Stewards Report

Albion Park Harness

Date: Saturday, 19th October 2024

Track: Good

Weather: Fine

Stewards Panel: D. Farquharson (Chairman), N. Torpey, W. Barr, D. Trindall (Birdcage)

Officials: Dr C. Wain (Veterinarian), J. Suli (Judge), L. Bahr (Assistant Judge), J. Petersen & M. Greentree (Starters), M. Rosewarne & K. Warwick (Swab Officials)

Race 1 - LADBROKES RACING CLUB BAND 4 / BAND 2 PACE            1660M

No racing incidents.

Race 2 - RACING & SPORTS.COM QUALIFYING PACE           2138M

TOMAHAWK BART – raced three wide for the first 600 metres before progressing forward to gain the position outside the leader.

ETERNAL GOLD– inconvenienced at the 100 metres when Darin shifted out abruptly from the inside.

DARIN NZ – Shifted out abruptly when being eased wider on the track at the 100 metres. Connections were advised to take corrective measures. Held up for clear running in the concluding stages.

GOODOLBOYSANDBEER – raced three wide in the early stages before being restrained to a rearward one wide position.

Race 3 - GARRARDS HORSE & HOUND MARES OPEN PACE 1660M

SERGIOS ROCKET – held up in the early stages of the home straight.

DIAMOND SHOOZ – pulled hard in the middle stages of the event and failed to run on as expected in the concluding stages. A warning was placed on the mares racing behaviour.

Race 4 - PRYDE'S EASIFEED RACING CUBE TROTTERS DISCRETIONARY HANDICAP  2647M

HAMMER SON – stood flat footed at the start. Galloped free of interference at the 200 metres and lost valuable ground. After considering a good record in this record, a warning only was issued.

ZEALOUS SPUR NZ – checked and broke at the 200 metres when Hammer Son broke gait.

GUS NZ – broke gait free of interference at the 2400 metres losing considerable ground. Broke gait again at the 300 metres and lost all chance. Connections were advised Gus NZ will be required to complete a satisfactory trial before racing again.

TOP OF THE MOMENT NZ– shifted in under pressure in the concluding stages.

General

Brittany Graham (Majestic Harry NZ) was fined $200 under AHR rule 156(2)(a) for engaging the elbow and shoulder when applying the whip in the early stages of the home straight.

Race 5 – CHANGEOVER @ BURWOOD STUD MARES QUALIFYING PACE   1660M

NYOTA – raced roughly leaving the 400 metres.

ELEGANT GROOVES – caught three wide for the first 600 metres of the race before working forward to gain the position outside the leader.

Race 6 - WOLF SIGNS BAND 5 PACE  1660M

ARODA NZ – raced three wide for the first 600 metres before working forward to gain the position outside the leader.

Race 7 – CATCH THE FIRE AT SOMERSET FARMS 3YO OPEN PACE            1660M

ITS ONE LIFE NZ – sustained an off side flat tyre at the 600 metres when Montgomery Burns NZ was shifted out from a position behind that horse.

MONTGOMERY BURNS NZ – contacted the offside sulky tyre of Its One Life NZ when shifting wider at the 600 metres.

SHES FULLOFSPIRIT NZ – broke gait free of interference at the 1400 metres and lost valuable ground. After considering a good record in this regard, connections were advised the filly will be placed on its last chance to race truly.

CHICAGO BART– Contacted two marker pegs in the run to the finish. Held up for clear running in the concluding stages and was not fully tested.

General

Doug Hewitt (Montgomery Burns NZ) was fined $100 under AHR rule 168(1)(a) for carelessly contacting the offside sulky tyre of Its One Life NZ when shifting wider at the 600 metres.

Adam Sanderson (Chicago Bart) was fined $100 under AHR rule 163(1)(c)(ii) for making contact with marker pegs in the home straight in the run to the finish.

Race 8 - LEADING EDGE SECURITY BAND 5 PACE    1660M

MAJOR PERRY NZ – failed to run on in the concluding stages after leading and finished in last position beaten 22 metres. Stewards directed a veterinary examination be carried out on the horse which revealed no abnormalities. Trainer Shane Graham was disappointed with the performance and advised he will be having Major Perry NZ thoroughly examined by his Vet.

MASTER CHARLES - held up in the early stages of the home straight.

Race 9 - BURWOOD STUD 2YO OPEN PACE   1660M

OUR AUNTY BELMA – checked at the 400 metres when Racana NZ shifted in and locked sulky stays.

RACANA NZ – jibbed in the early stages of the score up and was exerted to be in position at the start. Hung in at the 400 metres and locked sulky stays with Our Aunty Belma.

SEE THE DREAM – hung in at the 500 metres and lost momentum.

General

Stewards opened an inquiry into the driving tactics adopted by John Stariha (Racana NZ). Of concern was the exertion placed on the filly after behaving intractably in the score up to then be further exerted in the front straight with a lap remaining when challenged by the eventual winner Ruby Rules. Of further concern was the filly was then shifted 3 wide passing the 800 metres and further exerted when the favourite in the race Our Sweet Delight moved up to its outside. Also of concern was Racana NZ was allowed to shift in passing the 400 metres which tightened the racing room of Our Aunty Belma. In the concluding stages of the race, Racana NZ tired badly to finish in last position beaten 43 metres. After taking evidence from driver John Stariha and viewing the official footage and acting on their own observations, John Stariha was charged pursuant to AHR rule 149(2) for driving in an unacceptable manner. Mr Stariha pleaded guilty to the charge and his licence to drive in races was suspended for 8 weeks. In assessing the matter of penalty, Stewards considered previous breaches under this rule and the circumstances of this drive. Mr Stariha was advised of his rights to appeal. Stewards further directed this term of suspension commence Monday 21 October 2024 and expire on 16 December 2024.

Swabs samples taken for analysis

Pre-race

            R2        Hiranya NZ

            R5        Nyota

            R6        Commodore Jujon

            R7        Chicago Bart

            R8        Saint Veran

            R9        Our Sweet Delight

Post-race

            All winners

Race Day Summary

Scratchings

            R9        Miss Crunchy – L/Scr Vets

Licensee Actions

           

            R4        Brittany Graham (Majestic Harry NZ) fined $200 AHR rule 156(2)(a)

            R7        Doug Hewitt (Montgomery Burns NZ) fined $100 AHR rule 168(1)(a)

            R7       Adam Sanderson (Chicago Bart) fined $100 Ahr rule 163(1)(c)(ii)

            R9        John Stariha (Racana NZ) suspended 8 weeks AHR rule 149(2)

Animal Actions

            R4        Gus NZ – B (2) SD1T

The matters contained within this Stewards report may be subject to external review.  The Racing Appeals Panel manages external reviews and the Racing Appeals Panel publishes its decisions on its website.
 
This report and the Stewards Comments for this meeting may be amended at any time, at the sole discretion of the Queensland Racing Integrity Commission (QRIC) Stewards as races are reviewed.