Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR ARARAT

SUNDAY 13 OCTOBER 2024

	Christopher Simpson Scott Gillespie Wayne Smith Jason Fino (Starter) Dr Michelle Pap (Vet)
	Track:    Good	Weather:	Fine

Trainers with multiple horses engaged in any given race were questioned as to the intended driving tactics to be adopted. 

RACE 1 – ARARAT ADVOCATE TROT (1790 MS)

APEX – Broke gait when free of interference in the later stages of the score up. Out of position when the start was initiated, as a result, APEX will be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile races. Inconvenienced approaching the 1500m mark when PRIMZ LUCK NZ broke gait when free of interference.

MAUDARCHY NZ – Held up for clear running entering the home straight before using the sprint lane.

PRIMZ LUCK NZ – Due to the gelding being 12 years of age, in accordance with HRV policy was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Broke gait when free of interference approaching the 1500m mark inconveniencing APEX and trailed the field.

CADENCE LANE – Raced outside the leader throughout.

BROWN EYED KATE – Started to tire leaving the 500m to be beaten 81.1m. As a result, the mare has been stood down from racing for a period of ten (10) days and must complete a satisfactory steward’s trial before resuming.

WILLS MAVERICK – Inconvenienced in the score up when APEX broke gait when free of interference in the later stages of the score up.

BLACKRANGE GLORY – Broke gait in the score up when free of interference, out of position when the start was initiated. As a result, BLACKRANGE GLORY will continue excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile races. Broke gait when free of interference at the 1500m mark, then again approaching the 700m mark. A warning was placed against the gelding.

RACE 2 – ARARAT RSL PACE (2195 MS)

ALOOK TO LIKE – Raced roughly and broke gait when free of interference approaching the 600m mark. A last chance to race truly was placed against the gelding.

CEE CEE NORMAN – Pulled hard in the score up, then proceeded to pull hard throughout the race.  Started to tire leaving the 600m to be beaten 69.5m. A warning was placed against the mare.

MICTON MOUSE – Withstood a challenge for the lead during the early and middle stages and was unable to maintain the lead approaching the 1000m mark. The gelding began to tire leaving the 900m mark and was ultimately beaten by 71.6m, finishing in eighth position. Stewards noted, that when challenged for the lead between approximately the 1800m and the 1000m marks, driver David Barbetti failed to adequately restrain MICTON MOUSE to allow the gelding a respite. This resulted in a faster-than-average lead time of 41.6 seconds and a fast first quarter of 28.6 seconds. Stewards deemed the driving tactics during this section of the race to be unacceptable, and the main contributing factor to MICTON MOUSE's tiring performance. Consequently, Mr. Barbetti was suspended for a period of three (3) weeks under AHR 149(2), commencing at midnight on 13th October 2024.

BLACK TUXEDO – Unsuccessfully challenged for the lead during the early and middle stages of the race. The gelding contacted its own sulky on multiple occasions, resulting in BLACK TUXEDO pulling hard and over-racing throughout. A warning was issued against BLACK TUXEDO for its racing manners. Stewards questioned driver Charlie Borg regarding the tactics adopted throughout the race. Mr. Borg explained that BLACK TUXEDO tends to pull in his races and, being a large gelding, was making contact with the sulky on the tighter track, contributing to its over-racing and inability to settle. Trainer Charlie Borg stated he would not be starting BLACK TUXEDO on tight turning tracks in the future. A post-race veterinary examination revealed the gelding had a slow recovery.

RACE 3 – ARARAT PREMIX KING 0-2 LTW PACE (1790 MS)

PERFECT PLAYGIRL – Held up for clear running entering the home straight before using the sprint lane.

STARZINHEREYES – Pulled hard in the early and middle stages of the race.

OUR BETTER BRO – Pulled hard in the early and middle stages of the race.

LUVA SCRAP – Was restrained to the rear of the field after being caught wide in the early stages and middle stages of the race.

MY BUCKS NIGHT – Began poorly, breaking gait after the start and trailing the field. As a result, MY BUCKS NIGHT will continue excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile races.

RACE 4 – ACACIA CARAVAN PARK ARARAT 4YO & OLDER MAIDEN PACE (2195 MS)

SKADI – Pulled hard in the early and middle stages of the race.

SECOND EDITION – Raced roughly approaching the 1900m mark. Then pulled hard in the early and middle stages of the race.

ALDEBARAN LEWIS – Raced three wide after the start, advancing to be outside the leader approaching the 1650m mark.

PEPPERCORN BARRY – Was restrained to the rear of the field after being caught wide in the early stages of the race. Started to tire leaving the 600m to be beaten 55.0m. A warning was placed against the gelding.

