Stewards Report

BATHURST 17/07/2026

 

 

Stewards	M Haddad (Chairman), T Sharwood, M Jasprizza, D Edgeton
Starter	P Bandy
Veterinarian	Dr A Norton
Swab Official	G Jasprizza
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – NUTRIEN BATHURST GRADUATE HEATS 19 AUGUST PACE – 1730 metres

 

FESTINALENTE – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race blood sample.

 

DESIDERIO – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having started in excess of 200 races. These examinations did not reveal any significant findings.

 

STUDLEIGH STARLITE – Stewards spoke with driver Jett Turnbull regarding the performance of the mare, which started a $3.60 chance and finished in 9th placing. Mr Turnbull explained that he was disappointed with the performance and, in his opinion, the work undertaken during the early stages may have affected the mare's ability to finish the race off over the concluding stages. Stewards noted his comments.

 

LINE ME UP BRO NZ – Pulled hard during the score up. Held up for clear running rounding the final turn and in the early stages of the home straight.

 

 

RACE 2 – YABBY DAM FARMS SHARE THE GLORY 3YO PACE – 1730 metres

 

VINNYSGAL – Hung out entering the home straight on the final occasion.

 

VINIES JOLT – Showed gate speed at the start before racing roughly shortly after the start. The mare then failed to run on over the concluding stages to finish in 9th placing, beaten 38 metres. Stewards spoke with driver Jason Turnbull regarding the filly’s performance and racing manners. Mr Turnbull explained that the majority of the filly’s recent starts had been on smaller tracks where she had been able to race to the marker pegs. He added that after racing roughly shortly after the start, VINIES JOLT was unable to obtain the marker peg position and, in his opinion, this contributed to the disappointing performance. Mr Turnbull further stated that the filly was also stepping up in class. In view of the filly’s racing manners shortly after the start, a warning was issued.

 

 

SOME JEWEL – Broke gait approaching the 600 metres. In view of the filly's recent record, a warning was issued.

 

AWICKED WOMAN – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

 

RACE 3 – HAPPY 80TH BIRTHDAY ROBERT CHEW PACE – 2260 metres

 

YAREADYFREDDY – Post-race swab sample.

 

INDI AIR TONIGHT – Stewards spoke with driver Jett Turnbull regarding the performance of the mare, which started the $1.55 favourite and finished in 3rd placing, beaten 9 metres. Mr Turnbull stated that he was disappointed with the performance and, in his opinion, the mare may not have run out the 2260 metre journey. Mr Turnbull added that he believed INDI AIR TONIGHT may be better suited when racing over a shorter distance. Stewards noted his comments.

 

KADAR – Pre-race blood sample.

 

TIGERNATOR – Raced wide during the early stages before being restrained to the rear of the field. Held up for clear running over the concluding stages.

 

RACE 4 – SUCCESS STUD CELEBRATING 59 YEARS OF HORSE BREEDING 3YO PACE – 1730 metres

 

GENERAL -

Stewards delayed the all clear to review the start after concerns were raised that HASHTAG HECTOR and SHOOBEES LOU may have been denied a fair start. Upon review, it was established that MISTER DEPENDABLE broke during the score up, resulting in HASHTAG HECTOR and SHOOBEES LOU being inconvenienced and both runners commencing the event out of position. After considering the available evidence and taking submissions from the respective drivers, Stewards declared HASHTAG HECTOR and SHOOBEES LOU non-runners on the grounds that they had been denied a fair start.

 

CALL ME BILLY – Inconvenienced during the score up as a result of MISTER DEPENDABLE breaking gait. Post-race swab sample.

 

MISTER DEPENDABLE – Broke during the score up resulting in CALL ME BILLY, HASHTAG HECTOR and SHOOBEES LOU being inconvenienced. As a consequence, DETANGLED and WOKKA ROCK were checked and broke gait. In view of the gelding's recent record, a warning was issued.

 

DETANGLED – Pre-race blood sample. Checked and broke during the score up.

 

WOKKA ROCK – Checked and broke during the score up.

 

HASHTAG HECTOR – Declared a non-runner after being denied a fair start.

 

SHOOBEES LOU – Declared a non-runner after being denied a fair start.

 

 

RACE 5 – BOWYER AND LIVERMORE PACE – 1730 metres

LAYLA SHANNON – Inconvenienced approaching the 400 metres when HELLO I TEA shifted wider on the track.

 

LINCOLN SKIPPER NZ – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race swab sample.

 

HELLO I TEA – Driver Owen Shea was reprimanded under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference. Approaching the 400 metres, Mr Shea shifted HELLO I TEA wider on the track in an attempt to obtain clear running when no run was available, resulting in LAYLA SHANNON being inconvenienced. In assessing the matter, Stewards were satisfied that Mr Shea immediately corrected the movement and returned HELLO I TEA to its position.

 

LIMOUSINE TOMMY – Broke gait approaching the 100 metres. In view of the gelding's recent record, a last chance to race truly was placed on the gelding's record.

 

RACE 6 – HAPPY BIRTHDAY WAYNE WHITE PACE – 2260 metres

 

LEXY LONGSTOCKINGS – Post-race swab sample.

 

MY ULTIMATE LUCIUS – Hung in rounding the home turn on the final occasion resulting in KIRPHILBRI being placed in restricted room and contributing to a number of trailing runners being checked. In view of the gelding's recent record, a warning was issued.

 

GIFTED BRIGADE NZ – Inconvenienced rounding the home turn on the final occasion as a result of the interference to runners ahead.

 

CALM REASON – Out of position at the start. In view of the gelding's recent record, a warning was issued.

 

AUNTY JUNE – Broke shortly after the start. The mare will now be placed outside the mobile barrier draw. Over raced throughout the middle stages. Checked and broke rounding the home turn when placed in restricted room as a result of the interference to runners ahead. As a consequence, AUNTY JUNE raced into the back of SONNY WRITER and broke gait.

 

STUDLEIGH SUNRISE – Caught racing three wide in the early stages before being restrained to the rear of the field. Hung out and raced roughly during the event. Driver Jake Davis was reprimanded under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference in that approaching the 200 metres he permitted STUDLEIGH SUNRISE to shift out when not sufficiently clear of KIRPHILBRI, which was checked.

 

SONNY WRITER – Placed in restricted room rounding the home turn as a result of MY ULTIMATE LUCIUS hanging in. As a consequence, SONNY WRITER raced into the sulky of KIRPHILBRI, was checked and broke gait. Stewards were satisfied the incident was a result of the movement from MY ULTIMATE LUCIUS and the resulting chain reaction through the field.

 

KIRPHILBRI – Pre-race blood sample. Placed in restricted room rounding the home turn when MY ULTIMATE LUCIUS hung in. As a consequence, SONNY WRITER contacted the sulky of KIRPHILBRI, resulting in the gelding being checked and breaking gait. Checked approaching the 200 metres when STUDLEIGH SUNRISE shifted out.

 

RACE 7 – CONFEDERATE AT COBBITTY EQUINE FARM PACE – 1730 metres

 

THE DOME – Post-race swab sample.

 

ROYAL FOCUS – Pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 8 – LITTLE WYCH PREMIUM SPELLING PACE – 1730 metres

 

MAISIELOUISA – Pre-race blood sample.

 

PET RANGER – Stewards spoke with driver Jason Hewitt regarding the performance of the gelding, which started the $2.30 favourite and finished in 10th placing, beaten 24 metres. Mr Hewitt stated that he was disappointed with the performance and, in his opinion, PET RANGER may benefit from a short freshen up. Stewards noted his comments.

 

BETTOR BRILLIANCE – Post-race swab sample.

 

CHILLAX – Broke shortly after the start. In view of the gelding's recent record, a warning was issued.

 

BROOKLYN BANDIT – Held up for clear running rounding the home turn and throughout the home straight, resulting in the gelding not being fully tested.

 

GABBYS SPORTSTAR – Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the gelding having started in excess of 200 races. These examinations did not reveal any significant findings.

 

 

RACE 9 – TOWN AND COUNTRY RURAL SUPPLIES PACE – 2260 metres

 

SECRET REASON – Checked and raced roughly shortly after the start when CLEARY shifted down the track when not sufficiently clear. The mare then tired over the concluding stages to finish beaten 41 metres.

 

STUCKINAFENCE – Pre-race blood sample

 

CLEARY – Driver Kellie Dean pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) in that approaching the first turn she permitted CLEARY to shift down the track when not sufficiently clear of SECRET REASON, resulting in the near side wheel of CLEARY contacting the front legs of SECRET REASON. As a consequence, SECRET REASON was checked and raced roughly. In assessing penalty, Stewards took into account Ms Dean's early guilty plea, driving record and the circumstances of the incident. Stewards accordingly suspended Ms Dean's licence to drive in races for a period of 14 days, with the suspension to commence on 17 July 2026. CLEARY then tired over the concluding stages to finish beaten 48 metres.

 

SERGEANT PEE JAY – Post-race swab sample.

 

JACKS GAMBLE – Hung in during the score up. The gelding tired over the concluding stages to finish beaten 101 metres. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant findings. Trainer/driver Jeffery Glover was advised that in view of the gelding's performance, JACKS GAMBLE would be stood down until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

 

RACE 10 – THE TAB APP PACE – 2260 metres

 

BABY EL AY – Hung out shortly after the start, resulting in OLIVER SHARK being placed in restricted room approaching the first turn. In view of the gelding's recent record, a warning was issued. The gelding commenced to weaken approaching the 800 metres and finished beaten 159 metres. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant findings. Stewards opened an inquiry into the tactics adopted by driver Ella Turnbull. The inquiry was adjourned and will be resumed at Parkes on 31 July 2026.

 

PEPPERMINT – Broke during the score up and as a result took no competitive part in the event, finishing tailed off. In view of the gelding's recent record, a warning was issued.

 

OCEAN KING – Raced wide during the early stages before being restrained to the rear of the field.

 

SAM THE MAN – Tired over the concluding stages to finish beaten 83 metres. Stewards opened an inquiry into the tactics adopted by trainer/driver Sheree Chellas and the performance of the gelding. The inquiry was adjourned and will be resumed at Parkes on 31 July 2026. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant findings.

 

MARABELLE – Pre-race blood sample. Post-race blood sample.

 

OLIVER SHARK – Placed in restricted room shortly after the start as a result of BABY EL AY hanging out. The gelding commenced to yield ground from the 1000 metres and finished beaten 271 metres. Stewards spoke with driver Jett Turnbull regarding the performance of the gelding. Mr Turnbull acknowledged that OLIVER SHARK had been inconvenienced shortly after the start, however, in his opinion, this did not fully account for the disappointing performance. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any significant findings. In view of the gelding's performance, OLIVER SHARK was stood down until the completion of one satisfactory trial

 

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 5 – O Shea – Rule 163(1)(a) – HELLO I TEA   Race 6 – J Davis – Rule 163(1)(a) – STUDLEIGH SUNRISE
Fines	Nil
Suspensions	Race 9 – K Dean – Rule 163(1)(a) – 14 Days – CLEARY
Barrier Information	Race 6 – AUNTY JUNE – ODM
Trials/Stand Down	Race 9 – JACKS GAMBLE – 1 Trial   Race 10 – OLIVER SHARK – 1 Trial
Late Scratchings	Race 4 – HASHTAG HECTOR – Denied a Fair Start   Race 4 – SHOOBEES LOU – Denied a Fair Start
Adjourned Inquiries	Race 10- Sheree Chellas Tactics, Race 10 Ella Turnbull Tactics
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil