Stewards Report

NEWCASTLE 10/02/2025

 

 

Stewards	S Cullen (Chairman), D Westwood, M Haddad (Cadet)
Starter	D Beevers
Veterinarian	Dr J Gallagher
Swab Official	M Sizer
Track	Good
Weather	Overcast

 

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT

Newcastle Trials – 5 February 2025

Trainer/driver B Greenwood pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 156(3), stating that when driving TAZANNE in heat 3 at that venue he applied the whip in a manner that was excessive and failed to allow TAZANNE time to respond.  Mr Greenwood was fined $400.

 

RACE 1 – SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE – 1609 metres

ROCKNROLL TONY – Hung out rounding the home turn.  Post-race swab sample.

NOWORRIES – After being slightly reluctant to pace off the mark in the score up the gelding was slow to begin. 

OLLIE ONE SHOT – Pre-race blood sample. 

 

RACE 2 – MATES4HARNESS PACE – 1609 metres

HASLER – Pre-race blood sample.  When questioned in relation to the performance driver J Gallagher explained, that the gelding failed to travel at any stage and was unresponsive when placed under pressure inside the 400 metres.  He said that in his opinion the gelding failed to handle the rain affected track conditions and was unbalanced over the concluding stages.  A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormality.

FIFTYSHADES CRESCO – Trainer/driver Mr B Portelli was cautioned in relation to the manner that he applied the whip over the concluding stages.

WALLAROY BOY – Passed required pre-race veterinary examination. 

SLINGSHOT – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 3 – THE TAB APP PACE – 1609 metres

BRING YOUR BEST – Hampered when attempting to avoid FLEUR BELLA in the early stages of the score up and broke stride and galloped for a short distance.  Post-race swab sample.

TOUGH TALKS – Could not be driven into position at the start and was slow to begin.  Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

BOOKER BAY – Broke stride free of any external factors rounding the turn after the start and galloped for some distance.  Connections were advised that the provision of last chance to race truly would be placed on the gelding’s racing record. 

SPECIALIZE LOU – Pre-race blood sample.  Broke stride free of any external factors during the score up and was out of position at the start.  Trainer/driver Mr B Portelli was advised that the gelding will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 4 – TOOHEYS PACE – 1609 metres

OUR LUCILLE – Broke stride free of any external factors near the 400 metres and galloped.  Trainer/driver Mr S Hickey was advised that a warning would be placed on the mare’s racing record.

SHADOW ECLIPSE – Passed required pre-race veterinary examination.  Pre-race blood sample.  Broke stride free of any external factors and galloped shortly after the start.  Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.  Broke stride under pressure inside the 100 metres and galloped.  Connections were further advised that a warning for breaking stride in running would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

JOHNNY DEE – Post-race swab sample.

NIGHTWATCH STAR – Passed required pre-race veterinary examination. 

 

RACE 5 – GARRARDS HORS AND HOUND PACE – 1609 metres

BIRDY GAL – Pre-race blood sample.  When questioned in relation to the tactics adopted in the home straight on the final occasion driver V Duncan explained, he raced in restricted room approaching and rounding the home turn, behind LONGWINDINGROAD and inside the eventual winner BEERSINMYPOCKET and was unbale to go forward. He said that after entering the home straight there was initially insufficient room to the inside of LONGWINDINGROAD to secure clear running and he was held up. He stated that for some distance he continued to drive in anticipation of securing an inside passage, however approaching the 100m he made the decision to shift wide and attempt a run outside BEERSINMYPOCKET and after achieving this BIRDY GAL ran to the finish strongly. Upon review Mr Duncan conceded that simultaneous with his decision to shift out, a run did appear inside LONGWINDINGROAD and had he persevered slightly longer he would have secured it, which in his opinion would have enabled him to finish closer to the winner. Taking into account all the circumstances it was considered that the action taken by Mr Duncan after entering the home straight was a valid decision and was not blameworthy.    

BEERSINMYPOCKET – Post-race swab sample.

PIXIEBELLE – Trainer/driver Mr G Andrews the driver of THRIPENNY pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 163(1)(a)(iii), stating that near the 400 metres he allowed THRIPENNY to shift in when insufficiently clear of PIXIEBELLE, resulting in PIXIEBELLE having to be checked, breaking stride and galloping for some distance.  Taking into account all the circumstances including Mr Andrews good driving record, his licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of seven days to commence at midnight on 10 February 2025 and expire on 18 February 2025 on which day he may drive.

 

RACE 6 – AVE TECHNOLOGIES PACE – 1609 metres

MAGIC SHOOS – Pre-race blood sample.

HOT CRUISE CONTROL – Post-race swab sample.

THEARTOFINFUSTION – Broke stride free of any external factors shortly after the start and galloped excessively.  Connections were advised that the gelding would now be placed outside the mobile barrier draw and prior to racing again must perform tractably in an official qualifying trial.

 

RACE 7 – SHARP OFFICE PACE – 1609 metres

CHEDDAR VALLEY NZ – Pre-race blood sample. 

FRANCO TYSON – Raced in restricted room approaching the home turn, then was unable to obtain clear running at any stage in the home straight and when attempting to obtain a narrow run between HIDDEN DELIGHT NZ and NIFTY STUDLEIGH inside the 100 metres had to be checked and went to the finish without being tested. 

NIFTY STUDLEIGH – Passed required pre-race veterinary examination. 

KILLARA SHOGUN – Post-race swab sample.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	B Greenwood – Rule 156(3) - $400 – TAZANNE – Newcastle Trials – 05.02.25
Suspensions	Race 5 – G Andrews – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – 7 days – THRIPENNY
Barrier Information	Race 6 – THEARTOFINFUSION – ODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 6 – THEARTOFINFUSION – 1 trial
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil