Stewards Report

PENRITH HARNESS RACING CLUB

THURSDAY 28 MARCH 2024

STEWARDS REPORT

 

 

Stewards	C Paul, T Sharwood, S Snudden
Starter	T Clarke
Veterinarian	Dr M Wainscott, Dr A Argyle
Swab Official	J Quon
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

GENERAL

A report was received from HRNSW Investigator Mr J Robbs regarding PITCH PERFECT NZ and that the gelding was found to have a clay poultice still on its legs at around 3pm on race day. After consideration, Stewards directed the withdrawal of PITCH PERFECT NZ at 4.01pm. At a subsequent inquiry Trainer R Roots Jnr pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 193(3) in that he failed to remove the clay poultice off PITCH PERFECT NZ which was engaged to compete in RACE 5 – THE RENSHAW CUP by 8am on Race Day. In assessing penalty, consideration was given to the fact the poultice did not contain any potential prohibited substances, the length of time the poultice had been on the horse, the overall record of R Roots Jnr and his guilty plea. 

Additionally, consideration was given to previous penalties that have been imposed for similar offences of this nature. R Roots Jnr was fined the sum of $750.

 

RACE 1 – DOWNLOAD THE TAB APP TODAY PACE – 1720 metres

DELIGHT OF RANI – Entering the first turn became unbalanced and broke gait. In view of its recent record, connections were advised DELIGHT OF RANI would now be stood down from racing until it can complete one satisfactory official trial.

PRINCE LOUIE – Broke gait during the score up which caused MITCHELLS RUN to be checked, subsequently a false start was declared. In the second score up, PRINCE LOUIS broke gait in the early stages and tailed off taking no competitive part in the event. Connections were advised PRINCE LOUIE would now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw in the immediate future. Driver L Green was advised that he must ensure that he endeavours to maintain a straight course when his runners break gait in similar circumstances or, take his runner inside the line of marker pegs until the gelding returns to its correct gait.

MERRYWOOD TONY – Pre-race blood sample.

SALERO – Raced three wide during the early stages before crossing to the position outside the leader near the 1300 metres.

MITCHELLS RUN – Post-race swab sample.

THE METAL FLYER – Unable to secure clear running in the latter stages of the home straight.

 

RACE 2 – PERONI PACE – 1720 metres

ARENA QUEEN– Broke gait during the score up however was in position at the start. A warning was issued. Approaching the 500 metres was hampered when SWEDISH MEATBALLS shifted out abruptly and subsequently ARENA QUEEN momentarily locked wheels with SWEDISH MEATBALLS.

RIPSTONE SNORTER– Unable to secure clear running until approaching the 50 metres at which point RIPSTONE SNORTER improved to the inside of CLASSIC ANGELINA.

ROCKSIE ROCK– Passing the 500 metres had to be steadied and was inconvenienced when ZEN MASTER which was racing forward of ROCKSIE ROCK raced roughly.

DIDSHEDOIT NZ– Pre-race blood sample. Inclined to hang in during the score up and after the start. Unable to secure clear running at any stage in the home straight and was not fully tested.

CLASSIC ANGELINA– Unable to secure clear running at any stage in the home straight and was not fully tested. When questioned regarding her failure to position CLASSIC ANGELINA to the inside of the leader MEGS MONARO leaving the 100 metres, Driver A Delosa explained that she was aware there was no opportunity to take a run to the outside of MEGS MONARO however, was concerned that had she placed her legs to the inside of MEGS MONARO leaving the 100 metres in the hope a run would develop, she thought CLASSIC ANGELINA would pull its way through to the inside of MEGS MONARO. This would cause her to potentially race over marker pegs or strike the wheel of MEGS MONARO prior to the run becoming available. Therefore, A Delosa remained racing on the back of MEGS MONARO until she was of the view a full run had developed. However at this stage, when the run did become available RIPSTONE SNORTER had improved to her inside wheel and she was not in a position to shift in as she was not clear of that runner. After considering the evidence and reviewing the films, Stewards noted A Delosa’s explanation however did advised her that she must always drive with initiative and preparedness.

LOORRIM CREEK– Improved three wide during the middle stages before crossing to the position outside the leader near the 1000 metres. Inclined to hang in throughout the event. Post-race swab sample.

ZEN MASTER– Passing the 500 metres had to be checked off the back of ARENA QUEEN when that runner engaged sulky wheels with SWEDISH MEATBALLS. Subsequently ZEN MASTER raced roughly for a short distance.

SWEDISH MEATBALLS– Approaching the 500 metres shifted out abruptly resulting in SWEDISH MEATBALLS hampering ARENA QUEEN and momentarily locking wheels with that runner. Driver L Rando was issued a reprimand under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference. Unable to secure clear running over the concluding stages and was not fully tested.

 

RACE 3 – WOMEN BEHIND THE SCENES OF PENRITH PACEWAY LADY DRIVERS – 2125 metres

MARVELLOUS MAC– Trainers Representative J Turnbull was reprimanded under Rule 205 for entering the track to attend to MARVELLOUS MAC and assist driver O Frisby with repositioning the tongue tie at the completion of the preliminary without approval of the Stewards. In issuing a reprimand stewards were mindful that O Frisby is not the regular driver of the gelding.  Post-race swab sample.

CEE OH DEE– Raced three wide during the early stages before crossing to the position outside the leader. Near the 500 metres received slight contact to the off side sulky wheel when RAGING SEA shifted out.

RAGING SEA– Passing the 500 metres shifted out and struck the off side wheel of CEE OH DEE and subsequently RAGING SEA raced roughly. Driver T Osmond was advised to exercise greater care when shifting ground in similar circumstances. Unable to secure clear running over the latter stages and was not fully tested.

FEAR THE EAGLE– Pre-race swab sample.

 

RACE 4 – 60 YEARS OF RACING @ PENRITH PACEWAY PACE – 2125 metres

SURFERS DELIGHT NZ– Post-race swab sample.

MAJOR STATEMENT– Leaving the 1900 metres shifted in in an attempt to find the position three back on the marker pegs when not quite clear of BLACK ONYX which had improved quickly to its inside. At a subsequent inquiry it was established MAJOR STATEMENT and BLACK ONYX had both competed for the same position and as soon as J Brown became aware of the presence of BLACK ONYX he looked to take his runner away from BLACK ONYX. However was placed in restricted room from the runners that were closing down from the outside. Under the circumstances no action was taken however J Brown was advised to exercise care when shifting ground at all times.

GIVE ME A MINUTE NZ– Over raced when positioned outside the leader and commenced to tire from the 700 metres and gave significant ground over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities. Driver J Gallagher explained that the gelding became uncontrollable during the middle stages which was detrimental to its performance and it was the intention of Trainer K Pizzutto to experiment with a gear change prior to its next start. Connections were advised GIVE ME A MINTUE NZ would be stood down from racing until it can complete one satisfactory trial for what was deemed to be an unsatisfactory performance.

BLACK ONYX– Pre-race blood sample. Leaving the 1900 metres when mustering speed along the marker pegs was placed in restricted room by MAJOR STATEMENT which shifted in at the same time BLACK ONYX was looking to improve to the three back along the marker peg position. Subsequently BLACK ONYX contacted marker pegs. At a subsequent inquiry it was established that at the time MAJOR STATEMENT commenced to shift in BLACK ONYX had not improved to the inside of that runner and with momentum as MAJOR STATEMENT shifted in BLACK ONYX did improve to the inside of the runner resulting in BLACK ONYX being tightened. Stewards concluded that no driver was blameworthy and both drivers J Brown and L Green were advised to exercise care when establishing their positions in the early stages of races.

 

RACE 5 – 2024 RENSHAW CUP – 2525 metres

FREDDY SINGH– Trainer R Alchin was fined the sum of $100 under Rule 273(6)(a) for presenting FREDDY SINGH into the parade ring in the incorrect saddle cloth number. Tired over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities. Trainer/Driver R Alchin explained FREDDY SINGH was up in grade and found the level at this stage beyond him. FREDDY SINGH was placed on its last chance to race truly for what was deemed to be unsatisfactory performance.

GLIDING AWAY NZ– Raced three wide during the middle stages before crossing to the position outside the leader.

DREAM MAZE– Pre-race blood sample.

ZEUSS BROMAC NZ– Pre-race blood sample. Improved during the early stages to obtain the position outside of the leader near the 1800 metres.

MAX DELIGHT– Improved three wide during the middle stages to obtain the position outside the leader near the 1600 metres. Post-race swab sample.

SPIRIT OF ST LOUIS NZ– Pre-race blood sample. Raced three wide during the early stages before crossing to the lead near the 1900 metres. Post-race swab sample.

NERANO NZ– Pre-race blood sample. Improved three wide during the middle stages before crossing to the position outside the leader near the 1200 metres.

 

RACE 6 – TIGER TARA/TODD MCCARTHY PACE – 1720 metres

TIMELY SOVEREIGN– Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations as per HRNSW animal welfare guidelines. No abnormalities were detected.

MAID OF MONEY NZ– Post-race swab sample.

DONT TELL PHYLLIS– Pre-race blood sample. Slow to score up and was out of position at the start. A warning was issued.

 

RACE 7 – ASAHI PACE – 1720 metres

AWAYOVERNIGHT NZ – Pre-race blood sample.

BEAU STEELE– Driver Z Fitzpatrick was cautioned for allowing her right foot to drop from the sulky rest over the latter stage of the home straight. In issuing a caution Stewards were mindful of Z Fitzpatrick’s relative inexperience and the fact that her right foot at all times remained outside the line of the gelding‘s hind legs. Post-race swab sample.

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

THE MALDIVES- Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations as per HRNSW animal welfare guidelines. No abnormalities were detected.

ULTIMATE AD- Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations as per HRNSW animal welfare guidelines. No abnormalities were detected. Unable to secure clear running until passing the 100 metres.

CLEMENTSORRELL- Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations as per HRNSW animal welfare guidelines. No abnormalities were detected.

 

RACE 8 – BEAUTHY GLOBE/MERV ADAMS PACE – 1720 metres

ROCKNROLL SLY– Post-race swab sample.

MICHAEL CAINE NZ– Pre-race blood sample.

JACQUELINE ROSE NZ– Slow to begin.

DAMIANO- Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations as per HRNSW animal welfare guidelines. No abnormalities were detected. Unable to secure clear running in the home straight and was not fully tested.

NITRO DANNY– Caught wide during the early stages before being restrained to the rear of the field. Unable to secure clear running at any stage in the home straight and was not fully tested.

BELLRIVERGIRL– Over raced during the score up.

LARRIKIN LARRY– Broke gait during the early stages of the score up for a short distance. No action was taken.

 

RACE 9 – SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE – 1720 metres

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

BEYONSKI– Pre-race blood sample.

RIP JACKSON– Unable to secure clear running until passing the 50 metres.

WEAREALLALONE– Caught three wide during the early stages before working forward to the position outside the leader. Post-race swab sample.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 2 – Lucas Rando – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – SWEDISH MEATBALLS Race 3 – Jason Turnbull – Rule 205 – MARVELLOUS MAC
Fines	Race 5 – Rickie Alchin – Rule 273(6)(a) – $100 – FREDDY SINGH Race 5 – Roy Roots Jnr – Rule 193(3) – PITCH PERFECT NZ
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Race 1 – PRINCE LOUIE - ODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 1 – DELIGHT OF RANI – Rule 63(2) – 1 trial Race 4 – GIVE ME A MINUTE NZ – Rule 63(2) – 1 trial
Late Scratching’s	Race 3 – MIGHTY ATOM – 1.28pm Veterinary Advice Race 5 – PITCH PERFECT NZ – 4.01 pm Order of Stewards
Adjourned Inquiries
Medical Clearance
Follow up’s