Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR BENDIGO

FRIDAY 24 JUNE 2022

	Adrian Crowther Kylie Harrison Des Benger Nathan Moy (Starter) Dr Megan Thomas (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. 

GENERAL- Echuca 31/5/22- Race 9

Stewards queried driver Ash Manton(Tuakana) as to his driving tactics in the race. Mr Manton explained that he had attempted to put the gelding into the race from the 1400 metres as the pace of the race eased, as he believed that should the race develop into a sprint home he would be unable to make ground, however he was unable to get to the position outside the leader as Well Well then pulled out towards the 1300 metres and worked forward to the position outside the leader, and as a result he then angled back to the one out line as his drive came under pressure from just prior to the bell. Stewards noted the explanation tendered.

RACE 1 – TAB LONG MAY WE PLAY TROT (1650 MS)

Jack MacKinnon was not listed in the racebook as the driver of Jessicas Story.

 Jessicas Story broke free of interference  immediately after the start was effected and trailed the field thereafter. The mare has been placed out of the mobile barrier draw.

Evas Image hung in and raced roughly momentarily racing into the first turn. Stewards queried trainer/driver Chris Lang as to the performance of the mare. Mr Lang explained that the mare had pulled up well, however he would have blood samples taken to ascertain whether any abnormalities were present. Stewards will follow up with Mr Lang in the days following the race.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT - 29 JUNE 2022

Chris Lang, trainer of Evas Image advised subsequent to the poor performance at Bendigo on June 24 2022, that blood tests had revealed the mare to be tying up.  Mr.Lang stated Evas Image has been treated accordingly and will continue with the current preparation.

RACE 2 – GREAT OCEAN ROAD REAL ESTATE PACE (1650 MS)

Loven Laughter was fractious in the pre-start circle and a warning has been placed on the starting manners of that mare.

Amber Alert broke in  the score up, was out of position at the start and was placed out of the mobile barrier draw.

Driver Nathan Jack (Metro Man) reported that  upon pulling up he became aware that the near fore hopple loop had become caught under the gelding’s near side knee boot.

Stewards queried trainer representative Ash Manton (Tuakana NZ) as to the apparent improved performance of the gelding. Mr Manton explained that in his view the gelding was significantly down in class and had  benefited from leading and being  able to dictate an even tempo.  Tuakana NZ was detained on-course for three hours to allow post-race swab samples to be taken. Mr  Manton  pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to Rule 156(2)(a) for using more than a wrist only flicking motion and he was fined $200. Mr Manton also pleaded guilty to a charge pursuant to Rule 170(4)(a) which says: “A driver shall not attempt to or allow his foot or leg to come into contact with the hind legs of the horse he is driving”. The particulars being early in the home straight when driving out he allowed his right foot to come out of the sulky footrest which then made contact with the off hind hock of Tuakana NZ. Mr Manton was fined $500. In determining penalty stewards were mindful of Mr Manton’s clear offence record under this rule, his guilty plea and the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines.

RACE 3 – FORTY WINKS TROTTERS HANDICAP (2150 SS)

Sean O’Sullivan was not listed in the racebook as the driver of Redriverdebba.

James Herbertson was not listed in the racebook as the driver of Tennerson.

Downunder Barkers momentarily raced roughly as the start was affected.

Aleppo Murphy will continue right out of the standing start draw at the request of trainer Kelly Stuart-Mitchell.

RACE 4 – STRATHFIELDSAYE PROBUS CLUB PACE (2150 MS)

Smooth Deal NZ was out of position at the start despite the efforts of driver Declan Murphy with a warning being placed on its starting manners. , viewing the official race replays

Driver George Chamouras (Carload) was fined $100 pursuant to Rule 156(3) for exceeding the maximum permitted number of whip strikes over the final 200m when utilising the sprint lane. 

Van Niekerk NZ, which led three wide late train from the entrance to the back straight, gave ground over the concluding stages. A post-race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Stewards will follow up with connections subsequent to the race meeting.

Stewards inquired into the reasons for Tophut Johny being tightened, checked and losing its rightful racing position in the one out one back position from the 900m toward the 800m. After taking evidence from drivers Taylor Youl (Tophut Johny), Blake Pace (Some Change NZ), viewing the official race replays  and acting on their own observations  Mr Pace was charged  pursuant to Rule 163(1)(a)(iii) for causing interference, the particulars being  that when initially shifting in near the 900 metres  he had tightened Tophut Johny which then had to be checked by driver Taylor Youl and when completing his shift to the one out line nearing the 800 metres  he did so at the expense of Tophut Johny which then lost its position in the one out one back trail. Mr Pace pleaded guilty to the charge and his  licence to drive in races was  suspended for a period of 7 days, which is to commence at midnight on 1/7.  In determining penalty stewards considered the HRV Minimum Penalty Guidelines, his  guilty plea and his relative driving inexperience,  having had 28 prior race drives (15 this season).

Stewards also queried Mr Pace (Some Change NZ ) in relation to his driving tactics. Mr Pace explained that the tempo of the first quarter was very moderate and he believed the race would then develop into a sprint home and therefore elected to attempt to put his drive into the race in the middle stages and obtain a forward position. Stewards noted the explanation put forward.

Stewards queried trainer representative Tayla French (Rockntommy Rulz NZ). Ms French explained that the gelding had benefited from a spell since last racing interstate and  that  the gelding had benefited from a favourable trail and been able to utilise the sprint lane. Rockntommy Rulz NZ was detained on-course for three hours to allow post-race samples to be taken.

RACE 5 - ALABAR VICBRED PLATINUM MARES SPRINT CHAMPIONSHIP (7TH HEAT) (1650 MS)

Stewards queried driver Nathan Jack (Sweet Miracle). Mr Jack explained that notwithstanding the faster time recorded than in the mare’s  most recent starts he felt the mare was somewhat disappointing with trainer Luke Kilduff intending  to take blood samples from the mare. Stewards will follow up with Mr Kilduff in the days following the event.

SUPPLEMENTARY REPORT - 29 JUNE 2022

Luke Kilduff, trainer of Sweet Miracle advised subsequent to the poor performance at Bendigo on June 24 2022, that blood tests had shown the mare to be suffering from a virus.  Mr.Kilduff stated Sweet Miracle has been treated accordingly and will have a short break before returning to the races.

RACE 6 – PCFA CRITICAL CATCH PACE (2150 MS)

Dessie Gee, which had undergone surgery to remove a bone sequestrum  from its off fore cannon since its most recent start on 20 November 2021, underwent pre and post-race veterinary examinations with no abnormalities detected.

Trainer Jess Tubbs (Chubby Checker NZ and Jawbreaker) was cautioned for failing to notify the intended tactics of their multiple runners.

Would You Mind NZ pulled hard in the score up and continued to pull hard throughout the race.

RACE 7 – PASTOR STEPHEN @ LLOWALONG FARMS PACE (2150 MS)

Gilty By The Beach broke shortly after the start and was placed out of the mobile barrier draw.

Driver Greg Sugars (Heston Cash) was inconvenienced and broke as the pace of the race eased racing into the first turn.  Driver John Caldow (Seaside Sister) was cautioned for easing the pace after crossing to the lead.

 Driver Matt Newberry (Aggie May) was cautioned for allowing his runner to race into a half cart position before then shifting fully three wide at the entrance to the back straight.

Seaside Sister  hung out in the back straight. A post-race veterinary examination of the mare  revealed no apparent abnormalities.

RACE 8 – TLC CARPENTRY 3YO PACE (2150 MS)

Stellar Queen hung in and raced roughly under pressure when giving ground rounding the final turn.

Direct Command NZ hung in under pressure approaching the finish.

RACE 9 – HAEUSLERS ECHUCA PACE (2150 MS)

The start of this race was delayed by Richmond greyhounds Race 6 running behind schedule.

Trainer Julie Douglas (Golfo Paradiso NZ) was cautioned for failing to have the gear worn by that runner accurately recorded.

Goodlookin Rooster competed pursuant to the provisions of the HRV Elevated TCO2 Policy.

 Driver Neville Pangrazio (Covered Kylie) was cautioned for failing to have his runner adequately in position at the start.

Treacherous Times hung in and raced roughly rounding the home turn. Driver Glenn Bull explained the gelding had commenced to hang in whilst coming under pressure and he would now affect gear changes to correct the gelding of its habit. A post race veterinary examination revealed no apparent abnormalities. Given the gelding’s prior racing history Treacherous Times has been placed on its last chance to race truly.

Gojoe was held up for  clear running rounding the home turn.

RACE 10 – HOFMANN ENGINEERING PACE (2150 MS)

Four Lonely Nights was out of position at the start and will continue out of the mobile barrier draw.

Bettor Sport was held up for clear running around the home turn.

 

Adrian Crowther

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 2 – Metro Man; Race 3 – Downunder Barkers; Race 4 – Renko NZ; Race 6 – Jawbreaker; Race 9 – Goodlookin Rooster NZ;
		Post-Race: Race 1 – Di Li; Race 2 – Tuakana NZ (b/u); Race 4 – Rockntommy Rulz NZ (b/u); Race 8 – Bet On The Tiger NZ; Race 10 – Linxx
Suspensions
Race 4	B Pace		R163(1)(a)(iii)	7 days
Fines
Race 2	A Manton		R156(2)(a)	$200
Race 2	A Manton		R170(4)(a)	$500
Race 4	G Chamouras		R156(3)	$100
Cautions
Race 6	J Tubbs		T/CT
Race 7	J Caldow		D/CEP
Race 7	M Newberry		D/CHC
Race 9	J Douglas		T/CG
Race 9	N Pangrazio		D/CSU
Horse Actions
Race 1	Jessicas Story		ODM
Race 2	Amber Alert		ODM
Race 3	Aleppo Murphy		CODS
Race 7	Gilty By The Beach		ODM
Race 10	Four Lonely Nights		CODM
Late Scratchings
Nil