HOWSWEETTHESOUND – Due to having not competed in races for more than twelve (12) months was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race which revealed no apparent abnormalities.

RACE 5 – HOTONDO HOMES ARARAT TROTTERS HANDICAP (2165 SS)

TENSION SEEKER – Started to give ground leaving the 400m mark to be beaten 35.2m.

UNSPOKEN LOVE – Pulled hard in the early and middle stages of the race.

BILLYSOPHIA – Fractious before the start, stood flat footed when the start was initiated before breaking gait when free of interference after the start, then trailed the field. As a result, BILLYSOPHIA will be excluded from the barrier draw in future stand start races.

CLAUDYS SECRET – Inconvenienced leaving the 300m mark when TENSION SEEKER started to give ground. Held up for clear running entering the home straight before using the sprint lane.

ALFIE ALWAYS – Inconvenienced leaving the 300m mark when TENSION SEEKER started to give ground. Held up for clear running entering the home straight.

FROSTY GIRL NZ – Broke gait when free of interference approaching the 1600m mark.

RACE 6 – HULL PLUMBING PACE (2195 MS)

ROCKIN CHARMER – Steadied approaching the 600m mark when BIG SLEDGE HAMMER shifted in. Started to tire leaving the 500m to be beaten 78.2m. A last chance to race competitively was placed against the gelding. Driver Chris Alford could offer no explanation to the performance of ROCKIN CHARMER. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. The stable will monitor the gelding’s recovery and report to the stewards if any issues arise within the next 48 hours.

SENNA STORM – Surrendered the lead to BIG SLEDGE HAMMER approaching the 1800m mark, before regaining the lead approaching the 1700m mark when BIG SLEDGE HAMMER raced roughly and had to be steadied.

BIG SLEDGE HAMMER – Worked forward to the lead approaching the 1800m mark, before racing roughly and having to be steadied, resulting in SENNA STORM regaining the lead. Broke gait when free of interference approaching the 1100m mark, a last chance to race truly was placed against the gelding. Shifted in approaching the 600m mark.

RACE 7 – GRAMPIANS SECURITY & ANTENNAS TROT (2195 MS)

AI SEDHAI – Due to having not competed in races for more than twelve (12) months was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Surrendered the lead to THE GIRS GOTFLAIR approaching the 1800m mark.

COUNTESS CHIRON – Started to give ground leaving the 350m mark to be beaten 27.7m. Driver Liam Older reported that the three week gap between races told on the mare in tonight’s race and COUNTESS SCHIRON would benefit greatly from tonight’s race. The stable will monitor the gelding’s recovery and report to the stewards if any issues arise within the next 48 hours.

THE GIRLS GOTFLAIR – Due to having competed in more than 200 lifetime races and in accordance with HRV policy was examined by the veterinarian before and after the race which revealed no apparent abnormalities. Worked forward from the start to obtain the lead approaching 1800m mark.

ALDEBARAN DAHLIA – Broke gait when free of interference in the score up, out of position when the start was intuited, then trailed the field. As a result, ALDEBARAN DAHLIA will be excluded from the barrier draw in future mobile races.

SONARMI JOH – Pulled hard in the early and middle stages of the race. Was inclined to hang out on the turns throughout the race.

Christopher Simpson

Chair

‘This report and the Stewards Comments for this meeting may be amended at the sole discretion of the Harness Racing Victoria (HRV) Stewards as races are reviewed as per the ‘HRV Stewards Internal Review Process’.

Raceday Summary

Swabs	Pre-Race: Race  2 – CEE CEE NORMAN; Race 3 – PERFECT PLAYGIRL; Race 6 – EMJAYBEE; Race 7 – ALDEBARAN DAHLIA;
	Post- Race: Race 6 – TIME TO TORQUE;
Suspensions
Race 2	David Barbetti	149(2)	3 Weeks
Fines	NIL
Cautions
Race 1	Paddy Meade	D/COOC
Race 2	Paul Buhagier	T/CG
Race 2	Charlie Borg	T/CG
Race 6	Paul Warnock	D/CSG
Horse Actions
Race 1	APEX	ODM
Race 1	BROWN EYED KATE	SD1T/SD10D
Race 1	BLACKRANGE GLORY	CODM
Race 3	MY BUCKS NIGHT	CODM
Race 5	BILLYSOPHIA	ODS
Race 7	ALDEBARAN DAHLIA	ODM
Late Scratching’s	NIL
Follow Ups	NIL
Adjourned Inquiries	NIL
Sulky Fund Claims	NIL