Stewards Report

PENRITH 11/09/2025

 

 

Stewards	T Sharwood (Chairman), N Moy, M Haddad (Cadet)
Starter	T Clarke
Veterinarian	Dr A Knox, Dr A Argyle
Swab Official	J Quon
Track	Fast
Weather	Overcast

 

 

RACE 1 – SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE – 2125 metres

SPITFIRE – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

SUPER DUPER DUDE NZ – Gave ground over the final 400 metres.

MISTER QUIRK – Caught racing three wide in the early stages until being restrained to the tail of the field passing the 1600 metres. Hampered behind the weakening SUPER DUPER DUDE NZ between the 400 metres and the 200 metres.

NITRO DANNY - Hampered behind the weakening SUPER DUPER DUDE NZ between the 400 metres and the 200 metres.

 

RACE 2 – PENRITH TRAINER OF THE YEAR, KERRYANN MORRIS PACE – 1720 metres

MAJOR JAROD – Pre-race blood sample.

D J ROCK NZ – Checked and galloped racing into the first turn when HOT CRUISE CONTROL was shifted down the track without the required clearance. Hung in and contacted a number of marker pegs over the final 600 metres when giving ground. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the near side foreleg. Acting on veterinary advice, D J ROCK NZ was stood down until a veterinary certificate of fitness is submitted.

GREY CADILLAC – A pre and post-race veterinary examination was conducted due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts. No obvious abnormalities were detected on either examination. Raced three wide in the early stages until working forward to obtain the position outside the leader passing the 1200 metres.

HOT CRUSIE CONTROL – Driver V Duncan pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for contributing to interference in that approaching the first turn he has allowed HOT CRUISE CONTROL to shift down the track without the required clearance over DJ ROCK NZ resulting in that runner being tightened and contacted the sulky wheel of HOT CRUISE CONTROL and being checked and galloped. As a result of D J ROCK NZ galloping, TIGER PRINCE, JAKCAM FLYER, MAID OF MONEY NZ, JUS BLING IT and HEAVENLY REASON were all checked to varying degrees. Driver V Duncan had his licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 14 days to commence midnight 20 September 2025. In assessing penalty, Stewards considered Driver V Duncan’s guilty plea, record in relation to the rule, circumstances of the incident and the contributing factors of the racing manners of HOT CRUISE CONTROL as well as the shift up the track prior to the incident of D J ROCK NZ. Post-race swab sample.

TIGER PRINCE – Checked rounding the first turn when avoiding the galloping D J ROCK NZ.

JAKCAM FLYER - Checked rounding the first turn when avoiding the galloping D J ROCK NZ.

THE BEST OF YOU – Unable to secure clear running in the home straight on the final occasion and was not fully tested.

MAID OF MONEY NZ – Checked entering the first turn when avoiding the galloping D J ROCK NZ.

JUS BLING IT - Checked entering the first turn when avoiding the galloping D J ROCK NZ.

HEAVENLY REASON - Checked entering the first turn when avoiding the galloping D J ROCK NZ.

 

RACE 3 – PENRITH DRIVER OF THE YEAR, ROBERT MORRIS PACE – 2125 metres

JUST HOME GROWN NZ – Hung in throughout the event. Stewards questioned Trainer/Driver C Fitzpatrick in relation to the performance of the gelding when failing to run on over the concluding stages to be beaten 26.7 metres and finished in 7^th position ($3.60). Mr Fitzpatrick explained he was surprised by the market price of his gelding however noted he was disappointed in the overall performance of JUST HOME GROWN NZ  and explained that when the speed increased during the third quarter his runner was unable to muster the required speed. Mr Fitzpatrick added he would look to reassess the gelding’s racing future within his stable.

BLISSES BEST – Pre-race blood sample.

HARLEEQUIN - Worked forward to obtain the lead passing the 1800 metres. Post-race swab sample.

SUNSHINE KARAMEA – Unable to secure clear running in the home straight on the final occasion and was not fully tested. Raced roughly whilst held up.

DEVILS BLING – Unable to secure clear running in the home straight on the final occasion and was not fully tested. 

 

RACE 4 – HAPPY 70TH CHARLIE SAMMUT PACE – 1720 metres

ROCKNROLL GIG - Unable to secure clear running in the home straight on the final occasion and was not fully tested.  Hampered approaching the 100 metres when looking to obtain a run to the outside of PETES CRUNCH TIME and as a result made contact with the sulky of AMERICAN WEREWOLF which was racing to its outside.

EYE CAN TRY – Trainer K Morris was fined $50 under Rule 210 for failing to declare Tyler Miles as the driver by the prescribed time. Unable to secure clear running in the early stages of the home straight before obtaining a run towards the inside of PETES CRUNCH TIME over the final 75 metres. Post-race swab sample.

AMERICAN WEREWOLF – Hampered passing the 100 metres when placed in restricted room as a result of ROCKNROLL GIG being hampered when looking to obtain a run to the outside of PETES CRUNCH TIME and as a result had its front leg contacted momentarily when placed in restricted room to the inside of FLO RYDA NZ.

PETES CRUNCH TIME – Pre-race blood sample. Worked forward to obtain the lead passing the 1450 metres. Shifted out under pressure in the home straight on the final occasion for which a warning was issued.

FLO RYDA NZ – Hampered passing the 100 metres when racing in restricted room to the outside of AMERICAN WEREWOLF and the inside of DUN SPRUIKIN.

DUN SPRUIKIN – Unable to secure clear running in the early stages of the home straight and was hampered when racing in restricted room to the outside of FLO RYDA NZ and the inside of MERRYWOOD TONY.

 

RACE 5 – PENRITH HORSE OF THE YEAR, MERRYWOOD TONY PACE – 2125 metres

THE GREEK GENERAL – Trainer K Towers was fined $50 under Rule 210 for failing to declare J Gallagher as the driver by the prescribed time.

NOTHINGBUTWAVES – Worked forward to obtain the lead passing the 1600 metres. Post-race swab sample.

PELIGROSO – Unable to secure clear running in the home straight on the final occasion and was not fully tested.

HES A MEISTER NZ – Caught racing three wide in the early stages until working forward to obtain the position outside the leader passing the 1600 metres. Had its offside sulky wheel contacted on straightening from DOUGS FLAME when that runner hung in momentarily.

TINDER SURPRISE – Declared a late scratching at 9.12am on veterinary advice.

DOUGS FLAME – Hampered passing the 250 metres and hung in and contacted the sulky wheel of HES A MEISTER NZ.

KING TIGER – Improved three wide from the 1500 metres until obtaining the position outside the leader passing the 1350 metres.

FOXY DADA – Pre-race blood sample. Hung in rounding the final turn and as a result placed DOUGS FLAME – raced into restricted room and as a result that runner hung in and contacted the sulky wheel of HES A MEISTER NZ.

 

RACE 6 – MATES4HARNESS 2YO PACE – 1720 metres

AUGUST STAR – Post-race swab sample.

TENNESSEE KID – Pre-race blood sample. Over raced when positioned outside the leader. Raced in restricted room leaving the 800 metres when PERFECTED hung in when racing to its outside.

PERFECTED – Stewards questioned Trainer/Driver B Portelli in relation to the tactics adopted, racing manners and overall performance of PERFECTED. Mr Portelli explained his pre-race plan was to go back at the start however PERFECTED was pulling hard during the score up and as a result he was required to go forward as the mobile released the field. Mr Portelli explained rounding the first turn he looked to press forward and obtain the position outside the leader however approaching the 1400 metres TENNESSEE KID was over racing and as he allowed PERFECTED to stride forward the gelding commenced to hang in and as a result was slow to respond to his urgings and approaching the 1200 metres the gelding commenced to hang in again and as a result he was required to correct his drive and he was unable obtain the position outside the leader. Mr Portelli further explained passing the 1000 metres he elected to improve forward again when balancing the gelding up however passing the 800 metres the gelding commenced to hang in significantly and as a result he was forced to race wide for the remainder of the event. Mr Portelli explained that considering the run afforded, he was very satisfied with the gelding’s overall performance. In view of the tractability of PERFECTED the gelding was issued its last chance to race truly. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.

KIRPHILBRI – Raced three wide during the early and middle stages with a trail on the back of PERFECTED.

BETWEEN DECKS - Trainer K Morris was fined $50 under Rule 268A(1) for failing to lodge a gear form for the gelding.

STAY LUCKY – Unable to secure clear running in the home straight on the final occasion and was not fully tested.

DESIGNA LABEL – Unable to secure clear running in the home straight on the final occasion and was not fully tested.

HUNGRY JOE – Raced three wide in the latter stages with a trail. Unable to secure clear running in the home straight on the final occasion and was not fully tested.

DYNAMITE DANNI – Unable to secure clear running in the home straight on the final occasion and was not fully tested.

 

RACE 7 – AUSSIE NIGHT MARKETS @ PENRITH SHOWGROUND SEPT 14 PACE – 2125 metres

ROLL TO THE TOP – Pre-race blood sample. Hung in after the start and raced roughly for a short distance. Raced in restricted room momentarily approaching the first turn when MIZZZ ADELE had taken up the available room to the outside of ROLL TO THE TOP when that runner had hung in.

MIZZZ ADELE – Worked forward to obtain the lead passing the 1750 metres. Post-race swab sample.

STELLINA – Raced three wide in the early stages until working forward to obtain the position outside the leader passing the 1750 metres.

LITTLE CESSNA – Caught racing three wide in the early stages until being restrained to the tail of the field passing the 1900 metres.

DILETTO – Unable to secure clear running in the early stages of the home straight and was not fully tested.

MADAZALWAYS - A pre and post-race veterinary examination was conducted due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts. No obvious abnormalities were detected on either examination.

CHARLIES ACE NZ – Improved three wide from the 1400 metres until obtaining the position outside the leader passing the 1200 metres.

 

RACE 8 – TAB VENUE MODE PACE – 2125 metres

MAGNETIC STORM – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

CELEBRITY PRINCESS – Hampered and paced roughly leaving the 500 metres when INSIDE MAGIC shifted up the track to its inside.

HELLOVATIME – Caught racing three wide in the early stages until working forward to obtain the position outside the leader passing the 1800 metres.

INSIDE MAGIC - Trainer K Morris was fined $50 under Rule 268A(1) for failing to lodge a gear form for the gelding. Driver R Morris was advised to exercise care in that passing the 500 metres when shifting INSIDE MAGIC up the track it has overreacted to his movement and as a result CELEBRITY PRINCESS was hampered at that point. In not taking more severe action Stewards were mindful of the over reaction of INSIDE MAGIC.

ROCK ASSET – Declared a late scratching at 3.39pm on veterinary advice.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 4 – KerryAnn Morris – Rule 210- $50 – EYE CAN TRY Race 5 – Kerry Towers – Rule 210 - $50 – THE GREEK GENERAL Race 6 – KerryAnn Morris – Rule 268A(1) - $50 – BETWEEN DECKS Race 8 – KerryAnn Morris – Rule 268A(1) - $50 – INSIDE MAGIC
Suspensions	Race 2 – Vaughan Duncan – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – 14 DAYS – HOT CRUISE CONTROL – to commence midnight 20/09/25
Barrier Information	Nil
Trials/Stand Down	Race 2 – D J ROCK NZ – stood down veterinary certificate
Late Scratchings	Race 5 – TINDER SURPRISE NZ – 9.12am - Veterinary advice – 28 days and $330 Race 8 – ROCK ASSET – 3.39pm -Veterinary advice – 28 days ad $330
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil