Stewards Report

NEWCASTLE 13/03/2025

 

 

Stewards	S Cullen (Chairman), D Westwood, M Haddad (Cadet)
Starter	D Beevers
Veterinarian	Dr J Gallagher
Swab Official	L Nolan
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT – Tamworth 6 March 2025 – Race 8

When questioned in relation to his driving in the early stages, T Ison, the trainer/driver of NIGHT TO REMEMBER explained that he intended to lead if possible and drove with urgency after the start. He said that when he was outside PEPPA BLISS rounding the turn after start he felt that he would cross that runner comfortably, however shortly after, that runner was driven to resist his challenge. He stated that entering the home straight on the first occasion he observed the driver of PEEPA BLISS ease her drive and for this reason he again drove with vigour in an attempt to cross, but approaching the bell PEPPA BLISS again improved inside him and obliged him to cease his challenge and race without cover at the head of the running line. He said that because of this, the lead time and the first quarter were run much quicker than envisaged, however after this NIGHT TO REMEMBER became unresponsive and was under pressure from the 1000m, then weakened noticeably despite his efforts during the final lap. Following review of all aspects including all wagering transactions across all sectors, including those involving the eventual winner and stablemate to NIGHT TO REMEMBER, DIDSHEDOIT (NZ), the individual performance of NIGHT TO REMEMBER, the information provided from the post-race veterinary examination and review of the driving of PEPPA BLISS, Mr Ison was advised that his driving fell short of being blameworthy, however he must be mindful of the tactics employed when attempting to pursue pre-race plans when circumstances altered.

 

GENERAL – Acting on a confirmed phone call that the float carrying the runners trained by KerryAnn Morris had broken down enroute to the course.  The following withdrawals were made at 4.33pm:

Race 1 – A LOT OF LUVIN

Race 3 – BARNSTORMER NZ

Race 4 – POLKA DELIGHT NZ

Race 5 – EAGLE WATCH NZ

Race 6 – ONE MORE ALTA

 

RACE 1 – RIPPIT GOLF PACE – 2030 metres

OURTREACHEROUS REIGN NZ – Post-race swab sample.

MAJOR MICKEY – Pre-race blood sample.

BART BENTLEY – A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding which improved from a wide position mid-race then weakened inside the 400 metres failed to reveal any abnormality. 

YANKEE IDEAL – Held up for a considerable distance in the early part of the home straight.  Placed second lodged a protest against OURTREACHEROUS REIGN NZ being declared the winner alleging interference inside the 100 metres.  In dismissing the objection it was determined that after racing in restricted room at the entrance to the home straight, YANKEE IDEAL was shifted wider in an attempt to obtain a run between OUTREACHEROUS REIGN (NZ) and ASHLEYS BLUE CHIP, then when attempting to improve from behind and around OUTREACHEROUS REIGN (NZ) that runner shifted wider, which prevented YANKEE IDEAL from securing a clear run and being held up before eventually locking wheels with ASHLEYS BLUE CHIP when obtaining the run when OUTREACHEROUS REIGN (NZ) was straightened by its driver over the concluding stages. Considering the stage of the race when it was permissible for YANKEE IDEAL to improve into clear running relative to the finish, it was determined that had the incident not occurred, despite YANKEE IDEAL travelling strongly, it would have been continually held up and finished behind OUTREACHEROUS REIGN (NZ).  Subsequently Miss Z Fitzpatrick the driver of OURTREACHEROUS REIGN NZ pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 162(1)(www)(i), stating that inside the 100 metres she allowed her drive to shift out continuously and impede the running of YANKEE IDEAL.  Miss Fitzpatrick was fined $200.

ASHLEYS BLUE CHIP – Locked wheels over the concluding stages.

 

RACE 2 – SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE – 1609 metres

NIFTY STUDLEIGH – Passed required pre-race veterinary examination.  Raced in restricted room in the home straight and could not be driven to the finish with full vigour.

ABSTRACT ART – Hung in and broke stride shortly after the start.  Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

ULTRA BLISS – Broke stride free of any external factors in the early part of the home straight and galloped.  Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

CHEDDAR VALLEY NZ – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 3 – BARASTOC PACE – 1609 metres

TALLULAH LEE – Driver Z Fitzpatrick was fined $400 under AR 159A(1)(i), for failing to properly affix her helmet, resulting in the throat latch coming undone during the race.  Post-race swab sample.

SUPERBON – Driver S Grima replaced R Morris (transport difficulties) as the driver.

MAN FROM BRAAVOS – Pre-race blood sample. 

 

RACE 4 – TOOHEYS PACE – 2030 metres

ESCALERA NZ – Hung out throughout and when placed under pressure rounding the home turn and in the home straight, ran wide on the track.  Trainer/driver Mr T Ison was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

FIRST STRING – Post-race swab sample.

DEBONAIRE – Galloped when the start was affected.  Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the horse’s racing record.

RACING PAULA – Pre-race blood sample. 

FREEASABYRD – Inconvenienced and broke stride passing the 1600 metres when the tempo in the running line eased.

 

RACE 5 – COCA COLA PACE – 1609 metres

BETTERTHANFEDERER – Hung out during the score up and was difficult to drive.  Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.  G Panella the driver of SALLY BIGTIME pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 163(1)(a)(iii), stating that after entering the home straight she allowed SALLY BIGTIME to shift out when insufficiently clear of BETTERTHANFEDERER, resulting in contact to that gelding’s hind leg and it racing roughly for a short distance.  G Panella’s licence to drive in races was suspended for 14 days to commence at midnight 13 March 2025 and expire on Friday, 28 March 2025 on which day she may drive.

EAGLE WATCH NZ – Sustained significant contact in the latter stages of the score up when BETTERTHANFEDERER hung out resulting in the stays becoming locked and EAGLE WATCH NZ galloping.  Subsequently EAGLE WATCH NZ was declared a non-runner due to being denied a fair start.

DIDSHEDOIT NZ – Galloped away when the start was affected. Trainer/driver Mr T Ison advised that a warning would be placed on the mare’s racing record.

SWELL TIME NZ – Post-race swab sample.

ASHARK – Pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 6 – GARRARDS HORSE & HOUND PACE – 1609 metres

POPSTARROMAR – Pulled hard during the early and middle stages.

BETTOR CHEER NZ – Pre-race blood sample.  Raced in restricted room in the home straight.

MAJOR MEMPHIS NZ – Passed required pre-race veterinary examination.  Hung out when placed under pressure in the home straight.  Trainer/driver Miss G Panella was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.  Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 7 – PITCHER PARTNERS PACE – 2030 metres

DOUBLE LINES – Raced in restricted room rounding the home turn then was held up in the home straight and unable to be placed under any pressure.

BLING THE KASH – Pre-race blood sample.

SHADOW ECLIPSE – Passed required pre-race veterinary examination.

LULLABY NZ – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 8 – SHARP OFFICE HRNSW GUARANTEED TWO YEAR OLD MAIDEN PACE – 1609 metres

CANTPLZA MALTEEZA – Pre-race blood sample. Driver C Fitzpatrick replaced R Morris as the driver.

SEASIDE RIVER – Broke stride early in the score up and was out of position at the start.  Connections were advised that the gelding would now be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. 

ONEDINS CRUSADE – Hung in rounding the home turn and contacted marker pegs.  Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the filly’s racing record.

COUNT YOUR BLESSIN – Post-race swab sample.

SIERRA MIST – Could not be driven into position at the start. Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the filly’s racing record.

 

RACE 9 – THE TAB APP MAIDEN PACE – 1609 metres

WHAT AGAIN SHANNON – Pre-race blood sample. 

COULDNT CATCH HIM – Raced roughly for a short distance approaching the 400 metres.

ALWAYSBGOOD – A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be 1/5 lame in the near foreleg.  Connections were advised that a stand down period of seven days would be applied.  Post-race swab sample.

SHALAMAR MISS – Driver D Morgan was reminded of his obligation to always drive within the confines of his sulky.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 1 – Z Fitzpatrick – Rule 162(1)(www)(i) - $200 – OURTREACHEROUS REIGN NZ Race 3 – Z Fitzpatrick – Rule 159A(1)(i) - $400 – TALLULAH LEE
Suspensions	Race 5 – G Panella – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – 14 days – SALLY BIGTIME
Barrier Information	Race 8 – SEASIDE RIVER – ODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 9 – ALWAYSBGOOD – 7 days
Late Scratchings	Race 1 – A LOT OF LUVIN @ 4.33pm – Float break down Race 3 – BARNSTORMER NZ @ 4.33pm – Float break down Race 4 – POLKA DELIGHT NZ @ 4.33pm – Float break down Race 5 – WAVETHEBILL NZ @ 4.33pm – Float break down Race 6 – ONE MORE ALTA @ 4.33pm – Float break down
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil