Stewards Report

TAMWORTH 23/01/2026

 

 

Stewards	S Cullen (Chairman), T Sharwood, M Haddad (Cadet)
Starter	A Yates
Veterinarian	Dr T McDougal
Swab Official	A Freeman
Track	Dead
Weather	Fine

 

GENERAL: RACE 4: 1609 metres

The starter MR A Yates subsequently interviewed in relation to the circumstances involved in a false start being declared, then his release of the field upon the resumption at the incorrect starting position. Mr Yates conceded that in his endeavour to have all runners properly positioned at the start he drove the mobile at a speed slower than normal and this resulted in THE IRISH EAGLE being unbale to be properly restrained by its driver, which resulted in it breaking stride and the start being declared void. He said that after receiving instruction that if the drivers failed to indicate any concerns he should continue with the score up to the release point and start the race without further delay, he observed the field to be in satisfactory formation and proceeded around the track, then released the field at the 1980m starting point. He could offer no excuse for this, other than human error and being distracted by the original false start.

Considering all the circumstances, including Mr Yates tenure, his overall sound performance as a race starter and this being a first occurrence of this nature, he was told that the conduct of his duties on this occasion was substandard, however it fell short of having him removed from the position. Notwithstanding this, he was advised that should a similar situation be apparent, review of his role would be necessary and other action or alternatives may be considered.

  

RACE 1 – MULTIQUIP GOLDEN GUITAR CONSOLATION – 1980 metres

RIPPIN RUPERT – A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. Trainer/driver Mr A Varga was cautioned in relation to the manner that he applied the whip in the home straight.

VINTAGE EDITION – Pre-race blood sample. Broke stride free of any external factors rounding the turn after the start and galloped. Connections were advised that prior to racing again the gelding must perform tractably in an official qualifying trial.

ARNIES ARMY NZ – Had to be checked and shifted slightly wider rounding the turn after the start when attempting to avoid VINTAGE EDITION.

BETTERTHANFEDERER – post-race swab sample.

FAST TRACKER – Had to be checked and shifted slightly wider rounding the turn after the start when attempting to avoid VINTAGE EDITION.

ALLSOPP – Had to be checked severely, shifted in abruptly and broke stride rounding the turn after the start when attempting to avoid VINTAGE EDITION.

 

RACE 2 – BELL PARTNERS TAMWORTH SPRINT – 1230 metres

WAHAKA – post-race swab sample.

ONETANGI GIRL NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Had to be eased momentarily approaching the winning post on the first occasion when crowded slightly by OUR IDEAL DREAM NZ, which shifted in momentarily.

 

RACE 3 – HAZELLS TAMWORTH LOCAL FINAL – 1980 metres

BRAVE BONDI – Hung in rounding the home turn and contacted marker pegs.

OTIS RISING – When questioned in relation to the performance trainer/driver Mr T Ison explained, that after racing at the head of the running line without cover the gelding travelled well after being crossed by IM LORD TOMMY during the middle stages, however when placed under pressure inside the 600 metres it was unresponsive and ran to the finish in a disappointing manner.  He said that whilst its recent races had been conducted over a short time frame, its work leading into tonight's race had been pleasing and a forward showing was expected. Further, he stated that OTIS RISING was best suited when racing in the lead without being pressured and said that if recovery was satisfactory, he would continue with the gelding’s preparation. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

RAINBOW JET – Pre-race blood sample.

ADRENALINE RUSH – Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 4 – TUMBY PARK – RON WHITTON MEMORIAL – 1609 metres

During the score up on the first occasion THE IRISH EAGLE contacted the barrier arm, broke stride, and took some time to be restrained. Considering all the circumstances no action against THE IRISH EAGLE was taken however a false start was declared. When the race was re-started, it was incorrectly released at the 1980 metre point. Shortly thereafter the warning signal was sounded, and all runners were restrained after travelling a short distance. Every runner was returned to the start, inspected by the club’s veterinary officer and driver’s opinions were canvased in relation to their satisfaction of their drives condition to compete. All runners passed the veterinary examinations, and the race was re-commenced.

THOMAS ROYAL – Post-race swab sample.

BETTATHANMOZARELLA – Unable to obtain clear running at any stage in the home straight and went to the finish without being tested.

BOLZANO NZ – Unable to obtain clear running at any stage in the home straight and went to the finish without being tested.

TRUTHBETOLD – Held up for a considerable distance in the early part of the home straight and could not be driven forward.

DOUBLE THE HUNTER – Pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 5 – GARRARDS HORS AND HOUND TAMWORTH CITY CUP – 2360 metres

BETTORS MOON – Had to be steadied when over racing rounding the turn after the start behind GROSSO NASO when the tempo eased slightly. Weakened noticeably inside the 600 metres. Connections were advised that a warning for poor performance would be placed on the mare’s racing record.

LUVBITE – Weakened noticeably inside the 1000 metres despite the efforts of its driver and tailed the field. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. Connections were advised that prior to racing again the gelding must perform competitively in an official qualifying trial.

DIDSHEDOIT NZ – Weakened inside the 500 metres and was unresponsive. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities. Trainer/driver Mr T Ison was advised that a poor performance warning would be placed on the mare’s racing record.

ALWAYS BE CHAPS – Had to be steadied and lost a little ground rounding the turn after the start when racing behind BETTORS MOON which had been steadied.

HELLUVA NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 6 – MULTIQUIP GOLDEN GUITAR FINAL (GROUP 3) – 1980 metres

DEEBO – post-race swab sample.

CANADIAN LASS NZ – Weakened noticeably inside the 800 metres despite the efforts of its driver and tailed the field. Connections were advised that prior to racing again the mare must perform competitively in an official qualifying trial.

BUDDY PERFECT – Pre-race blood sample. Broke stride free of any external factors rounding the turn after the start and galloped for a short distance. Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record. Hampered and had to be steadied inside the 400 metres when attempting to obtain a narrow run inside ROCK HAMMER which hung in.

LOYAL LOU NZ – B Hughes the driver of ROCK HAMMER pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 163(1)(a)(iii), stating that after entering the home straight he allowed ROCK HAMMER to shift out when insufficiently clear of LOYAL LOU NZ, resulting in contact to the legs of LOYAL LOU NZ which had to be checked severely, broke stride and galloped for some distance before being restrained.  B Hughes licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of 10 days to commence at midnight on 23 January 2026 and expire on Tuesday, 3 February 2026, on which day he may drive. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding had sustained abrasions to its near foreleg and its near stifle and was treated on course. Trainer/driver Mr S Grima was advised that a stand down period of seven days would be applied and prior to racing again, the gelding must undergo a veterinary examination to determine its fitness.

FOR ALWAYS ARDEN NZ – Broke stride free of any external factors approaching the turn after the start, galloped for some distance and was difficult to restrain. Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record. A post-race veterinary examination revealed FOR ALWAYS ARDEN NZ was 3/5 lame in the off foreleg. Connections were advised that a stand down period of seven days would be applied and prior to racing again, the gelding must undergo a veterinary examination to determine its fitness.

LOVE LOU – Broke stride free of any external factors approaching the turn after the start and galloped for a short distance. Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the gelding’s racing record.

EXCLUSIVE HUSTLER – Had to be checked and shifted wider shortly after the start when attempting to avoid LOVE LOU which had galloped. Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 7 – NSWSOA – MEMBERSHIP BONUS PACE – 1980 metres

PURE DRAGON – Post-race swab sample.

ELOUISA DALE NZ – Broke stride free of any external factors shortly after the start and galloped for some distance. Connections were advised that a warning would be placed on the mare’s racing record.

SUPERBON – Raced in restricted room approaching and rounding the home turn, then after entering the home straight had to be steadied and shifted out abruptly to be driven forward.

CUT GLASS NZ – Refused to pace off the mark during the score up and was out of position. Considering the gelding’s history of similar incidents at the start, despite it having performed satisfactorily recently, connections were advised that it would now be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

 

RACE 8 – NSWSOA – MEMBERS BONUS PACE – 1980 metres

WHAT AGAIN SHANNON – Slow to begin.

ROSIE POLLEN – Driver L Dwyer pleaded guilty to a charge under AR 156(2)(a), stating that when applying the whip in the home straight, he did so in a manner that exceeded a wrist only flicking motion. Mr Dwyer was fined $400.

BARRYS BROTHER – Raced roughly during the early stages when being steadied to find cover.

VERY NEEDY – Pre-race blood sample.

OHWHATIWOUDGIVE – Driver B Elder was cautioned in relation to the manner that he applied the whip approaching the home turn. Post-race swab sample.

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 8 – L Dwyer – Rule 156(2)(a) - $50 – ROSIE POLLEN
Suspensions	Race 6 – B Hughes – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – 10 days – ROCK HAMMER
Barrier Information	Race 7 – CUT GLASS – ODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 1 – VINTAGE EDITION – 1 trial Race 5 – LUVBITE – 1 trial Race 6 – LOYAL LOU NZ – 7 days & vet certificates Race 6 – CANADIAN LASS NZ – 1 trial Race 6 – FOR ALWAYS ARDEN – 7 days & vet certificates
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil