Stewards Report

RIVERINA PACEWAY 18/09/2026

 

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

 

RACE 1 – THE TAB APP – 2270 metres

WARIEDA BOY – Post-race swab.

THE TALK – Pre-race swab.

UNCLE CRAIGO – Inconvenienced and held up during the early stages of the home straight when DANCINGONSTARLIGHT was giving ground.

DANCINGONSTARLIGHT – ($8.00) Driver Blake Micallef was queried into the seemingly poor performance of the mare which finished in 8^th and last position beaten 15.9m after racing outside the leader from the 1600m. Mr Micallef advised the mare’s two (2) below performances for the stable have been when racing without cover & it would be the stables intentions to the drive the mare more conservatively going forward if unable to lead in its events.

RACE 2 – NIJINSKY STANDING AT YIRRIBEE STUD – 2270 metres

TUFFASOLDBOOTS – Held up rounding the final turn prior obtaining clear running.

YELLOW RIVER – ($3.60) Pre-race swab. Driver Nathan Jack was queried into the overall performance of the gelding which finished in 8^th position beaten 9.1m after leading. Mr Jack advised he was satisfied with the performance as the gelding had to endure initial work to obtain the lead approaching the 1600m and the consisted pressure during the middle stages of the event.

HES A DANCER – Pre-race swab. Sustained a flat tyre approaching the 1400m placing the colt at a disadvantage for the remainer of the event. Pulled hard during the middle stages of the event. Back in mobile draw.

MACHX THE STRANGER – Post-race swab.

RACE 3– RANVET PACE – 1740 metres

BUDDY GUY NZ – Post-race swab.

ISLAND YANKEE – Pre-race swab. 

CINEMATIC – ($2.90) Driver Brad Hewitt was queried into the overall performance of the mare which finished in 6^th position beaten 10m after racing outside the leader throughout the event. Mr Hewitt advised he was satisfied with the performance as the mare was racing stronger opposition compared to previous starts and the overall mile rate 1.53.3 of today’s event.

RACE 4 – RIVERINA HOTEL LADYSHIP PACE – 1740 metres

ELLENS DELIGHT – ($34.00) Pulled hard during the score up & during the early and middle stages of the event which was the main factor in the mare giving ground inside the final 200m to finish in 10^th and last position beaten 22.7m. A post-race veterinary examination failed to reveal any abnormalities.

ALPHA CHARLOTTE – Post-race swab.

IM BUTTER BLUE – Pre-race swab.

MILLWOOD GRACE NZ – Held up and failed to gai clear running for the entire length of the home straight.

RACE 5 – JACINTA BODEL HOMES PACE – 1740 metres

General: The start of this event was delayed two (2) minutes due to Race 5 at Ballarat thoroughbreds being behind there scheduled starting time. This event was shown SKY Racing 1.

BERRYLICIOUS – Pre-race swab. Inconvenienced entering the first turn when OUR SPECIAL MEMORY shifted down the track. Post-race swab.

OUR SPECIAL MEMORY – Driver Tasmyn Potter was issued a reprimand for tightening the racing room of BERRYLICIOUS entering the first turn when directing the mare to a marker line position.

BROOKLYNS BEST – Pre-race swab. Underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations due to the mare having started not in the preceding 12 months. Neither examination revealed any significant abnormalities.

RACE 6 – ALL THE BEST KY BLOOMFIELD 3YO PACE– 1740 metres

General: The start of this event was delayed one (1) minute due to Race 5 at Townsville thoroughbreds being behind there scheduled starting time. A false stat was declared at the first attempt therefore this event was shown on Sky Racing 2.

FIVE OCLOCK WAVE – Broke gait during the latter stages of the score causing a false start at the first attempt. FIVE OCLOCK WAVE will now be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile start events. In taking this action stewards were mindful the gelding was placed back in the draw two (2) starts prior.

ELKA ANGEL – Raced roughly after the start was effected at the second attempt. Held up and failed to gain clear running for the entire length of the home straight.

YARRADIVA – Post-race swab.

IM NO TROUBLE – Pulled hard during the early & middle stages of the event.

ROCK WITH THE BEST – Held up and failed to gain clear running for the entire length of the home straight.

UPTOWN CHANCE – Pre-race swab.

RACE 7 – TAYLOR MAURER REMAX ELITE PACE – 2270 metre

GUILTY PARTY – Pulled hard during the middle stages of the event.

NEPTUNITE – Pre-race swab. Pulled hard during the early & middle stages of the event. Post-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.

RACE 8 – DANIEL WOODS FUNERAL CARE PACE– 1740 metres

BUSINESS IN HEAVEN – ($21.00) Driver Eli Lepper was queried into the tactics adopted upon the entire in particular his decision when leading after passing the 800m his decision to set a quick 3^rd quarter of 27.4 seconds when unchallenged after going through the first half in 57.1 seconds and release removable gear and urge the entire from the 500m when there appear to be no pressure applied to BUSINESS IN HEAVEN prior to the entire giving ground inside the final 150m to finish in 7^th position beaten 9.4m. Mr Lepper was quick to acknowledge his error in he allowed BUSINESS IN HEAVEN to go through a quicker quarter than expected as the entire was travelling well within itself however due to his error with the quicker quarter & BUSINESS IN HEAVEN being first up since 21^st July 2026 the entire gave ground over the concluding stages. After viewing the available replays Stewards advised Mr Lepper that his drive lacked judgement from passing the 800m in allowing BUSINESS IN HEAVEN to go through such a quick quarter when unchallenged however not to the required standard that a charge under AHR Rule 149 along with his inexperience in that this was his only 40^th drive. Mr Lepper was advised he must show greater judgement going forward & that any reoccurrence would see a charge be pursued.

TUKAHA – Held up during the early stages of the home straight.

MICHAYWEY – Pre-race swab.

MAGIC JOE – Post-race swab.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 5 – T Potter – 163(1)(a)(iii)
Fines	Nil
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Race 2 – HES A DANCER – BMD Race 6 – FIVE OCLOCK WAVE – ODM
Trials/Stand Down	Nil
Late Scratching	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow Ups	Nil