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- Darwin Turf Club: 17/10/2026
Darwin Turf Club: 17/10/2026
Weather: Fine Track: Good Rail: True
STEWARDS: M Zarb (Chairman), R Hamilton, R Shiers
DEPUTY STEWARDS: C Streat, S Huppatz (Swabbing Attendant)
VETERINARY: Howard Springs Veterinary Clinic (Dr. J Jones)
JUDGE/ASSISTANT: G Middleton, E Baird
STARTER: J O’Neill
CLERK OF SCALES: B Huppatz
RIDER CHANGES
| Race | Horse | Rider | Replaced By | Reason |
| 1 | KING AKEED | R BENSLEY | P SHIERS | Transport difficulty |
| 3 | DYNAMIC THEORY | “ | App. A BRENNAN | “ |
| 4 | STEAMY MIST | “ | P SHIERS | “ |
WEIGHT CHANGES
| Race | Horse | Rider | Change | New Weight |
| 4 | GOOD ONYA DARL | B CRAY | +1kg | 56kg |
GENERAL REPORTS
The following trainer advised Stewards of his intended riding instructions, as the stable had multiple runners in the race:
Race 3 – T Logan
RACE 1 – AIRMASTER 0-64 HANDICAP 1300M
KING AKEED (P Shiers): Began awkwardly. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages of the event. Hung out rounding the home turn.
BRAZEN BON (V Arnott): Began awkwardly and lost ground. Raced keenly in the early and middle stages of the event. Raced wide without cover for most of the race.
IF I WAS YOU (L Tilley): Began awkwardly and lost ground. Rider explained, because of the poor start, he raced further back than expected. Hung out rounding the turn from the 600m until near the 350m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no visible abnormalities.
PRESS EXPRESS (B Cray): Raced keenly in the early and middle stages of the event.
RACE 2 – POINTSBET 5FOR25 0-76 HANDICAP 1100M
DEVILS DELIGHT (J Todd): Slow to begin.
ZING TO WIN (D Hirini): Slow to begin.
RACE 3 – REGENCY FOODS BM54 HANDICAP 1100M
ANKLE ROLEX (B Cray): Slow to begin. Raced wide rounding the home turn and in the straight.
TIGERS ROAR (D Gillett): Fractious in the barriers, began very awkwardly, shifted in and hampered POLARISING and consequently lost ground. Rider explained, because of the poor start, she raced further back than expected. Raced wide rounding the home turn. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no visible abnormalities.
DYNAMIC THEORY (App. A Brennan): Rider explained that she was instructed to lead, however the gelding didn’t begin as well as expected and failed to show sufficient speed in the early stages of the event, to obtain a forward position.
POLARISING (App. J Booth): Slow to begin and was then hampered and lost ground, when awkwardly placed close to the heels of TIGERS ROAR, which shifted in.
RACE 4 – BOOK CHRISTMAS PARTY AT SILKS TROBIS C2 HANDICAP 1000M
MISTIFYZOU (App. A Brennan): Acting on a confirmed call from trainer J Manning, representing trainer P Cole, advising the filly was lame in the left hind leg, MISTIFYZOU was declared a late scratching at 12.21pm. Trainer P Cole was advised a veterinary certificate would be required prior to the filly trialing or racing again.
TEARS ARE FLOWING (J Todd): Bumped at the start and lost ground between STEAMY MIST, which shifted out and GOOD ONYA DARL, which shifted in. Rider explained, because of the poor start, he raced further back than expected.
STEAMY MIST (P Shiers): Began awkwardly, shifted out and bumped TEARS ARE FLOWING. Shifted in slightly near the 650m and momentarily tightened BLITZWATER. Rider was advised to exercise more care in similar circumstances.
BLITZWATER (D Hirini): Began awkwardly. Eased momentarily near the 650m when tightened slightly by STEAMY MIST. Shortly after, the mare commenced to make the turn awkwardly, shifted out and bumped the hind quarters of MEET ME AT THE BAR. Rider explained the mare was having her first start on the track and had difficulty rounding the turn near the 650m.
MEET ME AT THE BAR (S Tsaikos): Fractious in the barriers. Hampered and bumped shortly after the start by PRINCE OF SPARTA, which shifted in. Near the 650m the gelding was bumped on the hind quarters and became unbalanced when BLITZWATER on its inside, made the turn awkwardly and shifted out.
GOD’S EYE (D Gillett): Slow to begin and lost considerable ground (approximately 5 lengths). After considering the geldings recent record at the start, trainer P Cole was advised the gelding would need to trial to the satisfaction of the Stewards prior to racing again.
GOOD ONYA DARL (B Cray): Began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped TEARS ARE FLOWING. Near the 650m was hampered and taken wider, to avoid BLITZWATER which hung out round the turn. Raced wide without cover thereafter.
PRINCE OF SPARTA (L Tilley): Began awkwardly, shifted in and bumped MEET ME AT THE BAR.
RACE 5 – MITCON PROJECTS 0-58 HANDICAP 1600M
TOKYO BANDIT (P Shiers): Acting on a confirmed call from trainer C Nash advising the gelding was showing signs of colic, TOKYO BANDIT was declared a late scratching at 8.44am. Trainer C Nash was advised a veterinary certificate would be required prior to the gelding trialing or racing again.
MERIMBULA (J Todd): Rider explained he was held up from the 600m behind BRYCE and to the inside of MY LUNA. He added that near the 600m he initially attempted to ease and come back around the heels of MY LUNA, however he was travelling so well that he was unable to. He further stated that he continued to lose ground from the leading group up to the 450m and was unable to shift out to obtain a clear run until near the 400m, at which point the gelding raced strong to the line.
I’M A DREAMER (App. J Booth): Fractious in the barriers.
SASS (B Cray): Began awkwardly and lost ground.
CHARLIE MAGIC (D Gillett): Rider explained it was the geldings first start over the 1600m and it commenced to tire late. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no visible abnormalities.
RACE 6 – BOOK MELBOURNE CUP DAY AT DTC 0-58 HANDICAP 1600M
FUNNYIFITWON (App. D Barton): Took control of the rider en route to the start and galloped a considerable distance before the rider dismounted and the horse was recaptured. Consequently, FUNNYIFITWON was declared a late scratching by order of the Stewards at 5:03pm. Stewards further ordered that all monies invested on FUNNYIFITWON was to be refunded and that all successful wagers be subject to the deductions of 16 cents in the dollar for a win and 10 cents in the dollar for a place. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no visible abnormalities. App. D Barton was examined by St. Johns ambulance officers and was found to have minor pain to her hip and lower back. She was advised to seek medical attention if the pain persists or worsens. On Monday 19/10/26 App. D Barton advised she required further medical attention. App. D Barton was advised a medical clearance of fitness would be required prior to riding again.
MIAMI BABY (L Tilley): Raced wide rounding the home turn.
HELL AND BACK (V Arnott): Began awkwardly and lost ground.
DANGER MAN (J Todd): Began awkwardly and lost ground.
PRE RACE SWABS:
| Race | Horse/s |
| 1 | BRAZEN BON, IF I WAS YOU |
| 5 | MERIMBULA, I’M A DREAMER |
| 6 | BIDEN TIME, FUNNYIFITWON |
POST RACE SWABS:
| Race | Horse/s | Place |
| 1 | KING AKEED | Winner |
| 2 | STRUCK GOLD (NZ) | Winner |
| 3 | RISING WATER | Winner |
| 4 | STEAMY MIST | Winner |
| 5 | SASS | Winner |
| 6 | BIDEN TIME | Winner |
SUMMARY
| Fines | Nil |
| Reprimands | Nil |
| Suspensions | Nil |
| Horse Actions | Race 4 – GOD’S EYE – Slow to begin – To Trial. Race 4 – MISTYFIZOU – Late Scratching – Lame L/H leg – Vet cert required. Race 5 – TOKYO BANDIT – Late Scratching – Colic – Vet cert required. |
| Follow Ups | Nil |
| Medical Clearances | Race 6 – App. D Barton (FUNNYIFITWON) – Lost control of horse pre-race and dismounted – Medical Clearance required. |
| Adjourned Inquiries | Nil |