Stewards Report

NEWCASTLE 20/06/2025

 

 

Stewards	S Cullen (Chairman), N Moy, M Haddad (Cadet)
Starter	D Beevers
Veterinarian	Dr A Knox & Dr J Gallagher
Swab Official	H Waterlander
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – WESTS CITY PACE – 2030 metres

FRANCO STORM – Pulled hard during the middle stages then weakened over the concluding stages. Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

CHEDDAR VALLEY NZ – M Formosa replaced B Elder (ill) as the driver. Post-race swab sample.

STEALTH BOMBA NZ – Pre-race blood sample. When questioned in relation to the performance driver C Formosa explained, that after being caught wide in the early stages she was obliged to drive forward and eventually obtain a position outside the lead without cover. She said that over tonight’s distance this did not suit her drive which weakened noticeably inside the 500 metres. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormality. Trainer L McDonald said that STEALTH BOMBA NZ would be spelled. Notwithstanding this advice she was told, that prior to racing again STEALTH BOMBA NZ must perform competitively in an official qualifying trial.

 

RACE 2 – WESTS NEW LAMBTON WARATAH HEAT – 1609 metres

NIFTY STUDLEIGH – Passed required pre- and post-race veterinary examinations. B Hughes replaced B Elder as the driver.

RIPPIN RUPERT – Raced in restricted room rounding the home turn, then was held up for a considerable distance in the early part of the home straight before being shifted wider inside the 100 metres to obtain clear running.

EXPLOSIVE BRONSKI – Pre-race blood sample.

KARAOKE KING – Post-race swab sample.

AMILLION PROMISES – Unable to obtain clear running at any stage inside the 400 metres and went to the finish without being tested.

WILLS WAY – Hung in when placed under pressure inside the 500 metres and was difficult to drive rounding the turn into the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormality.

 

RACE 3 – FAMILY OF LEAGUE NEWCASTLE – HUNTER PACE – 1609 metres

KASBAH – Post-race swab sample.

SKY CITY NZ – Had to be checked and shifted wider passing the 500 metres when racing behind MISTER CHEESE which weakened at that point. Then had to be checked approaching the home turn to avoid ABDICATE NZ which galloped.

LULLABY NZ – When questioned in relation to his drive throughout L Sutton explained that he drove forward after the start and momentarily obtained cover rounding the first turn, however when the driver of MISTER CHEESE which was racing at the head of the running line eased the pace he was obliged to check his drive and shift wider to avoid contact with the sulky of SKY CITY and after this he was trapped wide. He said that approaching the winning post with a lap remaining he was still unable to obtain cover and allowed the filly to race in a 3 wide line as it was travelling well. He stated that despite this disadvantage, when placed under pressure inside the 300m, LULLABY (NZ) responded well and ran to the finish strongly. His explanation was accepted.

SUNSHINE PEPPER – Driver R Atkins was fined $50 under AR 162(1)(h) for failing to drive the horse into position at the start.

MISTER CHEESE – Pulled hard during the early and middle stages then weakened over the concluding stages.

HEZA PLAYER NZ – Driver B Hughes was fined $50 under AR 162(1)(h) for failing to drive the gelding into position at the start.

MCCRIKEY NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Raced in restricted room rounding the home turn, then was held up for a considerable distance in the early part of the home straight and had to be shifted wider over the concluding stages to obtain clear running.

ABDICATE NZ – Broke stride free of any external factors approaching the home turn. Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

 

RACE 4 – HUNTER PROSTATE CANCER ALLIANCE PACE – 1609 metres

THE GREEK GENERAL – Hung in when placed under pressure in the home straight and was difficult to drive.

MR TEDDY NZ – Post-race swab sample.

LORD MEMNOCK – Raced in restricted room rounding the home turn, then was held up in the home straight and unable to obtain clear running.

ARNIES ARMY NZ – Pre-race blood sample. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormality.

 

RACE 5 – THE WESTS GROUP ROSS GIGG MEMORIAL – 2030 metres

SALLY BIGTIME – Held up and unable to obtain clear running in the early part of the home straight.

SHEZA REBEL – Pre-race blood sample.

CLASSY DANCER NZ – J Taaffe replaced B Hughes as the driver. Pulled hard during the early and middle stages and weakened noticeably inside the 500 metres. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormality. Connections were advised that prior to racing again CLASSY DANCER NZ must perform competitively in an official qualifying trial.

HUGO MAGUIRE NZ – Post-race swab sample.

CHICAGO BART – Raced in restricted room rounding the home turn and was held up in the early part of the home straight, then had to be shifted wider on the track inside the 100 metres to obtain clear running. Trainer/driver Mr S Grima was cautioned in relation to the manner that he applied the whip over the concluding stages.

FLARE UP – B Hughes replaced B Elder as the driver.

 

RACE 6 – SOUTH NEWCASTLE LEAGUES CLUB PACE – 1609 metres

VAN BASTEN – Post-race swab sample.

ITZMINONTHELINE – Hung out for some distance during the score up. Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

JAY OK – Pre-race blood sample.

HEAVENLY HOLLY – Driver M Formosa was fined $50 under AR 162(1)(h) for failing to drive the mare into position at the start.

QUADDIE VC NZ – Broke stride free of any external factors and galloped during the score up. Trainer/driver Mr A Ruggari was advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

SEVE NZ - Raced roughly for a short distance rounding the home turn and in the early part of the home straight.

 

RACE 7 – MULTICAM PACE – 2030 metres

WATCH YOUR BACK NZ – Driver B Fitzpatrick’s right foot slipped below the sulky momentarily over the concluding stages. Post-race swab sample.

OBADIAH DRAGON NZ – Pre-race blood sample.

TIGERNATOR – When questioned in relation to the performance driver J Gallagher explained that after racing forward after the start the gelding over raced and when he attempted to ease and obtain cover entering the back straight on the first occasion it became unbalanced and hung out which enabled WATCH YOUR BACK to obtain the position behind the leader. He said that because of this he was obliged to race outside the lead which was detrimental to the performance over the distance of this race, particularly when TIGERNATOR continued to pull hard and when placed under pressure inside the 300m it weakened noticeably and was disappointing in its finishing effort. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormality.

DOUBLE IT HARRY – Trainer K Morris was fined $50 under AR 210, for failing to declare L Painting as the driver by the prescribed time.

DRAKAINA – J Taaffe replaced B Elder as the driver.

 

RACE 8 – BERESFIELD BOWLING CLUB PACE – 1609 meres

MARY ANNE ROSE – Shifted wider on the track when placed under pressure inside the 100 metres. Post-race swab sample.

TWO TICKS NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Raced roughly for a considerable distance inside the 400 metres.

ULTIMATE RHAPSODY – Following required satisfactory performance trainer/driver Mr M Formosa was advised, that the gelding is now be eligible to take its place in the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 9 – HRNSW GUARANTEED WESTS MAYFIELD 2YO PACE – 1609 metres.

BLISSFULL RED – Could not be driven into position at the start and was slow away. Trainer/driver Mr A Ruggari was advised that a warning would be placed on the filly’s racing record. Weakened noticeably over the concluding stages. Mr Ruggari was further advised that the provision of last chance to race truly would be placed on the filly’s racing record.

MICKEYS RUN – Raced roughly for a short distance after the start. Connections were advised that the provision of last chance in the mobile draw would be placed on the gelding’s racing record. Raced in restricted room approaching the turn after the start and when being steadied became unbalanced contacted marker pegs and broke stride. Raced greenly rounding the home turn and in the early part of the straight and when in restricted room between THIS IS HEAVEN and KIKI MEISTER contacted the sulky of KIKI MEISTER, was checked and broke stride.

FEARFUL – Pre-race blood sample. Hung in rounding the turn after the start and was difficult to drive. Then hung in approaching the home turn when being driven forward and shifted in despite the efforts of its driver and contacted marker pegs. Connections were advised that prior to racing again, FEARFUL must perform tractably in an official qualifying trial. Post-race swab sample.

THIS IS HEAVEN – Broke stride free of any external factors shortly after the start and galloped. Trainer/driver Mr B Fitzpatrick was advised that the gelding would now be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Broke stride free of any external factors over the concluding stages and after being restrained eventually finished in third position. Having determined that during this occurrence, driver B Fitzpatrick responded according to his requirements under the rules all clear was declared. Mr Fitzpatrick was advised that prior to racing again THIS IS HEAVEN must perform tractably in an official qualifying trial.

BARSHOC – Weakened noticeably inside the 500 metres. Connections were advised that the provision of last chance to race truly would be placed on the filly’s racing record.

MIRA DOMINA – Trainer Mr Alchin was fined $50 under AR 210, for failing to declare himself as the driver by the prescribed time. Broke stride free of any external factors shortly after the start. Mr Alchin was advised that the filly would continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

KIKI MEISTER – Trainer Mr Alchin was fined $50 under AR 210, for failing to declare A Delosa as the driver by the prescribed time. Had to be checked, shifted out abruptly and broke stride shortly after the start when racing behind THIS IS HEAVEN which had galloped. Pulled hard during the middle stages. Raced greenly when placed under pressure rounding the home turn. Shifted out abruptly passing the 150 metres despite the efforts of its driver and contacted the sulky of THIS IS HEAVEN. As a result of this, A Delosa became very unbalanced in the seat and was disadvantaged for some distance. Connections were advised that the provision of last chance to race truly would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

BLAZING HIGH – Had to be continually checked inside the 500 metres when racing in restricted room behind tiring runners and was unable to obtain clear running until inside the 300 metres.

 

RACE 10 –THE TAB APP PACE – 1609 metres

MIKI BE FREE – Broke stride free of any external factors shortly after the start and galloped. Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the filly’s racing record. Raced in restricted room inside the 100 metres.

PROLETAIRE – Post-race swab sample.

WICKED DREAMER – Pulled hard during the middle stages.

CINDYLOUSHANNON – Fractious in the early stages of the score up resulting in its sulky and the sulky of WICKED DREAMER becoming entangled. Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the filly’s racing record. Hung in when placed under pressure rounding the home turn and contacted marker pegs.

SIERRA MIST – Weakened noticeably inside the 300 metres. Connections were advised that a warning for poor performance would be placed on the filly’s racing record.

SHES A TRUE BLING – Pre-race blood sample. Broke stride free of any external factors passing the 300 metres and galloped. Connections were advised that prior to racing again SHES A TRUE BLING must perform tractably in an official qualifying trial.

TRIED AND TRUSTED – Had to be checked and shifted wider shortly after the start when racing behind MIKI BE FREE which had galloped. Again, had to be checked and shifted wider passing the 300 metres, when attempting to avoid SHES A TRUE BLING which had galloped.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 3 – B Hughes – Rule 162(1)(h) - $50 – HEZ PLAYER NZ Race 3 – R Atkins – Rule 162(1)(h) - $50 – SUNSHINE PEPPER Race 6 – M Formosa – Rule 162(1)(h) - $50 – HEAVENLY HOLLY Race 7 – K Morris – Rule 210 - $50 – DOUBLE IT HARRY Race 9 – R Alchin – Rule 210 - $50 – KIKI MEISTER Race 9 – R Alchin – Rule 210 - $50 – MIRA DOMINA
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Race 8 – ULTIMATE RHAPSODY - BMD Race 9 – THIS IS HEAVEN - ODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 1 – STEALTH BOMBA NZ – 1 trial – 28 days – spell Race 5 – CLASSY DANCER NZ – 1 trial Race 9 – FEARFUL – 1 trial Race 9 – THIS IS HEAVEN – 1 trial. Race 10 – SHES A TRUE BLING – 1 trial
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Race 1 – B Elder – medical certificate required
Follow up’s	Nil