Stewards Report

CANBERRA 15/03/2026

 

 

Stewards	M Haddad (Chairman), B Day, M Ross
Starter	P Forbutt
Veterinarian	Dr E Lukas
Swab Official	G Jasprizza
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – TWOMEYS ACCOUNTANTS & ADVISORY PACE – 1770 metres

THE PRIVATE DEAL – Pre‑race blood sample. Approaching the 200 metres the filly broke gait. Inside the final 100 metres THE PRIVATE DEAL was tightened when SHEBETTORWATCHOUT shifted in. A warning was issued for breaking gait.

MY ULTIMATE BRUNO – Underwent a pre‑race veterinary examination due to the gelding having not raced for over 12 months, which revealed no abnormalities. Approaching the 200 metres the gelding was placed in restricted room when THE PRIVATE DEAL broke gait, resulting in MY ULTIMATE BRUNO contacting marker pegs. Inside the final 100 metres MY ULTIMATE BRUNO was checked and broke gait when SHEBETTORWATCHOUT hung in, tightening THE PRIVATE DEAL which then checked MY ULTIMATE BRUNO. It was also established the gelding broke gear during the event, namely the near‑side carrying strap.

COOGEE – Obtained post‑race blood.

SHEBETTORWATCHOUT – Checked approaching the 600 metres when IM NO STRANGER commenced to give ground. Inside the final 100 metres the mare hung in, tightening THE PRIVATE DEAL and resulting in MY ULTIMATE BRUNO being checked. A warning was issued.

IM NO STRANGER – Raced three‑wide during the middle stages and worked forward before commencing to over‑race. Choked down near the 600 metres and tired thereafter. A post‑race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be 2/5 lame in the left hind leg. Connections were advised that IM NO STRANGER would be stood down for 7 days, require a veterinary clearance, and must complete one re‑qualifying trial before returning to racing.

ANGELIC ATTITUDE – Over‑raced during the middle stages.

 

RACE 2 – LONSDALE AUTO ELECTRICS PACE – 1770 metres

EMERGING DEAL – Obtained post‑race blood.

OGEDIE – Rounding the home turn the gelding hung in, placing THE ATTRACTOR in restricted room and causing that runner to race roughly.

THE ATTRACTOR – Raced three‑wide early with cover before working forward. Rounding the home turn THE ATTRACTOR was placed in restricted room and raced roughly as a result of OGEDIE hanging in.

PENCIL ME IN – Pre‑race blood sample.

THE TALK – Held up for clear running over the final stages.

 

RACE 3 – OSKAR MEMORIALS PACE – 1770 metres

BARKWAY THOMAS – Held up for the duration of the home straight.

ROCKET ME – Showed gate speed to lead before withstanding a brief challenge from ROYAL FOCUS and then surrendered the lead shortly after. Upon entering the home straight, jostled with BONJORGE.

ROYAL FOCUS – Pre‑race blood sample. Showed gate speed and unsuccessfully contested the lead. Approaching the 1400 metres the gelding was tightened when LETSTACOBOUTIT shifted ground, resulting in ROYAL FOCUS contacting a sulky wheel and racing roughly. Gave ground over the concluding stages. A post‑race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

MOVINTOHELLANDBACK – No reportable racing incidents.

LETSTACOBOUTIT – Driver Dean Cernovskis pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) in that approaching the home straight he permitted LETSTACOBOUTIT to shift ground when insufficiently clear, causing ROYAL FOCUS to be checked and race roughly. Mr Cernovskis licence to drive in races was suspended for a period of 7 days. LETSTACOBOUTIT shifted out under pressure over the concluding stages.

BONJORGE – Upon entering the home straight jostled with ROCKET ME.

MITTYS THREE ACES NZ – Driver Claire Judd pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 156(2)(a) in that in the home straight she applied her whip in more than a wrist‑only flicking motion on a number of occasions. Driver Judd was fined $200. Obtained post‑race blood.

PADDY MACH – Underwent a pre‑race veterinary examination due to the gelding’s age, which revealed no abnormalities.

SAPPHIRE BOY – Broke in the score‑up and will continue to be placed outside the mobile draw. Obtained an inside run in the home straight as a result of LETSTACOBOUTIT shifting out.

 

RACE 4 – LERIDA ESTATE WINERY PACE – 1770 metres.

CANT HEAR YOU – Withstood a challenge from MICTON MOUSE before surrendering the lead near the 800 metres. Tired over the concluding stages to be beaten 60 metres. When questioned regarding the tactics adopted, Driver Melissa Hawke explained that she was of the opinion that if CANT HEAR YOU was able to lead, the mare would prove hard to beat as all prior races CANT HEAR YOU has won has been when the mare has led. Ms Hawke added that approaching the 1200 metres she was reluctant to surrender the lead as CANT HEAR YOU is not an overly tractable horse and previously has raced ungenerously and subsequently broken gait when restrained as evidenced at Canberra on 9 February 2026. Ms Hawke added that upon her being satisfied that CANT HEAR YOU was appropriately balanced in its gait, and the runners continuing to apply pressure to her outside, she surrendered the lead shortly after passing the 1000 metres. A post‑race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Upon consideration of the explanation tendered by Ms Hawke and the prior the racing manners of CANT HEAR YOU Stewards took the matter no further.

