Stewards Report

NSWHRC @ TABCORP PARK MENANGLE

SATURDAY, 30^TH NOVEMBER 2024

STEWARDS REPORT

 

 

Stewards	C Paul (Chairman), D Westwood, S Snudden, M Haddad (Cadet)
Starter	T Clarke
Veterinarian	Dr M Wainscott & Dr A Argyle
Swab Official	H O’Reilly & K McNamara
Track	Good
Weather	Showery

 

 

RACE 1 – KING OF SWING STANDING AT COBBITTY EQUINE FARME PACE (CHRISTMAS GIFT HEAT 1) – 1609 metres

DOUBLE ACT– Unable to secure clear running in the home straight and was not fully tested.

THE TAX CULLECTOR– Pre-race blood samples were obtained.

STRAVINSKY– Driver S Grima pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 170(1)(a) for dropping his right foot from the sulky rest on two occasions over the final 100 metres.  In assessing penalty Stewards were satisfied that S Grima’s foot had not been placed intentionally in the vicinity of the hind legs of STRAVINSKY.  Furthermore, Stewards were mindful of the inclement conditions.  S Grima was fined the sum of $200.

WASA HEAT SEEKER NZ– Pre-race blood samples were obtained.  Post-race swab samples were obtained.

GAWN– Commenced to weaken leaving the 500 metres and failed to run on over the concluding stages.  When questioned regarding the performance of GAWN driver J Callaghan explained that the horse was disappointing.  He said that after challenging for the lead and shifting in to obtain the position behind the leader approaching the 1200 metres GAWN commenced to overrace but did not believe it was excessive enough to be detrimental.  J Grimson explained that he was concerned that GAWN may have choked down and notwithstanding this he has been disappointed with the horse’s most recent starts and may look to re-assess his racing future within his stable.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.

 

RACE 2 – BESTINBEDS.COM.AU PACE (CHRISTMAS GIFT HEAT 2) – 1609 metres

DHAULAGIRI NZ– Pre-race blood samples were obtained.  Approaching the 300 metres was disappointed for a run when unable to shift OOGA CHAKA wider.  Subsequently held up for clear running until approaching the 100 metres.

WHISKEY CAVALIER NZ– Broke gait in the latter stages of the score up for a short distance.  A warning was issued.  Driver J Callaghan pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 162(1)(e) for scoring up in barrier five when he was required to score up in barrier four due to the scratching of number three RICKOSHAY.  J Callaghan was fined the sum of $200.  Post-race swab samples were obtained.

JIMMY JAMES MAGUIRE NZ– Pre-race blood samples were obtained.

ONE FOR THE RODI– Trainer K Morris pleaded guilty to a charge under 45(5) for presenting WAVETHEBILL NZ which was engaged in in Race 3 for pre-race inspection by the starter instead of ONE FOR THE RODI.  In assessing penalty consideration was given to K Morris’ forthright evidence, guilty plea, number of starters and total overall offence record.  Further consideration was given to the serious nature of the offence and the potential ramifications.  K Morris was fined the sum of $500.

 

RACE 3 – TAB PACE (CHRISTMAS GIFT HEAT 3) – 1609 metres

HY POACTIVE– Pre-race blood samples were obtained. 

KOSIMO– Inclined to hang out under pressure over the final 100 metres.

IM THE FALCON NZ– Pre-race blood samples were obtained.

WAVETHEBILL NZ– Pre-race blood samples were obtained. 

 

RACE 4 – CORDINA CHICKEN FACTORY OUTLET PACE (BRIAN HANCOCK CHAMPIONSHIP HEAT 1) – 1609 metres

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

COMPETE– Pre-race blood samples were obtained.  Broke gait during the middle stages of the score up and was out of position at the start.  A warning was issued.  Passing the 500 metres became unbalanced and broke gait.  A warning was issued.  When questioned driver J Callaghan explained that COMPETE was a relatively new acquisition to the Grimson stable and after its most recent trial trainer J Grimson had changed the bit.  However, the gelding was unsettled throughout and wanted to get its head up and overrace tonight.  J Callaghan indicated that trainer J Grimson would now initiate a further gear change. 

OBADIAH DRAGON NZ– Commenced to weaken near the 600 metres and tired significantly over the concluding stages.  A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding was suffering from atrial fibrillation.  Acting under rule 101C(2)(a) connections were advised that OBADIAH DRAGON NZ would be stood down for a period of 14 days, a veterinary certificate inclusive of an ECG and the gelding would be required to complete one satisfactory trial.

 

RACE 5 – CLUB MENANGLE TEENY TEENY STAKES (LISTED CLASSIC) – 1609 metres

MARIA ALLEGONDA NZ– Raced roughly after the start.

ZENXENA– Pre-race blood samples were obtained.  Driver S Hewitt pleaded guilty to a charge under rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference in that leaving the 1500 metres he commenced to shift ZENXENA in when not clear of PROMISELAND which was racing to its inside and subsequently PROMISELAND was tightened for racing room, obliged to be checked and lost its rightful running.  In assessing penalty consideration was given to S Hewitt’s forthright evidence, guilty plea, degree of interference and his overall driving record.  S Hewitt had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of seven days.  ZENXENA weakened over the concluding stages.

PROMISELAND– Out of position at the start.  Driver B McDonough was fined the sum of $100 under rule 162(1)(j) for failing to maintain his position behind the mobile barrier until the start.  Leaving the 1500 metres was placed in restricted room and had to be steadied when ZENXENA shifted in.

ISTHISJUSTFANTASY– Out of position at the start.  Driver W Rixon was fined the sum of $100 under rule 162(1)(j) for failing to maintain his position behind the mobile barrier until the start.  Post-race swab samples were obtained.

 

RACE 6 – SUCCESS STUD CELEBRATING 56 YEAR OF BUSINESS PACE (BRIAN HANCOCK CHAMPIONSHIP HEAT 2) – 1609 metres

MAJOR MAL– Pre-race blood samples were obtained. 

RAKERO ICE NZ– Post-race swab samples were obtained.

COOL NIGHT– Pre-race blood samples were obtained. 

 

RACE 7 – PRYDE’S POWERPAK PACE (BRIAN HANCOCK CHAMPIONSHIP HEAT 3) – 1609 metres

KEYANG WASABI– Pre-race blood samples were obtained.  Inclined to shift out under pressure over the final 200 metres.  Post-race swab samples were obtained.

HAS THE COURAGE– Had difficulty securing clear running until passing the 200 metres.

MR BONDI NZ– Driver J Callaghan was questioned regarding the tactics and performance of MR BONDI NZ.  J Callaghan explained that he was instructed by trainer J Grimson to drive the gelding with one run.  He added that J Grimson had advised him that MR BONDI NZ is not overly strong but does possess a good sprint.  He said that with this in mind, he eased off the gate and looked for a position in the running line as close to the lead as possible.  He added that REPELLING was three wide for the majority of the event, and approaching the 500 metres he was in two minds as to whether to shift out to the back of REPELLING or remain in the running line and wait for that runner to weaken.  He decided that given the uncertainty surrounding REPELLING he would take the opportunity to shift out onto its back near the 450 metres. Then he almost immediately had to shift wider due to REPELLING not taking him into the race. Subsequently MR BONDI NZ raced wide approaching the 400 metres and into the home straight as the tempo of the event had increased significantly.  J Callaghan explained that MR BONDI NZ did not accelerate as well as expected but he was asking the gelding to improve during the quickest section of the event.  He added that the gelding’s race was hard to access due to the conditions of the track and the slow first half mile tempo of the event.  J Callaghan said that he expected MR BONDI NZ to improve with further racing and he did peak on his run around the 100 metres.  J Callaghan’s explanation was noted.

REPELLING– Pre-race blood samples were obtained.  Improved three wide leaving the 1100 metres and remained racing three wide for the remainder of the event.  When questioned driver L McCarthy explained that he had been instructed by trainer’s representative P Walsh to improve three wide if the tempo in the early stages was slow.  After recording a slow 29.3 seconds first quarter he took the opportunity to improve three wide however REPELLING commenced to hang in and proved difficult to drive.  He added that it was clear that GUILTY PARTY (S Hewitt) was keen to obtain cover but REPELLING was unable to improve quickly enough to take advantage of this opportunity despite the fact that the second quarter was run in a conservative 29.6 seconds.  L McCarthy said that once he was racing three wide and could not make it to the position outside the leader he elected to settle REPELLING and given the wide run and the horse’s racing characteristics REPELLING was not beaten too far particularly given the fast last half of the event.  Trainer’s representative P Walsh confirmed his instructions.  He said that he was able to explain REPELLING’S failure to improve to the position outside of the leader and he was disappointed that the horse could not take advantage of the position outside of the leader.  He added that REPELLING was first up and he may look to find more suitable race in the immediate future. 

 

RACE 8 – ULTRA AIR PACE (BRIAN HANCOCK CHAMPIONSHIP HEAT 4) – 1609 metres

HE AINT FAKIN– Unable to secure clear running over the concluding stages and was not fully tested.

CAPTAINS CATCH– Pre-race blood samples were obtained. 

MIKI PINS NZ– Pre-race blood samples were obtained.  Post-race swab samples were obtained.

MERRYWOOD PAUL– Unable to secure clear running in the home straight and was not fully tested.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 1 – S Grima – Rule 170(1)(a) - $200 – STRAVINSKY Race 2 – J Callaghan – Rule 162(1)(e) - $200 – WHISKEY CAVALIER NZ Race 2 – K Morris – Rule 45(5) - $500 – ONE FOR THE RODI Race 5 – B McDonough – Rule 162(1)(j) -$100 – PROMISELAND Race 5 – W Rixon – Rule 162(1)(j) - $100 – ISTHISJUSTFANTASY
Suspensions	Race 5 – S Hewitt – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – 7 days – ZENXENA
Barrier Information	Race 8 – MERRYWOOD PAUL -BMD
Trials/Stand Down	Race 4 – OBADIAH DRAGON NZ – 1 trial, vet certificate, ECG & 14 days
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil