Stewards Report

BATHURST 16/09/2026

 

 

Stewards	S Snudden (Chairman), D Westwood, S Cullen, T Quick
Starter	M Jasprizza
Veterinarian	Dr M Stutsel
Swab Official	G Jasprizza
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

 

RACE 1 – VALE ROBERT HANSELL – 1730 metres

ADERFAKI – Pre-race blood sample. Driver Jason Hewitt was questioned regarding the seemingly below market expectation performance of the gelding after starting at $5. ADERFAKI which was able to lead the event gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten 23.4 metres. Mr Hewitt explained the gelding travelled well throughout until pressure was applied at which stage ADERFAKI failed to respond. Mr Hewitt further explained in future the gelding may be better suited to being driven with cover.

PYEKAKARIKI – Held up in the early stages of the home straight before gaining clear running approaching the 100 metres.

CLASSIC BEESMACK – Post-race swab sample.

TERRYRAMA - A pre and post-race veterinary examination was conducted due to the gelding having in excess of 200 race starts. Both examinations failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

FESTINALENTE – Held up in the early stages of the home straight before gaining clear running approaching the 100 metres.

 

RACE 2 – HARNESS RACING TRADING RING LADYSHIP PACE – 2260 metres

ABSOLUTE WEAPON – Post-race swab sample.

SWEET SWEET TOOTH – Over raced at various stages of the event.

GET UP BETTY – Pre-race blood sample.

 

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

THIS IS HEAVEN – Post-race swab sample.

FRIZZA – Pre-race blood sample.

 

RACE 4 – HYNASH GROUP CIVIL CONSTRUCTION SPECIALISTS PACE – 2260 metres

DUN SPRUIKIN – Post-race swab sample.

ALWAYS A SAM – Pre-race blood sample. Raced roughly after the start In view of the gelding’s recent record, ALWAYS A SAM will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Driver Amanda Turnbull was questioned regarding the seemingly below market expectation performance after starting $1.95 the gelding gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten 29.9 metres. Ms Turnbull explained after making a mid race move to find the position outside the leader, ALWAYS A SAM commenced to travel poorly and when asked for an effort passing the 500 metres failed to respond. Ms Turnbull thought the overall performance of the gelding was disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

 

RACE 5 – WOODLANDS STUD WORLDS LEADING STALLIONS 2YO PACE – 1730 metres

HARD MERCHANDISE – Broke in the score up and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Hung in under pressure.

POSTER COMMAND – Post-race swab sample.

SWINGING QUEEN – Pre-race blood sample.

SWETTE CHEVAL – Broke in the score up and was out of position at the start for which a warning was issued. Rounding the first turn broke free of interference. In view of the filly’s recent record, SWETTE CHEVAL will now be required to perform two requalifying trials and stood down for a period of 14 days.

MACHZINE MAHONEY – Out of position at the start for which a warning was issued.

 

RACE 6 – LITTLE WYCH PREMIUM SPELLING PACE – 1730 metres

CELEBRITY CRUISE – Post-race swab sample.

HUDSON RIVER – After leading gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten 26.8 metres.

MAGIC TULHURST – Pre-race blood sample. Held up in the early stages of the home straight before gaining clear running approaching the 100 metres.

 

RACE 7 – BEDWELLS FEED BARN YEP GOT CHOOKS PACE – 1730 metres

SURPRISE PACKET – Pre-race blood sample. broke after the start for which a warning was issued. Passing the 200 metres was checked as a result of BABLING BABLING breaking gait.

BABLING BABLING – Tightened and raced roughly approaching the first turn as a result of BAM BAM BROOK shifting down the track. Driver Paula Sapio plead guilty to a charge under Rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving, in that passing the 200 metres when attempting to gain clear running she has permitted the gelding to contact and flatten the offside sulky tyre of CALIFORNIAPRINCESS and as a result was checked and broke and causing BABLING BABLING to lock wheels with TAKE HIS PLACE which was checked and SURPRISE PACKET which was also checked. Driver Paula Sapio had her licence to drive in races suspended for a period of 7 days to commence midnight 20 September 2026. In assessing penalty, Stewards considered Miss Sapio’s plea, record in relation to the rule and the circumstances of this incident.

BAM BAM BROOK – Driver Olivia Frisby was issued a reprimand under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference, in that approaching the first turn she has permitted the gelding to shift down the track when not sufficiently clear of BABLING BABLING causing that runner to be tightened for room and raced roughly.

CALIFORNIAPRINCESS – Passing the 200 metres had its offside sulky wheel contacted and flattened from BABLING BABLING.

CUT THE RIBBONS – At the request of connections will now be reincluded into the mobile barrier draw. Post-race swab sample.

TAKE HIS PLACE – Pre-race blood sample. checked after the start as a result of SURPRISE PACKET breaking gait. Passing the 200 metres when BABLING BABLING broke gait locked wheels with that runner and was checked.

CAM I AM – Broke in the score up for which a warning was issued. Inconvenienced after the start as a result of SURPRISE PACKET breaking gait. Over raced throughout the event.

 

RACE 8 – DOWNLOAD THE TAB APP TODAY PACE – 2260 metres

LITTLE ADELAIDE – Pre-race blood sample. out of position at the start and was issued its last chance in the draw.

HASHTAG HECTOR – Broke in the score up and was out of position at the start for which a warning was issued. The gelding took no competitive part in the event.

MRS MAHONEY – Driver Nathan Turnbull was fined $400 under Rule 156(2)(a) for applying the whip in more than a wrist only flicking motion in the middle stages of the home straight.

SING WITH ONE VOICE – Pre-race blood sample. Hung out under pressure for which a warning was issued.

AARON MINT – Out of position at the start and will be continued right out of the draw in mobile starts.

A TRUE PHENOMENON – Inconvenienced in the score up as a result of LITTLE ADELAIDE being out of position.  Post-race swab sample.

ROSANNA SHANNON – When racing outside the leader for the final 1000 metres had a tendency to hang in for which a warning was issued.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 7 – Olivia Frisby – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – BAM BAM BROOK
Fines	Race 8 – Nathan Turnbull – Rule 156(2)(a) - $400 – MRS MAHONEY
Suspensions	Race 7 – Paula Sapio – Rule 168(1)(a) – BABLING BABLING - & days to commence midnight 20 September 2026
Barrier Information	Race 4 – ALWAYS A SAM – ODM Race 5 – HARD MERCHANDISE – ODM Race 7 – CUT THE RIBBONS - BMD
Trials/Stand Down	Race 5 – SWETTE CHEVAL – 14 days and 2 trials
Late Scratchings
Adjourned Inquiries
Medical Clearance
Follow up’s