MICTON MOUSE – Unsuccessfully contested the lead in the early stages before working forward and obtaining the lead near the 800 metres. Tired over the concluding stages to be beaten 31 metres ($1.90 favourite). Contacted a marker peg and raced roughly under pressure inside the final 200 metres. When questioned regarding the performance, Driver Harrison Ross explained the gelding is best driven positively as MICTON MOUSE is one‑paced and previously has raced best when driven in this manner. Mr Ross further added that he was reluctant to surrender the position outside of the leader to KELLOSHIEL given that mare’s recent form, particularly its most recent start. Mr Ross explained that MICTON MOUSE also paces more fluently when positioned on the marker pegs and for this reason improved to obtain the lead passing the 1000 metres as he felt given the use made of CANT HEAR YOU it would likely surrender the lead, which occurred.  A post‑race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

MAJORS CREEK – Pre‑race blood sample. Raced three‑wide early before restraining to obtain cover.

KELLOSHIEL – Raced four‑wide on approach to the first turn before progressing to race three‑wide during the middle stages and then working forward to obtain the position outside the leader. Tired over the concluding stages to be beaten 67 metres. Driver Dean Cernovskis was questioned regarding the tactics adopted and the overall performance of the mare. Mr Cernovskis explained that he had been instructed by trainer James Rattray that KELLOSHIEL had been working strongly at and, in Mr Rattray’s opinion, was capable of winning this race. Mr Cernovskis further added that although the mare possesses ability, she is a poor winded horse and has previously choked down, which has included to the extent of the mare falling in a race (Albion Park 17/09/2024). Mr Cernovskis stated that connections believed the mare’s disappointing performance at its most recent start was attributable to her over racing when leading and consequently, he was instructed not urge the mare forward too aggressively from the start but instead allow her to work forward gradually and to lead or obtain the position outside the leader, however avoid restraining KELLOSHIEL too severely so as to avoid the mare choking down. Mr Cernovskis further explained that when posted wide early, he anticipated the leader would surrender their position to MICTON MOUSE and therefore allow KELLOSHIEL to obtain the position outside of MICTON MOUSE. Mr Cernovskis added that when the lead was not relinquished and he attempted to restrain the mare passing the 1200 metres he shortly after became aware the mare had commenced to make an abnormal respiratory noise, which increased his concern that the mare choke down if further restraint was applied and for this reason he allowed KELLOSHIEL to progress forward to ultimately obtain the position outside of the leader passing the 1000 metres when MICTON MOUSE obtained the lead. A post‑race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Upon consideration of the explanation tendered by Mr Cernovskis, and the prior the racing manners of KELLOSHIEL, which verified his concerns Stewards took the matter no further with respect to action against Mr Cernovskis, however ordered that KELLOSHIEL must trial to the satisfaction of Stewards prior to racing again.

MILLIE FRANCIS NZ – Obtained post‑race blood.

 

RACE 5 – CANBERRA DIFFERENTIAL & MECHANICAL SERVICES PACE – 1770 metres

SERGEANT PEE JAY – Pre‑race blood sample.

PYEKAKARIKI – Obtained post‑race blood.

DREAMTIME NALA – Raced three‑wide during the early stages. Began to tire over the concluding stages and finished in 8th placing, beaten 41 metres.

DANCE BABY DANCE – Fractious in the score‑up and broke gait. A warning was issued.

 

RACE 6 – THE TAB APP PACE – 2170 metres

HIGHLANDS WARRIOR – Pre‑race blood sample.

 

MISTER BLUECHIP – Raced outside the leader throughout and over‑raced at various stages of the event. Obtained post‑race blood.

 

NOWHERENEAR CRAZY – Pre‑race blood sample. Broke gait approaching the 200 metres, for which a warning was issued. A post‑race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

 

SNEAK A PEEK NZ – Checked approaching the 200 metres when NOWHERENEAR CRAZY broke gait.

 

 

RACE 7 – GLEN MIA (ACT) PTY LTD 3YO PACE – 1770 metres

NAVIE JO – Tired over the concluding stages, beaten 33 metres.

 

EYES OFF TIGER – Raced roughly after the start.

 

ELLEONWHEELS – Restrained after the start and inconvenienced approaching the home turn when MAGIC AS ALWAYS hung out. Raced roughly and hung out under pressure in the home straight.

 

MAGIC AS ALWAYS – Pre‑race blood sample. Raced greenly and hung out entering the first turn, resulting in MY ULTIMATE FRANCO NZ being checked. Last chance to race truly was noted.

 

STEEL STRIDE – Obtained post‑race blood.

 

MY ULTIMATE FRANCO NZ – Checked entering the first turn when MAGIC AS ALWAYS hung out.

 

KALYPSO RAINBOW – Inconvenienced entering the first turn when MAGIC AS ALWAYS hung out.

 

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Nil
Fines	Race 3 – Claire Judd – Rule 156(2)(a) – $200 – MITTYS THREE ACES NZ.
Suspensions	Race 3 – Dean Cernovskis – Rule 163(1)(a) – LETSTACOBOUTIT – 7 days.
Barrier Information	Race 3 – SAPPHIRE BOY – Continues ODM.
Trials/Stand Down	Race 1 – IM NO STRANGER – 7 days, vet clearance and 1 re‑qualifying trial. Race 4 – KELLOSHIEL – 1 re‑qualifying trial.
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil