Stewards Report

RIVERINA PACEWAY 27/03/2026

 

Stewards	M Ross (Chairman) T Quick & K Lockwood
Starter	S Snudden
Veterinarian	Dr S Willis
Swab Official	E Hogan
Track	Rain Affected & Good
Weather	Overcast

 

General: Prior the Meeting commencing with the track receiving over 30mm of rainfall in the prior 24hrs Stewards conducted a track inspection & tested the mobile barrier which was deemed suitable for the meeting to continue and to be monitored with any further rainfall.

RACE 1 – BOOTS CIVIL RIVERINA CHAMPIONSHIPS ENTIRES AND GELDINGS HEAT ONE – 2270 metres

SANCHEZ – Post-race swab.

SOHO GUNSLINGER – ($6.50) Pre-race swab. Trainer Rickie Alchin was fined the sum of $50 under AHR Rule 268A(1) for presenting the gelding in gear which was not correctly declared. Trainer/driver Rickie Alchin was queried into the overall performance of the gelding which finished in 7^th position beaten 23.1m after leading. Mr Alchin advised the gelding to be disappointing and was at a loss to explain the performance other than the stable to possibly have a virus and he would obtain blood samples in the coming days. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have a delayed recovery. Stewards will contact Mr Alchin in the ensuring days to the relative progress of SOHO GUNSLINGER subsequently from the event.

THALASSOPHOBIA – ($101.00) Driver Bailey McDonough was queried into the overall performance of the gelding which finished in 6^th position beaten 23m after racing in a favourable one-one position for majority of the event. Mr McDonough attributed the performance to the gelding having to sustain a three (3) wide run from the 500m in a quick final half of 55.5 seconds. Mr McDonough advised THALASSOPHOBIA is best suited when able to be held up long as possible as the gelding only has a short, limited sprint.

RAVISHING SLOY – ($41.00) Driver Blake Jones was queried into the seemingly poor performance of the gelding which finished in 9^th and last position beaten 60.7m after racing outside the leader throughout the event. Mr Jones could offer no tangible explanation for the performance other than the gelding was disappointing and placed under pressure from the 500m. A warning was issued against the racing competitiveness of RAVISHING SLOY. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

RACE 2 – MAWSONS RIVERINA CHAMPIONSHIPS MARES HEAT ONE – 2270 metres

BIZZIE LIZZIE – ($101.00) Yielded ground rapidly from the 400m to finish in 9^th and last position beaten 67.6m. A warning was issued against the racing competitiveness of BIZZIE LIZZIE. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to have a delayed recovery.

IM BUTTER BLUE – Inconvenienced passing the 400m when BIZZIE LIZZIE was giving ground. Tightened and contacted marker pegs passing the 200m when PLATINUM JEWEL shifted inwards.

KIMCANDO – Post-race swab. Trainer Codi Rauchenberger was advised KIMCANDO would be detained on course for a post-race blood sample three (3) hours subsequent to the event.

SMIRKIN SERENE – Pre-race swab.

FARFALLA STRIDE – ($12.00) Trainer/driver Scott Hewitt was queried into the overall performance of the mare which finished in 7^th position beaten 28.8m after racing in a favourable running line position. Mr Hewitt advised the mare to be disappointing & failed to travel sufficiently at any stage of the event. Mr Hewitt advised he would undertake to obtain blood samples from the mare in the coming days, which Stewards would contact Mr Hewitt in the ensuring days to the relative progress of FARFALLA STRIDE subsequently from the event.

PLATINUM JEWEL – Driver Brendan Barnes was issued reprimand for tightening the racing room of BIZZIE LIZZIE passing the 200m.

LUX AETERNA – ($1.80 Fav) Trainer/driver Rickie Alchin was queried into the seemingly poor performance of the mare which finished in 8^th position beaten 31.8m after racing outside the leader from the 1200m. Mr Alchin advised the mare to be disappointing and was at a loss to explain the performance other than the stable to possibly have a virus and he would obtain blood samples in the coming days. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to have a delayed recovery. Stewards will contact Mr Alchin in the ensuring days to the relative progress of LUX AETERNA subsequently from the event.

