Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR BALLARAT         

THURSDAY 11 JULY 2024

	Elliot Turner (Chairman) Scott Gillespie Des Benger Emma Johnson (Starter) Dr Rachel Bartels (Veterinarian)
	Track:    Rain Affected	Weather:	Showery

 

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

 

RACE 1 – ISUZU UTE BALLARAT PACE (2200 MS)

BIG SLEDGE HAMMER – Hampered rounding the first turn when the tempo eased in the event. Pulled hard for a majority of the race. Raced roughly leaving the 700 metres. Broke gait rounding the final turn causing FERRIGNO and FIRST CLASS NZ to be hampered. In view of the gelding’s recent record, BIG SLEDGE HAMMER was placed on its last chance to race truly.

MAJOR DRAMA – Trainer/Driver D Murphy was found guilty of a charge under AHRR 163(1)(a)(iii) for contributing to interference in that, when rounding the first turn after unsuccessfully challenging for the lead, he abruptly restrained his runner and slackened the pace in the running line which resulted in BIG SLEDGE HAMMER which was directly trailing to be hampered, and in turn the trailing FERRIGNO had to be checked and consequently broke gait. When assessing penalty consideration was given to, Mr Murphy’s plea, driving record in relation to the rule and the circumstances of the incident. Accordingly, D Murphy had his license to drive in races suspended for a period of 14 days to commence midnight 11/07/24. Gave ground from the 350 metres to be beaten 37.2 metres. Inconvenienced and had to be steadied away from FIRST CLASS NZ passing the 100 metres when that runner shifted out.

UNDERATTACK – Gave ground inside the final 500 metres to be beaten 49.2 metres.

BATTON ROGUE – Passing the 200 metres hung in slightly at which point WHERE IS WOODY drifted up the track marginally causing those two runners to lock wheels and consequently BATTON ROGUE was checked and broke gait. Given the minimal shift from both runners, no action was taken.

FERRINGNO – Checked and broke gait rounding the first turn when the tempo slackened in the running line. Hampered and contacted marker pegs rounding the final turn when avoiding BIG SLEDGE HAMMER which galloped.

WHERE IS WOODY – Approaching the 200 metres locked wheels with BATTON ROGUE and as a result was checked.

FIRST CLASS NZ – Hampered rounding the final when avoiding BIG SLEDGE HAMMER which galloped. Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish. Passing the 100 metres shifted out when not clear of MAJOR DRAMA resulting in that runner being inconvenienced. Subsequently, driver A Pace was issued a formal caution for shifting ground.

 

RACE 2 – BALLARAT MOWER CENTRE MAIDEN PACE (2200 MS)

SWEET ARPEGGIO – Begun badly when galloping away at the start causing ADORA JOH and LAZENBY to be inconvenienced. SWEET APREGGIO will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

ADORA JOH – Inconvenienced after the start when SWEET APREGGIO galloped away. Obtained a run to the inside of BALTIC HALO approaching the first turn when that runner failed to shift towards the marker pegs.

QUICK DECISION – Tightened for racing room and had to be steadied approaching the first turn when attempting to progress to the inside of BALTIC HALO at which point ADORA JOH had improved to its inside resulting in QUICK DECISION being crowded momentarily.

BALTIC HALO – When questioned in relation to her driving, principally concerning the early stages of the event and whether there was an opportunity to obtain a position closer towards the marker pegs, driver H Lewis explained that after beginning well and having clearance over the field she believed her runner was under constant driving to shift down the track however was reluctant to manoeuvre towards the marker pegs. She said, despite this she believed her runner had established the lead approaching the first turn and was surprised that ADORA JOH had commenced to progress to its inside. Ms Lewis added that, once ADORA JOH had improved to her immediate inside shortly after entering the turn she was unable to shift inwards and consequently ADORA JOH worked forward to establish the lead which placed her runner in an unfavourable position racing outside of the leader. Upon review of the available patrol footage, Ms Lewis conceded that her runner was racing some distance away from the marker pegs and there was sufficient racing room to the inside which presented an opportunity for ADORA JOH to progress forward rounding the first turn. After consideration, H Lewis was advised that she had erred in her judgement during the early stages and that her failure to manoeuvre towards the marker pegs earlier was detrimental. Accordingly, H Lewis was issued with a formal caution for her lack of judgement and notified that she must always drive with the requisite level of acumen and initiative whilst competing in races. In not taking more severe action, Stewards were mindful of Ms Lewis’ relative inexperience to race driving and the slight tractability issues of the mare during the early stages.

SIR NIPPA – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish, then shifted out near the 75 metres when not clear of TRIROCKIN which sustained contact and raced roughly. Subsequently, driver D Murphy was issued a formal caution for shifting ground.

LAZENBY – Hampered after the start when SWEET APREGGIO galloped away.

OPTIMAL – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRV’s animal welfare policy due to the gelding having not competed in the preceding 12 months. No abnormalities were detected on either examination. Trainer/Driver J Ainsworth was fined the sum of $400 under AHRR 156(2)(a) for applying the whip on multiple occasion inside the final 200 metres which exceeded a wrist only flicking motion.

TRIROCKIN – Hung in whilst under pressure during the final 150 meters. Inconvenienced and raced roughly near the 75 metres when sustaining contact from SIR NIPPA which shifted out.

RIDDLEMETHIS – Held up for clear running over the concluding stages and was not fully tested.

 

RACE 3 – FERNDALE FOODS 3YO MAIDEN PACE (2200 MS)

YNOBE NOVA – Gave ground inside the final 400 metres to be beaten 30.9 metres.

CARRAMAR BULLOCK – Broke gait during the early stages of the score up and consequently was out of position at the start. CARRAMAR BULLOCK will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Hung in at various stages of the event and most noticeably between the 1000 metres and the 800 metres. Weakened noticeably inside the final 800 metres to be beaten 218.9 metres. A post-race veterinary exam failed to reveal any abnormalities. In view of the filly’s performance, CARRAMAR BULLOCK was stood down to one re-qualifying trial.

 

RACE 4 – DEL RE NATIONAL TROT (2200 MS)

VICTORIA FROST – Examined pre and post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRV’s animal welfare policy due to the gelding having not competed in the preceding 12 months. No abnormalities were detected on either examination. Fractious during the early stages of the score up and was out of position at the start, then tailed the field thereafter. VICTORIA FROST will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

CASCATA – Broke gait clear of interference leaving the 400 metres. A warning was issued.

XIAOBO – Slow to score up.

DORA LEE – Examined post-race by the veterinarian in accordance with HRV’s animal welfare policy due to the filly being engaged to compete at Melton on 12/07/24. No abnormalities were detected.

EN SEVENTEEN – Gave ground inside the final 500 metres to be beaten 48.4 metres.

 

RACE 5 – BETAVET PACE (2200 MS)

NOTHINGBUTWAVES – Weakened inside the final 450 metred to be beaten 84.1 metres. NOTHINGBUTWAVES was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

RUDY GEE – ($2.50) When questioned in relation to the driving tactics employed during the early stages and the overall performance of the gelding which finished in seventh position beaten 61.8 metres. Trainer/Driver M Stanley explained that, it was the pre-race intention to drive the gelding to its usual racing pattern and begin positively and ideally occupy the lead throughout. He said that, whilst his runner displayed its customary gate speed the gelding was unable to cross HES FROM HEVAEN NZ during the early stages however he was confident that the lead would be available and as such he elected to continue to drive forward to which his runner worked forward to the lead near the 1800 metres. He added that, once obtaining the lead the gelding then commenced to over-race and proved difficult to settle, albeit that he was able to slacken the tempo through the middle stages. He said that, when he placed the gelding under pressure near the 500 metres his runner failed to respond whilst under driving and gave ground inside the final quarter to which he was disappointed with the gelding’s inability to finish the race off and attributed the racing manners of the gelding as the main contributing factor for the performance. A post-race veterinary exam failed to reveal any abnormalities. After consideration, a warning was issued against RUDY GEE for its competitiveness.

HUGO ROCKS – Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish.

 

RACE 6 – BALLARAT VETERINARY PRACTICE TROT (2200 MS)

ALFIE ALWAYS – Weakened inside the final 400 metres to be beaten 52.9 metres. In view of the fast mile rate for the grade (2.00.9) no action was taken.

PHOENIX RED – Broke gait during the early stages of the score up and consequently was out of position at the start, then tailed the field for a majority of the event thereafter. PHOENIX RED will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw.

HOMONYM NZ – Weakened inside the final 300 metres to be beaten 52.3 metres. In view of the fast mile rate for the grade (2.00.9) no action was taken.

 

RACE 7 – RADIO BALLARAT PACE (2200 MS)

STELLAR QUEEN – Raced ungenerously throughout the early and middle stages, prior to weakening inside the final 900 metres to be beaten 131.8 metres. A post-race veterinary exam failed to reveal any abnormalities. In view of the overall performance, STELLAR QUEEN was stood down to one re-qualifying trial.

SKYZ ABOVE – Weakened noticeably inside the final 600 metres to be beaten 133.1 metres. A post-race veterinary exam failed to reveal any abnormalities. In view of the overall performance, SKYZ ABOVE was stood down to one re-qualifying trial.

FAKE CULLECTION – Hung in at various stages of the event.

PISTOL QUEEN – Trainer’s A & B Tindale were issued a formal caution for failing to declare the intended tactics with the stable runners in the event. Weakened inside the final 550 metres to be beaten 93.5 metres. PISTOL QUEEN was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

ODIN – Slow to score up.

 

RACE 8 – BERALDO COFFEE PACE (2200 MS)

TESTIFIED – Unable to secure clear running during the final 200 metres.

 

RACE 9 – APCO SERVICE STATIONS TROT (2200 MS)

UNSPOKEN LOVE – Raced keenly throughout the early and middle stages. Weakened inside the final 350 metres to be beaten 62.1 metres. A warning was issued against UNSPOKEN LOVE for its competitiveness.

JESSICAS STORY – Gave ground inside the final 300 metres to be beaten 45.1 metres. Hung out whilst under pressure during the final 150 metres. When questioned regarding the performance, driver L Older could not offer any tangible explanation for the performance other than the mare was disappointing in tonight’s event and that his runner may not have appreciated the track conditions. A post-race veterinary exam failed to reveal any abnormalities.

ALWAYS SKYE HIGH – Trainer D Murphy was issued a formal caution for failing to declare the intended tactics with the stable runners in the event. Held up for clear running during the early stages of the run to the finish, then obtained a run to the inside of JESSICAS STORY near the 75 metres when that runner hung out.

TOUCHANDGO – Gave ground inside the final 300 metres to be beaten 37.3 metres.

BOUTIKA – Passing the 200 metres shifted out when not clear of ROLL WITH ROSCO which crowded that runner momentarily. Subsequently, driver A Ainsworth was issued a formal caution for shifting ground.

ROLL WITH ROSCO – Passing the 200 metres became momentarily crowded between ALDEBARAN ROCKY and BOUTIKA which shifted out.

 

RACE 10 – BALLARATTROTTINGCLUB.COM.AU PACE (2200 MS)

THEY CALL ME AL – Held up for clear running over the concluding stages and was not fully tested.

OUR BALOU – Weakened inside the final 800 metres to be beaten 91.8 metres. OUR BALOU was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

LESTER – Raced keenly throughout the early and middle stages.

SHIKOBA – Hung in and contacted marker pegs rounding the final turn.

 

Elliot Turner

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 – JILLIBY TIDALWAVE ; Race 3 – CARRAMAR BULLOCK; Race 5 – SPIRIT OF PERAL; Race 9 – BOUTIKA Post-race: Race 4 – APEX; Race 7 – ROYAL SAXON
Suspensions	Race 1 – D Murphy – Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) – 14 Days
Fines	Race 2 – J Ainsworth – Rule 156(2)(a) – $400
Cautions	Race 1 – A Pace – D/CSG Race 2 – D Murphy – D/CSG Race 2 – H Lewis – D/CLJ Race 7 – A & B Tindale – T/CT Race 9 – A Ainsworth – D/CSG Race 9 – D Murphy – T/CT
Horse actions	Race 2 – SWEET APREGGIO – ODM Race 3 – CARRAMAR BULLOCK – ODM + 1 trial Race 4 – VICTORIA FROST – ODM Race 6 – PHOENIX RED – CODM Race 7 – STELLAR QUEEN – 1 trial Race 7 – SKYZ ABOVE – 1 trial
Follow ups	Nil
Adjourned inquires	Nil
Sulky fund claims	Nil
Medical stand downs	Nil