Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR BALLARAT

THURSDAY 27TH NOVEMBER 2025

	Tom Bick Daniel Borg John Packer Jason Fino (Starter) Dr Rachel Bartels (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 (1710m MS)

BLACK TUXEDO – Shifted out approaching the 1000m.

PISTOL QUEEN – Held up with no clear run available over the concluding stages.

MUSELET – Held up for clear running over the concluding stages.

WOODLEA DIEGO NZ – Pre-race swab sample obtained

SHIRALEE – Broke gait in the score up and was out of position when the start commenced. Shiralee will be placed outside of the mobile barrier draw for future starts. Trailed the field for the remainder of the race.

OLIVIA ROSE – Hung in and raced roughly during the score up and a warning was issue for its manners. Pulled hard throughout the run. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Driver Blake Pace was queried as to the below market expectations of Olivia Rose and stated that the mare just pulled too hard during the race and cost its chances and that both he and connections were disappointed with the performance.

IM THE WILD ONE - Hung in during the score up and was out of position when the start commenced. A warning was issued for the mares manners during the score up.

RACE 2 – BALLARAT VET PRACTICE CONCESSION DRIVERS PACE (2200m MS)

The start of race 2 was delayed by 5 mins and moved to Sky 2 because of a gear issue with Pappa Leo NZ which occurred during the original score up.

THE DEMOCRAT – The gelding underwent pre- and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV animal welfare policy having attained 200 or more lifetime starts. No obvious abnormalities were detected.

PAPPA LEO NZ – During the score up, a gear issue was detected by driver Joshua Frew with the seat of his sulky becoming loose. A false start was declared, and the seat was fixed. Stewards queried Mr Frew regarding this incident and Mr Frew put forward that the seat popped out one side and became loose and put his hand up for a false start as he believed it to be an issue for safety. Mr Frew acknowledged that the side that became loose was the one that he had adjusted and tightened and that he felt no issues during the preliminaries and felt the seat become loose during the score up. Stewards issued a caution to Mr Frew for delaying the start and reminded the driver of his obligations to make sure that all elements of the gear are correctly secured before, during and after the race. A warning was issued against Pappa Leo NZ for tiring and being beaten 75m.

BREATHE EASY – Pulled hard during early stages

ARE WEASLEY – Post-race swab sample obtained

MONSIEUR FLAMEL – Tired to be beaten 59m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no abnormalities. Driver Riley Mitchell with the assistance of stable representative Connor Clarke was queried by stewards for the tactics adopted particularly during the early to middle stages of the race when Mr Mitchell allowed his horse to work forward to the lead and after being caught in a three wide position early in the race. Mr Mitchell stated that the driving instructions, as confirmed by Mr Clarke, were to push forward from the second row and find a forward position and allow the gelding to settle into rhythm where he is most comfortable and had won in similar style the previous start at Cranbourne. Stewards noted the comments from Mr Mitchell and Mr Clarke.

SHEZABLUECHIP - Pulled hard during early stages

RACE 3 – CUB 3YO and OLDER MAIDEN TROT (1710m MS)

SKYTE – Gave ground to be beaten 46m

TAS SUFFARELL – Held up for a clear run over the concluding stages

MI BOW - Broke gait after the start and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw in future starts. Trailed the field.

COLUMBIAS GONZALES – Raced roughly during the score up and was out of position when the start commenced and will be placed outside the draw in future mobile starts. Tired to be beaten 77m and the gelding was placed on its last chance to race competitively.

GOLDEN SKIES – Broke gait during the early stages and trailed the field thereafter

HESTUFFENOUGH – Broke gait during the score up and was out of position when the start commenced and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw in future starts. Trailed the field for the remainder of the event.  

RACE 4 – BERALDO COFFEE 2YO MAIDEN PACE (2200m MS)

WEONA OUR RIGHTS – Held up for clear running early in the concluding stages

REBEL BY THE SEA – Pulled hard during the score up and during the early stages of the race. Held up for clear running early over the concluding stages.

LETS DANCE GIRL – Trainer Courtney Slater was issued a caution for failing to declare tactics with multiple runners engaged in the race. Broke gait at the 1550m and was placed on its last chance to race truly. Trailed the field thereafter.

STORM VENDETTA – Broke gait in the score up and was placed on its last chance in the draw.

SIZZLE ORO – Broke gait in the score up and was out of position when the start commenced and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw for future starts. Broke gait approaching the 600m and was placed on its last chance to race truly.

COLD STORAGE – Inconvenienced by the galloping Sizzle Oro in the score up, no action was taken for being out of position when the start commenced.

SWAYWITHSIERRA - Inconvenienced by the galloping Sizzle Oro in the score up, no action was taken for being out of position when the start commenced.

RACE 5 – BLACK HORSE NATURALS BACCHUS MARSH PACING CUP (1st HEAT) (2200m MS)

WOW YOU CAN DANCE – Pulled hard during the middle stages of the race.

WRITTEN IN SILK – Outside the leader throughout

MONTANA PRIDE – Pre-race swab sample obtained

MAAS BETTING AGAIN – Out of position when the start commenced, a warning was issued. Pulled hard during the early stages

RACE 6 – NATURES CARGO BACCHUS MARSH TROTTERS CUP (1st HEAT) (2200m MS)

SPANISH RIZARDO – Broke gait free of interference approaching the 350m.

REGINALDS REIGN – Hung out approaching the 1000m and the offside tyre was contacted by the trailing Ox Knox which caused a flat tyre.

SOLOTREKK – Pulled hard during the score up and was caught wide early before being restrained to the rear where it pulled hard. Raced roughly for a few strides approaching the 500m. Inconvenienced by galloping Scar in the concluding stages.

SCAR – Driver Robert Young was found guilty of a charge under AHRR168(1)(a) which reads "a person shall not before, during, or after a race driver in a manner which in the opinion of Stewards is careless", with the particulars of the charge being, that for an extended period in the back straight on the final occasion, Mr Young placed the front legs of Scar between the inside sulky wheel of Leanne Leanne and outside sulky wheel of Hes Themightypsin, without sufficient room between those runners, which resulted in his drive contacting the outside sulky wheel of Hes Themightyspin and subsequently breaking gait approaching the 250m; actions which in the opinion of Stewards were careless. In determining penalty, in accordance with the "HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines", Stewards considered Mr Young's not guilty plea, degree of carelessness which was deemed to be in the mid-range, driving infrequency, recent record under this rule, and suspended Mr Young's license to drive for a period of seven (7) days, which commenced midnight Thursday 27th November. Mr Young was advised of his appeal rights. 

ALDEBARAN SUSANNE – Fractious and reared before the start and was out of position when the start commenced and will be placed on its last chance in the draw.

 DELS DESTINY – Underwent a Pre-race warm up. Held up for clear running in the concluding stages.

OX KNOX – Pulled hard during the middle stages of the race. Contacted the sulky and flattened the tyre of Reginalds Reign approaching the 1000m when Reginalds Reign started to hang out

HES THEMIGHTYSPIN – Offside sulky tyre contacted by Scar

RACE 7 – WOODLANDS STUD 3YO & OLDER MAIDEN PACE (2200m MS)

KUNG FU ART – Fractious in the score up. Gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten 60m.

COLORADO GIRL – Gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten 27m. Driver Chris Alford reported to stewards that the filly would be much better suited to racing over a shorter distance.

LAZENBY – Gave ground and tired to be beaten 175m. A post-race veterinary examination revealed a slower than normal recovery. The gelding was stood down for a period of seven days and a trial before coming back to the races. Stewards followed up with the Larry Lynch stable to see how Lazenby pulled up and trainer Larry Lynch reported that gelding had pulled up well

MY ULTIMATE LUIGI – Broke gait in the score up and was out of position when the start commenced and will be placed outside the mobile barrier draw in future mobile races. Raced roughly and then broke gait approaching the 200m, the gelding was placed on its last chance to race truly.

WHIRILY MAURZ – Inconvenienced in the score up by My Ultimate Luigi.

RACE 8 – COCA COLA TROT (2200m MS)

TENSION SEEKER - The gelding underwent pre- and post-race veterinary examinations in accordance with the HRV animal welfare policy being aged 12 years. No obvious abnormalities were detected. The mare was held up early over the concluding stages before obtaining a run to the inside of Allwhatfunjingles. An inquiry was adjourned into driver Scott Torneys whip use over the concluding stages.

DALTON – Broke gait after the start and will be placed outside the mobile draw in future starts. Pulled hard during the middle stages before being held up early for clear running over the concluding stages.

ALLWHATFUNJINLES – Out of position when the start commenced and was issued with a warning. Hung out approaching the 1000m and then hung out under pressure over the concluding stages affording an inside run to Tension Seeker. A warning was also issued for the horses racing manners.

MAJOR MAX – Broke gait in the score up and will continue be placed outside the mobile barrier draw.

RACE 9 – DURHAM PARK CONCESSION DRIVER TROT (2200m MS)

FREMARKS PEGGY – Pulled hard during running. Checked and broke gait at the 200m when contacted by the sulky wheel of Rasengan.

RASENGAN – Pulled hard during the middle stages. Driver Ada Massa was found guilty of a charge under AHRR163(1)(a)(iii) which reads "a driver shall not cause or contribute to any interference. ", with the particulars of the charge being, that upon entering the home straight inside the final 200m, Miss Massa placed her sulky wheel near the front legs of Fremarks Peggy before shifting out and making contact with the front legs and causing Fremarks Peggy to be checked and break gait over the concluding stages. Actions which in the opinion of Stewards were careless and caused interference. In determining penalty, in accordance with the "HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines", Stewards considered Miss Massa’s guilty plea, degree of interference suffered, which was deemed to be in the mid-range, driving infrequency, her recent record under this rule, and suspended Miss Massa’s license to drive for a period of seven (7) days, which commenced midnight Monday 1st December. Miss Massa was advised of her appeal rights.

SINGARA TED – Driver Trent Fiscalini was cautioned for his starting position. Gave ground over the concluding stages to be beaten 47m

CHAMPAGNES – Began badly, breaking gait and will continue to be placed outside the mobile barrier draw in future starts. Trailed the field thereafter.

SILENT REVERIE – Pulled hard during the middle stages.

RACE 10 – BOOK NOW XMAS RACE MEETING 4/12 PACE (1710m MS)

EARS THE BOSS – Pulled hard during the middle stages. Obtained an inside run when Deebraxton shifted up the track over the concluding stages.

METRO BLISS – Hung in during the score up. Hung out over the concluding stages and a warning was issued on the mares racing manners.

DEEBRAXTON – Hung out under pressure over the concluding stages affording Ears The Boss and inside run. A warning was issued against the geldings racing manners.

BLAZIN BY - Driver Riley Pace was fined $400 under AHRR 156(2)(a) A driver shall only apply the whip and/or the rein in a wrist only flicking motion whilst holding a rein in each hand with the tip of the whip pointed forward in an action which does not engage the shoulder. In determining penalty, Stewards took into account that this was Mr Pace’s second offence within a 28-day period.

Tom Bick

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 – Woodlea Diego NZ; Race 5 – Montana Pride;
	Post-Race:Race 2 – Are Weasley;

Suspensions:

R6          Robert Young    168(1)(a)            7 days

R9          Ada Massa         163(1)(a)(iii)      7 days                              

Fines:

R10        Riley Pace           156(2)(a)            $400

Cautions:

R2          Joshua Frew                     C/DS

R4          Courtney Slater               T/CT

R9          Trent Fiscalini                  D/CSP

Horse Actions:

R1          Shiralee                                           ODM

R3          Columbias Gonzales                       ODM

R3          Mi Bow                                            ODM

R4          Sizzle Oro                                       ODM

R7          Lazenby                                          SD1T/SD7D

R7          My Ultimate Luigi                            ODM

R8          Dalton                                              ODM

Follow ups:

Adjourned Inquiries:

R8          Scott Torney, whip use over the final 200m

Sulky Fund Claims:

Nil