Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR BALLARAT         

FRIDAY 21 JUNE 2024  

	Grant Adams Scott Gillespie Daniel Borg        David Young (Starter) Dr Wei Ye Lee (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 – DR JOCK GOOLD MARES PACE (4TH HEAT) (1710 MS)

SHADY DANCER – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the mare having competed in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were found on either examination.

IMAGINATION ORO – When questioned regarding the performance of the mare which finished in 9th position, beaten 12.2m, Driver Chris Alford explained that his mare was provided a soft run with cover and he was at a lost to explain the disappointing run.

MAJOR DRAMA – Driver David Murphy was fined $100 under Rule 162(1)(www) for failing to take all reasonable efforts to prevent his mare from shifting ground over the final stages allowing MEGAWATTS a run to its inside at the 100m and that mare gaining an advantage to finish ahead of MAJOR DRAMA.

MEGAWATTS – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight prior to obtaining a run to the inside of MAJOR DRAMA inside the final 100m.

RUBY WINGATE – Held up for clear running until inside the final 100m. Post-race swab sample obtained.

RACE 2 – DR TRAVIS SMYTH PACE (1710 MS)

REMI LOU – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

SETTEBELLO – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

LENARD ESS – Driver Sean O’Sullivan was cautioned for failing to maintain his position on the 2nd line by the starting point. Placed under pressure from the 1100m before being pulled up and retired a short distance later. A post-race veterinarian examination revealed the gelding to be suffering from Atrial Fibrillation. As this had been listed as the gelding’s 2nd recorded Atrial Fibrillation (1st - 24 November 2019), in accordance with Rule 101C(2)(b), LENARD ESS will now be stood down from racing for a period of 28 Days (NTC), until receipt of a veterinarian certificate including an ECG clearance in addition to two requalifying trials.

RACE 3 – DR TOM DOLAN MARES TROT (2ND HEAT) (1710 MS)

PICKET WIRE – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Entering the first turn was placed in restricted room to the inside of AMUNET and made contact with a number of marker pegs.

AMUNET – Driver Graeme Whittle was cautioned for racing tight to the outside of PICKET WIRE racing into the first turn. Weakened over the final stages to finish in 9th position, beaten 66.6m for which a warning was issued.

PERFIDIOUS SUE – Broke gait free of interference near the 350m for which a warning was issued.

RAPID RETURN – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

RACE 4 – DR CLAIRE O’LEARY CONCESSION DRIVERS PACE (1710 MS)

THE REGULATOR – Post-race swab sample obtained.

KIMCHI – Shifted ground when placed under pressure over the final 200m. Driver Ben Xiriha was cautioned for lack of control when failing to take all reasonable efforts to prevent his gelding from shifting wider.

SNAZOLA – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

RACE 5 – BALLARAT VET PRACTICE PACE (1710 MS)

LOVE INA CHEVY NZ – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts and is 12YO. No abnormalities were found on either examination.

HITTHEROADJACK NZ – When questioned regarding the performance of the gelding which finished 8th position, beaten 24.4m, driver Sean O’Sullivan explained that not withstanding the fast time, he and connections were disappointed in the run and was disadvantaged when forced to retrain when caught on the back of THE ONLY DECISION NZ which restrained from the 1200m. 

RACE 6 – VICBRED PLATINUM MARES CHAMPIONSHIP (4TH HEAT) (1710 MS)

General

Trainer Margaret Lee was cautioned for failing to notify Stewards of the intended driving tactics for her runners KEAYANG HONEYJOY and JOELITA.

SASSYOLA – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the mare having competed in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were found on either examination.

LE BELLE BIJOUX – Driver Ewa Justice was cautioned for failing to maintain her position on the 2nd line by the starting point

JOELITA – Post-race swab sample obtained.

RACE 7 – SHEREE ALLEN MARES PACE (3RD HEAT) (1710 MS)

NAKULA NZ – Shortly after entering the home straight, attempted a run to the inside of KEAYANG BLUE JEANS when there had been insufficient room to progress and raced inside the line of several marker pegs. Driver David Murphy was cautioned for driving where there was insufficient room. Held up for clear running until inside the final 20m.

HERESHECOMESSASSY – Pre-race blood sample obtained.

RACE 8 – JODIE SOKALUK TROT (2200 MS)

ALFIE ALWAYS – Began badly when galloping out at the start and will now be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Raced keenly during the middle stages once regaining the rear of the field.

IMPERIAL WHIZ NZ – Examined by the clubs veterinarian prior to and following the event due to the gelding having competed in excess of 200 race starts. No abnormalities were found on either examination.

ICICLE – Out of position at the start for which a warning was issued.

RACE 9 – BALLARATTROTTINGCLUB.COM.AU MARES TROT (3RD HEAT) (1710 MS)

JESSICAS STORY – Racing into the first turn was tightened to the inside of WIN FLYNN. Checked when taken back by the weakening WIN FLYNN between the 600 and 250m.

WIN FLYNN – Driver David Murphy was cautioned for tightening the room of JESSICAS STORY racing into the first turn. Weakened over the final 600m to finish in 10th position, beaten 94.3m. The mare was placed on its last chance to race competitively. When questioned regarding the performance and tactics adopted, particularly the use made in the early stages, Driver David Murphy explained that following the mare’s last preparation, WIN FLYNN had been working and trialling well leading into the event and therefore he elected to drive the horse in a positive manner. Mr Murphy stated that racing into the first turn, he had gained a sizeable advantage over JESSICAS STORY, however, as the turn approached, he was unable to cross and was then required to work harder than planned to obtain the lead. Mr Murphy added that after obtaining the lead, his mare settled in the run but found wanting late which he contributes to the addition use made of the mare in the early stages. A post-race veterinarian examination failed to find any abnormalities.

POPPY POPSTAR – Held up for clear running in the early stages of the home straight.

THE GIRLS GOTFLAIR – Pre-race blood sample obtained. Post-race swab sample obtained.

KEAYANG GUCCI – Broke gait during the score up, out of position at the start and will continue to be excluded from the mobile barrier draw. Broke gait free of interference near the 700m and will now be stood down until it completes one requalifying trial.

Grant Adams

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 – Megawatts; Race 2 – Remi Lou, Settebello; Race 3 – Picket Wire, Rapid Return; Race 4 – Snazola; Race 7 – Hereshecomessassy; Race 9 – The Girls Gotflair.
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Ruby Wingate; Race 4 – The Regulator; Race 6 – Joelita; Race 9 – The Girls Gotflair.
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 1	David Murphy		162(1)(www)	$100
Cautions
Race 2	Sean O’Sullivan		D/CSU
Race 3	Graeme Whittle		D/CT
Race 4	Ben Xiriha		D/CLC
Race 6	Margaret Lee		T/CT
Race 6	Ewa Justice		D/CSU
Race 7	David Murphy		D/CDWIR
Race 9	David Murphy		D/CT
Horse Actions
Race 2	Lenard Ess		SD28D (NTC), SDVC, SDECG, SD2T (Rule 101C(2)(b)
Race 8	Alfie Always		ODM
Race 9	Keayang Gucci		CODM / SD1T
Late Scratchings
Nil

Follow Ups

Nil

Adjourned Inquiries

Nil

Sulky Fund Claims

Nil

Medical Stand Down

Nil