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- Darwin Turf Club: 03/10/2026
Darwin Turf Club: 03/10/2026
Weather: Fine Track: Good Rail: True
STEWARDS: M Zarb (Chairman), R Hamilton, R Shiers
DEPUTY STEWARDS: C Streat, E Baird, S Huppatz (Swabbing Attendant)
VETERINARY: Howard Springs Veterinary Clinic (Dr. J Jones)
JUDGE/ASSISTANT: D Garnham, E Baird
STARTER: J O’Neill
CLERK OF SCALES: B Huppatz
RIDER CHANGES
| Race | Horse | Rider | Replaced By | Reason |
| 1 | NEW ENTERPRISE | S Tsaikos | W Davis | Indisposed |
| 2 | BRUNO BRUNO | S Tsaikos | V Arnott | Indisposed |
| 4 | ZING TO WIN | S Tsaikos | V Arnott | Indisposed |
GENERAL REPORTS
The following trainers advised Stewards of their intended riding instructions, as the stables had multiple runners in the race:
Race 3 – T Logan
Race 4 – G Clarke
Race 5 – P Cole
RACE 1 – TRNT OFF THE TRACK BM54 HANDICAP 1300M
KESSLER (App. A Brennan): Raced keenly in the early and middle stages of the event. Rider explained the gelding travelled well for most of the race, however, when placed under pressure failed to respond. A post-race veterinary examination found the gelding to have lost its left back shoe, to be lame in the left front leg (3/5) and to have an elevated heart rate. Trainer P Cole was advised KESSLER will require a veterinary clearance prior to trialing or racing again.
ITWASONLYAKISS (V Arnott): Raced wide without cover for most of the event.
MERIMBULA (J Todd): Slow to begin.
PRESS EXPRESS (B Cray): Raced wide without cover for most of the event.
MY LUNA (App. J Booth): Began awkwardly.
DANGER MAN (D Hirini): Began awkwardly.
RACE 2 – SCOTT SERVICES 10-YEAR ANNIVERSARY 0-70 HANDICAP 1300M
BRUNO BRUNO (V Arnott): When questioned into her riding tactics in the early stages and again in the home straight, rider explained she was instructed to take advantage of her good barrier draw and be positive to try and maintain the lead. She added the gelding began well, which is not always the case, so she rode to instructions to obtain the lead. She added that from near the 900m BRUNO BRUNO commenced to hang badly, but she continued to push forward and hoped the gelding would change legs and race better around the turn. She further stated that BRUNO BRUNO continued to hang out and as a result she was unable to ride the gelding out at any stage in the home straight. Trainer T Halter confirmed the instructions and added they have been the same instructions for the last few starts; however, the gelding did not begin as well as expected in its last two starts. She added that she was concerned with the tempo of the race, but in her view, could not be critical as V Arnott was riding to her instructions. She further stated that she became very concerned when she saw the gelding not being tested and restrained in the home straight and expected something to be amiss. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities. After reviewing all the evidence V Arnott was advised that although she has an obligation to follow a trainer’s instructions, she would be expected to make a far better judgement call in relation to the tempo she set in this race and the constant pressure placed on the gelding, in the early and middle stages. She was advised that she should ride in a manner not open to questioning and a repetition of today’s ride may lead to more direct action being taken against her. Trainer T Halter reported on Monday 5th October 2026 that the gelding had pulled up well with no visible abnormalities. Ms. Halter was advised that, considering the gelding hung out and was unable to be tested in the home straight, it will be required to trial to the satisfaction of the stewards prior to racing again.
CABLE BOY (P Shiers): Began awkwardly and lost ground.
BON’S YOUR BACK (B Cray): Slow to begin.
ALL INCLUSIVE (App. J Booth): Rider explained she was instructed to lead, however near the 900m when CONVINCEBILITY was eased, she thought she would be able to cross, and when she saw BRUNO BRUNO to her inside, she expected its rider to take a hold, which was consistent with its previous starts. She added when BRUNO BRUNO continued to be pushed to her inside, she had no alternative but to sit to its outside, but by that stage of the race she realized ALL INCLUSIVE had done too much work, which proved detrimental to his performance over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no obvious abnormalities.
RACE 3 – WEEMAN PULLS THE TRIGGER 0-58 HANDICAP 1200M
FUNNYIFITWON (App. D Gillett): Slow to begin. Held up from the 250m and near the 150m was restrained and shifted wider to obtain a clear run.
TOKYO BANDIT (P Shiers): Rider reported he pushed his horse in the early stages of the event to obtain his position, however, the gelding then commenced to race keenly in the middle stages.
MISS BLACK DIAMOND (J Todd): Rider explained the mare had a soft lead, travelled well for most of the event but failed to respond when placed under pressure. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the mare had tachycardia and was lame in the left front leg (3/5). Trainer T Logan was advised MISS BLACK DIAMOND will require a veterinary clearance prior to trialing or racing again.
MODS (D Hirini): Slow to begin. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages.
ZOUTARA (B Cray): Rider reported the mare hung out for most of the event. Raced wide without cover for most of the race. A post-race veterinary examination found the mare had tachycardia.
RACE 4 – POINTSBET PULL ‘EM BMNT HANDICAP 1100M
FIELD OF FLUTES (J Todd): Bumped at the start by FLYING ANNIE on its outside and in turn shifted in and bumped JUMPING POWER TWO. Held up between the 400m and 300m.
RISING SPHERE (W Davis): Contacted at the start by JUMPING POWER TWO which was bumped by the horse on his outside. Shifted out when weakening over the concluding stages.
STRUCK GOLD (App. J Booth): Rider reported the gelding hung out rounding the home turn. Raced wide without cover for most of the event.
ZING TO WIN (V Arnott): Began awkwardly and lost ground.
ATLANTIC OCEAN (App. D Barton): Rider explained that near the 800m the gelding was reluctant to hold its position and lost ground, when JUMPING POWER TWO, on its outside shifted in. Was steadied over the concluding stages to avoid the heels of RISING SPHERE, which shifted wider when weakening.
FLYING ANNIE (App. A Brennan): Began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped FIELD OF FLUTES, which in turn bumped JUMPING POWER TWO. Raced wide without cover for most of the race.
JUMPING POWER TWO (B Cray): Bumped by FIELD OF FLUTES at the start and in turn shifted in and contacted RISING SPHERE.
POLARISING (D Hirini): Slow to begin.
RACE 5 – ROANT TROBIS 3YO+ & MAIDEN PLATE 1100M
PRINCE OF SPARTA (P Shiers): Rider reported the gelding which was having its first race start on the track, raced greenly. He added PRINCE OF SPARTA should benefit from the experience and may be better suited over more ground.
WARREGO (J Todd): Raced wide without cover for most of the event.
MILK FOAM (App. J Booth): Rider reported the mare raced keenly for most of the event.
PRE RACE SWABS:
| Race | Horse/s |
| 1 | KESSLER, TEE GALLERIA, PRESS EXPRESS |
| 2 | BRUNO BRUNO, RIVKIN, BON’S YOUR BACK |
POST RACE SWABS:
| Race | Horse/s | Place |
| 1 | PRESS EXPRESS | First |
| 2 | BON'S YOUR BACK | First |
| 3 | TOKYO BANDIT | First |
| 4 | FIELD OF FLUTES | First |
| 5 | WARREGO | First |
SUMMARY
| Fines | Nil |
| Reprimands | Nil |
| Suspensions | Nil |
| Horse Actions | Race 1 – KESSLER – lame L/F (3/5) – vet cert req Race 2 – BRUNO BRUNO – hung out not tested – to trial Race 3 MISS BLACK DIAMOND - lame L/F (3/5) – vet cert req |
| Follow Ups | Nil |
| Medical Clearances | S Tsaikos – 3 rides - indisposed |
| Adjourned Inquiries | Nil. |