Stewards Report

BATHURST 9/01/2026

 

 

Stewards	M Jasprizza (Chairman), T Quick, N Moy, M Haddad
Starter	B Watson
Veterinarian	Dr A Norton
Swab Official	G Jasprizza
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – OBERON COUNCIL PACE – 1730 metres

The start was aborted on the first attempt due to a malfunction when the green light was activated prior to the candy pole.

HALL MOST AN ANGEL – Checked and broke at the 1200 metres because of LAYLA SHANNON jumping a shadow while leading the event.

THE DOME - Checked and broke at the 1200 metres because of LAYLA SHANNON jumping a shadow while leading the event.

RIVERINA FLASH - Checked at the 1200 metres because of LAYLA SHANNON jumping a shadow while leading the event.

BETTINGONYA – Inconvenienced at the 1200 metres because of LAYLA SHANNON jumping a shadow while leading the event.

LAYLA SHANNON – Approaching the 1200 metres whilst leading the event jumped a shadow and raced roughly for a short distance, as a result the bulk of the field was checked to various degrees. Post-race swab sample.

STUDLEIGH STARLITE - Checked and broke at the 1200 metres because of LAYLA SHANNON jumping a shadow while leading the event. Held up for clear racing room until the final 150 metres.

IRK MCGLURK - Checked at the 1200 metres because of LAYLA SHANNON jumping a shadow while leading the event.

HAZZA IS WATCHING – Galloped out when the start was affected. The gelding will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw in future starts.

BETTING ON COURAGE – Pre-race blood sample. Checked at the 1200 metres as a result of LAYLA SHANNON jumping a shadow while leading the event.

ALTA DOWNS - Checked at the 1200 metres because of LAYLA SHANNON jumping a shadow while leading the event. Driver J Dean was queried on the gelding’s overall performance which failed to run on over the concluding stages to finish in 8^th position beaten 35.7 metres. He stated the gelding was disappointing in the event and was of the belief he may not have backed up from trialling on Monday prior to the event.

 

RACE 2 – MOOREHEAD CRANES PACE – 1730 metres

DUFFY HOLLOW NZ – Post-race swab sample.

SHEZA BETTOR GEM – Held up for clear racing room in the run to the finish and not fully tested.

LOVE WATCH – Pre-race blood sample.

RACE 3 – ROSEDALE GIFTS PACE – 1730 metres

ALWAYSBMYPONY – Pre-race blood sample.

BEANCOUNTER – Post-race swab sample.

CLASSIC ARC – Pre and post-race veterinary examination as the gelding has had over 200 race starts. Driver C Masotti was fined $50 under Rule 162(1)(h) for failing to have her runner in position prior to the start.

 

RACE 4 – BOWYER AND LIVERMORE PACE – 2260 metres

JEWEL HEAVEN – Trainer/Driver B Hewitt was questioned on the overall performance of the mare who gave ground over the final 600 metres to finish in 10^th and last position beaten 46.8 metres. He stated although racing behind the leader the mare may not have been suited to racing over the longer distance of tonight’s event and further added the mare may be coming to the end of her preparation and he may look to spell the mare in the coming weeks. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

BAD HABITS NZ – Post-race swab sample.

ALTA BILLY – Pre and post-race veterinary examination as the gelding has not started since 20^th September 2024. No abnormalities were detected on either examination.

HES CHIMING – Hung in during the score up and as a result was out of position at the start. A warning was issued.

REBOUNDER – Pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 5 – OBERON QUARRIES AND OBERON TRASH-PAK OBERON CUP – 2260 metres

CHICAGO BART – Broke stride in the middle stages of the score up and was out of position at the start. A warning was issued.

CASSIUS DECK – Driver W Rixon was advised to exercise care when approaching the 1800 metres when half carting he has shifted back up the track slightly inconveniencing RIPP who was racing in a 3 wide position.

WHERES THE GOLD NZ – Post-race swab sample.

RIPP – Pre-race blood sample. Trainer/Driver B Hewitt was questioned on the gelding’s overall performance which failed to run on as expected over the concluding stages to finish in 7^th position beaten 22.3 metres. He stated he was able to find a forward position from the second row draw but with a fast lead time racing outside the leader may have proved detrimental to the overall performance. He further added the gelding never travelled over the final 700 metres and would look to assess his campaign in coming days.

 

RACE 6 – MAWHOODS MITRE 10 RAY AND MARGARET MAWHOOD MEMORIAL – 1730 metres

LUCKY IN AMERICA – Broke stride shortly after the start. Considering the mare’s recent record, she will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw in future starts.

LIVE VANCE – Driver A Turnbull was questioned on the tactics adopted on the mare, when finding the lead in the early stages resisted a challenge from MERRYWOOD ROSIE with the first half being run in 56.7 seconds. Miss Turnbull stated it was her instructions to obtain the lead if possible and hold the lead if challenged as connections were confident of a forward showing. Miss Turnbull further stated although a fast tempo in the race the mare was travelling comfortably in herself and believed the tactics were justified in the way the mare finished the race off to only be beaten 5.8 metres. Trainer J Vella was also questioned and confirmed the tactics given to Miss Turnbull. He was advised it would be expected similar tactics would be given in future starts where circumstances prevail.

GRACE SHANNON – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

BEYONDREASON – Broke stride at the 1200 metres. A warning was issued.

MERRYWOOD ROSIE – Driver J Turnbull was questioned on the tactics adopted on the mare in particular the distance he challenged LIVE VANCE for the lead when that position did not appear to be available. He stated when racing in a three wide position in the early stages he elected to challenge for the lead as he believed LIVE VANCE may hand the lead up as it had done in previous starts. Leaving the winning post on the final occasion he realised that position to not be available and as a result restrained MERRYWOOD ROSIE, when doing so the mare began to over race contributing to her not running on as expected over the final 300 metres.

LOMBO LOTTIE – Driver T Pay was approved to replace P Betts who was indisposed. Miss Betts was advised a medical clearance must be submitted prior to driving.

 

RACE 7 – MOOREHEAD ENGINEERING PACE – 1730 metres

PHANTOM STAR – Post-race swab sample.

LOYOLA GOLF – Pre-race blood sample. Over raced throughout the event.

CAPTAIN LLANFAIR – Driver K Winnell was advised to exercise care when shifting his runner wider to obtain clear running in the home straight on the final occasion has done so without sufficient clearance of FULLOFFIGHT NZ.

DUSTY MUSTER – Declared a late scratching at 10.31am on veterinary advice.

FULLOFFIGHT NZ – Hung out in the score up and also shortly after the start. The gelding will be given its last chance in the draw.

 

RACE 8 – SAULS GRADING AND EATHWORX PACE -2260 METRES

The all clear was delayed ascertaining if all horses had been provided a fair start due to several runners being out of position at the start and the green light not being activated until some distance past the start point. After taking evidence from all Drivers and Starter B Watson and viewing the footage Stewards concluded although runners were out of position at the start  and with the green light being activated some distance past the start point that the mobile had increased sped away from the field at start point with no material effect on any runner  and as a result all clear was given on the judge’s numbers of 2 – 9 – 5 – 1.

ULTIMATE WAHINI – Out of position at the start. No action was taken due to the speed of the mobile.

WEE BIT BETTOR – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

BOOMER SHANNON – Driver T Bullock was questioned on the decision to worked forward three wide form the 1400 metres and when unable to obtain a position in the running line was obliged to race three wide for the remainder of the event. He stated passing the 1400 metres he believed the speed in the race had eased and with his runner being one paced   work forward to attempt to obtain the position outside the lead. When improving to the outside of RUSTY VEEJAY was unable to muster the required speed and as a result was unable to obtain the position outside the lead and when not doing restrained to give the gelding some respite until failing to run on over the final 300 metres. His comments were noted.

RUSTY VEEJAY – Driver J Betts was questioned on his overall tactics and if there was an opportunity to obtain cover from BOOMER SHANNON between the 1400 metres and 1000 metres. He stated when BOOMER SHANNON improved to his outside it was his intention to obtain cover but with his horse racing keenly and BOOMER SHANNON not being able to muster the required speed, he elected to hold that position with his horse finishing the race off as expected.

LLANFAIR ROCKY - Out of position at the start. No action was taken due to the speed of the mobile.

ULTIMATE COOKIE – Broke stride in the early stages of the score up and as a result was out of position at the start. No action was taken due to the speed of the mobile.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands
Fines	Race 3 – Charli Masotti – Rule 162(1)(h) - $50 – CLASSIC ARC
Suspensions
Barrier Information	Race 6 – LUCKY IN AMERICA - ODM
Trials/Stand Down
Late Scratchings	Race 7 – DUSTY MUSTER – 10.31 am – veterinary advice – stood down 28 days
Adjourned Inquiries
Medical Clearance	Race 6 – Phoebe Betts
Follow up’s