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- Darwin Turf Club: 04/08/2025
Darwin Turf Club: 04/08/2025
Weather: Fine Track: Good Rail: True
Stewards: D Hensler (Chairman), R Hamilton, D Westover, D Borovica (RWWA)
Deputy Stewards: R Shiers, C Streat
Clerk of Scales: B Huppatz
Judge/Assistant: G Middleton, D Garnham
Veterinary: Howard Springs Veterinary Clinic & Dr. J Medd (RWWA Veterinarian)
Number of Races: 10
Number of Runners: 95
Stakes Paid: $515,925
General: All acceptors for the Darwin Cup were subject to a veterinary examination on Friday 1 August, 2025 and blood samples were collected for the purpose of out of competition testing.
The following runners that raced on Saturday 2 August 2025, underwent a veterinary examination upon arriving on course prior to competing today.
Race 1 – POMPEII EMPIRE
Race 2 – TO THE POINT
Race 3 – HELL FIRE MISS
Race 4 – ZOURATA
Race 7 – TELLEZ
Race 8 – RISING FIRE
Race 1: TAB Handicap 0-70 – 1200m
VINNIE’S SPIRIT (D Gillett) – Raced wide in the early stages and wide from the 550m.
BRAZEN BON (V Arnott) – Failed to muster early speed.
DEVILS DELIGHT (A Nicholls) – Commenced to shift outwards from the top of the straight.
POMPEII EMPIRE (J Hampson) – Slow to begin.
CRAZY BRAVE (P Shiers) – Rider reported that his saddle shifted prior to straightening.
1ST DEVILS DELIGHT 2ND VINNIE’S SPIRIT 3RD MAGIC DEFENSE
Race 2: Atomic TROBIS Handicap 0-58 – 1200m
Stewards interviewed trainer P Cole in relation to the riding instructions he intended to issue as the stable had multiple runners in the event.
Prior to correct weight, the rider of 5th placed COLLISON (S Tsaikos) viewed the replay of the race in the back straight and decided not to take any further action and accordingly correct weight was declared.
DELUSIONALDICTATOR (S Fawke) – Lay inwards in the early stages and passing the 650m.
DANCER FOR MONEY (W Davis) – Bumped heavily and unbalanced near the 700m.
SIMPLY JUST (H Le Blanc) – Lay outwards in running and despite the efforts of its rider shifted out near the 700m contacting another runner. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to be lame in the near-fore. Trainer C Pollard was advised that he must present a veterinary clearance for the gelding prior to racing again.
ROSSANADO (P Shiers) – Slow to begin and bumped. Steadied near the 650m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to have returned with an elevated heart rate.
COLLISON (S Tsaikos) – Steadied off heels when racing tightly approaching the 1100m.
NY KEE (K Sardelic) – Slow to begin. Rider reported that the mare lay outwards in running. Raced wide throughout.
SOUL SPIRIT (R Vigar) – Raced wide throughout.
CANADA BAY (S Logan) – Bumped and crowded near the 700m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to have minor lacerations to the off-hind heel bulb and minor abrasions to both hind coronets.
TILUSSION (J Lyon) – Commenced awkwardly and bumped.
General - On inquiry it was established that approaching the 700m SIMPLY JUST (H Le Blanc) lay outwards despite the efforts of its rider making contact with DANCER FOR MONEY (W Davis) which in turn bumped and crowded CANADA BAY (S Logan) when racing to the inside of DELUSIONALDICTATOR (S Fawke) which also shifted in marginally when laying inwards. Near the 650m, SIMPLY JUST (H Le Blanc) contacted the running rail and became unbalanced and again shifted out placing DANCER FOR MONEY and CANADA BAY in restricted room to the inside of DELUSIONALDICTATOR.
1ST TILUSSION 2ND TO THE POINT 3RD DELUSIONALDICTATOR
Race 3: Bladin Village Handicap 0-66 – 1100m
ALTAR BOY (R Vigar) – Taken outwards to obtain clear running from the 200m.
ALL INCLUSIVE (S Tsaikos) – Bumped at the start. Commenced to shift outwards under pressure from the 200m.
HELL FIRE MISS (J Lyon) – Bumped at the start. Raced wide from the 600m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare to have returned with abrasions to both hind bumpers.
JUICE BOX (S Logan) – Carried outwards by another runner from the 200m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed that the mare had a small laceration to the near-hind coronet.
CYCLONITE (J Hampson) – Bumped at the start.
1ST KISSING SUPIDO 2ND HELL FIRE MISS 3RD JUICE BOX
Race 4: Simone Montgomerie Lightning Plate – 1000m
WILD BEAU (J Todd) – Commenced awkwardly, contacting the inside barrier partition.
DAMO DAYZ (P Shiers) – Rider reported that the gelding after commencing awkwardly, got its head up and struck him in the face with him losing his near-side iron and becoming momentarily unbalanced whilst regaining the use of it.
BRAT (D Gillett) – Lay outwards into the first turn.
1ST WILD BEAU 2ND ZOURATA 3RD BRAT
Race 5: PointsBet Handicap 0-58 – 1600m
FABERGE TZAR (K Sardelic) – Over raced in the early and middle stages. Shifted outwards from the heels of a tiring runner near the 500m.
MARVELOUS NIGHT (P Hamblin) – Impeded off the heels of another runner near the 300m.
MIRACOLI (P Shiers) – Slow into stride.
ARIARNE (J Booth) – Rider advised that the mare lay outwards between the 1200m until on straightening. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare had bled from the right nostril. Trainer N Dyer was advised that the mare must gallop satisfactorily prior to racing again in accordance with AR79.
NEW ENTERPRISE (J Lyon) – Veered inwards on jumping, bumping with another runner. Raced wide from the 1000m.
MISS MOOV (D Gillett) – Fractious in the barriers. Commenced awkwardly.
PUB CRAWL (J Hampson) – A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding had an elevated heart rate.
WICKED WISH (S Logan) – Commenced awkwardly, veered outwards and bumped with another runner. Steadied from heels for a number of strides when improving near the 700m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
1ST KIEFFER 2ND FABERGE TZAR 3RD STAR CASINO
Following Race 5, Jockey K Sardelic was examined by the Paramedics and was found to be dehydrated and declared unfit to continue riding. He was replaced as the rider of DANGER MAN (R9) by apprentice J Hampson.
Race 6: Ladbrokes Handicap BMNT – 1600m
BON’S YOUR BACK (H Le Blanc) – Bumped with another runner on jumping.
HETTINGER (N Rawiller) – Bumped with another runner on jumping. Lay inwards under pressure from the 200m. Contacted another runner near the 100m and again over the concluding stages.
SEGUSO (S Tsaikos) – Bumped with another runner on jumping. Cast the near-fore plate in running. Contacted by another runner near the 100m and again over the concluding stages.
KANGAROO COURT (D Gillett) – Bumped with another runner on jumping. Inconvenienced, crowded and steadied passing the 200m.
GROUNDRUSH (J Todd) – Steadied off heels approaching the first turn.
SUPER FAMOUS (A Nicholls) – Held up from the 500m until on straightening.
TUBTHUMPER (W Davis) – Shifted outwards under pressure approaching the 200m.
General - On inquiry it was established that approaching the 200m TUBTHUMPER (W Davis) shifted outwards under pressure resulting in KANGAROO COURT (D Gillett) being crowded and inconvenienced having to be steadied. Jockey W Davis was cautioned and advised to make an earlier and greater effort to maintain a straight course when his runners commence to shift ground.
1ST SEGUSO 2ND HETTINGER 3RD SUPER FAMOUS
Race 7: Magic Millions Top End Classic BMNT – 1300m
Stewards interviewed trainer K Petrick in relation to the riding instructions she intended to issue as the stable had multiple runners in the event.
THROW AT DA STUMPS (S Logan) – Commenced awkwardly bumping with another runner. Cast the near-fore plate in running.
BAHAMA BAY (P Denton) – Steadied from heels near the 1100m.
LOCHLORIAN (R Vigar) – Veered inwards and bumped. Returned having bled from both nostrils. As this was the first occasion, trainer T Halter was advised of the embargo now placed on the mare in accordance with AR79.
TELLEZ (J Todd) – Shifted outwards under pressure over the concluding stages.
YAKI ISHI (J Lyon) – Raced wide throughout.
STYLE AND GRACE (A Nicholls) – Dipped on jumping.
1ST BAHAMA BAY 2ND DOWN THE WICKET 3RD TELLEZ
Race 8: Schweppes Handicap 0-62 – 1300m
Stewards interviewed trainer K Petrick in relation to the riding instructions she intended to issue as the stable had multiple runners in the event.
Prior to correct weight, the rider of 3rd placed THE GIRL’S BOY (R Vigar) viewed the replay of the race from the 450m and decided not to take any further action and accordingly correct weight was declared.
THE GIRL’S BOY (R Vigar) – When attempting to improve was momentarily steadied near the 450m. Held up approaching the 400m. Taken outwards near the 200m to secure clear running.
MIAMI BABY (J Lyon) – Raced wide throughout. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
FRAWLEY (W Davis) – Steadied from the heels of a tiring runner near the 100m.
RHESUS (J Booth) – Veered inwards and bumped another runner on jumping. Raced keenly approaching the first turn and shifted outwards near the 650m and bumped with another runner.
LEAN ON ME (S Tsaikos) – Raced wide from the 600m.
RISING FIRE (P Shiers) – Lay outwards on straightening.
STARTON (P Denton) – Bounded on jumping.
STARLITE REBEL (J Hampson) – Bumped with another runner on jumping.
VALABING (H Le Blanc) – Fractious in the barriers. Bumped with another runner on jumping. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages and was bumped by another runner near the 650m.
1ST RISING FIRE 2ND RHESUS 3RD THE GIRL’S BOY
Race 9: Mintbet Handicap 0-70 – 2050m
Stewards interviewed trainer C Pollard in relation to the riding instructions he intended to issue as the stable had multiple runners in the event.
EDDY STREET (V Arnott) – Slow into stride. Raced keenly in the back straight. Faltered passing the 300m and was pulled up by its rider shortly after the winning post. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding to have a ruptured near-fore flexor tendon. Trainer J Manning was advised that he must present a veterinary clearance and that the gelding would have to complete a barrier trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards prior to racing again.
IKNOWHATYOUREDOING (S Fawke) – Commenced awkwardly unbalancing the rider. Raced wide throughout.
SACCHARO (R Vigar) – Stood flat-footed at the start and lost ground.
BOLLON (J Todd) – Commenced awkwardly. Raced ungenerously when leading for some distance leaving the 1600m.
DANGER MAN (J Hampson) – Commenced awkwardly.
THE ACCELATOR (P Denton) – Steadied from heels when under pressure near the 100m.
1ST VILLA SEVENTYNINE 2ND BOLLON 3RD IKNOWHATYOUREDOING
Race 10: Great Northern Darwin Cup – 2050m
Stewards interviewed trainer G Clarke in relation to the riding instructions he intended to issue as the stable had multiple runners in the event.
BEAR STORY (N Rawiller) – Bumped at the start. Raced keenly getting its head in the air rounding the first turn. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities.
WOLFBURN (J Todd) – Commenced awkwardly and bumped.
HADOUKEN (B Shinn) –Shifted outwards under pressure over the final 100m and the rider accidently dropped his whip near the 75m.
PRINCE JOFRA (P Shiers) – Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Bumped and carried outwards over the final 100m.
VENTING (P Denton) – Raced keenly and failed to settle in the early stages until leaving the 1200m.
CACOFONIX (A Nicholls) – Raced wide throughout.
PINK PANTHER (S Tsaikos) – Slow to begin and bumped on jumping.
HE’S MAVERICK (J Hampson) – Bumped at the start. Contacted the running rail passing the 1500m.
1ST HADOUKEN 2ND PRINCE JOFRA 3RD MOTORACE
General:
Post-race swab samples taken from all winners, VINNIE’S SPIRIT (R1), PRINCE JOFRA (R10) and MOTORACE (R10).
Pre-race samples were taken from: CONVINCEBILITY, CRAZY BRAVE, DANCER FOR MONEY, COLLISON, BEAU FACTOR, MARVELOUS NIGHT, SEGUSO and all runners engaged in Race 10.
All riders were breath tested for the presence of alcohol prior to riding.
Reprimands:
Race 1 – Apprentice Jockey D Gillett was reprimanded for a whip breach, AR132(7)(a)(ii).
Race 2 – Jockey S Fawke was reprimanded for a whip breach, AR132(7)(a)(ii).
Race 2 – Jockey J Lyon was reprimanded for a whip breach, AR132(7)(a)(ii).
Suspensions: Nil
Fines:
Race 3,5 & 8 – Trainer D Leech (BOOMERCONI, MIRACOLI, VALABING) was fined $200 for the late rider declarations, NT111.
Race 4 – Trainer C Pollard (MISS MOOV) was fined $100 for the late rider declaration, NT111.
Race 5 – Trainer K Healy (PUB CRAWL, WICKED WISH) was fined $100 for the late rider declarations, NT111.
Race 10 – Jockey T Pannell was fined $200 for a whip breach, AR132(7)(a)(ii).
Race 10 – Jockey R Vigar was fined $300 for a whip breach, AR132(7)(a)(ii).
Embargoes & Warnings:
Race 2 – SIMPLY JUST – Lame in the near-fore, vet clearance required.
Race 5 – ARIARNE - Bled right nostril, must gallop satisfactorily prior to racing again, AR79.
Race 7 – LOCHLORIAN – Bled both nostrils (1st time), 3-month embargo & satisfactory gallop required prior to racing again.
Race 9 – EDDY STREET – Ruptured near-fore tendon. Vet clearance required and must trial satisfactorily prior to racing again.
Medicals: Nil
D Hensler
Chairman of Stewards