (2130MS)

STORMYSKYES (S Steele) – Driver S Steele was interviewed in relation to his tactics in making a three wide run in the front straight on the first occasion and racing in that position thereon. Mr Steele advised the mare was travelling strongly at the rear of the field and with the moderate pace through the early stages he was of the opinion that his best option was to improve forward with the intent of racing outside the leader, however NULLABOR NAVAJO (S McDonald) was then allowed to stride along to maintain its position outside the leader and consequently he was unable to cross that mare obliging him to remain in a three wide position and rather than restrain back to the rear of the field he elected to rate the mare and remain racing three. Stewards were of the opinion that his tactics were not unreasonable in all of the circumstances and no further action was taken.

RACEDAY SUMMARY

Swabs	The following horses were selected for pre-race blood samples: MAUNGATAHI, WAVERIDER, CLOUD NINE NZ, Race 5 – All runners, HAMPTON BANNER NZ, CALIENTE, MY COPY NZ, LOCH TAY, XCEPTIONAL ARMA, IM SPIDERMAN, BARBADOS, NULLARBOR NAVAJO, MONTANA GLORY NZ. Post Race: All winners & Race 5 SORRIDERE & LUSAKA NZ.
Fines	Race 1 - Driver R Warwick -$100 - HR168(1)(a) - Careless driving.
Stand Down/Trials	Race 3 – TOMMY WATERHOUSE – Veterinary Certificate Race 8 – COPY CAT QUEEN – 28 Days & 2 Trials, Veterinary Certificate – ECG – Atrial Fibrillation
Barrier Information.	Race 6. STAR CASINO NZ-ODM-Broke at the start.
Scratchings	Race 4 – WILDWEST NZ – Sore off hind – 14 days Race 5 – AARDIEBYTHESEASIDE NZ – To spell – 14 days Race 5 – OK BOOMER NZ – L/S @11.31am – Hoof abscess Race 5 – LOUIE DIOR – Emergency, not required Race 9 – TUX AND TAILS – Colic – 14 days
Adjourned Inquiries	Race 5 – OK BOOMER NZ – Late withdrawal at 11.31am due to hoof abscess.  Time and date to be arranged.

B Lewis

Chief Steward – Thoroughbreds/Harness

This may not be the final report of the meeting as all races are reviewed.