Stewards Report

PENRITH 24/12/2025

 

 

Stewards	T Sharwood (Chairman), C Bentley, M Haddad (cadet)
Starter	P Bandy
Veterinarian	Dr M Wainscott, Dr A Argyle
Swab Official	J Quon
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – HO HO HO HOGS BREATH PENRITH PACE – 1720 metres

PALATINO NZ – Worked forward to obtain the lead passing the 1400 metres. Post-race swab sample.

JAKCAM FLYER – Caught racing three wide in the early stages until working forward to obtain the position outside the leader passing the 1200 metres.

MICHAEL CAINE NZ – Stewards questioned Trainer/Driver B Portelli in relation to the disappointing performance of the gelding when failing to travel throughout the event to be beaten 280 metres and finished in 9^th position. Mr Portelli could offer no explanation into the gelding’s disappointing performance. In view of the performance, MICHAEL CAINE NZ was stood down until it completes one requalifying trial. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

SURF ACE – Pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 2 – TAB VENUE MODE LADYSHIP PACE – 1720 metres

HOMEBOUND – Post-race swab sample.

LEAVE IT TO LUCY – Caught racing three wide in the early stages until working forward to obtain the position outside the leader passing the 1300 metres. Stewards questioned Driver Z Fitzpatrick in relation to the performance of the filly when being retired from the 800 metres. Ms Fitzpatrick explained that approaching this point she felt the filly had not travelled well throughout the event and felt something was amiss and elected to ease the filly out of the event. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the filly to be lame in the off hind leg and acting on veterinary advice the filly was stood down for a period of 7 days and until a veterinary certificate of fitness is submitted.

SPEED DIAL – Pre-race blood sample. Became unbalanced and galloped during the score up for which a warning was issued.

KATES VIRTUE – Raced roughly during the score up for which a warning was issued. Improved three wide from the 1400 metres until obtaining the position outside the leader passing the 1200 metres.

 

RACE 3 – SANTA CLAUS IS COMING TO TOWN PACE – 1720 metres

HARRYHOO – Pre-race blood sample. A false start was declared on the first occasion when Driver J Meikle raised his hand indicating he had a gear issue. Driver J Meikle pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 162(1)(d) for delaying the start in that he had raised his hand as his ear plugs had become loose during the score up. In view of Driver J Meikle’s relative inexperience and guilty plea, a fine of $100 was issued.

THE TAX CULLECTOR – Became unbalanced and galloped approaching the 1550 metres for which a warning was issued.

TIGER PRINCE – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 4 – PENRITH MAZDA BELLS PACE – 2125 metres

MADAZALWAYS – Checked and galloped leaving the 400 metres when racing in restricted room to the inside of GOOD TIME BRAVO which had hung in marginally at that point.

GIMME A REASON – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

CONSTANTINA – Worked forward to obtain the lead passing the 1850 metres.

OUR TREACHEROUS REIGN NZ – Improved three wide until obtaining the position outside the leader passing the 1050 metres.

 

RACE 5 – THE JOLLY MANAGEMENT EDGE PACE – 2125 metres

CHARLIES ACE NZ – Unable to secure clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

PORT AU PRINCE NZ – Stewards questioned Driver T Miles in relation to the tactics adopted and the performance of the gelding when holding the position the leader throughout the event. Mr Miles explained his pre-race instructions were to come out of the gate and look to take cover during the early stages however once obtaining the position outside the leader, PORT AU PRINCE NZ raced keener than he anticipated. Mr Miles added when he received a challenge from GIPSY PRINCESS passing the 1600 metres he was content to take cover however that runner was unable to muster the required speed and therefore was caught racing outside the leader.

LETS TURN IT ON – Worked forward to obtain the lead passing the 1400 metres.

GIPSY PRINCESS – Pre-race blood sample. Stewards questioned Driver A Delosa in relation to the tactics adopted in particular her decision to improve forward and challenge the position outside the leader up until a point approaching the 1400 metres before restraining to the tail of the field passing the 1200 metres. Ms Delosa explained the pre-race instructions from Trainer K Pizzutto were to go forward as the mare had raced well when positioned outside the lead previously. Ms Delosa explained that after beginning well she pressed forward and challenged PORT AU PRINCE NZ leaving the 1600 metres however approaching the 1400 metres GIPSY PRINCESS paced roughly momentarily and as a result she was unable to cross forward of that runner and was required to restrain to the tail of the field. In view of the mare’s racing manners a warning was issued. Unable to secure clear running in the home straight on the final occasion.

KING TIGER – Pre-race blood sample. Unable to secure clear running in the home straight on the final occasion and was not fully tested.

 

RACE 6 – FESTIVE FREEDOM TAXATION PACE – 2125 metres

JILLIBY TOMCAT – A delay to the start of this event was required as a result of a late gear adjustment to the horse.

FOLLOW THE MONEY – Pre-race blood sample. Worked forward to obtain the lead passing the 1800 metres. Post-race swab sample.

IMA SHINKANSEN – Caught racing three wide in the early stages until being restrained to the tail of the field approaching the 1800 metres.

VILLAROCK – Became unbalanced and galloped passing the 350 metres for which the gelding was stood down until completes one requalifying trial. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

 

RACE 7 – SKY RACING ACTIVE PACE – 2125 metres

OGEDIE – Pre-race blood sample.

KINGSTON RAINBOW – Driver B Portelli pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 156(2)(a) in that in the home straight he has applied his whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion on a number of occasions. Driver B Portelli was fined $400 and his licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of 7 days to commence midnight 24 December 2025.

BLISSES BEST – Post-race swab sample.

A VAPAR STORM – Improved three wide from the 1400 metres until obtaining the position outside the leader passing the 1200 metres.

PETES BIG JIM – Caught racing three wide in the early stages until being restrained to the tail of the field passing the 1750 metres.

ETERNAL GOLD – Unable to secure clear running in the home straight on the final occasion.

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

 

RACE 8 – MERRY CHRISTMAS FROM PENRITH PACEWAY PACE – 2125 metres

ULTIMATE WAHINI – Raced roughly leaving the 600 metres before becoming unbalanced and galloping approaching the 200 metres for which a warning was issued.

ELLY LOU – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

LAST LEXUS – Trainer P Fitzpatrick was fined $50 under Rule 268A(1) for failing to lodge a gear form for the gelding.

JANELLE MAY – Improved three wide from the 1800 metres until obtaining the position outside the leader passing the 1600 metres. Will now be reincluded into the mobile barrier draw.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 3 – Jai Meikle – Rule 162(1)(d) - $100 – HARRYHOO Race 7 – Brian Portelli – Rule 156(2)(a) - $400 – KINGSTON RAINBOW Race 8 – Paul Fitzpatrick – Rule 268A(1) - $50 – LAST LEXUS
Suspensions	Race 7 – Brian Portelli – Rule 156(2)(a) – KINGSTON RAINBOW – to commence midnight 24/12/2025
Barrier Information	Race 8 – JANELLE MAY - BMD
Trials/Stand Down	Race 1 – MICHAEL CAINE NZ – 1 trial Race 2 – LEAVE IT TO LUCY – stood down veterinary certificate, stood down 7 days Race 6 – VILLAROCK – 1 trial
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil