Stewards Report

HARNESS RACING VICTORIA

STEWARDS REPORT FOR BENDIGO

FRIDAY 27 MAY 2022

	Kylie Harrison Grant Adams Daniel Borg Jason Fino (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. 

 

RACE 1 – ALDEBARAN PARK VICBRED PLATINUM MAIDEN TROT (2150 MS)

Major Max and Heartbeat were not fully in their barrier positions at the start and will continue to be drawn wide in future mobile start races.

Heartbeat galloped clear of interference at approximately the 500m.

Thats My Armbro galloped as the start was affected and will now be drawn wide in future mobile start races. That’s My Armbro trailed the field thereafter.

In Ardua Tendit raced roughly at the 800m while leading the one out line resulting in trailing runner Major Max being inconvenienced and commencing a three wide run. In Ardua Tendit then galloped under pressure in the home straight. Driver Emmett Brosnan reported that in his opinion the gelding is not suited to racing without cover as this was its third race start. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

Prior to the all clear, Tony Barresi driver of the 3rd placed runner Mynameisgraham requested to view the replay of the home straight in relation to the 1st place Major Max placing his drive in tight racing room over the concluding stages. Upon review Mr Barresi lodged a protest against Major Max for alleged interference. After taking evidence from both drivers and reviewing the replays it was established that Mynameisgraham attempted to improve between Lindy Grace (Donna Castles) and Major Max (Jack Sullivan) in the home straight however there was insufficient room for a full run when Mynameisgraham improved with its legs to the inside of Major Max. Furthermore, stewards could not be satisfied that any interference had equated to the margin of 3.2 metres between both runners at the finish and the protest was dismissed. All clear was then given on the judge’s numbers.

 

RACE 2 – FORTY WINKS 3YO VICBRED MAIDEN TROT (2150 MS)

A false start was declared at the first attempt due to Hurricane Jane galloping in the score up and driver Juanita Breen being unable to restrain the filly back into its correct gait prior to release. Hurricane Jane was placed out of the draw for future mobile start races.

At the restart Brother Joseph galloped during the score up and was out of position at the start. Given the previous false start no action was taken against the gelding’s barrier manners.

While trailing the field Brother Joseph galloped leaving the front straight on the first occasion. Given the geldings recent racing manners, a warning was issued.

Constant was out of position during the score up on both occasions and will continue to be drawn wide in future mobile start races.

Millee galloped clear of interference approaching the 500m. Given the fillys recent racing manners Millee will be given one last chance to race truly.

Driver Graham McDermott (Waikare Maxwell) was questioned as to the reasons he didn’t activate the removable deafener hood over the concluding stages. Mr McDermott advised that the gelding is still learning with this being its sixth race start and he hasn’t removed the deafeners from the gelding previously.  Mr McDermott was advised to submit a gear change to fixed deafeners until he intends to remove them in the future.

RACE 3 – ALDEBARAN PARK VICBRED PLATINUM MAIDEN TROT (2150 MS)

Chris Alford failed to appear in the race book as the driver of The Red Warrior.

Pre and post race veterinary examinations were conducted on Dollys Law under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the mare having not started since July 2020. Both examinations cleared the mare of any obvious abnormalities.

Tornado Kev galloped during the score up and was out of position at the start. This gelding was placed out of the draw for future mobile start races.

Tornado Kev galloped again during the early stages while trailing the field.

Mielicki raced roughly after the start and will continue to be drawn wide in future mobile start races.

Alderbaran Gwen tired after leading throughout to be beaten 56m. Trailing runner Could Dowitharain was inconvenienced behind that runner as it commenced to give ground. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. Driver Josh Dickie was at a loss to explain the below expected performance. Stewards intend to follow up with connections in the coming days regarding the mare’s recovery. A warning was issued for a poor performance.

The Red Warrior galloped under pressure at approximately to 150m.

Astro and Could Dowitharain were held up for clear running rounding the final turn and during the early stages of the home straight. Could Dowiththerain contacted the final marker peg while held up before utilising the sprint lane.

Dollys Law was held up for a clear run rounding the home turn and improved quickly when in clear running in the home straight to win.

RACE 4 – BENDIGO LOCKSMITHS 3YO VICBRED MAIDEN TROT (2150 MS)

Our Warrior was examined pre and post race under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the gelding not having raced since April 2021. Both examinations cleared the gelding of any obvious abnormalities.

Our Warrior tired to be beaten a distant margin. Given the poor performance the gelding was stood down for a period of 10 days and until the completion of 1 trial. Trainer Gary Taylor advised that he intended to now retire the gelding.

Driver Michael Stanley (Maori Muscle) was questioned regarding the performance of the gelding after finishing in second last position beaten 51m. Mr Stanley stated that he was not disappointed with the performance given the gelding raced outside the leader throughout. Mr Stanley added that Maori Muscle became unbalanced rounding the final turn when racing under pressure and raced roughly which resulted in Maori Muscle losing ground at a vital stage which contributed to the beaten margin.

         

RACE 5 - SOUTHERN CROSS OFFICE EQUIPMENT (SCOE) PACE (1ST HEAT) (2150 MS)

Driver John Caldow (Seaside Sister) was questioned regarding the performance of the mare after finishing in second last place beaten 31m. Mr Caldow stated that he was disappointed with the mares performance and could offer no tangible explanation. Mr Caldow will be contacted in the coming days regarding the mares recovery.

RACE 6 – HARAS DES TROTTEURS TROT (2150 MS)

Trainer Chris Angove (Redriverdebba) was cautioned for failing to present the registration assessment certificate for the mare for inspection.

Driver Nathan Jack advised that the performance of Meydan after leading and finishing in 4th place beaten 6m could be attributed to the faster than average lead time when challenged early for the lead, and the race being run in a solid tempo throughout while leading. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities.

Benji Hall was held up for a clear run leaving the back straight and rounding the final turn.

RACE 7 – ALABAR BLOODSTOCK PACE (1650 MS)

Sorrento pulled hard while leading throughout then gave ground over the latter stages before tiring to be beaten 63m. Mac Gibbs was held up rounding the final turn as Sorrento commenced to give ground. A warning was issued against Sorrento for a poor performance.

Driver Greg Sugars (Mac Cheddar) was questioned regarding his tactics during the early stages when he elected to shift from a position with cover in the one out line to a position three back on the marker pegs. Mac Cheddar was held up for a clear run until entering the home straight where the gelding improved quickly to finish in 2nd place beaten a short half head. Mr Sugars explained that the gelding was having its first race start from a spell and connections had instructed him to drive with cover. Mr Sugars added that he contemplated the two options available to him and elected to race on the pegline given the potential that he would be obliged to improve three wide earlier than desired in the one out line and risk the gelding then not finishing off as competitively as it did from the peg line position.

Beau Bronski pulled hard during the middle stages and failed to handle the slight easing of the pace approaching the 800m resulting in the gelding making contact to the back of Royal Starzzz and racing roughly for a short distance.

RACE 8 – SMARTLINE PERSONAL MORTGAGE ADVISERS PACE (1650 MS)

Leigha Miller hung in and contacted the final marker peg prior to utilising the sprint lane over the concluding stages.

Celestial Trekker gave ground in the home straight after leading throughout resulting in trailing runner Soho Tsunami which was held up for clear running making contact with the near side sulky wheel resulting in a flat tyre. After viewing the replays and questioning driver Sean O’Sullivan (Soho Tsunami) regarding the incident, stewards accepted that the racing manners of Celestial Trekker had contributed to the incident and noted the circumstances.

The Last Chance was held up for a clear run rounding the home turn and during the early stages of the home straight.

RACE 9 – GARRARDS HORSE & HOUND PACE (2150 MS)

Tasma Flash was a late scratching at 9.57am on veterinary advice.

Days End was examined pre and post race under the HRV horse welfare policy due to the gelding racing on more than 200 previous occasions. Both examinations cleared the gelding of any obvious abnormalities.

 

Dancing With Flo showed initial gate speed to lead during the early stages. Approaching the winning post with one lap to travel it was evident that the mare commenced to over race significantly then veered outwards when leaving the front straight with one lap to travel. Both Real Dash and Days End were inconvenienced in the incident, and Spot On which was trailing obtained the lead when able to improve to its inside. Dancing With Flo commenced to give ground in the back straight and tired to be beaten in excess of 100m. A post race veterinary examination failed to reveal any obvious abnormalities. Driver Rick Cashman stated that the mare commenced to contact the sulky footrests during the race which resulting in Dancing With Flo becoming fierce and over racing. Given the performance Dancing With Flo was stood down until the completion of one satisfactory trial.

RACE 10 – WORLDS BEST HOOF OIL TROT (2150 MS)

A false start was declared at the first attempt and the start was delayed after driver Joe Attard (Buslin Broady) indicated to the starter that he had a gear issue due to the sulky seat on Buslin Brody becoming detached. At the conclusion of a subsequent inquiry, driver Joe Attard was fined $200 under rule 273(2)(b) for presenting this gelding to race in insecure gear.

At the restart Irene Rose galloped during the middle stages of the score up and was out of position as the start was affected. Taking into consideration the delay and previous false start no action was taken against the mares barrier manners.

Driver Ellen Tormey (Supplanter) was issued with a caution for the manner in which she shifted ground outwards rounding the final turn which inconvenienced Irene Rose as that mare hung in while giving ground after racing three wide over the latter stages.

RACE 11 – WOODLANDS STUD MAIDEN PACE (2150 MS)

Trainer Paul Watson (Mcardom) was cautioned for not having the gear worn by his gelding correctly notified.

Mcardom was held up over the latter stages and was unable to be fully tested.

RACE 12 – SIMONDS HOMES BENDIGO 3YO MAIDEN PACE (1650 MS)

Trainer David Aiken (Shireen) was cautioned for failing to notify correctly the gear worn by this filly.

Seemeshineyheels was out of position at the start and will now be given one last chance in the mobile barrier draw.

 

Kylie Harrison

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 3 – Dollys Law; Race 5 – Digyourheelsin; Race 6 – Redriverdebba; Race 8 – Tupelo Beach; Race 11 - Tellmesumthingrl
		Post-Race: Race 3 – Dollys Law; Race 6 – Bullion Harry; Race 7 – Royal Starzzz; Race 8 – Magic Mike NZ; Race 9 – Real Dash NZ;
Suspensions
Nil
Fines
Race 10	J Attard		R273(2)(b)	$200
Cautions
Race 6	C Angove		T/CNAC
Race 10	E Tormey		D/CSG
Race 11	P Watson		T/CG
Race 12	D Aiken		T/CG
Horse Actions
Race 1	Major Max		CODM
Race 1	Heartbeat		CODM
Race 1	Thats My Armbo		ODM
Race 2	Hurricane Jane		CODM
Race 2	Constant		CODM
Race 3	Mielicki		CODM
Race 3	Tornado Kev		ODM
Race 4	Our Warrior		SD10D/SD1T
Race 9	Dancing With Flo		SD1T
Late Scratchings
Race 9	Tasma Flash		9.57 am	Vets