Stewards Report

BATHURST 15/01/2025

 

 

Stewards	N Moy (Chairman), M Ross & T Quick
Starter	T Clarke
Veterinarian	Dr J Holman
Swab Official	S McMaster
Track	Rain Effected (1-2) Good (3-8)
Weather	Showery

 

The start of the race meeting was delayed indefinitely due to storm activity and lightening within the track vicinity. Once the storm had passed an announcement to new start times were announced. Race 1 – 8:15pm, Race 2 - 8:35pm, Race 3 -8:55pm, Race 4 – 9:15pm, Race 5 - 9:35pm, Race 6 - 9:55pm, Race 7 – 10:15pm, Race 8 – 10:35pm.

 

A delegation of senior drivers inspected the track with Stewards prior to the meeting and were satisfied with the track condition.

 

RACE 1 – THE TAB APP PACE – 1730 metres

STUDLEIGH MELISE – Post-race sample.

SABELLA SHANNON – Inconvenienced and held up for clear racing room behind ALWAYSBMINNIE, which was giving ground, between the 400m and 200m.  

ALWAYSBMINNIE – After working forward and racing outside of the leader commenced to give ground leaving the 500m. Driver J Reynolds explained that the mare had to work harder than anticipated to gain the position outside of the leader in the early stages. Mr Reynolds added that once in that position ALWAYSBMINNIE raced well until the 600m when the mare commenced to pace roughly. Mr Reynolds stated that the slightly rain effected track may have also been a contributing factor to the racing manners. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

BETTER SHUSH – Pre-race sample.

 

RACE 2 – BATHURST RSL SOLDIERS SADDLE HEAT 1 – 1730 metres

A DUSTY DANCE – Galloped in the middle stages of the score up however regained its barrier position by the starting point. Connections were advised that A DUSTY DANCE would be placed on its last chance in the mobile barrier draw. Over-raced during the early and middle stages.

ALLEGRETTO – Post-race sample. Driver P BETTS was fined $200 under Rule 156(3) for the continuous manner in which the whip was used over the final 200m.

GET UP BETTY – Galloped clear of interference at the 200m and a warning was issued.

WEAREALLALONE – Pre-race sample. Over-raced during the early and middle stages.

EN PARIANT SUR – Utilised the sprint lane and was then held up for clear racing room nearing the finish line.

MAGIC MATTEO – Inconvenienced at the 200m when GET UP BETTY galloped.

HALL CASH – Out of position in the score up and at the start. A warning was issued against the barrier manners of the mare.

 

RACE 3 – BATHURST RSL SOLDIERS SADDLE HEAT 2 – 1730 metres

HALL MOST AN ANGEL – Pre-race sample. Inconvenienced when TAKE OUT commenced to give ground.

TAKE OUT – Led the event before commencing to give ground leaving the back straight on the final occasion. Driver M Turnbull was questioned regarding his decision to maintain the lead when challenged during the middle stages and the overall performance of the gelding. Mr Turnbull advised that he elected to maintain the lead due to the runner racing to his outside BORRROWED TIME being driven along to hold out a challenge three wide from EXCESS VITALITY.  Mr Turnbull felt that it would have been a disadvantage to his drive if he was to restrain and allow BORROWED TIME to cross him, given the way in which BORROWED TIME was being driven along leaving the winning post with one lap to travel. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the near hind leg and to be also suffering the thumps. Trainer A Turnbull was advised that TAKE OUT would be stood down until the satisfactory completion of a veterinary certificate.

FOUR STAR LINCOLN – Post-race sample.

LUCKY PUNT – Galloped after the start and took no competitive part in the event. LUCKY PUNT will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

EXCESS VITALITY – Driver B Hewitt advised he elected to improve his drive three wide leaving the 1300m due to his opinion BORROWED TIME would be able to improve past the leader TAKE OUT and his drive would be able race outside of the leader. Mr Hewitt advised however that BORROWED TIME was unable to show sufficient speed to cross TAKE OUT resulting in EXCESS VITALITY remaining to race three wide for the final lap.

UNCLE TONY – Trainer/ Driver A Frisby advised that he had eased the work load of UNCLE TONY between the geldings most recent start and tonight’s performance. Mr Frisby added that he would look to increase the work load of the gelding and would expect an improved performance next start.   

 

 

RACE 4 – BATHURST RSL SOLDIERS SADDLE HEAT 3 – 1730 metres

ZEN MASTER – Driver L Green advised that he elected to direct his drive wider on the track approaching the turn into the home straight on the final occasion due to him believing that ZEN MASTER is best driven when able to improve into its races wider instead of being held up and then having to sprint along the peg line. Mr Green added that he also felt the horse racing outside of the leader (A LIL BIT OF LOVE) was travelling in advance and better than the leader (XCITE ME) at the stage of the shift. Mr Green stated that after gaining clear running ZEN MASTER only finished the race off in moderate fashion when finishing into fourth position.

XCITE ME NZ – Over-raced when leading. Inconvenienced in the home straight when having to shift away from the movement of COUNT MONTECARLO.

COUNT MONTECARLO – Driver T Higgs was reprimanded under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for directing his drive into a run that momentarily inconvenienced the racing room of XCITE ME.

A LIL BIT OF LOVE – Pre-race sample.

SPECIAL SPIN – Galloped after the start and was placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Galloped clear of interference racing down the back straight on the final occasion and a warning was issued.

ALTA DOWNS – Unable to obtain clear racing room over the final 200m and never fully tested in the run to the finish.

PLEASE DON’T ASK – Post-race sample.

 

RACE 5 – BOURKES HORSE RUGS PACE – 1730 metres

REBOUNDER – Post-race sample.

MISTERFOURTHOUSAND – Over-raced during the early and middle stages.

THREE RIVERS NZ – Gave ground over the concluding stages.

DRIVE TO THE BEACH – Pre-race sample.

 

RACE 6 – LLOWALONG FARMS PACE – 1730 metres

WATTOSBLAZEOFGLORY – Pre-race sample.

SCARLET BLING – Post-race sample.

SKYE MARY MAC NZ – Unable to obtain clear racing room over the final 200m and never fully tested in the run to the finish.

 

RACE 7 – COBBITTY EQUINE PACE– 1730 metres

MAMMALS HEART – Pre-race sample. Hung out between the 1200m and 1000m when leading the event.

FIFTY THREE STARS – Post-race sample.

SMOOTH EURO – Driver M Turnbull advised that the gelding was not suited to racing outside of the leader for most of the event. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. Trainer S Turnbull advised that the gelding was disappointing and would look to spell SMOOTH EURO following its performance this evening.

RUSTY DANCER – Over-raced during the early and middle stages.

BELLAGANOOSH – Over-raced during the early and middle stages.

LAYLA SHANNON – Galloped after the start and a warning was issued.

VALENTINI – Hung in and paced roughly racing down the back straight on the final occasion. Hung out rounding the final turn and proved difficult to drive forward. A warning was issued against the racing manners of the mare.

 

RACE 8 – HYNASH GROUP PACE – 2260 metres

AURORA JENNY – Unable to obtain clear racing room over the final 200m and never fully tested in the run to the finish.

WARRAWEE JACK – Hung in under pressure near the finish line.

BEAUTIFULLY PUT – Inconvenienced when the speed of the race eased at the 1600m.

PRINCESS YARIYAH – Post-race sample.

HESKOALOATEE – Pre-race sample. Tired to be beaten 123m and was stood down until the completion of one (1) satisfactory trial. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal apparent abnormalities.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 4 – T Higgs - Rule 163(1)(a)(iii)
Fines	Race 2 – P Betts - Rule 156(3) - $200
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Race 4 – Special Spin – ODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 8 – Hesakoalatee – One (1) trial
Late Scratching	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil