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Darwin Turf Club: 01/08/2026

Weather: Fine Track: Good Rail: True

Stewards: J Zucal (Chairman), R Hamilton, R Shiers, S Jerrard (RWWA)

Deputy Stewards: C Streat, E Baird

Clerk of Scales: B Huppatz

Judge/Assistant: G Middleton, D Garnham

Veterinary: Howard Springs Veterinary Clinic & Dr. K Kiely (RWWA Veterinarian)

Number of Races: 7

Number of Runners: 68

Stakes Paid: $315,000

 

General: 

All acceptors for the Palmerston Sprint were subject to a veterinary examination on Thursday 30 July 2026 and blood samples were collected for the purpose of out of competition testing.

 

All riders were breath tested for the presence of alcohol. Jockey R Vigar provided a breath sample that detected alcohol at a level in excess of the prescribed limit as outlined under AR139(1)(f) and acting under AR138(3)(a), Jockey R Vigar was stood down from his riding engagements.

Stewards subsequently approved the following rider changes:

Race 1: GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS – B Cray

Race 2: SASS – J Todd

Race 3: BRUNO BRUNO – J Hampson

Race 4: NATALIE JOY – B Cray

Jockey R Vigar subsequently acknowledged a breach of AR139(1)(a) in that when undergoing a routine breath test at Fannie Bay on 1 August 2026, he recorded a level of alcohol above the prescribed limit as mandated under the Rules.

In assessing the matter of an appropriate penalty, the Stewards considered Jockey Vigar’s:

  • Guilty plea and acknowledgement of the breach.
  • Clear record under this Rule.
  • Personal circumstances.
  • Also, this offence had occurred on a prime feature race day.

Jockey Raymond Vigar’s license was suspended for a period of 8 weeks, to expire at midnight 26th September 2026.

Further, Mr Vigar will be permitted to return to riding track work after a period of 4 weeks and on application to the Stewards and providing a clear breath test.

 

Race 1: Viadux Mile 0-66 – 1600m

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

FIELDS OF COURAGE (J Todd) – When questioned rider expressed disappointment with the gelding’s performance and could offer no concrete explanation. Subsequently a veterinary examination revealed that the gelding was lame in the off-fore and would require a veterinary clearance before starting in a race or trial.

MAGARTEN (S Tsaikos) – Over raced in the early and middle stages and restrained from heels.

GRINZINGER BISHOP (J Hampson) – Raced wide throughout.

GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS (R Vigar) – Slow into stride.

MACHINE MAN (A Sweeney) – Rider dropped whip at the 100m.

1ST VIERI 2ND HENNESSY LAD 3RD MAGARTEN

 

Race 2: Stratco Administrator’s Cup 0-58 – 1300m

RHESUS (J Booth) – Commenced awkwardly losing ground. Rider reported that the gelding lay out throughout the race. Raced wide throughout.

YOUR NOT THE BOSS (J Lyon) – Raced wide throughout.

HELL AND BACK (J Doyle) – Slow to begin.

1ST TEXTURE 2ND EASY RED 3RD ITWASONLYAKISS

 

Race 3: KNL Fire Handicap BM76 – 1300m

STRUCK GOLD (J Booth) – Lost off-fore plate in running.

SHISUTA BO (I Luximon) – Slow into stride. Lost off-hind plate in running.

LIM’S IDA (B Cray) – Commenced awkwardly. Raced keenly approaching the 800m.

OUR COUVER (S Tsaikos) – Slow into stride. Raced wide from the 600m.

1ST SHISUTA BO 2ND STRUCK GOLD 3RD GRAVINA

 

Race 4: Victoria Village Katherine TROBIS Maiden SW – 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.

MAPLETON HILL (S Tsaikos) – Bumped on jumping.

MILK FOAM (W Davis) – Slow to begin.

NATALIE JOY (B Cray) – Commenced awkwardly then shifted outwards. Steadied when racing in restricted room near the 1000m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed that the mare returned coughing.

ZOUTARA (J Lyon) – Bumped on jumping then tightened for room. Raced wide throughout.

1ST TEE GALLERIA 2ND FLASH KERMY 3RD KAL IT MAGIC

 

Race 5: Sitzler Sprint 0-66 – 1200m

DANIHER (A Sweeney) – Jumped outwards at the start bumping another runner and was slow into stride. Steadied near the 600m.

REAL VALENTIA (J Doyle) – Bumped on jumping

MR MARRAKECH (J Todd) – Bumped on jumping.

VERBOSITY (S Tsaikos) – Bumped on jumping

THROW AT DA STUMPS (L Maloney) – Raced wide throughout.

LUCKY FORTUNA (J Booth) – Slow to begin. Rider reported the mare commenced to hang out prior to entering the home straight.

General: In regard to an incident where DANIHER (A Sweeney) was steadied near the 600m, on inquiry it was established that at that stage of the race STARZAM (P Shiers) had been dictated inwards marginally by VERBOSITY (S Tsaikos) with REAL VALENTIA (J Doyle) being obliged to shift in slightly, causing DANHIHER to race in restricted room and steady. Whilst no one rider could be held accountable, Stewards cautioned all riders to take all measures to ride safely.

1ST VERBOSITY 2ND DANIHER 3RD STARZAM

 

Race 6: Cleanaway Handicap 0-62 – 1000m

TELLEZ (S Tsaikos) – Raced wide throughout.

DYNAMIC THEORY (R Bensley) – Slow into stride.

MISS BOOM (I Luximon) – Rider reported that the saddle slipped backwards placing him at a disadvantage.

STARSPANGLEDANCER (J Doyle) – Slow into stride. Held up on straightening, was taken inwards to obtain clear running and was then further disappointed for a run and angled outwards to continue going forward.

1ST TELLEZ 2ND LUNA FIELD 3RD DYNAMIC THEORY

 

Race 7: bet365 Palmerston Sprint – 1200m

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

BOLDINHO (S Tsaikos) – Leaving the 900m bumped on several occasions with another runner.

BALASTIER (J Lyon) – A post-race veterinary examination revealed a laceration to the off-fore heel.

FIELD OF FLUTES (A Sweeney) – Leaving the 900m lay inwards bumping on several occasions with another runner.

FLYING YISHU (P Denton) – Slow to begin.

EARLY CROW (J Hampson) – Steadied at the 600m.

BON’S PRIDE (P Shiers) – Raced wide throughout.

RUNAWAY TYCOON (J Todd) – Passing the 900m momentarily steadied.

General: In regard to EARLY CROW (J Hampson) steadying and racing in restricted room near the 600m, Jockey A Sweeney (FIELD OF FLUTES) was advised to exercise more care in future to ensure other runners have adequate racing room.

1ST BOLDINHO 2ND EARLY CROW 3RD WILD BEAU

 

General:

All riders were subject to alcohol breath testing.

Post-race swab samples taken from all winners & EARLY CROW (R7).

Pre-race samples were taken from: BRYCE, GRAVINA, FLASH KERMY, ONE LAST PROMISE, THROW AT DA STUMPS & all runners engaged in Race 7.

Reprimands:

Race 1 – Jockey J Todd was reprimanded for using the whip when out of contention, AR132(6)(c).

Race 4 – Jockey P Shiers was reprimanded for a whip breach, AR132(7)(a)(ii).

Suspensions:

Jockey R Vigar was suspended for 8 weeks for a breach of AR139(1)(a).

Fines: Nil

Embargoes & Warnings:

R1 - FIELDS OF COURAGE – Veterinary clearance required prior to trialling or racing again.

Medicals: Nil

 

J Zucal

Chairman of Stewards (Acting)

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