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Ashburton Trotting Club Inc

Sunday, 31 May 2026

Stipendiary Stewards Report

Club
Ashburton Trotting Club Inc at Ashburton Raceway
Weather
Overcast
Track
Good
Rail
Not applicable
Stewards
S Renault (Chairman), M Sole, K Carston
Veterinarian
D L Williamson
Logo

General

General
Pre-race blood testing was carried out.

Supplementary

Nil

Summary

Swabbing
NEW MEXICO, OKIWI BAY, WANNA PLAY A GAME, CHERISH ME, JORJA, NELLA KEENAN, FREEZE FRAME, SILVESTER, SPIRIT DOWNUNDER, FRANCO SINATRA, CRACKER OPIE
Protests
Nil
Suspensions
Race 2T Chmiel (ART JORDAN)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs] - Using whip with more than a wrist flicking motion (2 days).
Suspended from 01/06/2026 until 07/06/2026 inclusive.
Fines
Race 3S O'Reilly (RIDGE)
[Rule 869(3)(b)] - Careless driving striking a wheel and causing interference 800m. Fined $450.
Warnings
Race 1C McDowell (IMPERIAL KNIGHT)
[Rule 865(2)] - Presented with a pacifier not notified.
Race 6A Butt (FRANCO LENNON)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs] - Using whip with more than a wrist flicking motion.
Race 10T Borcoskie (BETTERWITHBLING)
[Rule 858(1)(i)] - Out of position at the start.
Race 10J Morrison (DONTTELLTHEBOYS)
[Rule 869(2) Whip & Rein Regs] - Using whip with more than a wrist flicking motion.
Epistaxis
Race 7BLUEY - Stood down from 01/06/2026 until 29/08/2026 inclusive and 1 Trial.
Horse Action
Race 1GIMME THREE STEPS - Warned Racing Manners
Race 1OUR PERIWINKLE - Warned Racing Manners
Race 2ULTIMATE PERFECTION - Warned Mobiles
Race 3ALOTOFTROUBLE - Warned Mobiles
Race 4SEEKING CLARITY - Warned Racing Manners
Race 7BLUEY - Veterinary Clearance Required (Scope Required)
Race 10LORD FANTASY - Warned Performance
Medical Certificate
Nil
Driver Changes
Nil
Late Scratchings
Race 3ARADNE - at 11.07am on Veterinary advice
Race 7WHATZ THE LUCK - at 10.56am on Veterinary advice
Scratching Penalties
Ineligible from 01/06/2026 until 04/06/2026 inclusive (4 days):
ARADNE, GRETTYMAC, BETTER BE QUICK, SHOWCASE
Ineligible from 01/06/2026 until 05/06/2026 inclusive (5 days):
HOOFN IT, HUNDY YARD, TYRON EVEREST, FOUR WISE WOMEN, PRINCESS LISA, WHATZ THE LUCK, LESTER, TRANSONIC
Ineligible from 01/06/2026 until 14/06/2026 inclusive (14 days):
CARRERA BANDIDO

Race Comments

Race 1   RIVERBOUND DAIRY TROT
SHE'S A CASTLETON - fractious prior to the start.
JUST CHARLIE - weakened final bend hampering trailing runners.
SWEET CAROLINE - hampered by a weakening runner final bend.
PHANTOM SPUR - weakened final bend hampering a trailing runner.
IMPERIAL KNIGHT - trainer C McDowell was issued a warning for presenting the gelding to race with a pacifier which had not been notified. Hampered by weakening runners final bend.
OUR PERIWINKLE - trotted roughly after 100m. Broke near the 250m losing all chance. A warning was placed on the racing record of the mare.
BRIGHTMAN - lay inwards throughout the run home.
GIMME THREE STEPS - raced wide from the 1050m. Broke near the 700m and again near the 400m losing all chance. A warning was placed on the racing record of the gelding.
NEW MEXICO - slow in the early stages. Raced wide with cover from the 1050m. Trotted roughly late in the run home after driver M Williamson activated the removable deafeners and had to be steadied.
Race 2   STEWART & HOLLAND MOBILE PACE
FRANCO ELVIS - raced wide early.
ULTIMATE PERFECTION - broke in the score up losing all chance. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the gelding.
OKIWI BAY - raced wide early and middle stages.
CAPTAIN PUBLISHER - had difficulty obtaining clear racing room in the run home.
AR GEE RULZ - held up for clear racing room throughout the run home.
ART JORDAN - driver T Chmiel defended a breach of Rule 869(2) and the Whip and Rein Regulations in that he used his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home. After viewing the replays and hearing evidence from Stewards and Mr Chmiel, the Adjudicative Committee found the charge proved and Mr Chmiel's driver's licence was suspended from the conclusion of racing today up to and including 7 June 2026 (2 days).
Race 3   MISS CLEINE'S HALF CENTURY CLASSIC 'SILK ROAD' MOBILE TROT
SPANISH PRINCESS - weakened final bend hampering a trailing runner.
ARADNE - late scratching at 11.07am on Veterinary advice.
RIDGE - struck the sulky wheel of BUFFY NORTHSTAINS near the 800m and broke losing ground. Driver S O'Reilly admitted a breach of Rule 869(3)(b) in that she drove carelessly near the 800m by shifting ground outwards when not entitled to resulting in her runner striking the sulky wheel of BUFFY NORTHSTAINS before breaking and locking wheels with BRIANNA with both runners losing ground. After viewing the replays and hearing evidence from Stewards and Miss O'Reilly, the Adjudicative Committee imposed a fine of $450.
BRIANNA - checked by RIDGE near the 800m and locked wheels with that runner losing ground. Weakened final bend.
JORDAN ANNE - raced wide early.
WAIHEMO HANNAH - raced wide early and middle stages.
FLYING DREAMS - raced wide early and middle stages.
ALOTOFTROUBLE - slow to leave the pre-race formation and was back from position at the start despite the efforts of driver J Cox. A warning was placed on the barrier record of the mare.
BIRDY - held up final bend and in the early stages of the run home.
PAIGE - raced wide from the 900m. Hampered by breaking runners near the 800m.
Race 4   LIQUORLAND RACECOURSE ROAD 'SILK ROAD' MOBILE PACE
FLYAWAY - checked by a breaking runner racing into the first bend.
SHARDS LYRIC - weakened leaving the final bend. When questioned regarding the performance driver S O'Reilly advised the mare was unsuited to racing parked and was racing up in grade from its previous starts.
TO RI RUBY - checked by a breaking runner racing into the first bend.
ZARLINI - held up early in the run home.
VINCENT REACTRESS - held up early in the run home.
SEEKING CLARITY - over-raced in the early stages and broke when being restrained approaching the first bend checking outside runners losing ground. A warning was placed on the racing record of the filly.
Race 5   HELEN POPE MEMORIAL 2YO FILLIES STAKES (MOBILE PACE)
DEVIL WOMAN - briefly crowded by outside runners racing into the first bend and struck track markers. Held up early and middle stages of the run home.
ARTACHE(AUS) - had some difficulty obtaining clear racing room in the run home.
JORJA - briefly crowded by an outside runner racing into the first bend.
NELLA KEENAN - raced wide early.
BEWARE THE STORM - raced wide early. Weakened in the run home. When questioned regarding the performance driver J Dunn advised the filly had over-raced in the parked position with the effort taking its toll. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a high heart rate. Trainer N Purdon advised the filly will be sent for a spell.
TUAPEKA RUBIE - over-raced middle stages.
ASHES OF MIDNIGHT - lay inwards racing into the first bend briefly crowding inside runners.
ALL TORQUE - cast a bell boot early in the run home.
Race 6   RURAL BUSINESS ACCOUNTANTS 3YO CHAMPION STAKES (MOBILE PACE)
BACCHUS - weakened in the run home.
STUMBLIN IN - held up early and middle stages of the run home. When questioned regarding his tactics during the running, driver C Ferguson advised the gelding lacks gate speed so he elected not to pressure the horse in the early stages to obtain a more forward position. Mr Ferguson further explained that he remained on the marker line near the 1100m when an opportunity existed to shift outwards as he did not wish to risk being left to race parked, as the gelding is best suited when saved for one run and has been driven in a similar manner in recent starts. Mr Ferguson further added that when the running line failed to improve through the middle stages he became awkwardly positioned at the rear of the field and was obliged to shift inwards in the run home to obtain clear running. After considering his explanation, Stewards were satisfied Mr Ferguson's tactics were not unreasonable in the circumstances and took the matter no further.
FRANCO LENNON - driver A Butt was issued a warning for using his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.
B B KING - lay inwards in the run home.
SEASIDE CROFT - over-raced middle stages.
Race 7   DICK PRENDERGAST MEMORIAL TROT
REPENDANT - pre-race warmed. Held up final bend. Hung inwards at various stages in the run home having to be corrected by driver W House.
CLOVELLY HILL - broke at the start losing ground. When questioned regarding the performance driver T Williams advised the gelding had failed to respond when placed under pressure and he was disappointed with the effort. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a high heart rate and slow recovery. Stewards will follow up with connections in the coming days.
PRINCE TEKA - weakened final bend.
WHATZ THE LUCK - late scratching at 10.56am on Veterinary advice.
BLUEY - slow to begin. Weakened final bend. Returned to the assembly area with blood present in a nostril. A post-race veterinary examination confirmed the gelding had experienced an episode of Epistaxis for the second time. Stood down for the mandatory period of 90 days with a veterinary clearance including the results of an endoscopic examination required prior to completing one satisfactory trial before resuming.
DONT LOOK KOBE - raced wide from the 1300m. Weakened final bend.
OUR PINOCCHIO - slow to begin. Weakened final bend.
Race 8   GALLAGHER INSURANCE ASHBURTON WINTER CUP (HCP PACE)
There was a delay to the start due to a footrest on the sulky of SPIRIT DOWNUNDER requiring attention.
BRYCE'S MEDDLE - held up for clear racing room for the majority of the run home.
CAPTAIN COOL - broke at the start losing ground. Authorisation of 3rd placing was withheld until Stewards were satisfied the gelding had complied with the Breaking Horses Regulation in the early stages.
SPIRIT DOWNUNDER - over-raced middle stages.
SEMBA - broke shortly after the start losing ground. Authorisation of 2nd placing was withheld until Stewards were satisfied the gelding had complied with the Breaking Horses Regulation in the early stages.
HALEY JACCKA - held up early in the run home.
Race 9   RAKAIA SEED CLEANING FFA MOBILE PACE
IRON BRIGADE - held up early in the run home.
SIDESHOW BRUCE - lay outwards in the early stages.
DA VINCI - held up late in the run home.
FRANCO SINATRA - lay outwards early in the run home and shifted up the track.
Race 10   G & R PARTNERSHIP MOBILE PACE
DONTTELLTHEBOYS - driver J Morrison was issued a warning for using his whip with more than a wrist flicking motion in the run home.
DAWN TO DARK - held up early in the run home.
LILY'S A STAR - weakened in the run home.
SALUTE - raced wide early. Held up early and middle stages of the run home.
LASA - raced wide until reaching the parked position near the 900m.
LORD FANTASY - raced wide early. Weakened from the 1000m. When questioned regarding the performance driver M Holbrough advised the gelding had raced lethargically after being restrained to the rear of the field near the 1100m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. A warning was placed on the racing performance of the gelding.
FLO MOTION - raced wide with cover throughout. Lay inwards in the run home.
MR CASH MAN - raced wide with cover from the 900m.
BETTERWITHBLING - out of position at the start. Driver T Borcoskie was issued a warning. Raced wide with cover from the 900m.
INTERRORGATOR - weakened final bend hampering trailing runners.
MONKEE MAJOR - held up by a weakening runner rounding the final bend and early in the run home.
JACK'S EYRE - briefly raced in restricted room entering the first bend when shifting ground inwards simultaneously to MONKEE MAJOR. Held up by a weakening runner rounding the final bend and early in the run home.
QUICKER THAN QUICK - raced wide throughout.
CRACKER OPIE - over-raced in the early stages with the overcheck bit becoming detached. Raced wide with cover throughout.
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