RACE 3– BOOTS CIVIL RIVERINA CHAMPIONSHIPS ENTIRES AND GELDINGS HEAT TWO – 2270 metres

SEATHESTARS – ($16.00) Pre-race swab. Driver Will Rixon was queried into the seemingly poor performance of the gelding which finished in 7^th position beaten 16.3m after racing in a favourable one-one position throughout the event. Mr Rixon advised the gelding to be disappointing and at a loss to explain the performance. Stewards will contact Trainer Peter Rixon in the ensuring days to the relative progress of SEATHESTARS subsequently from the event.

SWEET ON LEXY – Post-race swab.

SINALOA – Driver Blake Fitzpatrick was fined the sum of $200 under AHR Rule 156(2)(a) in that applied the whip to the gelding with a free hand without holding a rein in his hand on multiple occasions in the home straight.

HESITATE – ($1.95 Fav) Trainer/driver Luke McCarthy was queried into the overall performance of the entire which finished in 6^th position beaten 14.8m after leading. Mr McCarthy advised the entire to be disappointing & failed to travel sufficiently at any stage of the event and it would be his intentions for HESITATE to undergo a full veterinary examination from his stable veterinarian. Mr McCarthy added he would drive HESITATE more conservatively going forward. Stewards will contact Mr McCarthy in the ensuring days to the relative progress of HESITATE subsequently from the event.

RACE 4 – MAWSONS RIVERINA CHAMPIONSHIPS MARES HEAT TWO – 2270 metres

CERISE RAINBOW – Pre-race swab. Locked wheels severely with SUGAR PIE HONEY rounding the final turn & tyre deflated.

SUGAR PIE HONEY – ($1.60 Fav) Trainer/driver Rickie Alchin was queried into the seemingly poor performance of the mare which finished in 8^th position beaten 31.8m after racing outside the leader from the 1200m. Mr Alchin advised the mare to be disappointing and was at a loss to explain the performance other than the stable to possibly have a virus and he would obtain blood samples in the coming days. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to have a delayed recovery. Stewards will contact Mr Alchin in the ensuring days to the relative progress of SUGAR PIE HONEY subsequently from the event.

GUNNA RELOAD – Post-race swab.

RACE 5 – YIRRIBEE STUD PACE – 1740 metres

KEAYANG JIGSAW – Gave ground from the 400m to finish in 8^th and last position beaten 36.9m. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

HEZ DUSTY – Pre-race swab.

CARLO GAMBINO NZ – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having attained the age of 12 years or older. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

HELLUVA NZ – Post-race swab.

RACE 6 – H FRANCIS & CO SUPER MAIDEN – 1740 metre

THE KID BILLY – Hung outwards passing the 300m inconveniencing TRUGOLD NZ.

ELLE ARE EM – Pre-race swab.

INDEPENDENT GEORGE – Pre-race swab. Raced roughly after the start and will now be placed on its last chance in the draw. Broke gait entering the first turn INDEPENDENT GEORGE will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion. In taking this action in accordance with HRNSW Horse Breaking Gait Guidelines Stewards were mindful INDEPENDENT GEORGE was having its first official race start.

RYKER – Inconvenienced entering the first turn when INDEPENDENT GEORGE broke gait. Pulled hard during the middle stages of the event.

WILLIAM AITCH – Post-race swab.

BAYRIDGE TOMMY – Declared a late scratching at 1:53pm due to non arrival. Trainer Denis Schmetzer was fined the sum of $200 under AHR Rule 41(1) for presenting BAYRIDGE TOMMY late on course. In not taking more action against Mr Schmetzer Stewards were mindful of his overall offence record over extended period of time and his personal circumstances.  

TRUGOLD NZ – ($2.60 Fav) Trainer Luke McCarthy was fined the sum of $50 under AHR Rule 268A(1) for presenting the colt in gear which was not correctly declared. Inconvenienced passing the 300m when THE KID BILLY hung outwards. Trainer/driver Luke McCarthy was queried into the overall performance of the colt which finished in 7^th position beaten 12.8m Mr McCarthy advised TRUGOLD NZ failed to finish off in the desired manner, and he would consult with connections in regards to the racing future of TRUGOLD NZ within his stable going forward.

RACE 7 – SUCCESS STUD PACE – 1740 metre

NORMS LADY – Post-race swab.

LOUIS THE LEGEND – Raced roughly shortly after the start was effected. A warning was issued against the barrier manners of LOUIS THE LEGEND. Raced extremely roughly passing the 500m. LOUIS THE LEGEND will now be placed on its last chance to race truly.

VIEW THE ART – Pre-race swab.

KEAYANG GALLIANO – Inconvenienced passing the 900m when ONTHADARKSIDE was being restrained to the rear of the field and force to improve four (4) wide.

RACE 8 – SMALL DOG DASH EASTER SATURDAY PACE – 1740 metre

SHOOBEES LOU – Pre-race swab.

HEZAFLASHONE – Post-race swab.

MAJOR HAYLEY – Declared a late scratching at 1:04pm due to being unable to be transported to the course. Trainer Tom Gilligan was advised MAJOR HAYLEY will now be stood down from racing until trialling to the satisfaction of stewards on one (1) occasion demonstrating the gelding can be transported to the races.

RACE 9 – TASCO PETROLEUM PACE – 1740 metre

General: The start of this event was delayed two (2) minutes due to Race 7 at Bendigo Thoroughbreds being behind there schedule starting time.

KRISTYGIRL – Pulled hard during the score up. A warning was issued against KRISTYGIRL barrier manners. Post-race swab.

CRIMSON ROCK – Pre-race swab.

FIFTYSHADESOFHAY NZ – Broke gait during the middle stages of the score up and was out of position when the start was effected. A warning was issued against the barrier manners of FIFTYSHADESOFHAY NZ.

BETTERTHANTHEBOYZ – Pre-race swab. 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 10 – DOWNLOAD THE TAB APP TODAY PACE – 1740 metre

HANCOCKS HERO – Pre-race swab. Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having snot tarted in the preceding 12 months. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities. Broke gait clear of interference approaching the 700m. A warning was issued against the racing manners of HANCOCKS HERO.

BULLETIN – ($4.00) Driver Tayla Osmond was queried into the overall performance of the gelding which finished in 8^th position beaten 31.4m. Ms Osmond advised she elected to improve three (3) wide passing the 1000m as she felt OURSURFINSAFARI whom she was trailing was placed under pressure and appearing to yield ground and felt she would be able to progress around this runner and return to the running line however when improving OURSURFINSAFARI began to improve to her inside where BULLETIN had to improve at speed to obtain the position outside the leader from passing the 700m which the gelding had too sustained long enduring run which was beyond the gelding capabilities in quick second & third quarters. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

SEASIDE SID – Driver Blake Micallef was fined the sum of $200 under AHR Rule 156(2)(a) for applying the whip to the colt with more than a flicking action and with overt force in the home straight. Post-race swab.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 2 – B Barnes – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii)
Fines	Race 1 – R Alchin – Rule 268A(1) – $50 Race 3 – B Fitzpatrick – Rule 156(2)(a) – $200 Race 6 – L McCarthy – Rule 268A(1) – $50 Race 6 – D Schmetzer – Rule 41(1) – $200 Race 10 – B Micallef – Rule 156(2)(a) – $200
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Nil
Trials/Stand Down	Race 6 – INDEPENDENT GEORGE – SD1T Race 6 – BAYRIDGE TOMMY – SD10D Race 8 – MAJOR HAYLEY – SD1T
Late Scratching	Race 6 – BAYRIDGE TOMMY @ 1:53pm non-arrival Race 8 – MAJOR HAYLEY @ 1:04pm Unable to be transported
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow Ups	Race 1 – SOHO GUNSLINGER Race 2 – LUX AETERNA Race 2 – FARFALLA STRIDE Race 3 – SEATHESTARS Race 3 – HESITATE Race 4 – SUGAR PIE HONEY