Stewards Report

TABCORP PK MENANGLE 14/12/2024

NSWHRC @ TABCORP PARK MENANGLE

SATURDAY, 14^TH DECEMBER 2024

STEWARDS REPORT

Stewards	C Bentley (Chairman), C Paul, T Sharwood, B Day
Starter	T Clark & N Moy (Assistant)
Veterinarian	Dr M Wainscott, Dr A Knox, Dr D Justus & Dr F Cox
Swab Official	K Prestney, L Flynn & K McNamara
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

GENERAL

All runners engaged in Race 6 the TAB INTER DOMINION PACERS FINAL (GRAND CIRCUIT EVENT) were presented to the HRNSW Retention Facility prior to 12pm on Thursday 12^th December 2024. All runners were subjected to Out of Competition testing upon arrival and remained under surveillance until presentation to the race day stables prior to the race.

RACE 1 – LIVAMOL TONY TURNBULL INTER DOMINION YOUNG DRIVERS HEAT – 1609 metres

MONTALBANO – Pre-race blood sample.

ARMA EINSTEIN – Over raced during the early and middle stages of the event.

TACT MCLEOD NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

SOUTH COAST ARDEN NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Checked and broke when leaving the pre-race circle as a result of CAULONIA COURAGE turning directly in front of the gelding. Caught racing wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to the position outside of the leader passing the 1000 metres.

SERG BLANCO NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Held up in the home straight and not fully tested.

RACE 2 – ULTRA AIR STEVE TURNBULL CHRISTMAS GIFT FINAL – 1609 metres

SMOOTH BUZZ – Pre-race blood sample.

IM THE FALCON NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

WASA HEAT SEEKER NZ – Pre-race blood sample.

HY POACTIVE – Pre-race blood sample. Over raced throughout the middle stages of the event and as a result contacted the off side sulky wheel of ARMA XFACTOR passing the 400 metres. Hung in under pressure in the home straight. Stewards questioned driver Cameron Hart with regards to the performance of the gelding which finished in ninth placing beaten 23 metres. Mr Hart advised Stewards that the gelding raced quite fiercely given the solid pace of the event and as a result it did not show a turn of foot when let down in the home straight. Mr Hart advised that he had previously driven the gelding and when it showed similar manners it also failed to find the line. After considering the explanation provided by Mr Hart, Stewards determined to note his comments.

ARMA XFACTOR – Sustained a flat offside sulky tyre passing the 400 metres when contacted by HY POACTIVE.

ROCKNROLL HAMMER NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Caught racing wide in the early stages of the event before being restrained to the tail of the field passing the 1100 metres.

KOSIMO – Pre-race blood sample. Held up over the final 100 metres of the event.

RACE 3 – TAB INTERDOMINION PACERS CONSOLATION – 2300 metres

I BREAK THE LINE – Pre-race blood sample.

PERFECT STRIDE NZ – Post-race swab sample.

UNFAZED NZ – Severely checked inside the final 200 metres when HECTOR NZ was shifted wider on the track and contacted the near side hind leg of UNFAZED NZ causing that runner to be shifted wider severely checking DON LOU and inconveniencing WHEREYABINBOPPIN.

CANTFINDABETTORMAN NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Caught racing wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to the lead passing the 1800 metres. Post-race swab sample.

DON LOU – Pre-race blood sample. Severely checked and broke stride inside the final 200 metres when HECTOR NZ was shifted wider on the track contacting the near side hind leg of UNFAZED NZ causing that runner the be shifted wider. A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

BLACKSADANCE – Pre-race blood sample. Caught racing wide in the early and middle stages of the event before working forward to the position outside the leader passing the 1550 metres.

ARDENS ACE NZ – Held up in the home straight and not fully tested.

NYACK – Pre-race blood sample. Held up in the home straight and not fully tested.

WHEREYABINBOPPIN – Inconvenienced racing inside the final 200 metres when HECTOR NZ was shifted wider on the track severely checking UNFAZED NZ and DON LOU.

CYA ART NZ – Held up in the home straight and not fully tested.

HECTOR NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Driver Robert Morris pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference, in that when racing inside the final 200 metres he shifted his runner wider on the track to avoid the weakening BLACKSADANCE and in doing so raced inside the line of UNFAZED NZ making contact with the near side hind leg of that runner causing it to be severely checked and taken wider on the track where it severely checked DON LOU causing that runner to break stride and inconvenience WHEREYABINBOPPIN. After considering the recent record of Mr Morris, his licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of 10 days to commence at midnight on 23 December 2024.

TENZING BROMAC NZ – Caught racing wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to the position outside the leader passing the 1300 metres.

RACE 4 – SLINGSBY HOLDINGS BRIAN HANCOCK CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL – 1609 metres

HAS THE COURAGE – Pre-race blood sample.

KEYANG WASABI – Pre-race blood sample.

AMERICAN HAMMER NZ – Tired over the concluding stages to finish in 10^th placing beaten 35 metres. A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding, failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. Trainer David Aiken advised Stewards that the gelding would now go for a spell.

BAINBRIDGE – Worked forward to the lead passing the 1200 metres.

RAKERO ICE NZ – Pre-race blood sample.

MIKI PINS NZ – Post-race swab sample.

EL CAMINO – Pre-race blood sample.

RACE 5 – TAB INTER DOMINION TROTTERS FINAL (TROTTING MASTERS) (GROUP 1) – 2300 metres

TORO STRIDE NZ – Pre-race blood sample.

ALDEBARAN VERA – Pre-race blood sample. Out of position at the start. After considering the recent record of the mare, a warning was issued. Broke stride free of interference passing the 700 metres. After considering the recent record of the mare, a warning was issued.

KEAYANG CHUCKY – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

THE LOCOMOTIVE – Pre-race blood sample. Worked forward to the lead passing the 2000 metres. Post-race swab sample.

QUEEN ELIDA NZ – Pre-race blood sample.

MUFASA METRO NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Broke after the start. After considering the recent record of the gelding, a warning was issued.

ALDEBARAN ZEUS – Pre-race blood sample.

SPEEDY LOVER – Pre-race blood sample. Out of position at the start. After considering the recent record of the gelding, it will continue to be placed right outside the mobile barrier draw. Caught racing wide in the early stages of the event before being restrained to the tail of the field passing the 1900 metres. A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

KEAYANG STUKA – Pre-race blood sample. Held up in the early stages of the home straight before gaining clear running passing the 200 metres. Post-race swab sample.

ROYAL DAN – Pre-race blood sample.

PLYMOUTY CHUBB – Pre-race blood sample.

PARISIAN ARTISTE – Pre-race blood sample. Improved three wide from the 1700 metres until obtaining the position outside the leader passing the 1300 metres.

RACE 6 – TAB INTER DOMINION PACERS FINAL (GRAND CIRCUIT EVENT) (GROUP 1) – 2300 metres

DANGEROUS – Contacted the offside sulky of the tiring MY MOONLITE DREAM NZ passing the 800 metres and was checked. Driver Ryan Sanderson pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(b)(i), in that passing the 500 metres he shifted his runner wider when not sufficiently clear of NERANO NZ causing that runner to race in a three wide position prior to the nominated marker. After considering the recent record of Mr Sanderson, his licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of 10 days to commence at midnight on 23 December 2024.

DON HUGO – Worked forward to the lead passing the 800 metres. Post-race swab sample.

MY MOONLITE DREAM NZ – Commenced to give ground passing the 800 metres at which point DANGEROUS contacted the offside sulky of MY MOONLITE DREAM NZ causing it to sustain a flat offside sulky tyre. Stewards questioned driver Seaton Grima with regards to the tactics he adopted in the early and middle stages of the event, in addition to the overall performance of the mare which finished in 12^th placing beaten 81 metres. Mr Grima advised that he felt his mare had sufficient gate speed to lead the event and it was his intention to adopt that position in running however would look to hand up to either DON HUGO or MINSTREL NZ should they challenge for the lead of the event. Mr Grima advised in the early stages he was challenged by CURLY JAMES, however he was not prepared to let that runner go as did not think that runner would maintain its position in the lead and in his opinion the recent form of CURLY JAMES was less superior than that of MY MOONLITE DREAM NZ given his runner had beaten CURLY JAMES in the most recent heat at Menangle. Mr Grima further advised that he had made it abundantly clear to Cameron Hart that the lead was not available to CURLY JAMES and soon after Mr Hart ceased his challenge for the lead. However when leaving the home straight on the first occasion Mr Hart’s runner was over racing and he mounted a secondary challenge for the lead at which point Mr Grima felt given the fast tempo in the early stages it would be in the best interests of his mare should he surrender the lead at this point. Mr Grima further advised that once CURLY JAMES was able to race to the front he felt that his mare dropped the bit and failed to run on from that point of the event and was therefore disappointing. Mr Grima advised that the performance of the mare must be measured with the fact that it sustained a flat near side tyre passing the 800 metres and the four quick runs the mare has had over the Inter Dom series. A post-race veterinary examination of the mare failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. After considering the explanation provided by Mr Grima, Stewards determined to note his comments.

CURLY JAMES – Over raced during the early stages of the event before working forward the lead passing the 1100 metres. Stewards questioned driver Cameron Hart with regards to the tactics he adopted through the early and middle stages of the event, in addition to the overall performance of the gelding which finished in 10^th placing beaten 33 metres. Mr Hart advised Stewards that he had received pre-race instructions from trainer Jason Grimson to leave the gate strong and look to occupy a position on the fence as soon as possible. Mr Hart advised that he was surprised that Mr Grima failed to surrender the lead to CURLY JAMES in the early stages of the event and once he became aware that Mr Grima had no intention of handing over to his runner, he ceased his challenge at that stage. Mr Hart further advised that once he ceased his challenge, CURLY JAMES commenced to over race and when he was unable to find cover prior to leaving the home straight on the first occasion he elected to take up a further challenge for the lead of the event. Mr Hart advised that he was really happy with the performance the gelding, when you consider how fiercely CURLY JAMES raced in the early and middle stages as a result of having to sustain multiple challenges for the lead. A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. After considering the explanation provided by Mr Hart, Stewards determined to note his comments.

TERRY NZ – Inconvenienced upon entry to the first turn when CAPTAINS KNOCK locked with NERANO NZ.

JIMARTEE – Inconvenienced upon entry to the first turn when CAPTAINS KNOCK locked with NERANO NZ.

NERANO NZ – Caught racing wide in the early stages of the event before locking wheels with CAPTAINS KNOCK causing NERANO NZ to be checked and restrained to the tail of the field passing the 1500 metres. Tired over the concluding stages to finish in 11^th placing beaten 48 metres. Forced wider passing the 500 metres when DANGEROUS was shifted wider on the track to avoid the tiring MY MOONLITE DREAM NZ.

CAPTAINS KNOCK – Stewards opened an inquiry into the reasons for CAPTAINS KNOCK locking wheels with NERANO NZ upon entry to the first turn, which resulted in both runners being checked and losing ground. After taking evidence from both drivers and a further review of the films it was established that driver Brad Hewitt had commenced to restrain CAPTAINS KNOCK upon entry to the first turn looking to obtain a position in the running line on the back of MINSTREL NZ and as he commenced to restrain his horse it grabbed the bit and hung up the track, contacted the near side sulky of MINSTREL NZ and locked wheels with NERANO NZ. After considering the recent record of the horse, a warning was issued.

MAX DELIGHT – Post-race swab sample.

MINSTREL NZ – Improved three wide from the 1100 metres until obtaining the position outside the leader passing the 800 metres. Post-race swab sample.

PETES SAID SO NZ – Checked behind the tiring MY MOONLITE DREAM NZ passing the 400 metres.

RACE 7 – THE RUBY VALE PACE – 2300 metres

STAR MAJOR – Post-race swab sample.

HELLUVA NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Tired over the concluding stages to finish in sixth placing beaten 26 metres. A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

ZEUSS BROMAC NZ – Pre-race blood sample.

MASTER CATCH – Pre-race blood sample. An inquiry was adjourned into the reasons for MASTER CATCH being restrained to the tail of the field upon entry to the first turn when unable to find the lead. A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

EXOTIC BUSHRANGER – Pre-race blood sample.

RACE 8 – CARLTON DRAUGHT MARES FFA – 1609 metres

GOTTA HAV ME NZ – Raced rough after the start.

MARIA ALLEGONDA NZ – Pre-race blood sample.

MAJOR FIRE NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Worked forward to the lead passing the 1200 metres.

ISTHISJUSTFANTASY – Pre-race blood sample. Caught racing wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to the lead passing the 1100 metres.

ILLAVABUBBLES NZ – Caught racing wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to the lead passing the 1000 metres. Post-race swab sample.

TAY TAY – Pre-race blood sample.

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Nil
Suspensions	Race 3 – R Morris – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – 10 days – HECTOR NZ Race 6 – R Sanderson – Rule 163(1)(b)(i) – 10 days – DANGEROUS
Barrier Information	Nil
Trials/Stand Down	Nil
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Race 7 – MASTER CATCH
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil