Stewards Report
Bendigo 14/06/2022
HARNESS RACING VICTORIA
STEWARDS REPORT FOR BENDIGO
TUESDAY 14 JUNE 2022
Daniel Borg (Chairman) Track: Good |
Trainers with multiple horses engaged in any given race were questioned as to the intended driving tactics to be adopted.
RACE 1 – RACE SERVICES TROT FINAL (2150 MS)
Stick With Me was a late scratching at 3.32pm on veterinary advice after sustaining an injury to an off-side front limb enroute to the course. The mare will now be stood down for 15 days and until veterinary clearance is provided.
Algorithm was out of position when the start was effected and will continue to be placed right outside of the draw in future mobile start events.
Monique Burnett, driver of Mystic Chip ($10 and beaten 43.3m) was questioned regarding the overall performance of the mare. Ms. Burnett explained that through the initial stages she was of the view that her drive would be better suited pressing on to the lead as opposed to remaining outside the leader. Ms. Burnett added that despite the quicker than average lead time, her drive enjoyed a relatively easy lead thereafter and she was disappointed in the way Mystic Chip gave ground from approx. the 600m. Mystic Chip underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. Stewards intend to follow-up with connections in the coming days as to the mare’s recovery.
Abitofadreamer was inconvenienced by Mystic Chip, when that runner was giving ground from approx. the 600m.
Chris Alford, driver of Lucy Sawyer ($13 and beaten 63m) was questioned regarding the overall performance of the mare. Mr. Alford explained that after being unable to obtain a position in the running line through the early stages he elected to press forward and attempt to find a position in front of Black and Gold (Michael Bellman), but his drive was slow to progress forward and when unable to obtain the desired position in front of that runner, he then elected to continue forward to the position outside the leader. Mr. Alford added that from approx. the 700m his drive was found wanting and therefore, in his view Lucy Sawyer will be better suited to being driven more conservatively in future. Lucy Sawyer underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities and as such, a warning was issued for the beaten margin.
Tension Seeker was inconvenienced by Lucy Sawyer, when that runner commenced to tire from approx. the 600m.
RACE 2 – ALABAR BLOODSTOCK 3YO MAIDEN TROT (2150 MS)
Hurricane Jane (second row) broke in the score-up and a false start was declared at the first attempt when driver Juanita Breen was unable to restrain the filly off the back of the front row. Hurricane Jane was out of position when the start was effected on the second occasion. Given the totality of behaviors on her recent record, Hurricane Jane will now be placed right outside the draw in future mobile start events.
Matthew Gath, driver of Hillside was cautioned for not having the gelding in position when the start was effected.
Love You Girl was held up and unable to obtain clear running rounding the home turn on the final occasion before utilizing the sprint lane.
Steve Leight, driver of Perfect Peak ($71 and beaten 85.3m) was questioned regarding the overall performance of the gelding. Mr. Leight explained that Perfect Peak travelled well in the position outside the leader throughout and whilst tonight’s event was run in quicker time than the gelding’s most recent placing at Yarra Valley, he was nonetheless disappointed in the manner in which Perfect Peak gave ground and tired from approx. the 500m. Perfect Peak underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities and as such was stood down pending the completion of one (1) satisfactory trial.
RACE 3 – YANKEE ROCKSTAR @ LLOWALONG FARMS MAIDEN PACE (2150 MS)
Emma Stewart, trainer of Breezin was fined the sum of $100 under AHRR 273(6)(b) for presenting the gelding to race in gear that was not accurately recorded. In adopting this approach, Stewards were mindful that the stable had been penalized under the same rule in the preceding 28 days.
Breezin raced roughly after the start, then broke gait after the start and will now be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events.
Mark Pitt, driver of Breezin ($1.25 favorite and beaten 20.9m) was questioned regarding the overall performance of the gelding. Mr. Pitt explained that after racing roughly and breaking gait in the initial stages of the event and having to endure work to rejoin the main body of the field, he was not overly disappointed in the effort of his drive. Breezin underwent a post-race veterinary examination which revealed an irregular heart rhythm. Breezin will now be stood down pending the completion of an electrocardiograph, stood down pending veterinary clearance and Stewards intend to follow-up with connections of the gelding in the coming days as to his recovery.
Lazio Lass ($81) tired from approx. the 600m to be beaten 121.6m when on debut. The mare underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities and as such, Lazio Lass will now be stood down the completion of one (1) satisfactory trial.
RACE 4 – NIGEL MILNE HARNESS RACING (INSANITY LODGE) 2YO VICBRED MAIDEN PACE (1650 MS)
Peter Salathiel was a late driver change, replacing Katrina Cain (indisposed) on Twinkle Twinkle.
David Aiken, trainer of Deewhy was fined the sum of $100 under AHRR 273(6)(b) for presenting the colt to race in gear that was not accurately recorded. In adopting this approach, Stewards were mindful that the stable had been penalized under the same rule in the preceding 28 days.
Twinkle Twinkle failed to circle and participate in the early part of the score-up and a warning was issued. The gelding was then slowly away from the inside gate on the front row.
Country Rockstar ($10) was out of position when the start was effected and a warning was issued.
Nathan Jack, driver of Country Rockstar ($10 and beaten 26.7m) was questioned regarding the overall performance of the filly who was on debut. Mr. Jack explained that after hanging in and racing roughly briefly passing the 450m and then being held up rounding the home turn on the final occasion that he was satisfied in the way his drive closed off the event.
Rainbow Storm was held up and unable to obtain clear running rounding the home turn on the final occasion before utilizing the sprint lane.
RACE 5 – STRATH HILL BUTCHER PACE (1650 MS)
Beau Bronski commenced to pull hard when positioned outside the leader in the home straight with one lap to run, after unsuccessfully contesting the lead.
Nathan Jack, driver of Lasting Bond ($8.50 and beaten 16.4m) was questioned regarding the overall performance of the gelding. Mr. Jack explained that Lasting Bond raced roughly throughout the event and apart from contacting his own wheel with his hind legs on one occasion in the initial stages could offer no other explanation for the performance. Lasting Bond was issued with a warning for racing roughly in the score-up and after the start. Lasting Bond underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.
Manbar Princess was inconvenienced by Madam Auckland when that runner gave ground in the back straight on the final occasion.
Fight For Falby ($151) tired to be beaten 94.2m and was placed on her last chance to race competitively.
Ryan Sanderson, driver of Cutty Sark pleaded guilty to a charge under AHRR170(4)(b) which reads “a driver shall not, attempt to or allow his foot or leg to be placed in the immediate vicinity of the hind legs of the horse he is driving” with the particulars of the charge being that “Mr. Sanderson allowed his right foot to become removed from the sulky footrest and being placed in the immediate vicinity of the hind legs of Cutty Sark”. In assessing penalty in accordance with the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, Stewards considered Mr. Sanderson’s guilty plea, record under this rule and applied a penalty the sum of $250.
RACE 6 – AVIVA COMMUNITIES BENDIGO 3YO PACE (2150 MS)
Very Tempting raced roughly after the start and a warning was issued.
Wills Way pulled hard for a short distance when entering the home straight with one lap to run.
Entering the back straight on the final occasion, Very Tempting hung-in and Jersey Sam hung-out simultaneously with the hind legs of Jersey Sam contacting the sulky of Very Tempting and both runners then racing roughly as a result. Given the circumstances, no action was taken against either runner.
Brian Gath, driver of Jersey Sam was issued with a caution for allowing his right foot to momentarily become removed from the sulky footrest in the home straight on the final occasion.
Regal Star was held-up for clear running rounding the home turn on the final occasion before utilizing the sprint lane.
Jordan Leedham, driver of Regal Star was fined the sum of $200 under AHRR156(3) for applying the whip to his drive on more occasions than are permitted in the final 200m. In adopting this approach, Stewards were mindful that Mr. Leedham has been penalized under the same rule in the preceding 28 days.
RACE 7 – STRATH HILL BUTCHER PACE (1650 MS)
Priddy Sublime pulled hard for most of the event when leading.
John Caldow, driver of Spendthrift ($19 and tired to be beaten 69.2m) was questioned regarding the overall performance of the gelding. Mr. Caldow could offer no tangible explanation for the performance and advised that Spendthrift would exit the stable in the coming days. Spendthrift underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities and as such was placed on his last chance to race competitively.
Dashndot ($151) tired to be beaten 63.9m and a warning was issued for the beaten margin.
Four Lonely Nights pulled hard in the score-up, was out of position when the start was effected and will continue to be placed outside the draw in future mobile start events. The gelding then broke gait, free of interference in the back straight on the final occasion and will now be placed on his last chance to race truly.
RACE 8 – SANDHURST STOCKFEEDS PACE (2150 MS)
Casting Shadow was held-up and unable to obtain clear running rounding the home turn on the final occasion.
RACE 9 – PCFA CRITICAL CATCH VICBRED PACE (1650 MS)
John Caldow, driver of Forever Moments ($6.50 and gave ground to be beaten 29.7m) was questioned regarding the overall performance of the filly. Mr. Caldow explained that the combination of being positioned outside the leader and the quick overall time did not suit Forever Moments and that she would benefit from being driven more conservatively in future. Forever Moments underwent a post-race veterinary examination which failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.
Onecrowdedhour was held-up and unable to obtain clear running rounding the home turn on the final occasion before utilizing the sprint lane.
Gilty By The Beach was held-up and unable to obtain clear running rounding the home turn on the final occasion.
RACE 10 – MAX BAKERY & CAFE TROTTERS HANDICAP (2150 SS)
Sosomaori broke gait free of interference heading into the first turn.
The Chook broke under pressure free of interference rounding the home turn on the final occasion. Given the mare’s recent record, she will now be stood down for 14 days, and pending the completion of two (2) satisfactory trials.
Bellmac Bambi ($71) tired to be beaten 82.3m and will now be placed on her last chance to race competitively.
Stewards adjourned an inquiry into the actions of driver Ellen Tormey when restraining The Chook after the mare broke gait rounding the home turn on the final occasion.
Kilmore (30 June 2022):
Ellen Tormey, driver of The Chook was questioned regarding her actions in restraining her drive when the mare broke gait rounding the home turn on the final occasion. Ms Tormey explained that she had an issue with the left rein throughout the event and struggled to gain control and direct her drive to the top of the track after breaking gait. Ms Tormey added that in restraining, the bit slipped through the mare’s mouth which resulted in having to take further corrective action to correct the placement of the bit. Ms. Tormey added that connections had made adjustments to the mare's gear in recent weeks. Stewards accepted Ms Tormey’s explanation on this occasion and noted her comments.
Daniel Borg
Chairman
‘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’.
Swabs:
Pre-Race:
Race 3: Miyagi Boy
Race 6: Wills Way
Race 8: Lottie Moon NZ
Race 8: Gobsmacked
Race 9: Onecrowdedhour
Race 10: The Chook
Post-Race:
Race 2: Double Joey
Race 3: Shaun To The Max
Race 5: Heston Cash
Race 6: Storm Stride
Race 7: Timely Sovereign
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