Stewards Report

Albion Park Harness

Date: Saturday 22 October 2022

Track: Rain affected

Weather: Showery

Stewards Panel: D. Farquharson (Chairman), N. Torpey, R. McCrae, M. Greentree

Officials: Dr C. Wain & K. Sharman (Veterinarian), A. Rayward (Judge), J. Suli (Assistant Judge), G. Torpey & J. Petersen (Starters), K. Williams  (Swab Official)

Supplementary Report:

Due to adverse track conditions, Stewards directed the use of mudguards and splashsheets to be affixed to all sulkies for the duration of the meeting.

Race 1 - BETAVET PERFORMANCE BAND 4 - BAND 2 PACE 2138M

Rocknroll Classic (Dannielle Veivers) broke in the early stages of the score up but was in position by the candy pole.

Jack William (Matt Elkins) caught three wide in the early stages and was unsuccessful in obtaining a forward position which resulted in the gelding being restrained to the rear of the field.

General

The driving license of Gemma Hewitt (Make Mine Memphis) was suspended for 14 days under AHR rule 156(2) for applying the whip with use of the elbow and shoulder in the run to the finish. In assessing the matter of penalty stewards took into account recent breaches under this rule. Stewards directed that this term of suspension be served from 23 October to 5 November inclusive.

Race 2 – PELICAN WATERS RESORT BAND 5 PACE (DIV 1)  1660M

Parama NZ (Riley Butt) lost an off hind shoe shortly after the start which may have placed the gelding at some disadvantage for the remainder of the event.

Race 3 - SOMERSET FARMS QUALIFYING PACE       2138M

Harry Kane NZ (Hayden Barnes) failed to gain clear running in the concluding stages and was not fully tested.

Heston Zoolander (Lachie Manzelmann) failed to gain clear running in the concluding stages and was not fully tested.

Isolation (Gemma Hewitt) held up for clear running at a vital stage of the race.

Race 4 - PSP TROTTERS MOBILE       1660M

Father Christmas NZ (Gemma Hewitt) checked on the final turn when Sugarinspice NZ galloped.

Ymbro Wasted (Shane Graham) shifted out when leading in the back straight on the final occasion.

Sugarinspice NZ (Pete McMullen)gained an inside run momentarily when the leader Ymbro Wasted shifted out approaching the 400 metres. Contacted marker pegs and broke gait passing the 400 metres and lost considerable ground.

Humble Ladd NZ (Chloe Butler) broke during the score up and was out of position when the start was affected. Connections were advised Humble Ladd NZ will be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile starts.

Rigondeaux (Lachie Manzelmann) back in the mobile draw after two successful consecutive starts.

Kingdom Come NZ (Narissa McMullen)inconvenienced on the final turn when Sugarinspice NZ galloped.

Red Castleton NZ (Taleah McMullen) inconvenienced on the final turn when Sugarinspice NZ galloped.

General

Stewards inquired into an incident leaving the 400 metres in which Sugarinspice NZ galloped after momentarily progressing to the inside of the leader Ymbro Wasted which had shifted out. After taking evidence from drivers Pete McMullen and Shane Graham, it was established that Ymbro Wasted had shifted half a cart when leading and driver Shane Graham attempted to correct the gelding at the same time as Pete McMullen had placed his horses legs to the inside of Ymbro Wasted in an attempt to gain an inside run. It was further established that Majestic Harry NZ had shifted down to be racing tight to the outside of Ymbro Wasted which limited the amount of room Mr Graham could afford Sugarinspice NZ. After consideration, Stewards could not be satisfied that the entire incident was attributable to Shane Graham moving his gelding down to a position closer to the marker pegs. Shane Graham was reprimanded under AHR rule 168(1)(a) for careless driving by allowing his horse to shift out when leading.

Pete McMullen was advised the attempt to take an inside run at the commencement of the final turn was a risky tactic and not a manoeuvre Stewards would expect from a leading driver at that point of the track.

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

Molliesmaryelle (Dannielle Veivers) slow to muster speed in the early stages of the score up.

Dance In The Sun NZ (Pete McMullen) moved out three wide line on entrance to the back straight on the final occasion but failed to run on in the concluding stages and finished in last position beaten 18 metres. The Stewards directed a veterinary examination be carried out on the mare which revealed no significant findings. Pete McMullen advised he was disappointed by the performance but outlined the mare may not have been suited by leading the three wide line from the 800 metres. He said Dance In The Sun NZ has been racing well when leading or with cover and was surprised the mare was under pressure at the 400 metres. He said connections were considering retiring the mare and may aim to race in mare’s races in the next month before reaching a decision. Mr McMullen made the undertaking to advise Stewards if anything was to come delight in the ensuring days that may explain the disappointing performance.

Race 6 - AQWA CONSTRUCTIONS UP TO NR90 PACE           1660M

No racing incidents.

Race 7 – SUNSHINE STARS BAND 5 PACE (DIV 2)     1660M

No racing incidents.

Race 8 - GARRARD'S HORSE & HOUND QUALIFYING B PACE            2138M

Motu Cullen NZ (Jonah Hutchinson) fractious in the score up. Driver Jonah Hutchinson was reprimanded under the provisions of AHR rule 163 (1) (b) (ii) for momentarily impeding the forward progression of Captain Braveheart which was improving three wide to its outside leaving the 800 metres.

Williewa Lightning (Hayden Barnes) back in the mobile draw after two successful consecutive starts.

Captain Braveheart (Narissa McMullen) momentarily inconvenienced at the 800 metres when Motu Cullen NZ shifted from a position to the inside.

Race 9 - CHANGEOVER @ BURWOOD STUD MARES QUALIFYING PACE   1660M

No racing incidents.

Race 10 - CHANGEOVER @ BURWOOD STUD MARES QUALIFYING PACE   1660M

No racing incidents.

Swabs samples taken for analysis

Pre-race

R2        Tiz A Sizzler NZ

R7        Convair Hustler NZ

R8        Speak With Sam

Post-race

All winners

Race Day Summary

Scratchings

R2        So Much More – Vets

R10      Shesa Pocketrocket - Vets

Licensee Actions

R1        Gemma Hewitt (Make Mine Memphis) suspended 14 days AHR rule 156(2) whip use

R4        Shane Graham (Ymbro Wasted) reprimanded AHR rule 168(1)(a) careless

R8        Jonah Hutchinson (Motu Cullen NZ) reprimanded AHR rule 163(1)(b)(ii) impede

Animal Actions

R4        Humble Ladd NZ – BSU OPS ODM

R4        Rigondeaux – BMD

R8        Williewa Lightning – BMD

The matters contained within this Stewards report may be subject to an internal or external review.  The outcome of any internal review is published on the Commission’s website immediately after the release of the internal review decision to the Applicant.  External reviews are managed by QCAT and are not published on the Commission’s 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.