Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR BALLARAT

THURSDAY 07 NOVEMBER 2024

	Kylie Harrison Nicholas Murray Daniel Borg Jason Fino (Starter) Dr Joel Hummel (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 – BALLARATTROTTINGCLUB.COM.AU PACE (1710 MS)

BLAZING SHANNON – Checked locked wheels with Just Pedro in the home straight on the final occasion and galloped as a consequence.

TUPELO BEACH – Checked in the home straight on the final occasion behind Just Pedro which galloped.

JUST PEDRO – Commenced to race roughly while leading in the back straight on the final occasion when challenged and crossed by Heavenly Brigade. Galloped in the home straight on the final occasion resulting in interference to several runners and locking wheels with Blazing Shannon. Driver Chris Alford reported that the gelding was not pacing evenly under pressure and on entering the home straight, contacted its own sulky wheels with its near side hind leg. Just Pedro then stumbled and galloped. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. Given the performance, Just Pedro was placed on its last chance to race truly.

INDIGO DANCER – Allan McDonough not listed in the racebook as the driver

HAMMER DAN – Anthony Butt not listed in the racebook as the driver. Pre race veterinary examination due to the gelding not racing for a long period due to injury with no obvious abnormalities detected.

BUSLOAD OF FAITH NZ – Michael Stanley not listed in the racebook as the driver. Checked and galloped in the home straight.

BOLRAMSKI NZ – Pre and post race veterinary examinations due to the gelding not starting in a race since September 2023 with no apparent abnormalities detected.

 

RACE 2 –EASY WASTE PACE(1710 MS)

MAJOR DRAMA – Inconvenienced behind Sinbad Sassy which shied approaching the winning post with one lap to travel. Held up and unable to obtain a clear run at any stage in the home straight.

SINBAD SASSY – Led approaching the winning post with one lap to travel. Shied shifted out and raced roughly as the bell rang to signal the final lap. A warning was issued against the colts racing manners.

ROYAL SAXON – Promoted one placing due to being covered by the galloping Ruby Wingate at the finish line.

RUBY WINGATE – Held up and unable to obtain a clear run at any stage in the home straight. Made slight contact with the sulky wheel of Picture Us Rollin despite the efforts of its driver over the latter stages and galloped. Relegated one placing after galloping over the finish line and being covered by Royal Saxon.

PICTURE US ROLLIN – Sulky contacted and received a flat tyre just prior to the finish line.

GERRALE – Held up and unable to obtain a clear run in the home straight.

RACE 3 – CRANBOURNE 7000 PACE (1ST HEAT) (1710 MS)

BETTES BLUE VIOLET - Connor Ronan not listed in the racebook as the driver. Pulled hard score up before showing gate speed to lead. Withstood a challenge briefly in the front straight on the first occasion before relinquishing the lead to Shazza Love at approximately the 1200m. Commenced to give ground in the back straight on the final occasion then tired to be beaten 57m. Driver Connor Ronan explained when questioned regarding the tactics and overall performance that Bette Blue Violet was slightly disappointing although recognised the fast early pace may have contributed to the below expected performance. Mr Ronan explained that the filly had won recently when driven in a similar manner and had sustained its run despite receiving pressure on that occasion. A post race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

SHAZZA LOVE – Pulled hard early stages and worked forward to lead in the front straight with one lap to travel.

MIDNIGHT DANCER – Late scratching at 8.55am on Veterinary advice.

JILLIBY TIDALWAVE – Held up for a clear run rounding the home turn and during the early stages of the home straight.

 

RACE 4 – DEL-RE NATIONAL FOODS TROT (1710 MS)

DUTCH TEACHER – Tired to be beaten 54m. Driver Emmett Brosnan stated that the mare performs best when able to lead and the early attempt was not successful which may have contributed to the performance on this occasion. A post race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities.

NO SURPRISES – Anthony Butt not listed in the racebook as the driver. Pre and post race veterinary examinations due to the mare not racing since July 2023 with no apparent abnormalities detected.

SEBASTIANS SECRET – Refused to score up when directed to approach the mobile barrier. Well out of position as the start was effected and took no competitive part in the race there after. Placed out of the mobile barrier draw and required to trial satisfactorily on one occasion prior to returning to racing.

MIELICKI – Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and early stages of the home straight.

COUNTESS CHIRON - Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and early stages of the home straight.

ALDEBARAN DAHLIA – Galloped during the early stages of the score up and was out of position at the start and was placed out of the mobile barrier draw.

RACE 5 – FERNDALE FOODS TROT (2200 MS)

ROMANTIC NINA – Pulled hard early and middle stages. Galloped clear of interference at approximately the 400m and was placed on its last chance to race truly.

TUBS NOW SLIM – Galloped during the score up and was out of position at the start. Placed out of the mobile barrier draw.

SCAR – Inconvenienced behind Romantic Nina which galloped at approximately the 400m. Held up for a clear run over the latter stages. Driver Robert Young was questioned as to why he didn’t attempt to shift out rounding the final turn to obtain a clear run away from the peg line. Mr Young explained that Scar has a history of galloping and he was mindful of maintaining the correct gait and not unbalance the gelding. Mr Young added that Daisy Bouchea was also racing at his wheel and he was cautious to not cause interference to that runner.

NUCLEAR ATTITUDE – Driver Ginger Gleeson was issued with a caution for failing to maintain his barrier position prior to the start.

 BROOKIES BABE – Ben Xiriha not listed in the racebook as the driver.

THE NIGHTINGALE – Late scratching at 10.30am on Veterinary advice.

RYMES – Out of position as the start was effected and will continue to be drawn right outside the mobile barrier draw. Galloped under pressure approaching the 400m. Taking into consideration the geldings recent racing record Rymes was stood down for a period of 10 days and until the completion of 1 satisfactory trial.

RACE 6 – BALLARAT MOWER CENTRE 4YO & OLDER MAIDEN PACE (1710 MS)

QUICK DECISION – Held up for a clear run and unable to be fully tested over the concluding stages.

MISS MAGIK – Held up for a clear run rounding the final turn and early stages of the home straight.

GOODTIME MAE – Held up for a clear run and unable to be fully tested over the concluding stages.

KYRGIOS – Hung out during the score up and was slightly out of position at the start and will be given one last chance in the mobile barrier draw. Contacted the sulky of Ashante Prince checked and galloped approaching the end of the back straight on the first occasion.

CINCINNATI – David Murphy not listed in the racebook as the driver. Sulky contacted by Ashante Prince approaching the end of the back straight on the first occasion resulting in the gelding racing with a flat tyre for the remainder of the race.

ASHANTE PRINCE – Contacted the sulky wheel of Cincinnati and sulky contacted by Kygrios nearing the end of the back straight on the first occasion when shifting down to a trailing position. Driver Ray Pace was found guilty of a charge under Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference. The particulars of the charge being that approaching the end of the back straight on the first occasion Mr Pace allowed his drive to shift in and contact the right front leg of Kygrios (Jackie Barker) resulting in that runner being checked and gallop. Mr Pace’s license to drive in races was suspended for a period of 3 weeks to commence midnight 07 November 2024. When assessing penalty stewards took into consideration the incident which was considered mid range interference, Mr Pace’s not guilty plea, driving record having recently been relicensed and the HRV minimum penalty guidelines.

 Mr Pace pleaded guilty to a charge under Rule 156(2)(a) for crossing his reins and applying the whip to his drive with more than a wrist only flicking motion in the home straight on the final occasion. When assessing penalty stewards took into consideration the HRV minimum penalty guidelines in relation to this rule and the excess of the whip action which fell well outside of what can be deemed acceptable. Mr Pace was fined the sum of $300 under the circumstances.

Mr Pace was further cautioned for allowing his left foot to drop from the sulky foot rest rounding the final turn. In taking this course of action stewards took into consideration that Mr Pace’s foot had clearly dropped and was not in close proximity to the hind legs of his drive and Mr Paces limited recent driving experience.

Mr Pace was questioned regarding the seemingly improved performance of the gelding in comparison to its first race start. Mr Pace explained that the geldings racing manners had affected its performance at Horsham (30 Oct 24) however he was not disappointed with that run after galloping and losing a considerable amount of ground during the early stages then rejoining the field mid race. Mr Pace added that he has a reasonably high opinion of the gelding however its racing manners have been his main concern.

RACE 7 – RADIO BALLARAT PACE (2200 MS)

ALOOK TO LIKE – Raced roughly shortly after the start and will be given one last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

ETIZ AMODEL – Pulled hard middle stages.

MILLYS PRINCE - Held up for a clear run and unable to be fully tested over the concluding stages.

THE DEMOCRAT – Pre and post race veterinary examination due to the gelding racing on more than 200 previous occasions with no apparent abnormalities detected.

OSCAR BRAVO – Hung in contacted and dislodged a marker peg at approximately the 1800m.

RIVER PATROL NZ – Pre and post race veterinary examinations conducted due to the geldings age and racing on more than 200 previous occasions with no apparent abnormalities detected.

ICANMOTOR – Pulled hard throughout, worked forward three wide approaching the 800m.

JOHN VINCENT – Driver Ben Xiriha was found guilty of a charge under Rule 156(2)(a) after he applied the whip to his drive with overt force using more than a wrist only flicking motion with an action which engaged the elbow and shoulder in the home straight on the final occasion. Mr Xiriha’s license to drive in races was suspended for a period of 2 weeks to commence 16 Nov 2024. In assessing penalty, the stewards took into consideration the HRV minimum penalty guidelines in relation to the rule and Mr Xiriha’s driving record having received two previous penalties under this rule within the preceding 28 days.

 

RACE 8 – WOODLANDS STUD 4YO & OLDER MAIDEN TROT (2200 MS)

 

BALLIANGUS – Galloped under pressure over the concluding stages. Relegated one place after being covered by Herbert on the finish line.

NO REMORSE – Raced rough briefly when placed under pressure at approximately the 350m and gave ground. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

HERBERT – Raced roughly after the start and will continue to be drawn wide in future mobile start races. Promoted one placing when covered by Balliangus which galloped over the finish line.

FONDA RONDA – Out of position as the start was effected and will continue to be drawn wide in future mobile start races.

 

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 –Just Pedro ; Race 3 –Bettes Blue Violet ; Race 4 – Boutika; Race 6 – Sir Nippa;.
	Post-Race: Race 1 – Indigo Dancer; Race 2 –Carramar Olam; Race 6 - Ashante Prince;
Suspensions
Race 6	Ray Pace	R163(1)(a)(iii)	3 WKS
Race 7	Ben Xiriha	R 156(2)(a)	2 WKS
Fines
Race 6	Ray Pace	R156(2)(a)	$300
Cautions
Race 5	Ginger Gleeson	D/CSU
Horse Actions
Race 4	Sebastians Secret	ODM/SD1T
Race 4	Aldebaran Dahlia	ODM
Race 5	Tubs Now Slim	ODM
Race 5	Rymes	CRODM/SD1T/SD10D
Race 8	Herbert	CODM
Race 8	Fonda Ronda	CODM
Late Scratching’s
Race 3	Midnight Dancer	8.55am Vets Advice
Race 5	The Nightingale	10.30am Vets Advice
Follow Ups	Nil
Adjourned Inquiries	Nil
Sulky Fund Claims	Nil