Stewards Report

ALBURY HARNESS RACING CLUB

TUESDAY, 10^TH DECEMBER 2024

STEWARDS REPORT

 

Stewards	T Quick (Chief Steward), M Ross, K Lockwood
Starter	P Bandy
Veterinarian	Dr R Bennett
Swab Official	Ms L Franks
Track	Fast
Weather	Fine

 

RACE 1 – TAB VENUE MODE PACE – 1770 metres

 

KEEPCRACKINGJOKES– Pre-race swab sampled. Driver S Matson was questioned regarding the seemingly improved performance of the mare, he stated that he felt it was down in grade tonight in comparison to its most recent starts. He added that it is not very quick from the start normally but he was able to lead tonight from the inside front row draw which was an advantage in his view and the mare has raced well at Albury in the past. Post-race swab sampled.

THE LURKER– Pre-race swab sampled.

JOLTED LOVER  – Tired over the concluding stages for which a warning was issued.

MELATI BOY– Raced three wide in the early stages before working forward to take up the position outside the leader approaching the 1200 metres. Hung-in rounding the turn leaving the 1200 metres. Driver B Jones was given the opportunity to comment on the below market expectations performance of the gelding, he stated that he felt it was shorter in the market than its recent form warranted, however was disappointed with its run. He added that it didn’t travel as well as it had when he had driven it previously and near the 600 metres it had dropped the bit so took the opportunity to get cover behind the leader but it didn’t get going again. He further added that it did brush its knee somewhat at points throughout the event. A post-race Veterinary examination, revealed the gelding to be sore along its sciatic nerve on both sides. Stewards acting on Veterinary advice advised connections that they would be required to provide a Veterinary certificate of fitness for the geldingprior to its next race start.

 

RACE 2 – OLEBLACK JOE MEMORIAL – 1770 metres

 

BLAZING – Driver N Horan was questioned regarding the tactics adopted with the filly in particular whether there was an opportunity to gain cover in the early stages of the event behind NO MORE PROMISES given the two runners relative recent form. He stated that from the inside front row draw tonight the stable felt that if they were able to lead they would be competitive in tonight’s field given she has raced well in the past when she had led. He added that he was disappointed with her run tonight and felt it was below what she was capable of doing. He further added that following the filly’s run tonight it would be his intention to take cover in similar circumstances going forward until her form shows improvement. Stable representative R Walker confirmed that the instructions were to lead for the reasons N Horan stated, and that he was disappointed with the filly’s run.

LIFE GETS BETTER – Hung out approaching the 400 metres.

ATOMIC GLORY – Broke gait when racing three wide rounding the first turn, for which a warning was issued.

LACHIES DELIGHT– Raced three wide in the early stages before working forward to take up the position outside the leader leaving the 1200 metres. Post-race swab sampled.

MOREARTSTHANCLASS – Tired over the concluding stages. Driver R Strong reported that he was disappointed with the mare’s run but added that he felt it was up in class from its last start. Connections were advised a warning would be placed on it for its performance tonight.

CONSPIRATOR NZ– Pre-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 3 – VALE RAE BLEZARD – 1770 metres

 

SPEEDY SPIDA– Pre-race swab sampled. Driver J Locke was questioned regarding the tactics adopted with the gelding, in particular after working to the lead, whether there was an opportunity to obtain cover behind SHOOBEES CHARM near the 800 metres when that runner improved to his outside and his runner appeared to be under pressure to maintain its position, and the gelding’s overall performance. J Locke stated that the gelding often races like it did tonight where it drops the bit, particularly rounding the turns, and then gets going again in the straight, and in his view races best when able to maintain the lead. He added that if driven from behind it doesn’t race as well, so with that in mind he was reluctant to surrender the lead despite being under pressure near the 800 metres. He added that he was somewhat disappointed with the gelding’s effort over the concluding stages but felt that was more to do with them having to do more work than he would have liked to get the lead from ELLAVA PACER in the early stages of the race. A post-race Veterinary examination revealed no significant abnormalities, although it was reported that the gelding did have a slower than normal post-race recovery.

SHOOBEES CHARM – Broke gait when racing three wide rounding the first turn, for which a warning was issued. Driver J Stockton was questioned regarding the tactics adopted with the mare, with senior reinsman R Strong present in the inquiry, in particular, after it broke gait rounding the first turn and then working forward to obtain the position outside the leader, him then appearing to drive the mare forward from near the 800 metres in an attempt to cross the leader SPEEDY SPIDA. J Stockton stated that he allowed the mare to stride forward at a pace it was comfortable with to get to the position outside the leader leaving the 1200 metres, but it was contacting its own sulky wheel with its hind leg throughout the race and near the 1000 metres commenced to over-race. He added that near the 800 metres he felt SPEEDY SPIDA was under pressure and if he could cross it and get to the lead his runner may have not over-raced as badly as it was, so he let it have some more rein and placed it under pressure in an endeavour to cross but was unable to do so. He further added that with the benefit of watching the patrol footage and in hindsight he had asked the mare to work too hard during the last 800 metres. Given that this was only J Stockton’s second race drive, Stewards issued him with a reprimand under Rule !49(2) for driving in a manner in which in the opinion of Stewards was unacceptable, in that he had shown a lack of judgement in asking his runner to sustain a run from near the 800 metres, after it had made an error rounding the first turn and doing work in the early stages of the event, resulting in it being unable to finish the race off. J Stockton was also cautioned for making insufficient effort to prevent his runner from shifting in while galloping rounding the first turn.

ABRAHAM– Post-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 4 – HENRY LIVERMORE MEMORIAL – 1770 metres

 

OLE CHESTER– Broke gait free of interference approaching the 200 metres, for which a warning was issued. While galloping its sulky was contacted by FOXYONTHERUN.

RUN BUSINESS RUN– Broke its near side hind hopple carrying strap near the 50 metres. Post-race swab sampled.

FOXYONTHERUN– Stewards accepted the explanation given by Driver T Gilligan for the reasons he was unable to fulfil his engagement on the mare, resulting in the late change of Driver. Pre-race swab sampled. Contacted the sulky wheel of OLE CHESTER approaching the 200 metres, when that runner broke gait, and was checked and broke gait.

 

RACE 5 – JOHN DAVIDSON MEMORIAL – 1770 metres

 

MISTER REBEL – Examined by the Club Veterinarian prior to the race, as it has had over 200 race starts, and cleared to start.

SHERMAN – Hung-in and contacted marker pegs upon entering the home straight.

TASSIE SAFARI – Caught racing three wide from the start before being restrained to take up a position in the running line at the rear of the field near the 1200 metres.

BONDI PRINCE– Pre-race swab sampled.

DIDNT I– Post-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 6 – KEVIN MINOGUE MEMORIAL – 1770 metres

 

BROBENAH GIRL– Hung-in and contacted marker pegs leaving the 800 metres.

HELLODARLIN – Hung-in leaving the 800 metres. Hung-in under pressure and raced roughly in the home straight.

VIENNA OPERA– Post-race swab sampled.

ROSIE POLLEN – While over-racing, hung-in and contacted marker pegs leaving the 1200 metres.

THAT MAJ YA LOOK NZ– Pre-race swab sampled.

 

RACE 7 – LYLE HANCOCK MEMORIAL – 1770 metres

 

GIBBS – Tightened for room upon entering the home straight when AVA LEANNE shifted-in slightly.

AVA LEANNE– Post-race swab sampled.

WARRAWEE LAZ– Pre-race swab sampled. Contacted a marker peg near the 1400 metres. Held up for clear running until near the 100 metres. Raced roughly near the 50 metres.

MATARIKI JOHN NZ– Made a three wide mid race move to take over the position outside the leader leaving the 1200 metres.

 

SUMMARY
Reprimands	Race 3 – J Stockton – SHOOBEES CHARM – Rule 149(2)
Fines	Nil
Suspensions	Nil
Barrier Information	Nil
Trials/Stand Down	Race 1 – MELATI BOY – stood down Vet cert
Late Scratchings	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil