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• Darwin Turf Club: 16/07/2025

Darwin Turf Club: 16/07/2025

Weather: Fine Track: Good Rail: True

Stewards: D Hensler (Chairman), R Hamilton

Deputy Stewards: R Shiers, E Baird, C Streat

Clerk of Scales: B Huppatz

Judge/Assistant: D Garnham, M Johnston

Stable Compliance: R Hamilton, R Shiers, E Baird, D Hensler

Veterinary: Howard Springs Veterinary Clinic

Number of Races: 6

Number of Runners: 57

Stakes Paid: $191,486

 

Race 1: BetR Sprint BMNT – 1100m

FIELD OF FLUTES (J Todd) – Slow into stride. When questioned regarding the unplaced performance rider advised that with the removal of the visors the gelding settled better in running but was slow to muster early speed and therefore raced further back than anticipated but then failed to stretch out in the home straight. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have an elevated heart rate and to be coughing. As the gelding had returned in the same condition at its previous start in Darwin on 5 July 2025, trainer G Clarke was advised that the gelding must barrier trial satisfactorily and have a veterinary clearance prior to racing again.

RUSTIC BOOM (J Booth) – Lay outwards rounding the home turn.

1^ST ZOURATA 2^ND BRAT 3^RD VENTING

 

Race 2: BetR Handicap 0-66 – 1100m

Stewards interviewed trainer K Petrick in relation to the riding instructions she intended to issue as the stable had multiple runners in the event.

Apprentice Jockey D Gillett requested to view the patrol films in the straight prior to the declaration of correct weight.

DEVILS DELIGHT (A Nicholls) – Shifted outwards significantly under pressure in the straight.

ORION THE HUNTER (V Arnott) – Raced wide throughout. Cast the off-hind plate in running.

THE GIRL’S BOY (K Sardelic) – Failed to muster early speed.

HELLIVIT (P Shiers) – Slow into stride.

OAKLAND RAIDER (W Davis) – Raced keenly between the 800m and the 650m.

SUNZOU (D Gillett) – Carried outwards and impeded near the 100m and again inside the 50m.

LUNA FIELD (J Booth) – Shifted inwards under pressure inside the final 50m.

POLARISING (S Logan) – Trainer T Logan advised that his instructions would be to have the mare ridden further back in the field than at its most recent start. This information was disseminated.

General – On inquiry jockey A Nicholls was reprimanded for careless riding under AR131(a) for failing to make sufficient effort to straighten his mount when shifting ground outwards in the home straight resulting in SUNZOU (D Gillett) being impeded near the 100m and again leaving the 50m.

1^ST DEVILS DELIGHT 2^ND LUNA FIELD 3^RD SUNZOU

 

Race 3: Rydges Palmerston Handicap 0-62 – 1300m

DELUSIONALDICTATOR (H Le Blanc) – Raced wide throughout.

LEAN ON ME (P Denton) – Rider reported that his saddle initially shifted rounding the first turn and then slid to the near side. He became badly unbalanced near the 600m and after removing both feet from the irons he was able to safely ease his mount down and took no further competitive part in the race.

I’M A DREAMER (J Booth) – Steadied outwards passing the 600m.

YOUR SHOUT GINGIE (D Gillett) – Returned having bled from both nostrils. Trainer N Dyer was advised of the embargo now placed on the mare in accordance with AR79.

1^ST MR MARRAKECH 2^ND DUMMY SPIT 3^RD FRAWLEY

 

Race 4: Fusion Exhibitions Rosebowl 0-70 Fillies & Mares – 1300m

Stewards interviewed trainer P Cole in relation to the riding instructions he intended to issue as the stable had multiple runners in the event.

LUCKY FORTUNA – Stewards approved a request from trainer H Lehmann to scratch the mare at 8.45am.

TUBTHUMPER (K Sardelic) – Difficult to load. Got its head down at the start unbalancing and dislodging the rider. The veterinarian reported the mare had sustained superficial abrasions over the chest and stifle. Trainer P Cole will be advised that the mare must barrier trial satisfactorily prior to racing again. Jockey K Sardelic was examined by the Paramedics and cleared of any injury.

HELL FIRE MISS (J Lyon) – Knuckled at the start.

STARLITE REBEL (J Hampson) – Raced wide throughout.

NY KEE (H Le Blanc) – Lay outwards in the early and middle stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed small abrasions above the off-knee.

ROSSANADO (P Shiers) – Taken outwards leaving the 250m to obtain clear running.

ARIARNE (J Booth) – Resented the kickback through the early and middle stages.

1^ST HELL FIRE MISS 2^ND JUICE BOX 3^RD ROSSANADO

 

Race 5: Chris Williams Jewellers Handicap C2 – 1600m

HOLLERBYEBABY (J Lyon) – Slow to muster early speed.

WICKED WISH (J Hampson) – Raced wide in the early and middle stages and yielded ground from the 600m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.

1^ST GROUNDRUSH 2^ND FIERCE LEGEND 3^RD MISS MOOV

 

Race 6: Palmerston Rydges Cup 0-76 – 1600m

All runners arrived on course 2 hours prior to start time.

Stewards interviewed trainer G Clarke in relation to the riding instructions he intended to issue as the stable had multiple runners in the event.

Jockey J Todd, rider of the fourth placed PINK PANTHER lodged a protest against the third placed SIAKAM ridden by jockey K Sardelic, alleging interference passing the 650m. Stewards considered the submissions of the relevant parties and after viewing the patrol films it was established that approaching the 650m SIAKAM shifted inwards marginally resulting in PINK PANTHER being crowded and eased. During the hearing, the Stewards identified that jockey K Sardelic had used his whip on more occasions prior to the 100m than permitted under AR132(7)(a)(i)&(ii) and therefore advised all parties that this would also be considered as a ground in the objection. After considering all the evidence, the Stewards were not satisfied that the two objection grounds impacted enough on the margin between both runners at the finish and the protest was dismissed and correct weight semaphored.

TANNENBURG (A Nicholls) – Slow into stride. Raced wide from the 650m.

SEVEN SECRETS (H Le Blanc) – Approaching the 1400m turn the gelding mistrode after being contacted on the hind legs by the heels of another runner and shifted wider on the track. The rider advised that her mount then strode freely in the back straight but was off the bit near the 600m. As she was concerned that the gelding felt amiss in its action and may have sustained an injury, she elected to ease down and took no further competitive part in the race. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have an elevated heart rate. Trainer C Nash subsequently reported that the gelding had sustained an abrasion above the near hock. In these circumstances and as the gelding has recovered without incident, Stewards were satisfied that no further action was required.

PINK PANTHER (J Todd) – Crowded and eased near the 650m.

STORMFRONT (J Hampson) – Following the collection of a pre-race blood sample, the Stewards identified that the gelding had swelling around the jugular. The veterinarian conducted a further examination and the gelding was cleared to compete. Bumped at the start.

MAGIC DEFENSE (P Denton) – Raced keenly into the first turn and near the 1400m clipped the hind heels of the runner in advance and was carried outwards before being able to shift back closer to the inside rail at the 1200m. Raced keenly again through the middle stages.

HETTINGER (J Booth) – Bumped at the start. Raced wide throughout and lay inwards under pressure in the straight.

1^ST HETTINGER 2^ND AWASH 3^RD SIAKAM

 

General:

Post-race swab samples taken from all winners and AWASH (R6).

Pre-race samples were taken from: FORMS OF FEAR, BRAT, ORION THE HUNTER, OAKLAND RAIDER, SUNZOU, LA BOQUERIA, NY KEE, FRANKFURT and all runners engaged in race 6.

All riders were breath tested for the presence of alcohol.

Reprimands:

Race 1 – Apprentice Jockey D Gillett was reprimanded for a whip breach, AR132(7)(a)(ii).

Race 2 – Jockey A Nicholls was reprimanded for careless riding, AR131(a).

Suspensions: Nil

Fines:

Race 1 – Trainer K Petrick was fined $100 for presenting VENTING without the approved gear, AR106.

Race 4 – Trainer E Clarke was fined $100 for the late notification of a rider for STYLE AND GRACE, NT111.

Race 5 – Jockey A Sweeney was fined $500 for a whip breach, AR132(7)(a)(ii).

Race 6 – Jockey K Sardelic was fined $300 for a whip breach, AR132(7)(a)(i)&(ii).

Embargoes & Warnings:

Race 1 – FIELD OF FLUTES - Must barrier trial and vet clearance prior to racing again.

Race 3 – YOUR SHOUT GINGIE - Bled both nostrils (1^st time).

Race 4 – TUBTHUMPER - Difficult to load and dislodged rider at the start, must barrier trial satisfactorily.

Medicals: Nil

 

D Hensler

Chairman of Stewards