Stewards Report

MENANGLE 31/10/2026

 

 

Stewards	C Bentley (Chairman), C Paul, M Ross, G Rudolph, K Edgerton (Cadet)
Starter	T Clarke & P Bandy (Assistant)
Veterinarian	Dr M Wainscott, Dr E Lawson, D W Howden, Dr D Justice
Swab Official	M McNamara, L Flynn & R Barrett
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

RACE 1 – BEST IN BEDS PACE – 1609 metres

WICKED CONFESSION – Pre-race blood sample.  Held up in the early stages of the home straight before gaining clear running passing the 200 metres.

NEPTUNITE – Shifted out under pressure in the home straight.

PALLADIUM NZ – Post-race swab sample.

I GOT CHILLS NZ – Pre-race blood sample.  Caught racing wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to the position outside the leader passing the 1100 metres.

RACE 2 – NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 4YO ENTIRES AND GELDINGS FINAL (GROUP 3) – 1609 metres

DOUBLE LOU – Pre-race blood sample.  Post-race swab sample.

FOREVER ONTHE PUNT – Pre-race blood sample.  Post-race swab sample.

WICKED WIZARD – Pre-race blood sample. 

SINALOA – Pre-race blood sample. 

HEEZA MALTEEZA – Held up in the early stages of the home straight before gaining clear running passing the 200 metres.

OAKIE SMOKESHOW – Held up in the early stages of the home straight before gaining clear running passing the 200 metres.

SEASIDER – Gave ground over the concluding stages.

RACE 3 – NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 4YO MARES FINAL (GROUP 3) – 1609 metres

BLISSES BEST – Post-race swab sample.

GUNNA RELOAD – Pre-race blood sample.  Shifted out under pressure in the home straight.  Post-race swab sample.

OUR SPECIAL MEMORY – Pre-race blood sample. 

SMIRKIN SERENE – Pre-race blood sample. 

A TRUE LOVE – Held up in the home straight and not fully tested.

MANHATTEN CHICK – Over-raced during the early and middle stages of the event.  Held up in the home straight and not fully tested.

SUGAR PIE HONEY – Pre-race blood sample.

THE SWIFT ONE – Caught racing wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to the position outside the leader passing the 1100 metres.  Broke stride free of interference passing the 350 metres.  After considering the recent record of the mare a warning was issued.  Held up over the final 100 metres of the event.

RACE 4 – CLUB MENANGLE BATTLE OF BEERSHEBA FFA (LISTED CLASSIC) – 2300 metres

DOUBLE IT HARRY – Momentarily placed in restricted room upon entry to the first turn when SAINT CRUSADER was shifted down the track.

ITS CONFIDENTIAL – Trainer Brad Hewitt was fined $100 under Rule 210 for the late notification of Nathan Jack as the driver of the gelding.  Driver Nathan Jack was reprimanded under Rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving, in that when attempting to shift SAINT CRUSADER wider passing the 200 metres he did so without the required level of care.  Held up in the early stages of the home straight before gaining clear running passing the 100 metres.

SAINT CRUSADER – Driver Seaton Grima was reprimanded under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference, in that he shifted his runner down the track upon entry to the first turn when not sufficiently clear of DOUBLE IT HARRY placing that runner in restricted room momentarily.

CAPTAIN BELLASARIO – Pre-race blood sample. 

ROYAL CRUISER – Pre-race blood sample.  Worked forward to the lead passing the 1500 metres.  Trainer Bernie Hewitt was also fined $100 under Rule 210 for the late notification of himself as the driver of the gelding.

SWAYZEE – Worked forward to the lead passing the 1300 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

RACE 5 – NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 3YO FILLIES FINAL (GROUP 1) – 1609 metres

FAKE FRIENDS – Examined by the on-course veterinarian prior to the running of this event after a routine raceday inspection by the HRNSW compliance team earlier in the day detected a laceration on the gelding’s offside knee.  The filly was passed fit to take its place in the event.  Pre-race blood sample.  Stewards questioned driver Seaton Grima with regards to the performance of the filly which gave ground over the concluding stages to finish in tenth place beaten 36 metres.  Mr Grima advised that he was instructed by trainer Jason Grimson to drive the filly in a positive manner at the start before looking to take cover from ARK SEA.  Mr Grima advised that once he took cover from ARK SEA passing the 1000 metres the filly commenced to shift out and contact its outside knee. Further, Mr Grima advised that he was very disappointed with the performance of the filly however, in his opinion, the filly had pulled up well from the event.  A post-race veterinary examination of the filly failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.  After considering the explanation provided by Mr Grima, Stewards determined to note his comments. When questioned Stable representative Nick Stanton advised that on Tuesday morning when removing the filly from the jogger he noticed that the filly had sustained a laceration to its offside knee. Acting on instructions from Mr Grimson the filly’s knee was cleaned and wrapped. Mr Stanton further advised that when the filly was removed from its box on Wednesday morning it displayed some minor swelling but no lameness and was placed on the walker. Mr Stanton explained that after spending time on the walker the swelling had subsided and after speaking with Mr Grimson he was instructed to continue with her normal preparation. Mr Stanton added that the filly worked well and continued to improve in the lead up to tonight’s event.  Mr Stanton further advised that the preparation of the horse was done on the instructions of Mr Grimson. Trainer Jason Grimson will be interviewed at a later date. An inquiry into the reasons for the failure of the stable to notify Stewards of the injury suffered by the filly during the week will be completed at a later date.

COCOS DESIRE – Pre-race blood sample. 

ARK SEA – A pre-race veterinary examination of the filly was completed by the on-course veterinarian after trainer Sam Hewitt advised HRNSW compliance team upon attendance at his stables earlier in the day, that the filly had been suffering from a minor respiratory condition in the lead up to tonight’s event. The filly was passed fit to take its place in the event. Pre-race blood sample.  Worked forward to the lead passing the 1000 metres.  Post-race swab sample.  An inquiry was opened into the reasons for trainer Sam Hewitt failing to notify Stewards of the filly suffering an illness or condition in the lead up to tonight’s event.  Mr Hewitt advised Stewards that on Wednesday morning he noted that the filly had some nasal discharge and had left a small amount of feed.  Mr Hewitt further advised that the filly was not coughing and he wasn’t too concerned, however he sought the expert opinion of stable veterinarian Dr John Crowley who recommended the filly be administered twice daily antibiotic IV injections of TetraMax and Dexapent.  Mr Hewitt advised Stewards that he complied with the recommendation of Dr Crowley and the filly was administered two doses of each substance on Wednesday and Thursday and in his opinion had improved sufficiently to take its place in tonight’s event.  After considering the evidence provided by Mr Hewitt, he was found guilty of a charge under Australian Harness Racing Rule 30(1) for failing to inform Stewards of an illness or condition that may have affected the performance of the filly.  After taking submissions from Mr Hewitt on the matter of penalty, in addition to considering of his disciplinary record, the Group 1 status of the event, and the performance of the filly, Mr Hewitt was fined $500.

STRIPES – Pre-race blood sample.  Caught racing wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to the position outside the leader passing the 900 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

HIGHINDELIGHT – Inconvenienced passing the 350 metres when EYE WISH was shifted wider on the track.

ONE MORE REASON – Pre-race blood sample.  Caught racing wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to the position outside the leader passing the 800 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

EYE WISH – Pre-race blood sample.  Driver Nathan Jack was reprimanded under Rule 163(1)(c)(iii) for causing interference, in that he attempted to shift HIGHINDELIGHT wider on the track passing the 350 metres when wheel to wheel with that runner and in doing so caused that runner to be inconvenienced when its sulky was swung sideways.  Held up in the early stages of the home straight before gaining clear running passing the 250 metres.

YIRRADIVA – Pre-race blood sample.  Caught racing wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to the position outside the leader passing the 1100 metres.

RACE 6 – NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 3YO COLTS AND GELDINGS FINAL (GROUP 1) – 1609 metres

COHEN THE RED – Pre-race blood sample. 

YOTTIE – Pre-race blood sample.  Worked forward to the lead passing the 1100 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

NOCTURNAL – Pre-race blood sample.  Caught racing wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to the position outside the leader passing the 1200 metres.

SAN SEBASTIAN – Checked and raced roughly approaching the first turn when FRIZZA was checked and broke stride.

ALERT BAY – Pre-race blood sample.  Caught racing wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to the position outside the leader passing the 1200 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

LOUCASSO – Pre-race blood sample.  Caught racing wide in the early stages of the event before obtaining a position in the running line passing the 1200 metres.  Improved three wide from the 1100 metres until obtaining the lead of the event passing the 800 metres.  Post-race swab sample.  Driver Seaton Grima pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 163(1)(c) for allowing his runner to shift inside a number of marker pegs rounding the final turn.  After consideration, Stewards were satisfied that despite racing inside four marker pegs and contacting one more, LOUCASSO had not gained any advantage as a result of doing so and having regard to the recent record of Mr Grima and the Group 1 status of the event, Mr Grima he was fined $400.

FRIZZA – Pre-race blood sample.  Stewards opened an inquiry into the reasons for FRIZZA breaking stride upon entry to the first turn.  After taking evidence from James Rattray the driver of ALERT BAY and Will Rixon the driver of FRIZZA it was established that shortly before entry to the first turn FRIZZA driven by Will Rixon which was racing in a four wide position on the back of ALERT BAY had been shifted down the track by Mr Rixon looking to obtain a position forward of SAN SEBASTIAN in the running line and when doing so improved quickly to the inside of ALERT BAY which was also being shifted down the track following the helmet of NOCTURNAL into a three wide position causing FRIZZA to contact the near side sulky wheel of ALERT BAY and break stride further checking SAN SEBASTIAN and causing that runner to race roughly for a short distance.  After considering the evidence Stewards were of the view that Mr Rixon had not established a position to the inside of ALERT BAY and therefore Mr Rattray was able to shift his runner down the track at that stage of the event and should not have been expecting a runner to improve to his inside at that stage however Stewards were equally satisfied that Mr Rixon improved into running that was available to him at that stage of the event and viewed the incident as a racing incident and formed the view that no particular driver could be held responsible for the interference and determined to report the matter.

RACE 7 – NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 2YO FILLIES FINAL (GROUP 1) – 1609 metres

GUNNAREASON – Pre-race blood sample.  Held up in the home straight and not fully tested.

COMEANDSEE – Pre-race blood sample.  Post-race swab sample.

FRITH IN FLIGHT – Pre-race blood sample.  Inconvenienced upon entry to the first turn when SHES A DELANEY broke stride.  Held up in the home straight and not fully tested.  Post-race swab sample.

SABALENKA – Pre-race blood sample. 

BIRDSONG – Pre-race blood sample.  Post-race swab sample.

SHES A DELANEY – Pre-race blood sample.  Stewards opened an inquiry into the reasons for SHES A DELANEY breaking stride upon entry to the first turn.  Driver Will Rixon advised Stewards that he drove the filly aggressively from the start of the event looking to challenge COMEANDSEE for the lead and upon entry to the first turn when unable to cross that runner he looked to restrain the filly in an attempt to occupy the position on the marker pegs behind the leader and forward of FRITH IN FLIGHT however when attempting to restrain the filly it overreacted and shifted in causing him to have to shift the runner back up the straight which unbalanced the filly and caused it to break stride.  After considering the explanation provided by Mr Rixon, Stewards determined to take no further action other than to issue a warning against the filly as a result of its racing manners.

YOUR SHUFFLE – Pre-race blood sample.

RACE 8 – NUTRIEN EQUINE NSW BREEDERS CHALLENGE 2YO COLTS AND GELDINGS FINAL (GROUP 1) – 1609 metres

TUAPEKA GOLD – Pre-race blood sample. 

BOYSTROUS – Pre-race blood sample.  Broke stride during the latter stages of the score up and as a result was out of position at the start.  After considering the recent record of the colt, a warning was issued.  Improved three wide from the 1000 metres until obtaining the position outside the leader passing the 800 metres.  Broke stride free of interference passing the 350 metres and inconvenienced SLIP SLIDNAWAY, DISTURBANCE and ROGUE BANDIT.  After considering the recent record of the colt, a warning was issued.

DON HUNTER – Pre-race blood sample.  Worked forward to the lead passing the 1100 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

FACET PRINCE – Held up in the early stages of the home straight before gaining clear running passing the 200 metres.  Momentarily raced into restricted room between DISTURBANCE and TUAPEKA GOLD passing the 50 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

DISTURBANCE – Pre-race blood sample.  Inconvenienced passing the 350 metres when BOYSTROUS broke stride.  Post-race swab sample.

SLIP SLIDNAWAY – Pre-race blood sample.  Inconvenienced passing the 350 metres when BOYSTROUS broke stride.

PRETTY PRIVILEGE – Pre-race blood sample.

ROGUE BANDIT – Pre-race blood sample.  Inconvenienced passing the 350 metres when BOYSTROUS broke stride.

RACE 9 – HRNSW RISING STARS (PENALTY EXEMPT EVENT) – 1609 metres

JILLIBY FABIO – Broke stride during the early stages of the score up and as a result was out of position at the start.  After considering the recent record of the gelding, a warning was issued.

VAN BASTEN – Pre-race blood sample.  Post-race swab sample.  

FASTING – Pre-race blood sample. 

AGATHA BLOOM – Over-raced during the early and middle stages of the event when racing outside the lead.  Stewards questioned driver Harrison Ross with regards to the performance of the filly, which gave ground over the concluding stages of the event to finish in tenth place beaten 75 metres.  Mr Ross advised Stewards that the deafeners came out as the horses commenced to score up and as a result the filly became quite fired up after the start and over raced.  A post-race veterinary examination of the filly failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.  After considering the recent record of the filly, a warning was issued.

RACE 10 – CLUB MENANGLE TONY AND JILL MCGRATH TROTTERS MOBILE (LISTED CLASSIC) – 1609 metres

SOUTHERN DIAMOND NZ – Held up in the early stages of the home straight before gaining clear running passing the 100 metres.

SUNNY GEE – Examined prior to and following the running of this event as the gelding has competed in excess of 200 race starts.  The examinations failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

ALMIGHTY FEAR NZ – Pre-race blood sample.  Gave ground over the concluding stages. 

SPEEDY LOVER – Pre-race blood sample. 

NELLIE JOY – Held up in the early stages of the home straight before gaining clear running passing the 200 metres.

CORMORAN STRIKE NZ – Caught racing wide in the early stages of the event before working forward to the lead passing the 1100 metres.  Post-race swab sample.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 4 – S Grima – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – SAINT CRUSADER Race 4 – N Jack – Rule 168(1)(a) – ITS CONFIDENTIAL Race 5 – N Jack – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii)– EYE WISH
Fines	Race 4 – B Hewitt – Rule 210 - $100 – ITS CONFIDENTIAL Race 4 – B Hewitt – Rule 210 - $100 – ROYAL CRUISER Race 5 – P Rixon – Rule 210 - $100 – HIGHNDELIGHT Race 5 – S Hewitt – Rule 30(1) - $500 – ARK SEA Race 6 – S Grima – Rule 163(1)(c) - $400 – LOUCASSO Race 10 – A Golino – Rule 210 - $100 – TORO STRIDE NZ
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Nil
Trials/Stand Down	Nil
Late Scratchings	Race 9 – TIGER PRINCE @ 9.30am -
Adjourned Inquiries	Race 5 – FAKE FRIENDS / J Grimson - TBA
Medical Clearance	Nil
Follow up’s	Nil