Stewards Report

BATHURST 14/01/2026

 

Stewards	M Ross (Chairman), S Snudden, M Jasprizza & T Quick
Starter	T Clarke & N Goulding
Veterinarian	Dr A Norton
Swab Official	G Jasprizza
Track	Good
Weather	Overcast & Intermitted Showers

 

RACE 1 – STUART VALENTINE INSURANCE PACE – 1730 metres

HOPPALONGPOG – Post-race swab.

SHEVCHENKO – Pre-race swab.

TERRYRAMA – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having started in excess of 200 starts. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities. 

RACE 2 – THE TAB APP PACE – 1730 metres

CLASSIC ARC – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having started in excess of 200 starts. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities. 

ABSOLUTE WEAPON – Pre-race swab.

BOHEMIAN BRAWLER – Post-race swab.

RISE ABOVE ALL – Pulled hard during the middle stages of the event. Yielded ground from passing the 400m to finish in 10^th and last position beaten 62m. A warning was issued against the gelding racing competitiveness. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding displaying a delayed recovery.

RACE 3 – BATHURST RSL SOLDIERS SADDLE HEAT ONE – 1730 metres

HOOKED ON WINNING NZ – Broke gait during the early stages of the score up and significantly out of position when the start was effected. A warning was issued against the barrier manners of HOOKED ON WINNING NZ.

HALL CASH – Pre-race swab.

CARBAGANOOSH – Pre-race swab. Raced roughly & broke gait clear of interference just prior to the finish line. A warning was issued against the racing manners of CARBAGANOOSH.

MULLUM AXEL – Post-race swab.

RACE 4– BATHURST RSL SOLDIERS SADDLE HEAT TWO – 1730 metres

HALL MOST AN ANGEL – Hung inwards after the start was effected.

DEAR DARLING – Post-race swab.

ALWAYS LIGHTNING – ($12.00) Pre-race swab. Driver Jason Hewitt was queried into the overall performance of the gelding which finished in 10^th and last position beaten 18.7m after racing outside the leader from passing the 1100m. Mr Hewitt attributed the performance to the gelding enduing more work than expected during the early & middle stages when improving forward to obtain the position outside the leader in a quick overall mile rate of 1.57.2.

RACE 5 – HORSE QUEENED PACE – 1730 metres

WHYIMAN – Pre-race swab

TAPAGANOOSH – Post-race swab.

RACE 6 – BATHURST RSL SOLDIERS SADDLE HEAT THREE – 1730 metres

SUNSET JAY JAY – Tightened & checked for racing room entering the first turn when BEANCOUNTER shifted inwards. Driver Claire Judd was reminded of her lack of control when activating removable gear passing the 700m.

CHELSEAS GIRL – Tightened & checked for racing room entering the first turn when BEANCOUNTER shifted inwards. Driver Peter Wood was queried into the tactics adopted upon the mare in particular his decision to directed CHELSEAS GIRL which was following the leader (BEANCOUNTER) and race on level terms with that runner from passing the 900m and go through a 3^rd quarter of 27.6 seconds before finishing in 3^rd position beaten 2m from the winner BEANCOUNTER. Mr Woods advised he elected to improve from trailing BEANCOUNTER due to the slow speed being set after the first half of the mile recorded in 61.9 seconds as CHELSEAS GIRL was commencing to over race at which point he directed CHELSEAS GIRL to race outside BEANCOUNTER. Mr Woods added he was surprised in what the third quarter was recorded in as he felt he did not apply such pressure to the leader or his drive as CHELSEAS GIRL had been travelling effortless during that section of the event. Mr Wood explained he was able allow CHELSEAS GIRL some respite in directing CHELSEAS GIRL back to follow BEANCOUNTER from passing the 400m until utilising the sprint lane.  After considering Mr Woods explanation Stewards felt the tactics were not unreasonable in the circumstances however advised Mr Wood’s he had erred in applying such pressure from the 800m to the 400m in contributing to the quick third quarter and he was to show greater judgement going forward.

BEANCOUNTER – Driver George Lee pleaded guilty to a charge under AHR Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) the particulars of the charge being Mr Lee permitted BEANCOUNTER shifted inwards when insufficiently clear of CHELSEAS GIRL which racing to his immediate inside which tightened its racing room and was forced down the track checking and tightening the racing room of SUNSET JAY JAY.  In assessing penalty stewards took into account the HRNSW Penalty Guidelines Mr Lee’s guilty plea his overall offence record with this being his first offence under the rule (524 drives) the degree of carelessness & interference which was assessed in the lower range. Mr Lee’s licence was suspended for a period of seven (7) days commencing midnight 17^th January 2026. Post-race swab.

ETERNAL GOLD – Pre-race swab.

RACE 7 – BARKERS BUTCHERY MEAT RAFFLE TONIGHT 3YO PACE – 1730 metres

MCROCKIN – Trainer Scott Hewitt was fined the sum of $50 under AHR Rule 268A(1) for presenting the filly in gear which was correctly declared.

I SEE A PINNACLE – Yielded ground rapidly from the 600m to finish in 7^th and last position beaten 149.5m. I SEE A PINNACLE will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

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

ROSANNA SHANNON – Back in mobile draw.

RACE 8 – HYNASH PACE – 1730 metres

WARRAWEE JACK – Broke gait clear of interference passing the 500m. WARRAWEE JACK will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion. In taking this action Stewards were mindful the gelding was issued a warning at its most recent start for displaying similar racing manners.

MAJOR JEWEL – Pre-race swab.  Broke gait clear of interference passing the 1500m. MAJOR JEWEL will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion. In taking this action Stewards were mindful the gelding was having its first official start and in accordance with HRNSW policy.

WEE BIT BETTOR – ($1.90 Fav) Trainer/driver Olivia Frisby was queried into the tactics adopted upon the entire in particular passing the 700m when leading & her decision to surrender the lead to SMOKING SHANNON at that point of the event. Ms Frisby advised Shortly after the start and entering the first turn at the 1500m WEE BIT BETTOR commenced to strike the sulky wheels and subsequently deflated its own nearside tyre. Ms Frisby explained it was her intentions to hold the lead however WEE BIT BETTOR commenced to race ungenerously upon passing the 800m where the entire commenced to hang outwards combined with the deflated wheel. Ms Frisby explained she was reluctant to apply any pressure to WEE BIT BETTOR to maintain the lead as the entire has a history of breaking gait and commenced to race roughly as the entire did not feel entirely comfortable on the rain affected track conditions. Ms Frisby added she was able to fully drive WEE BIT BETTOR out when utilising the sprint lane but with the deflated tyre WEE BIT BETTOR was placed at a disadvantaged. After viewing the available replays which supported the comments of Ms Frisby Stewards noted the comments and took the matter no further other than to advised Ms Frisby to undertake the corrective measures when setting her sulky up upon the entire to prevent any reoccurrence & refrained taking any action against the racing manners of WEE BIT BETTOR in the circumstances due to the deflated tyre.

SMOKING SHANNON – Post-race swab.

MISS HALLIE – Broke gait clear of interference inside the final 200m. A warning was issued against MISS HALLIE racing manners. Driver Blake Medlyn was spoken too in the manner he applied force when restraining the mare back to its correct gait.

LUCKY IN AMERICA – Yielded ground from the 400m to finish in 9^th position beaten 56.1m. A warning was issued against LUCKY IN AMERICA racing competitiveness.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 7 – S Hewitt – Rule 268A(1) – $50
Suspensions	Race 6 – G Lee – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – 7 Days
Barrier Information	Race 7 – ROSANNA SHANNON – BMD
Trials/Stand Down	Race 8 – WARRAWEE JACK – SD1T Race 8 – MAJOR JEWEL – SD1T
Late Scratching	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil