Stewards Report

NEWCASTLE 11/04/2025

 

 

Stewards	S Cullen (Chairman), D Westwood
Starter	M Pay
Veterinarian	Dr A Knox, Dr J Gallagher
Swab Official	M Sizer
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE – 1609 metres

OHWHATIWOULDGIVE – Pre-race blood sample. Raced roughly for a short distance in the early stages.

LOUIGI – Broke stride free of any external factors shortly after the start and galloped. Connections were advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

NEXT TO ME NZ – post-race swab sample.

ABSTRACT ART – D Murphy’s right foot dropped below the sulky rest momentarily over the concluding stages.

 

RACE 2 – GLOBAL BRANDS LIQUOR PACE – 2030 metres

NIFTY STUDLEIGH – Passed required pre- and post-race veterinary examinations.

FAST TRACKER – Pre-race blood sample. Raced ungenerously inside the 400 metres. Hung in rounding the turn inside that point and was difficult to drive. Connections were advised the provision of last chance to race truly would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

MATT GREGORS BOY – Post-race swab sample.

ULTRA BLISS – Hampered racing to on the inside of FAST TRACKER rounding the home turn and contacted marker pegs.

YESNOMAYBESO - Passed required pre- and post-race veterinary examinations. Pulled hard during the early and middle stages.

 

RACE 3 – HRNSW GUARANTEED LADYSHIP PACE – 1609 metres.

MELFIELD SORYT – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

SHIRALEE – Pulled hard during the middle stages.

THRIPENNY – Held up in the home straight and unable to be tested.

MY LADY SARAH – Broke stride and galloped for a short distance during the score up. Connections were advised a warning would be placed on the mares racing record. Hung in when placed under pressure in the home straight.

 

RACE 4 – WOLF BLASS PACE – 1609 metres

MISTER CHEESE – Pulled hard during the middle stages.

OCEAN AVENUE – Crowded rounding the turn after the start when racing tight on the inside of ABDICATE NZ, which shifted in when not quite clear. Subsequently C Griffiths, Driver of ABDICATE NZ was reprimanded under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii). When questioned in relation to the performance, Trainer/Driver Mr S Grima explained that after being crowded after the start he shifted wider and drove forward to the lead as was his pre-race plan. He said that after achieving this OCEAN AVENUE failed to travel at any stage and was under pressure inside the 600 metres. He said he commenced to drive with the whip approaching the 400 metres and despite his efforts the gelding could not improve and weakened over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. Mr Grima said the gelding’s recovery would be monitored prior to deciding on any future racing program. Mr Grima was reprimanded under Rule 170(1)(a) for allowing his feet to drop below the sulky rests over the concluding stages, albeit when out of contention.

OUR IDEAL DREAM NZ – Post-race swab sample.

ESCALERA NZ – Pre-race blood sample.

ROCK FISHERMAN – Pulled hard during the middle stages.

JOHNSON STEP NZ – Driver D Murphy was fined $50 under Rule 162(1)(j), for failing to drive the gelding into position at the start.

 

RACE 5 – TOOHEYS PACE – 2030 metres

BARNSTORMER NZ – Post-race swab sample.

QUADDIE VC NZ – Pre-race blood sample.

LOCHINVAR JAG – Pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 6 – SHARP OFFICE PACE – 1609 metres

SHALAMAR MISS – Post-race swab sample.

MISS ADONIS – Could not be driven into position at the start and was slow away. Connections were advised a warning would be placed on the filly’s racing record. Was subject to a gear malfunction when the lugging pole became displaced approaching the winning post with a lap remaining.

NEEDY AN GREEDY – When questioned in relation to the performance, Driver J Callaghan explained, that he was unable to obtain cover after the start and was trapped wide approaching the first turn. He said that obliged him to drive forward and he was forced to apply more pressure to the gelding than intended in the first quarter of the race. He stated that after securing the position at the head of the running line, NEEDY AND GREEDY ailed to travel and weakened inside the 400m despite his efforts. He attributed this to the extra work the gelding was forced to endure in the early stages to avoid being trapped excessively wide. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

ROCK AM ALYESKA – Pre-race blood sample. Passed required pre- and post-race veterinary examinations. Connections were advised that following required satisfactory performance, the filly is now eligible to take its place in the mobile barrier draw. Broke stride free of any external factors passing the 600 metres and galloped for some distance before being restrained. Connections were advised that prior to racing again ROCK AM ALYESKA must perform satisfactorily in an official qualifying trial.

 

RACE 7 – JOHN HUNTER CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL PACE – 1609 metres

FREEDOM ART – Post-race swab sample.

EYES BEEN PATIENT – Pulled hard for a considerable distance when attempting to obtain cover after being caught wide in the early stages.

OAK RIDGE – Hung out approaching the winning post on the first occasion.

ERROL FIN – Pre-race blood sample. Broke stride free of any external factors near the 600 metres and galloped for a short distance. Connections were advised a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

 

RACE 8 – GARRARDS HORSE AND HOUND PACE – 1609 metres

WHISKEY GIRL NZ – Held up in the home straight and unable to be tested.

JOHNNY DEE – Post-race swab sample.

IRE OF THE DRAGON – Driver R Atkins was cautioned in relation to the manner he applied the whip in the home straight.

BRING YOUR BEST – Hampered rounding the home turn and unbalanced momentarily when attempting to obtain a narrow run to the inside of TOUGH TALKS which hung out and shifted out marginally.

CHLOBRO -Pre-race blood sample. Held up inside the 150 metres and unable to be tested.

 

RACE 9 – MATES4HARNESS PACE – 1609 metres

MEGS MONARO – Post-race swab sample.

WALLAROY BOY - Passed required pre- and post-race veterinary examinations. Hung out in the early stages of the score up and was hampered when attempting to obtain its position on the gate when OUR ART CHRISTIAN NZ hung in and momentarily impeded its line. Held up in the home straight and unable to be tested.

OUR ART CHRISTIAN NZ – Hung in in the latter stages of the score up.

CAPTAIN DORIAN – Pre-race blood sample.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 4 – Seaton Grima – Rule 170(1)(a) – OCEAN AVENUE Race 4 – Cooper Griffiths – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – ABDICATE NZ
Fines	Race 4 – Declan Murphy – Rule 162(1)(h) - $50 – JOHNSON STEP NZ
Suspensions
Barrier Information	Race 6 – ROCK AM ALYESKA - BMD
Trials/Stand Down	Race 6 – ROCK AM ALYESKA – 1 trial
Late Scratchings
Adjourned Inquiries
Medical Clearance
Follow up’s