Stewards Report

RIVERINA PACEWAY 7/02/2025

 

Stewards	M Ross (Chairman), B Day
Starter	P Bandy
Veterinarian	Dr N Noble
Swab Official	E Howe
Track	Good
Weather	Fine

 

Supplementary Report

Bathurst 29/01/2025

Race 4 - JETT TURNBULL- BATHURST JUNIOR OF THE YEAR PACE 1730M

General: Stewards inquired into an incident racing towards the first turn in which ONA DEADLINE NZ was checked resulting in ON DEADLINE NZ breaking gait.

After taking evidence from drivers Mitch Turnbull (DRIVE TO THE BEACH), Jett Turnbull (ONA DEADLINE NZ) and review of the available video replays Mitch Turnbull, driver of DRIVE TO THE BEACH, was found guilty of a charge under AHR Rule 165(1)(b) which reads: (1) From the start through the first turn, and until reaching the next straight, a driver shall not - (b) not move the driver’s horse towards the inside running line unless the rear of the driver’s sulky is a least one (1) metre clear of the extended front legs of the horse racing in the next position closer to the inside running line. The particulars of the charge being in that approaching the first turn he permitted DRIVE TO THE BEACH to shift inwards when not one (1) metre clear of the extended front legs of ONA DEADLINE NZ (Jett Turnbull) which had progressed to his inside causing that runner to be tightened for racing room and subsequently being checked and breaking gait. In assessing penalty Stewards took into account the relevant considerations as per the HRNSW Penalty Guidelines placing particular weight on Mr Turnbull’s good offence record noting that in his prior 4,500 race drives, which extended over a 13 year period, he had not been charged under this rule previously, and his last offence under any interference related matter was some 570 race drives prior in October 2023. Stewards further considered the degree of interference involved and the mid-range degree of carelessness. Stewards also were mindful of the evidence of Dr Jack Holman, the officiating veterinarian, who provided evidence to the inquiry that in the circumstances he could not be satisfied to the requisite standard that this incident was the cause of ON DEADLINE NZ suffering a fractured scapula. In all of the circumstances, Stewards determined the appropriate penalty be a three (3) week suspension of Mr Turnbull’s licence to drive in races which was deemed to commence midnight 5 February 2025.

RACE 1 – TAB VENUE MODE PACE – 1740 metres

ARTS FELLA – Hung inwards under pressure approaching the 200m. Post-race swab.

BRAEDIE WEARS RED – ($4.00) Pre-race swab. Driver Will Rixon was queried into the overall performance of the filly which finished in 6^th and last position beaten 15.4m after racing in a favorable one-one position throughout. Mr Rixon advised the filly to be disappointing & was at a loss to explain the performance other than the filly failed to travel sufficiently throughout the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly displaying a delayed recovery.

BETTORS MAGIC – Pulled hard during the middle stages of the event.

RACE 2 – YIRRIBEE PACING STUD PACE – 2270 metres

SHE HAUNTS EM – Post-race swab.

SLIPPIN THE LIFE – Pre-race swab. Checked and raced roughly momentarily approaching the 400m.

RUSTY EL – Driver Ky Bloomfield was issued reprimands for his lack of control in allowing the gelding to shift outwards when active removeable defenders upon the gelding passing the 500m & tightening the racing room of SLIPPIN THE LIFE approaching the 400m causing that runner to be checked. In not taking more action stewards were satisfied the racing manners of SLIPPIN THE LIFE also contributed to the incident when failing to respond to being restrain by its driver.

RACE 3– MILBRAE QUARRIES 2YO PACE –1740 metres

USYK – Pre-race swab. Checked passing the 700m when SET PLAY broke gait. Hung inwards under pressure inside the final 250m. Driver David Jack was spoken to in regards to the manner he applied the whip to the colt inside the final 250m. Post-race swab.

IDEAL LILLY – Hung outward from the 600m onwards despite the driver’s efforts. IDEAL LILLY will now be placed on its last chance to race truly.

KINGA DIAMONDS – Hung outwards during the early stages of the score up and was out of position when the start was effected. KINGA DIAMONDS will now be placed on its last chance in the draw. Gave ground from the 700m to finish in 7^th position beaten 68.9m.

BROOKLYNS GEM – Raced greenly throughout the event. Gave ground from the 700m to finish in 8^th position beaten 75m.

SET PLAY – Over raced during the middle stages of the event. Broke gait approaching the 700m. SET PLAY will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion.

RACE 4– EASTER DACHSHUND DASH NOMINATIONS OPEN PACE –2270 metres

BURTON – Pre-race swab.

BREABEACH NZ – Raced roughly passing the 800m.

LUVTOO – Post-race swab.

RACE 5 – HYGAIN HORSE FEED & SUPPLIMENTS PACE – 1740 metres

BEER MONEY – Pre-race swab.

OUR REBEL YELL – Out of position despite the driver’s efforts when the start was effected. A warning was issued against the barrier manners of OUR REBEL YELL.

KEILOR BABY SHARK – ($3.60 Fav) Driver Will Rixon was queried into the overall performance of the mare which finished in 7^th position beaten 9.3m after racing behind the leader throughout. Mr Rixon advised the mare to be disappointing and could offer no tangible explanation for the performance of the mare.

TIZZY LIZZIE – Post-race swab.

RACE 6 – ATWORTHY PARK LADYSHIP PACE – 1740 metre

BACKWARDS FIRST – Pre-race swab. Driver Will Rixon was issued a reprimand for allowing his upper body to protrude outside the confines of the sulky passing the 600m.

MY COURTELL – Post-race swab.

RACE 7 – BENSTUD PACE – 1740 metre

General: The start time of this race was rescheduled to start nine (9) minutes later than originally advertised at 5:46pm due to storm & lightning activity in the vicinity of the track following the completion of Race 6. This race was shown subsequently on Sky Racing 2.

IM ALRITE – Post-race swab.

WIPEOUT – ($2.70 Fav) Driver Will Rixon was queried into the seemingly poor performance of the entire which finished in 9^th and last position beaten 22.3m after leading. Mr Rixon advised the entire to be disappointing and failed to race in a genuine manner. Trainer Dean Atkinson advised WIPEOUT had progressed through the national rating quickly and now was at a stronger rating after only having limited racing. Mr Atkinson added he would now consult with connections and have WIPEOUT gelded.

CARLO GAMBINO NZ – Pre-race swab.

MIGHTY FLYING ART NZ – Three (3) claims were lodged for MIGHTY FLYING ART NZ and following a ballot being conducted in accordance with the AHR Rules, the gelding was successfully claimed by  Alan Field of Junee.  Post-race swab.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 2 – K Bloomfield – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) Race 2 – K Bloomfield – Rule 168(1)(a) Race 6 – W Rixon – Rule 170(2)
Fines	Nil
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Nil
Trials/Stand Down	Race 3 – SET PLAY – SD1T
Late Scratching	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow Ups	Nil