Stewards Report

RIVERINA PACEWAY 19/04/2025

 

Stewards	M Ross (Chairman) B Day & K Lockwood
Starter	P Bandy & N Moy (Assistant)
Veterinarian	Dr M Wainscott & Dr S Willis
Swab Official	J Howe
Track	Good
Weather	Fine

 

RACE 1 – JUDDS’S HORSE SUPPLIES PACE – 1740 metres

DEE TERROR – Post-race swab.

FRESH PRINCE – Severely checked and broke gait approaching the 1400m when LOUIS THE LEGEND broke gait and shifted outwards abruptly.

BACKWARDS FIRST – ($4.20 Fav) Pre-race swab. Trainer Nicholas Hargraves was queried into the overall performance of the mare which finished in 4^th position beaten 6.9m after leading from the 1000m. Mr Hargraves advised he was satisfied in the performance as the mare had to endue more work than expected to obtain the lead after a quick first quarter & the mare had not started since 3^rd March 2025 which were the main contributing factors to the mares performance and BACKWARDS FIRST would derive benefit from the performance.

VILLAGE AREA – Severely checked and broke gait approaching the 1400m when LOUIS THE LEGEND broke gait and shifted outwards abruptly.

HUDSON RIVER – Severely checked and broke gait approaching the 1400m when LOUIS THE LEGEND broke gait and shifted outwards abruptly.

JILLIBY RYDER – Broke gait during the early stages of the score up however was in position when the start was effected. JILLIBY RYDER will now be placed on its last chance in the draw. Checked and broke gait momentarily approaching the 1400m when LOUIS THE LEGEND broke gait and shifted outwards abruptly.

TROUBLE IN HEAVEN – Checked and broke gait when LOUIS THE LEGEND broke gait and shifted outwards abruptly approaching the 1400m.

LOUIS THE LEGEND – Hung outwards during the latter stages of the score up. Hung outwards and raced ungenerously and shifted outwards abruptly despite the driver efforts approaching the 1400m severely checking multiple runners to varying degrees. LOUIS THE LEGEND will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion. At the request of Trainer Stephen Maguire LOUIS THE LEGEND will now be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile start events.

SCOTTIE MACH – ($12.00) Driver Blake Micallef was queried into the tactics adopted upon the gelding in particular from the 300m onwards and if he gave consideration to direct the gelding to sprint lane prior to directing the gelding wider on the track approaching the 250m. Mr Micallef advised that he was able to improve onto the back of the leader BACKWARDS FIRST approaching the 300m when DEE TERROR was directed wider on the track. Mr Micallef explained when improving with significant momentum to follow BACKWARDS FIRST he felt that runner was already under pressure and did not feel BACKWARDS FIRST would continue with its run to take his runner to the sprint lane and therefore committed to direct SCOTTIE MACH wider on the track to secure clear running as he felt the geldings momentum was halted when DEE TERROR was shifted slightly wider when SCOTTIE MACH was commencing to gain clear running to its outside. After viewing the available replays stewards felt Mr Micallef had erred with his tactics in not attempting to pursue with maintaining his position behind BACKWARDS FIRST which would have afforded the gelding a clear run along the sprint lane in particular in the manner BACKWARDS FIRST commenced to shift outwards under pressure upon straightening. However, stewards did not feel the tactics adopted were culpable to sustain a charge under AHR Rule 149 & advised Mr Micallef he was expected to show greater judgment.

RACE 2 – MITAVITE COOL VITALITY PACE – 1740 metres

THE TEXAS RANGER – Raced roughly passing the 300m.

UNCHAINMYART – Post-race swab.

OUR REBEL YELL – Pulled hard during the middle stages of the event.

SHES A WARRAWEE – ($1.65 Fav) Pre-race swab. Driver Jackson Painting was queried into the overall performance of the filly which finished in 8^th position beaten 15.7m. Mr Painting advised the filly provided to be difficulted to driver throughout the event in hanging outwards which he contributed to the stable changing the bit upon the filly after recent trial where SHES A WARRAWEE had pulled extremely hard. Mr Painting advised this was the main contributing factor to the filly’s performance as she raced ungenerously throughout and resented the change of bit & he would recommend to trainer David Kennedy to undertake further bit alterations to assist in order to steer the filly. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 3– STROUD HOMES PACE –1740 metres

General: Stewards intend to review all wagering in regards to this event.

UNCLE JAY – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having attained the age of 12 years or older. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

WIPEOUT– Pre-race swab.

KEAYANG BLUE JEANS – Trainer Peter Romero was fined the sum of $50 under AHR Rule 268A(1) for presenting the mare in gear which was not correctly declared.

MESSERATI – Driver James Locke was fined the sum of $200 under AHR Rule 156(2)(a) for applying the whip to the gelding with more than a wrist flicking action and overt force inside the final 300m.

SPRINGFIELD AMORE – Post-race swab.

RACE 4 – YIRRIBEE STUD WAGGA PACERS CUP – 2270 metres

CATCHAFIRE NZ – ($2.80 Fav) Pre-race swab. Trainer/driver Jackson Painting was queried into the overall performance of the gelding which finished in 7^th position beaten 7.2m after leading. Mr Painting advised he was satisfied with the overall performance as the gelding only weakened inside the final 100m as CATCHAFIRE NZ is a 3-year-old racing older & more seasoned runners as the gelding is at a difficult rating mark after limited racing. Mr Painting advised he will assess the gelding in the ensuring days if he continues with the current preparation or gives CATCHAFIRE NZ a slight let up from racing.

CARLO GAMBINO NZ – Pulled hard during the middle stages of the event.

MORE GOODA NZ – Locked wheels momentarily with BOOM NZ approaching the 300m.

BIG BAD OSSIE – Driver Luke McCarthy was reminded of his obligation when applying the whip to the gelding inside the final 200m.

RESET THE BAR NZ – ($4.40) Pre-race swab. Trainer/driver Brad Hewitt was queried into the overall performance of the gelding which in 6^th position beaten 7m after racing outside the leader throughout. Mr Hewitt advised he was satisfied with the performance as RESET THE BAR NZ was not suited being caught racing without cover throughout the event as he was of the opinion he would obtain cover during the event which would have assisted the geldings’ overall chances.

DIAMOND ECLIPSE – Held up and failed to gain clear running for the entire length of the home straight.

BOOM NZ – Locked wheels momentarily with MORE GOODA NZ approaching the 300m. Post-race swab.

RACE 5 – NUTRIEN EQUINE RIVERINA CHAMPIONSHIPS MARES FINAL (LISTED CLASSIC) – 2270 metres

BETTORS MOON – Gave ground from the 500m to finish in 9^th position beaten 57.6m.

AROMET GIRL – Gave ground from the 500m to be beaten 49.5m.

ALWAYSBMINNIE – Inconvenienced passing the 500m when AROMET GIRL commenced to give ground.

TALLULAH LEE – Underwent a pre-race veterinary examination and was passed fit to start.

EVER ART – Pre-race swab & Post-race swab.

MOTH HUNTER – Yielded ground rapidly from the 500m to finish in 10^th and last position beaten 80.9m. A warning was issued against the mares racing competitiveness.

LUX AETERNA – Pre-race swab & Post-race swab.

EYE KEEP SMILING – Pre-race swab & Post-race swab.

RACE 6 – BOOTS CIVIL | MILBRAE QUARRIES RIVERINA CHAPIONSHIPS ENTIRES AND GELDINGS FINAL (LISTED CLASSIC) – 2270 metre

General: Stewards questioned driver’s Jason Hewitt (OUR GOAT) & Klayton Bigeni (ITZMINEONTHELINE) into the reasons for ITZMINEONTHELINE being forced wider on the track approaching the 800m prior to the designated ease out pole. After taking evidence from both drivers and viewing the available replays it was established that once NYACK commenced to yield ground rapidly OUR GOAT commenced to make heavy contact to the sulky of BAINBRIDGE and its driver which was racing directly in front of OUR GOAT along the marker line and for safety reasons Mr Hewitt directed OUR GOAT outwards to avoid making any further contact to the sulky of BAINBRIDGE & its driver as he was of the belief OUR GOAT would become entangled in the sulky of BAINBRIDGE which subsequently forced ITZMINEONTHELINE wider on the track prior to the ease out pole which was the only reason he directed the gelding wider. Stewards felt the actions of Mr Hewitt were not unreasonable in the circumstances noting in particular the manner in which NYACK was yielding ground and the racing manners of trailing runners and took the matter no further and noted the incident.

Stewards questioned driver’s Brad Hewitt (HORN PLAYER) Klayton Bigeni (ITZMINEONTHELINE) & Taylah Osmond (BAINBRIDGE) into the reasons for BAINBRIDGE being checked and braking gait approaching the 150m. After taking evidence from all drivers and viewing the available replays it was established that DASHING (Luke McCarthy) commenced to shift his runner wider on the track when in advanced of all the runner simultaneously as HORN PLAYER improved quickly to his outside wheel resulting in that runner being taken up the track marginally which tightened the racing room of ITZMINEONTHELINE which shifted into the racing line of BAINBRIDGE resulting in that runner being checked and break gait. Stewards could not place blame on any one horse or driver for the incident with the mitigating circumstances with the minimal shifting of runners & being in staggered lines and took the matter no further.

ALTA WILLIAM – Checked and contacted the sulky of OUR GOAT approaching the 900m when NYACK yielded ground rapidly

HORN PLAYER – Held up during the early stages of the home straight prior obtaining clear running. Inconvenienced passing the 200m when DASHING shifted outwards marginally.

SWEETHEART BART – Pre-race swab & Post-race swab.

OUR GOAT – Broke gait during the early stages of the score up. A warning was issued against the barrier manners of OUR GOAT. Checked and contacted the sulky of BAINBRIDGE approaching the 900m when NYACK yielded ground rapidly.

ITZMINEONTHELINE – Checked and forced wide passing the 900m when OUR GOAT shifted outwards. Tightened for racing room passing the 200m when HORN PLAYER was shifted wider.

BAINBRIDGE – Severely checked and sulky contacted passing the 900m when NYACK yielded ground rapidly. Checked & broke gait approaching the 150m when ITZMINEONTHELINE was shifted wider. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding displaying a slower than normal recovery.

SOHO SPECTRE – Driver Michael Stanley was fined the sum of $200 under AHR Rule 162(1)(h) for failing to come up & maintain his position until the start was effected.

I BREAK THE LINE – Checked and contacted the sulky of ALTA WILLIAM approaching the 900m when NYACK yielded ground rapidly. Post-race swab.

DASHING – Inconvenienced during the middle stages of the score up & broke gait momentarily when OUR GOAT broke gait.

MONTALBANO – Pre-race swab.

CAPTAIN HAMMERHEAD – Pre-race swab & Post-race swab.

NYACK – ($2.60 Fav) Pre-race swab. Yielded ground rapidly passing the 1000m checking multiple runners trailing to finish in 12^th and last position beaten 325.7m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding displaying Atrial Fibrillation in accordance with AHR Rule 101C(2)(a) NYACK will now be stood down from racing for a period of fourteen (14) days a veterinary certificate an Electrocardiogram (ECG) report and trialing to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion.

RACE 7 – RIVERINA CRANES LADYSHIP PACE – 1740 metre

PRECISE NZ – Broke gait shortly after the start was effected. PRECISE NZ will now be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile start events.

ALABAMA LIONESS – Hang inwards during the score up and was out of position when the start was effected. A warning was against the barrier manners of ALABAMA LIONESS.

MISSAUDACIOUS – Pre-race swab & Post-race swab.

RACE 8 – SOUTHWEST STOCKFEEDS PACE – 1740 metre

SHEZA BETTOR GEM – Pre-race swab.

HAPPY TOO YA – Post-race swab.

RACE 9 – JACINTA BODEL HOMES PACE – 1740 metre

JUST LIKA DREAM – Pre-race swab.

PAPENHUYZEN NZ – Post-race swab.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 3 – P Romero – Rule 268A(1) – $50 Race 3 – J Locke – Rule 156(2)(a) – $200 Race 6 – M Stanley – Rule 162(1)(h) – $200
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Race 1 – LOUIS THE LEGEND – ODM Race 7 – PRECISE NZ – ODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 1 – LOUIS THE LEGEND – SD1T Race 6 – NYACK – SD14D SDECG SDVC SD1T
Late Scratching	Race 2 – CHRISSY EVE @ 9:32am
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow Ups	Nil