Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR ARARAT

SUNDAY 22 MAY 2022

	Kylie Harrison Daniel Borg Des Benger Michael Ross (Starter) Dr Helen Spencer (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 – THE PYRENEES ADVOCATE PACE (2195 MS)

Top Play NZ hung out and galloped briefly in the middle stages of the score up and will be given one last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

Driver Brent Murphy (Thelongroadhome) was fined $100 under rule 156(3) for his unapproved whip use after he applied the whip on more occasions than permissible over the final 200m.

Aimforthestars shifted out under pressure on entering the home straight and a warning was issued against the geldings racing manners.

After racing with cover throughout, Tell A Tall Story came under pressure from the 1000m to be beaten 25m in last place. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities Driver Chris Alford reported that this was his first race drive on the gelding however was of the opinion Tell A Tall Story may perform best when able to lead.

Driver Bailey McDonough (Better Exclusive) reported that despite his efforts the deafeners on this gelding  failed to release over the later stages.

RACE 2 – ARARAT TYRE POWER 3YO MAIDEN PACE (1790 MS)

The race book failed to show Ryan Sanderson as the driver of Dark Sands.

Driver Daryl Crone (Wichita Dance) was fined $200 under Rule 156(2)(a) after he crossed his reins and applied the whip to his drive with a free hand in the back straight on the final occasion.

RACE 3 – A.M.E. SYSTEMS (VIC) PTY LTD TROT (2195 MS)

David Murphy was accepted as a late driver replacement on Our Safari Sun due to listed driver Darby McGuigan being indisposed.

Glengarriff galloped during the early stages of the score up and was out of position at the start. This gelding was placed out of the draw for future mobile start races.

Blue Sparkler raced roughly during the score up and was approximately two lengths out of position at the start and was placed out of the draw for future mobile start races.

Gaelic Lad hung in under pressure rounding the final turn and contacted a marker peg before racing in the sprint lane over the concluding stages.

Di Li tended to hang in at various stages throughout.

Gracie Rose galloped clear of interference rounding the turn out of the back straight on the first occasion and at the 1100m and trailed the field there after. This mare will be given one last chance to race truly.

RACE 4 – GRAEME MCKAY EARTHWORKS MAIDEN PACE (2195 MS)

Tallaras Shadow became fractious and reared requiring assistance from the Clerk Of The Course prior to the score up. A warning was issued against the mares barrier manners.

Five Star Shark was well out of its barrier position despite the efforts of its driver at the start and will continue to be drawn wide in future mobile start races.

Jasperine galloped as the start was affected resulting in trailing runner Murdoch being inconvenienced after the start. Jasperine was placed out of the draw for future mobile start races. Jasperine trailed the field thereafter.

 It was noted that Tallaras Shadow and Star Pupil jostled wheel to wheel in the back straight on the final occasion as Tallaras Shadow shifted from the peg line to the one out line at approximately the 400m.

Rocknroll Upton was inconvenienced and held up for clear running as the leader Ceres Goldchip commenced to give ground in the back straight and rounding the final turn. Rocknroll Upton then utilised the sprint lane when it became available over the latter stages.

RACE 5 - LOUISE STALEY - MEMBER FOR RIPON PACE (1790 MS)

The racebook failed to show Codi Rauchenberger as the driver of Sporty Culture.

Pre and post veterinary examinations were conducted on Irishmurphy under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the gelding attaining the age of 12 years. Both examinations failed to identify any obvious abnormalities.

Sasscilian galloped clear of interference leaving the front straight on the first occasion after challenging for the lead. Gozo Courage was inconvenienced as that gelding improved wider on the track around the galloping Sasscilian.  Sasscilian will be given one last chance to race truly.

RACE 6 – BARRY MARX DEMOLITION PACE (1790 MS)

The racebook failed to show Lockie Cook as the driver of Razs Veyron and Ryan Sanderson as the driver Ulani.

A false start was declared at the first attempt due to the barrier manners of Snazzyron which refused to move and participate in the score up despite the assistance of both Clerks of the Course. Snazzyron was placed out of the draw for future mobile start races.

A further delay to the start occurred due to Cee Cee Norman filling a position on the front row and driver Greg Sugars being unable to suitably restrain the mare to allow runners on the front row to fill their positions.

Searover pulled hard when restrained from a three wide position during the early stages to gain a position in the one out line.

Cee Cee Norman was inconvenienced in the back straight on the final occasion when trailing London Lady as it commenced to give ground after racing outside the leader throughout.

Sports Bounty hung in and contacted marker pegs rounding the final turn.

Snazzyron tired over the latter stages to be beaten 87m in last place. Given the mares barrier manners and poor performance, Snazzyron was stood down until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

Driver James Herbertson was questioned regarding the seemingly improved performance of the winner Cornish Smuggler in comparison to its most recent performance when finishing in last place at Hamilton on 16 May 2022. Mr Herberton explained that the gelding was racing down in class on this occasion and had appreciated a favourable run after finding the lead shortly after the start.

RACE 7 – THE ARARAT ADVOCATE PACE (2195 MS)

Itzamajor Surprise, which raced the previous evening at Tabcorp Park Melton, was examined by the club veterinarian pre and post-race under the HRV horse welfare policy and was cleared of any obvious abnormalities.

Driver Matthew Cain (Danceforme) was queried regarding his tactics and the overall performance of this gelding which raced outside the leader throughout before tiring to be beaten 76m in last placing. Mr Cain explained that trainer Danny O’Brien had instructed him to drive the gelding in a forward position given its recent performances in higher graded races. When challenged approaching the winning post on the first occasion by Itzamajor Surprise, Mr Cain elected to maintain the position outside the leader however Danceforme commenced to give ground from approximately the 700m. Given the below expected performance, connections where of the opinion the gelding may not have backed up from its campaign in Sydney. Stewards intend to follow up with connections regarding the horse’s wellbeing in the coming days. Given the beaten margin, Danceforme was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT - 25/5/2022

Danny O’Brien, trainer of Danceforme advised subsequent to the poor performance at Ararat on May 22 2022, that the gelding has now been sent for a spell. 

RACE 8 – CHALAMBAR GOLF & BOWLS CLUB PACE (1790 MS)

Driver Lochie Cook (Better Steam Ahead) was questioned regarding his tactics during the middle stages when he unsuccessfully attempted to improve three wide to race outside the leader resulting in the gelding racing three wide over the final1200m. Mr Cook explained that driver David Murphy (Amore Rock) appeared to indicate his intention to receive cover when racing outside the leader by restraining to race approximately one and a half lengths back from the leader. Once he directed the gelding into a three wide position Better Steam Ahead was sluggish and was unable to improve as desired. Mr Cook added that the gelding commenced to give ground rounding the final turn and then locked wheels with Gracie Cullen as that mare attempted to improve to his outside. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. Given the performance stewards intend to follow up with connections in the coming days regarding the gelding recovery.

Spacewriter galloped while held up for a clear run rounding the final turn. This gelding will be given one last chance to race truly.

Driver Bailey McDonough (Smooth Techy) was questioned regarding the circumstances for this mare galloping in the home straight. After taking evidence it was established that Smooth Techy, while held up for a clear run, attempted to take a tight run between Amore Rock and Jacks Command in the home straight however the gap commenced to close and despite taking restraint Smooth Techy contacted the sulky wheel of Jacks Command and galloped in consequence. After reviewing the replays and taking into consideration the evidence of Mr McDonough, the incident was considered accidental, and no action was taken on this occasion.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT - 25/5/2022

Tom Rundle, trainer of Better Steam Ahead advised subsequent to the poor performance at Ararat on May 22 2022, that the gelding had recovered well and would continue with the current preparation.

RACE 9 – S.H.S CIVIL PACE (2195 MS)

Bailey McDonough was accepted as a late driving change on Will He Star due to listed driver Darby McGuigan being indisposed.

The racebook failed to show Tommy Hill as the driver of Ears Ponder.

Will He Star tired over the latter stages to be beaten 71m. A post-race veterinary examination of the gelding failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. A warning was issued for a poor performance.

Kiwi Kalahari shifted in rounding the final turn and contacted a marker peg prior to entering the home straight.

Shaded raced three wide during the middle stages to lead. Shaded had a tendency to pull hard and over race as it contacted its own sulky wheels during the middle stages of the race.

 

Kylie Harrison

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 1 – Tell A Tall Story; Race 4 – Rocknroll Upton; Race 5 – Sasscilian; Race 7 - Itzamajor Surprise; Race 9 – Will He Star
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Dancin With Elvis; Race 2 – Chedalayo; Race 4 – Bettorbewright; Race 5 – Shady Dancer; Race 6 – Cornish Smuggler;
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 1	B Murphy		R156(3)	$100
Race 1	D Crone		R156(2)(a)	$200
Cautions
Race 2	M Craven		D/CWOC
Horse Actions
Race 3	Glengarriff		ODM
Race 3	Blue Sparkler		ODM
Race 4	Five Star Shark		CODM
Race 4	Jasperine		ODM
Race 6	Snazzyron		ODM/SD1T
Late Scratchings
Nil