Stewards Report

RIVERINA PACEWAY 19/05/2026

 

Stewards	M Ross (Chairman) S Snudden, M Jasprizza, T Quick & K Lockwood
Starter	P Bandy
Veterinarian	Dr S Willis
Swab Official	J Howe
Track	Good
Weather	Fine

 

RACE 1 – CAMPBELLS COMMENTS PACE – 1740 metres

RACING WRITER – ($5.00) Driver Peter McRae was queried on the tactics adopted on the gelding after finishing in 7^th position beaten 14.7m in particular his decision to make significant use of the gelding from the start to the 1400m when unsuccessfully challenging for the lead before obtaining cover in the one one position passing the 1200m. Mr McRae advised RACING WRITER is best driven when able to lead or hold a more forward position in races as the gelding appears to race more genuinely. Mr McRae added after making use of the gelding he elected to take cover on SHEZ BETTORS BABE which was progressing forward three (3) wide as was aware of the use he had made of RACING WRITER during the initial stages of the event. Mr McRae advised he was able to manoeuvre wider on the track passing the 500m however RACING WRITER was placed under pressure and failed to run on accordingly. After viewing the available replays and the comments of Mr McRae, Stewards advised Mr McRae he had slightly erred in his tactics, in particular his use of the gelding from the start until approaching the 1400m when it was evident SPRING DELIGHT was always maintaining the lead and RACING WRITER was never sufficiently clear at any stage to cross that runner and he may have been better served to take hold of his runner sooner and maintain a forward position in the running line.

THE BANKER NZ – Pre-race swab & Post-race swab.

BACKPADDOCKJACK – ($15.00) Yielded ground from the 400m to finish in 10^th and last position beaten 58.9m. A warning was issued against the racing competitiveness of BACKPADDOCKJACK. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

RACE 2 – CALCUTTA @ RIVERINA HOTEL MAY 29 PACE – 1740 metres

LOWER WEST SIDE – ($4.40) Pre-race swab. Driver Chris Alford was queried into the overall performance of the mare which finished in 7^th position beaten 23.7m after leading in the event. Mr Alford was at a loss to explain the performance other than the mare being slightly up in grade from winning a maiden status races at its most recent start. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

SHEZFAIRYSWEET – Checked passing the 500m when LOWER WEST SIDE which it was trailing commenced to give ground.

LITTLE SASSY BOY – Driver Jackson Painting was spoked to in the manner he applied the whip to the gelding inside the final 200m.

THE KING OFTHEROAD - Driver James Herbertson was spoked to in the manner he applied the whip to the gelding inside the final 200m.

LITTLE WONDER – Driver Alex Ashwood was issued a reprimand for tightening the racing room of EYES OFF TIGER when shifting from a three (3) wide position to the running line approaching the 300m.  Post-race swab.

RACE 3– $5,000 LUCKY DOOR PRIZE MAY 30 PACE– 1740 metres

NIXSUN – Held up rounding the home turn & entering the home straight prior to obtaining clear running along the sprint lane.

EMIKO – Pre-race swab. Failed to gain clear running for the entire length of the home straight.

BIDGEE BABE – Post-race swab.

MASTER OF ILLUSION – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having not started in the preceding 12 months. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

CRIMSON ROCK – Failed to gain clear running for the entire length of the home straight.

THE CLOCK WINDER – ($7.00) Driver Rebecca Brewer was queried into her lack of vigour inside the final 100 metres. Ms Brewer advised she was urging the gelding however felt THE CLOCK WINDER was at full capacity & performing to its ability, after sustaining a three (3) wide run from the passing the 900m.

RACE 4 – BOOK YOUR VIP MARQUEE TICKETS MAY 30 PACE – 1740 metres

GLAMORS SYMBOL – ($61.00) Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the mare having started in excess of 200 starts & attaining the age of 12yrs or older. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities. Driver Jared Kahlefeldt (winner) was queried on the seemingly improved performance of the mare compared to its most recent starts. Mr Kahelfeldt advised GLAMORS SYMBOL was able to obtain an economical run throughout when trailing the leader and was suited to the steady middle half of 61.7 seconds and only had to improve upon straightening and the final half was only recorded in a moderate 59.5 seconds. Post-race swab.

MAGIC SHOOS – ($1.30 Fav) Pre-race swab. Driver Jack Stockton was queried into the performance of the gelding which finished in 7^th position beaten 11.4 metres after leading. Mr Stockton advised he was extremely disappointed in the performance and could offer no explanation for the poor performance. Mr Stockton added connections would now reconsider the future of the gelding within the stable. A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

RACE 5 – WOODCOPPING EXHIBITION MAY 30 PACE – 2270 metres

NO ALIBI NZ – Pre-race swab. Raced ungenerously passing the 700 metres and raced roughly checking MIRADOR LASS.

WAMBOYNE MACHETE – Driver Oliver Arentz was issued a reprimand under Rule 170(1)(a) for allowing his foot to drop from the sulky rest inside the final 200m.

MIRADOR LASS – Checked and broke gait passing the 700 metres when NO ALIBI NZ raced ungenerously.

KALKADOON DREAMING – Held up entering the home straight.

GOODTIME JAZZI – Post-race swab.

RACE 6 – ATWORTHY PARK STANDARDBREDS PACE – 1740 metre

CRANKINOVER – Pre-race swab. Tightened passing the 1400 metres when STAY ALPHA shifted down to the marker line.

ARTFUL DOLLAR – ($151.00) Yielded ground passing the 600m to finish in 10^th and last position beaten 49.3m.

SHUDDER – Pre-race swab.

STAY ALPHA – Driver Jackson Painting was issued a reprimand for tightening the racing room of CRANKINOVER passing the 1400m.

ALL JOKIN ASIDE – Post-race swab.

BEATS TRUE – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having not started in the preceding 12 months. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

RACE 7 – YABBY DAM FARMS NUTRIEN CLASSIC SALES RACE SERIES 3YO TROTTING COLTS AND GELDINGS HEATS – 2270 metre

AFRICAN GALA – ($101.00) Pre-race swab. Yielded ground from the 700m to finish in 7^th placing beaten 105.5m. AFRICAN GALA will now be placed on its last chance to race competitively.

THE PREACHER – Pre-race swab & Post-race swab.

LIFE ON THE HILL – ($71.00) Out of position when the start was effected. LIFE ON THE HILL will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw in future starts. In taking this action, Stewards were mindful the colt was placed outside the draw two (2) starts prior. Yielded ground from the 600m to finish in 6^th position beaten 98m. LIFE ON THE HILL will now be placed on its last chance to race competitively.

KICKING HORSE – Broke gait in the early stages of the score up and was significantly out of position when the start was effected. A warning was issued against the barrier manners of KICKING HORSE. KICKING HORSE took no competitive part in the event.

RACE 8 – ALDEBARAN PARK NUTRIEN CLASSIC SALES RACE SERIES 2YO TROTTING FILLIES PRELUDE – 1740 metre

BUMPER CROP – Pre-race swab. Paced in the early stages of the score up before being corrected to its gait. BUMPER CROP will now be placed on its last chance in the draw in future mobile start events. Post-race swab.

MUSCLEM – Trainer Alex Ashwood was fined the sum of $50 under AHR Rule 268A(1) for presenting the filly in gear which was not correctly declared.

HALFYOURSHALFMINE – ($21.00) Hung out at various stages of the event. Yielded ground from the 800m to finish in 6^th and last position to be beaten 137.8m. HALFYOURSHALFMINE will now be placed on its last chance to race competitively. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.

RACE 9 – ALDEBARAN PARK NUTRIEN CLASSIC SALES RACE SERIES 2YO TROTTING COLTS AND GELDINGS PRELUDE – 1740 metre

VERBICI – Pre-race swab. Post-race swab.

REGAL GALA – Broke gait in the latter stages of the score up and was out of position as the start was effected. A warning was placed on the starting matters of REGAL GALA.

CORPORATE AFFAIRS – Trainer Antti Ruokonen was fined the sum of $50 under AHR Rule 268A(1) for presenting the colt in gear which was not correctly declared. Back in the mobile draw.

RACE 10 – YABBY DAM FARMS NUTRIEN CLASSIC SALES RACE SERIES 3YO TROTTING FILLIES PRELUDE – 2270 metre

RHAPSODY REIGN – Slow out. Broke gait clear of interference approaching the 1900 metres. A warning was issued against the racing manners of RHAPSODY REIGN.

JILLIBY AURA – Broke gait on two (2) separate occasions approaching the 1900m and 250m. JILLIBY AURA will now be placed on its last chance to race truly.

ALDEBARAN ADA – Pre-race swab. Inconvenienced passing the 1900m when JILLBY AURA broke gait. Post-race swab.

DESIRING DIAMONDS – Trainer Rickie Alchin was fined the sum of $50 under AHR Rule 210 for the late declaration of the driver upon the filly.

IM DREAMING – Checked passing the 1900m when RHAPSODY REIGN broke gait.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 2 – A Ashwood – 163(1)(a)(iii)  Race 5 – O Arentz – 170(1)(a) Race 6 – J Painting – 163(1)(a)(iii)
Fines	Race 8 – A Ashwood – 268A(1) – $50 Race 9 – A Ruokonen – 268A(1) – $50 Race 10 – R Alchin – 210 – $50
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Race 7 – LIFE ON THE HILL – ODM Race 9 – CORPORATE AFFAIRS - BMD
Trials/Stand Down	Nil
Late Scratching	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow Ups	Nil