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- Darwin Turf Club: 24/10/2026
Darwin Turf Club: 24/10/2026
Weather: Fine Track: Good Rail: True
STEWARDS: M Zarb (Chairman), R Hamilton, R Shiers
DEPUTY STEWARDS: C Streat, E Baird (Swabbing Attendant)
VETERINARY: Howard Springs Veterinary Clinic (Dr G Lowery)
JUDGE/ASSISTANT: G Middleton, D Garnham
STARTER: J O’Neill
CLERK OF SCALES: B Huppatz
RIDER CHANGES
| Race | Horse | Rider | Replaced By | Reason |
| 4 | FIELD OF PRAISE | W Davis | Late - Explanation accepted |
GENERAL REPORTS
The following trainers advised Stewards of their intended riding instructions, as the stables had multiple runners in the race:
Race 2 – G Clarke
Race 4 – T Logan
RACE 1 – BOOK MELBOURNE CUP DAY AT DTC TROBIS SW MAIDEN 1300M
The start of this race was delayed several minutes due to a mechanical issue with the tractor towing the barriers.
BRAVE HERITAGE (W Davis): shifted in near the 800m when not quite clear of PRINCE OF SPARTA, which was racing keenly and had to be steadied. Rider was advised to use more care in similar circumstances.
MACAVERTY (App. J Booth): slow to begin. Approaching the 100m, improved onto the back of MILK FOAM and was consequently eased and shifted out across the heels of MY LUNA to gain a clear run.
PERFECT LINK (J Todd): Slow to begin. Rider explained the gelding was slow to begin and failed to travel for most of the race. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no visible abnormalities. Subsequent to race-day, trainer C Baxter advised the gelding pulled up well and, in her opinion, will take benefit from the run and the experience on the track.
PRINCE OF SPARTA (B Cray): Raced keenly in the early and middle stages. Was steadied near the 800m away from the heels of BRAVE HERITAGE which shifted in when not quite clear. Laid in over the final 100m and placed LADY FIREBALL in restricted room.
LADY FIREBALL (D Hirini): Raced in restricted room near the 100m on the inside of PRINCE OF SPARTA.
LONG REIGN (R Bensley): Raced wide without cover for most of the event.
MILK FOAM (D Gillett): Raced very keenly in the early and middle stages and near the 850m clipped the heels of PRINCE OF SPARTA and lost ground.
MY LUNA (S Tsaikos): Raced wide without cover for most of the event.
RACE 2 – NT NEWS 0-64 HANDICAP 1200M
ORDER ONLINE (J Todd): Rider reported the gelding hung out rounding the turn between the 650m and the 350m. Trainer G Clarke was advised a warning for hanging out would be placed on the gelding.
CAVENDISH (D Hirini): Rider explained in her opinion the gelding was disappointing. A post-race veterinary examination revealed CAVENDISH was lame in the left front leg (3/5). Trainer D Leech was advised a veterinary clearance of fitness would be required prior to the gelding trialing or racing again.
PHYSICAL GRAFFITI (D Gillett): laid in in the home straight and proved difficult to ride.
ANKLE ROLEX (B Cray): raced wide rounding the hometurn and entering the home straight.
CRAZY BRAVE (P Shiers): was obliged to race wider for a short distance near 600m when taken out by ORDER ONLINE, which was hanging out.
RACE 3 – LADBROKES TOTE WIN +10% IN OCTOBER BM76 HANDICAP 1200M
FIELD OF FLUTES (J Todd): Rider pleaded guilty to a charge of careless riding, under AR131(a), in that near the 1100m he failed to make a sufficient effort to prevent his horse from shifting in, and in doing so he tightened TARTAGLIA in onto ATLANTIC OCEAN, which resulted in that horse being tightened for room and having to be severely checked and lose considerable ground. After considering all the circumstances, including jockey J Todd’s excellent record under this rule, he was suspended from riding in races for one meeting (ASTC 31/10/26).
GENETIC FREAK (D Gillett): Rider reported she restrained quickly after the race and dismounted as she had concerns with the gelding’s action. A post-race veterinary examination revealed GENETIC FREAK was lame in the left front leg (5/5). Trainer T Halter was advised a veterinary clearance of fitness would be required prior to the gelding trialing or racing again.
BON’S PRIDE (V Arnott): Began awkwardly and lost ground.
TARTAGLIA (B Cray): Tightened near the 1100m between ATLANTIC OCEAN and FIELD OF FLUTES, which shifted in.
ATLANTIC OCEAN (P Shiers): Tightened near the 1100m, on the inside of TARTAGLIA, which was taken in by FILED OF FLUTES, and as a result ATLANTIC OCEAN was severely checked and lost considerable ground.
RACE 4 – VAL SCOTT 0-58 MEMORIAL 1100M
MEET ME AT THE BAR (S Tsaikos): Raced wide without cover for most of the event.
DEBATING (App. J Booth): When questioned in regard to the performance of the gelding, rider was unable to offer any explanation. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no visible abnormalities. Subsequent to race day, trainer E Clarke advised the gelding has recovered well and she may look at trying him over more ground.
PREDICTING (D Gillett): Began awkwardly.
PAFITIS (J Todd): When questioned in regard to the riding tactics, rider explained he was instructed to allow the horse to settle where it was comfortable and expected it to be just behind the leaders. He added, after beginning ok the gelding immediately lost ground and despite urgings was reluctant to hold its position and consequently raced a lot further back than intended. He further stated that it was not until the 450m where the gelding commenced to respond to his riding and thereafter raced strong to the line.
MODS (B Cray): Raced wide rounding the hometurn.
SI SENORA (R Bensley): Rider explained the gelding was having its first start back from a spell and from the wide barrier was required to do too much work early, and consequently weakened over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no visible abnormalities.
RACE 5 – POINTSBET 0-70 HANDICAP 1600M
BAROCCO BAR (B Cray): Raced keen in the early and middle stages of the event.
VILLA SEVENTYNINE (P Shiers): Raced keenly in the early and middle stages of the event. Raced wide from the 800m.
NEW ENTERPRISE (W Davis): Slow to begin and then raced very keenly in the early and middle stages of the event.
PRE RACE SWABS:
| Race | Horse/s |
| 1 | PERFECT LINK, LONG REIGN |
| 3 | TARTAGILA, ATLANTIC OCEAN |
| 5 | BON’S YOUR BACK, BRUNO BRUNO |
POST RACE SWABS:
| Race | Horse/s | Place |
| 1 | LADY FIREBALL | First |
| 2 | PHYSICAL GRAFFITI | First |
| 3 | FIELD OF FLUTES | First |
| 4 | MODS | First |
| 5 | FURY | First |
SUMMARY
| Fines | Nil |
| Reprimands | Nil |
| Suspensions | Race 3 – J Todd (FIELD OF FLUTES) – AR131(a) careless riding – 1 meeting (ASTC 31/10/26) |
| Horse Actions | Race 2 – ORDER ONLINE – racing manners (hung out) – Warning issued. Raced 2 - CAVENDISH – lame L/F – vet cert req. Race 3 – GENETIC FREAK – lame L/F – vet cert req. |
| Follow Ups | Nil |
| Medical Clearances | Nil |
| Adjourned Inquiries | Nil |